Another great historical estate in the Hudson River Valley region. This free park/ estate has many interesting attractions including a villa you can tour, miles of walking paths, gardens and an event venue. When we arrived on a gloomy Saturday there was only one car in the parking lot. We were not sure it was even open but it was. The staff member was very friendly. I had no idea of the history of this place and its connection to the famous inventor Samuel Morse. I wish we lived closer so I could spend more time in this area exploring the history of places like Locust Grove. read more

Love going to Locust Grove! It's such a cute place for parties, business meetings etc. Always clean and the grounds are gorgeous too!

GREAT! Nice event spot. They have large ball rooms, bar. The location is where A. Graham-Bell did experiments, there are signs to read. Review: 5 read more

Beautiful grounds, gardens & hiking trails. They have light to moderate trail options. There are events there & it is worth a visit. You can tour the gallery & mansion. read more

Wasn't sure what to expect, but Locust Grove was a pleasant surprise! Free to enter and go hike or explore their indoor galleries. There is about a 1.5 mile loop trail that takes you through the woods and toward the end gives you amazing views of the Hudson River. Guided tours are available of the buildings for a fee. read more

Locust Grove - Outside of mansion on Locust Grove property - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

Locust Grove is a 200- acre park like National Historic Landmark estate. There are a few homes, a carriage house, ice house, trails, a flower garden, and vegetable garden, and it overlooks the Hudson River from a bluff. The property includes a home designed by architect Alexander Jackson Davis for Samuel F. B. Morse, the inventor of the telegraph. An Italianate style mansion, it was completed in 1851. This visit I didn't take the tour guide of the estate. Today was a wedding reception that they hold in the main hall. Everything from the out sourced catering and the setting was wonderful. Plenty of visual outside scenery, as well as inside lighting and pictures. Makes this a beautiful place, to hold your weddings or any other event. read more

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Great place to take a walk. Beautiful ground. Staff here were also very friendly. We'll go back. read more

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It wasnt even a nice day outside and this place was still great. I can only imagine Locust Grove when the weather is nice. Staff was very welcoming and helpful. Plenty hiking trails and benches to take in the sights. Never heard of this place and was driving by and stopped in. I suggest anyone on the area to pay a visit. You won't be disappointed. It's also free to the public but you need to be a member to walk your pet on the grounds. read more

Locust Grove - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

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If you visit Locust Grove, you will learn that the grounds are more than just Samuel Morse's home, and you will also learn that he was more than just "that Morse Code guy." The home, which is more visible from Route 9 when the leaves aren't out, is worth the tour, but it is not quite as large as the mansions to the north, such as the Vanderbilt. Likewise some of the families who owned the home during the first half of the 20th Century were locally prominent but just not able to rub elbows with them. The grounds are great both for strolling (dress appropriately during tick season) and for events. I've enjoyed several outdoor fetes in the summer on those grounds. The indoor events are equally worthwhile - for me, seeing signs for things like library book sales are an instant draw. If you take the "museum" part of the tour, you will learn that Morse was the 19th century American equivalent of a "Renaissance dude." Did you know for example, that he was a fairly prominent portrait painter? Many of his portraits are on display here. This place is definitely worth a visit, and it's also worth checking out their calendar of events on a regular basis. read more

I think this house is cool, but it's a bit of a bait and switch. "Come for the inventor you've heard of, stay for some other family who owned the house and wrote very detailed instructions in their will to reflect only them." The visitor center has a wing that features a display on Samuel Morse and the use of Morse code. That part is even free to visit, as well as a beautiful garden and some walking trails (which are nice and shady, have a few benches, but not much of a view of the Hudson). The house does have a cost for a tour. It's a little odd, the tour guide gives instructions on how to get to the house from visitor center, plays a video as an introduction, then we as a guideless group had to make our way to the house to meet the guide. Why didn't she wait for us? We as a group of strangers remembering the directions and approaching the house the right way was a little risky. The house is beautiful, and since it was purchased by Morse, it's interesting to discuss what was the original house, what Morse added, and what the Young family added. The Youngs when donating the house made it clear none of their possessions could be removed and no possessions could be added. Sorry Samuel! Your belongings didn't make the cut because your kids sold them and the estate can't even buy them back now. The Young stuff is really cool and they have authentic Victorian possessions, even down to toothbrushes and kitchen pantry items being authentic. For an authentic house, this place is amazing for having items that other historic houses have difficulty replicating. But nothing is from Samuel Morse so it's a lot of "well Morse probably used this as an X room but here's all about what the Young family did and used and displayed." As a house tour from another era, it was great. As a house about Samuel Morse, I was kind of disappointed. I understand if you get a donated house, you're limited by the donator's rules (she played it smart with her ironclad terms) but I do wish I could have known more about Morse's life and family and how he used the house vs. the people who lived there after him. read more

