Although the buildings were closed and unstaffed in late October due to federal closures, we visited the area and walked the grounds. Even from the exterior, we could enjoy the area — the vegetable garden, the building architecture and history, the beautiful views, and the inspiring artwork. Gratefully, there were few other visitors so we could go at our leisurely pace and spend time on the bench reflecting on how FDR and Eleanor created the government services that saved the country, even to today. An inspirational visit, it's a reminder that we have recovered from dark times before and can again.

What a historic and amazing home to visit! In visiting the FDR Library I also visited his home. You have to purchase a ticket to see the inside and it is with a park ranger tour. The ranger was very informative and gave us a great history about the Roosevelts and the home. I highly recommend visiting in conjunction with the presidential library.

The history of FDR is relevant today more than ever. What a spectacular national park. The home and grounds were beautifully preserved. Our guide was very knowledgeable with many stories about the former president and first lady. The little cafe has some nice food and drink options. The gift store is enormous. I would highly recommend this but you definitely need more than one day to see everything.

We visited on a Friday afternoon in late June 2025. There were plenty of parking spaces in the parking lot when we arrived. There were a few that were shaded by trees but they were all taken.

First thing we did was run into the info desk to get our tour tickets. it's located to the right when you enter. We got tickets for 2:30PM. There is a short film that plays in the visitor center on every hour and half hour in the auditorium. This is straight ahead.

Directly to the left next to the doors when you come in is the NPS passport cancellation stamps. There are a few here and it's on a nice wooden table with glass top. If you continue to the left it's the gift shop (New Deal Store) and it's a pretty big one.

The bathrooms are to the right behind the information desk. Also that's where the restaurant/cafeteria is and is called Uncle Sam's Canteen.

To get to the site where the house tour begins, you walk out to the left and walk down the path pass the presidential library. and then veer off to the right to the stables or horse barn area. You meet for your tour there and our kids sat on some benches here to work on their junior range books they picked up at the info desk.

The ranger giving the tour will start here and then walk everyone over to the house where you enter through the front doors. You can look around while they are talking, which is what I did to take pictures before the masses started running around. I found the main floor to be much more interesting than the upstairs floor which is mainly bedrooms. The rangers will gather everyone up and move everyone to the next floor together. You exit from the second floor out the back where they have makeshift metal stairs put in that take you down and around the back and side of the house and throws you back out front.

Sadly we were behind schedule and didn't really have much time to explore much more of the property. We went straight back to the visitor center to turn in our junior ranger booklets and got the badges and left for Eleanor Roosevelts House at Val-Kil just down the street.

Overall it was a great place to visit. There was so much more we could've done here and explored. I think if we were ever int he area again we would visit. We only had about an hour to explore the entire site and we did not plan enough time.

Due to the government shut down, I could not go inside. It is what it is!
I was able to walk the grounds and there was plenty of self information displays. You still got a feel for FDR live style. I walked the 2.5 mile wooded trail from his home to the Vanderbilt estate but that was closed too