Is Lyndhurst Worth Visiting? Honest Review + Essential Tips
My visit to Lyndhurst left me amazed by its Gothic Revival grandeur that lives up to all the praise. The estate will remain closed until Spring 2025, which gives you enough time to plan an incredible visit. The admission price is worth every penny thanks to the complete tour options, beautiful architectural details, and guides who make history come alive. Each visit provides great value, whether you pick the Classic Mansion Tour or try something different like the Upstairs/Downstairs adventure.
Lyndhurst ranks as Tarrytown's top attraction out of 22 local destinations. This architectural masterpiece has earned a 4.5-star rating from almost 600 visitors. Alexander Jackson Davis created one of America's finest Gothic Revival mansions back in 1838. The mansion's 19 decorated rooms showcase American identity through the ages. Beyond its indoor grandeur, Lyndhurst's estate amazes visitors with sweeping lawns and specimen trees. The property also features America's first steel-framed conservatory. This National Trust for Historic Preservation site perfectly captures 19th-century landscape design. Due to its beauty, Lyndhurst has been the setting for a number of different movies and shows, most recently the HBO series The Gilded Age. Let me share my thoughts about this historic estate's value and give you tips that will enhance your visit.
The Classic Mansion Tour at Lyndhurst takes you through 16 stunning rooms and costs $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and military, and $18 for youth ages 6-17. Your ticket gives you access to the entire 67-acre estate. The best part? You can explore the beautiful grounds even after your tour ends.
Lyndhurst's tour options cater to everyone's interests:
Classic Mansion Tour - Perfect for first-time visitors
Upstairs/Downstairs Tour - Takes you through the tower and service spaces
Inside/Outside Tour - Shows you the mansion, lower landscape, and bowling alley
Visitors often say they get great value for their money. The guides know their stuff and make each tour both fun and educational. The mansion's original furniture and detailed craftsmanship remain beautifully preserved.
The tour options give you plenty of flexibility. The Upstairs-Downstairs tour runs between $35-$42 and covers about 25 rooms. This extended experience lets you see both the grand living spaces and the service areas that kept this magnificent estate in working order.
The estate's seasonal beauty offers different experiences throughout the year. Flowering dogwood trees reach full bloom in March. Apple trees and lilac hedges create a stunning display during May-June. The Rose Garden and lavender bushes peak between June and August. Fall brings a beautiful harvest season with ripe apples and pears in September-October. The winter holds stunning architectural views with seasonal decorations.
Getting to Lyndhurst couldn't be easier. A train ride from New York City's Grand Central Terminal to Irvington takes 49 minutes. The estate sits just a short walk from the station. The drive there, from other areas, allows you to witness stunning scenery (especially in the fall) without the hassle of traffic.
The estate's rules are straightforward. Your leashed dogs can join you on the grounds. Picnics are welcome but leave the alcohol at home. Weather conditions or private events might affect opening hours, so check the website before heading out.
The Classic Mansion Tour makes a great starting point, as you'll explore 16 beautifully decorated rooms across two floors. The attention to detail makes each tour extraordinary. The Grand Art Gallery's second floor has the Gould family's original European painting collection that goes together with one another with magnificent Tiffany stained glass windows.
Lyndhurst offers something special - each tour ticket gives you access to their current exhibitions. The rotating displays showcase items from storage collections or pieces from family descendants that provide fresh viewpoints on the estate's rich history. Planning ahead will make your visit better. Book your preferred tour in advance, get there early, and stick to the estate's guidelines. These simple steps will help you fully enjoy this architectural gem.