I booked this event for my family of 5. The day of, two family members are sick and feeling miserable. We are now debating on going there feeling miserable or staying home and not being able to recuperate the cost of the admission. I really wish this business had a better cancellation policy especially when the tickets were bought loess than 24 hours from the event. read more

The staff at Locust Grove were easy to work with to book our wedding here. They answered any questions we had and responded in a timely manner. The venue itself is the PERFECT wedding venue with a gorgeous backdrop for the ceremony and a beautiful indoor space. They also have a great backup option for indoor space to have the ceremony. There is plenty of space for your guests. The grounds are perfect for photos and for a private moment as a married couple. We HIGHLY recommend Locust Grove. read more

Had a great time here with all the witches selling their magic items, enjoyed the art work also. Will come again with all the events they have. read more

Writer Friend and I attended a book event here. A magnificent historic mansion, built by Samuel Morse, on a 200+ acre estate, with a long history. Unfortunately, we were unable to spend time walking the miles of trails through the grounds, and we were limited to a couple of rooms on the ground floor, but what a beautiful building! The staff was welcoming and friendly, and we already have a trip planned (when it gets warmer) to return, take the tour, and do a bit of hiking. I would also suggest visiting the gift shop--lots of unique items for sale there. read more

I can't believe these crazy people have the nerve to close the hiking trails during the winter (this place was open all year prior to the coronavirus), when they should know that January and February are by far the most comfortable months of the year to visit this place. Every person who lives here in the northeast knows that there is no heat in January, there is no humidity in January, there are no Lyme-disease-infested deer ticks during January, there is no possibility of being sunburned during January, and most of all, there are no mosquitoes during January. Like I have any desire to go hiking through a hot, humid, disgusting, mosquito-laden, snake-infested steambath during the month of July. read more

Came here while on a weekend getaway to walk over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, it was a great choice! The grounds are open and free for all to come, if you would like a tour of the mansion it is $11 for adults. The mansion tour is completely worth it! It begins with a short film of the history of the home, then heads out to the mansion. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable! She told us information about the house, the time period and also about the pieces in the house (art, furniture, etc). The mansion is so incredible, the antiques are beautiful and so interesting to look at. The view of the Hudson is gorgeous! Well worth the $11. Very nicely done! Happy traveling! Nicole read more

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Anything that has been written about Locust Grove is 100% accurate. If you want to get lost in an enchanted forest this is the place. This is a 200 acre landscape garden that housed Samuel Morse during his summer years. It's got gorgeous picaresque views of the Hudson Valley and a myriad of hiking trails that will lead you to spectacular vistas. This is an estate that was open to the public from an heiress. There are different Houses, barns and lush gardens that you can stroll through on a lazy afternoon. The trails are steep so pack durable hiking shoes to guide you safely. As you stroll throughout the Estate you are surrounded by beauty: gorgeous flowers and trees. The trees look as they can touch the sky. You will spot a hummingbird swooping around the gardens and beautiful butterflies magically steering through the grass. My favorite viewpoint was sitting on a bench outside Morse's house. This bench sits atop a bluff that overlooks the Hudson. Not only do you appreciate the panoramic beauty but the peace that comes with it. Locust Grove hosts weddings; the weekend we stayed we saw the preparation that the Estate prepared for the wedding. It was very romantic. Locust Grove has Sunset Sensations: Visitors who pay for this get a meal from a Chef, different one featured monthly, wine pairing presentation and a tour of the gardens. Plus, enjoy the magnificent Hudson River sunset. This occurs second Thursdays of the month from May-December. I've checked the pricing and it seems extremely reasonable. Also on the estate, Samuel Morse Gallery of lovely art and a small gift shop with wonderful treasures to purchase. read more

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Just gorgeous. The mansion, grounds and views are wonderful. There are numerous hiking trails with beautiful woods and two old pet cemeteries! read more

Such a nice place to take a stroll in the woods. The trail system offers a few loops which, when linked together, will allow you to spend a couple enjoyable hours here. The flower gardens and grounds are enjoyable as well though rte 9 traffic noise can be a bit much. Finish it off with something to eat at Rossi's deli or Adam's Fairacre Farms and it's a nice 1/2 day outing. read more

Beautiful historic site of Samuel Morse that offers free tours of the estate. Lovely flower and vegetable gardens and miles of hiking trails all for free. River views too. On a recent visit we saw the welcome addition of several new wooden benches built and donated by the local Boy Scout Troop! Many local events are also held here. One of our favorites is the Sunset Sensations series during the Spring, Summer and Fall where a local chef prepares tastings and does demos paired with wine. The holiday event lets you see the estate all decorated for Christmas with lights. So lucky to have this local gem nearby! read more

