It’s a long holiday weekend so it’s the perfect time to get out and explore. There are several National parks in New York and in nearby states that have free admission running this Sunday and Monday.
Here’s a partial list:
Franklin D. Roosevelt home in Hyde Park. I was fortunate enough to visit this home, ground and museum. It’s well worth the trip, if it’s free admission weekend or not. Hyde Park is about an hour from Saratoga Springs.
Vanderbilt Mansion which is also located in Hyde Park. If you’d like to see how the other half lived “back in the day” then this is a place not to be missed. It’s truly magnificent.
Saratoga National Historic Park might not sound like an outside adventure this time of year, don’t forget that there is a visitor’s center that has a 20 minute orientation film, a timeline and artifacts. And if the weather is cooperating this weekend you can take an audio tour. Whether you’ve lived in Saratoga all your life or are here for a visit this battlefield is a fascinating stop.
There are other parks participating in free admission weekend that are within a few hours drive.
Those are:
In New Jersey:
The Thomas Edison National Historic Site
Come and visit the lab where Edison gave us the most basics of everyday life that we take for granted — music, movies and even light.
Morristown National Historical Site
Visit Washington’s Headquarters Museum
Massachusetts:
Cape Cod National Seashore is a fantastic destination that unfortunately wont be able to be visited during the free weekend, at least not this time. Keep it in mind for September. With the beaches, cranberry bogs and lighthouses its delightful place to visit — in good weather.
If you’re up for more of a drive here are few that will be free in Pennsylvania
Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
Fort Necessity National Battlefield
Johnstown Flood National Museum
Steamboat National Historic Site
I hope this list will inspire you to go out and explore (weather permitting) and take in some of your local National Parks. If not this time, then when the weather is better and you’re suffering from spring fever. Keep these in your back pocket.
