The Hudson River Valley is a great place to escape to on a questionable weather day. I recently went to see yet another great mansion in the area. This time we visited Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate. This fabulous place was created by John D. Rockefeller and his family lived on this palatial estate up until Governor Nelson Rockefeller. There were several changes over the generations, and they are all fabulously showcased by the historians who run the tours and care for the estate.
The Rockefellers were not only amazing wealthy, but slightly eccentric, which makes it fun to visit. The fountain at the entrance to the estate is the largest privately owned fountain in the country, even though it is now state property. The Rockefellers were also known for having an art gallery in the cellar with Picasso tapestries on the walls.
The estate's name is a Dutch word that means lookout. The estate was placed delicately on the top of a hill overlooking the Hudson River, Sleepy Hollow, NY; and the Palisades. John D. Rockefeller wanted to have the perfect view, so he had the very top of the hill removed for optimum viewing. The grounds are exquisite at the site, and the views, to defend John D., are amazing.
Governor Nelson Rockefeller was the most diligent of the art collectors in the family. He made the art gallery in the lower level. There are beautiful gardens at the estate and they are littered with art. There are gates rivaling Versailles. There are Rodins in the yard. There's abstract art and a statue of Aphrodite in a temple. The amazing pieces seem to never end. There are fountains, statues, and buildings that are all art.
Even the stables are amazing. The spiral staircase to the offices is nothing. I love the Tiffany chandeliers and the Middle Eastern saddle. It's an impressive location and the horses must have loved living there. The opposite side of the stable housed the fleet of cars that were driven by the staff of the Rockefellers over the years. It now makes an impressive car museum.
That being said, this is an estate that is amazing and I loved seeing it and hearing all the stories of where the art came from and who lived there when. However, keep in mind that you will be spending a lot of time outside. You are not allowed to take any pictures in the house and you only get to see the main floor and the art gallery downstairs. I was happy that the weather cleared up that day, because of the two and a half hours that we were touring the estate; a lot of time was spent outside. So, while I loved it--not lying, it is not a rainy day venue. You will also ride a shuttle bus from the visitor center to the house, so don't even try to drive there.
Now, that being said; the tour was great, because the tour guides know a lot about the Rockefellers. The also point out the other parts of the estate while you are coming and going on the bus. That's a great perk. The gardens and grounds are amazing, so it is worth the time and money to go. Also, there are several other historic homes and land trusts to visit in the area, making Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown, New York a great weekend venue. If you live in the city, it's all only a train ride away on the Hudson Line of Metro North. With a great view of the new Tappanzee Bridge and waterfront parks, it's a great place to spend some time. Enjoy!
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