Locust Grove - Pond on the grounds of Locust Grove - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Poughkeepsie, New York

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I'm a person that loves to take photos and I've been wanting to come here to take photos but now I'm not comfortable to do so. I came today to see the gardens but the security guards did not make me comfortable enough to go in. They made multiple laps pass my car in the span of 20 minutes and I never opened my car door to get out. Made me extremely comfortable and not want to come back (didn't get to see anything because of how they made me and party feel). read more

Been here many many times and somehow never toured the house. Do it. My tour was full of other locals who have visited the grounds repeatedly but also never toured the house. It is not as grand as the Vanderbilt or Rockefeller estate but is a great example of this very special period on the Hudson. The tour and grounds are well worth visiting. Approved! read more

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Locust Grove is an amazing place to visit anytime of the year. Every season will provide you with a new scene of the trails and the Hudson River. Locust Grove never gets old no matter how many times I've hiked the trails or walked the garden. You can go for a walk or plan your next event. Parking is always accessible and it's close to everything Poughkeepsie. If you forget a snack don't worry you can grab a granola bar and a scarf in the gift shop. read more

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Why does yelp say it is closed Saturday on Nov when I went there and there even was a event with various vendors? Cute museum about Samuel Morse and his invention of the telegraph. 5 star alone as I am a history fan. Hiked the lane loop trail (I think that's what it is called.) Will return for other trails. It took me an hour BC I wandered to the lookout point and it was fun seeing trains come and go. No waterfalls exist as the first reviewer mentioned. Kinda sad bc i love waterfalls but I still love this area Then I went to buy overpriced vegan chocolate for a friend at the market event inside the information center/museum/ gift store shop. Very similar feel to the late president Roosevelt's childhood home in long island. Has architectural similarities, a farm, pet cemetary and hiking trail by the water too! Will return for more hiking. read more

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We attended a wedding here and it was absolutely beautiful The grounds were beautiful and the venues was far more than we anticipated. Beautiful gardens and it just felt so "New England" ( we're from California so i think it does lol) read more

We came here for the fairy hunt. Instagram worthy photo opportunities are a plenty. I prefer this type of activity compared to a store in the mall. Located close to Splash Down. It's a great place to picnic. I highly recommend this outing if you're traveling with family members. There's something for grandmas and grandkids. It's free to explore the grounds. We paid 10 dollars per person for the fairy house hunt. I thought it was worth it. I brought my 7 year old and 72 year old mom. They both enjoyed it. read more

This review if for the hiking trail only. The grounds were very nice. The trails were wide and well maintained; more akin to a tote road than a rugged trail, but this suited us fine, as we hiked the grounds late in the day and were already a bit tired. The grounds were less open and more overgrown than I had expected; the only view of the Hudson River is at the end of about a 3/4 mile hike through pretty dense woods, but overall this was a great after dinner walk. read more

Beautiful... I can't believe it isn't more popular with local nature-walkers, but I'm grateful that it isn't! More peace and quiet for the rest of us. The trails are nicely maintained without being too overdone. There are a couple that lead you to a nice view of the river, and there are a few waterfalls and ponds scattered along the trails as well. One of my favorite parts of the grounds were the two pet cemetaries located on the north side of the house... I love animals, and I love people who love their animals, and the Morse family clearly did! There are summer concerts, wine tastings, and other events held here. It's also possible to hold weddings here, and I can't think of a more beautiful or serene outdoor setting for a wedding in the Hudson Valley. read more

Most beautiful, romantic walk we've yet seen! Large park with plentiful animal life - we've seen deer, groundhogs, birds, and more. read more

I've attended, catered, and organized many events (my own wedding included) at Locust Grove over the last several years. The attentive and incredibly helpful staff are a perfect complement to a space that is perfectly designed for any occasion. It sounds cliche only because it's true. Locust Grove is a space whose functionality exceeds far beyond just weddings as I've used and seen it used for conferences, board meetings, public concerts, community picnics, and much much more. It's a truly beautiful site whose resources (like restrooms, parking, rental & catering company relationships, access to electricity and water, etc) are unrivaled in the area. read more

Unlike the other reviews of Locust Grove, this review is for a tour of the house, formerly the home of Samuel F. B. Morse and now a National Historic Landmark. We cannot speak to the highly-praised trails and public concerts held on the grounds of Locust Grove as other Yelpers have. No public event was scheduled during our visit and we were not interested in walking the trails because the day was cold and rainy. As for the house, it's one of many Nineteenth Century mansions scattered about the Hudson River Valley. It's worth seeing if you have time and money for the tour but there is nothing remarkable about it compared to the others. See also our review of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area. read more

I had the pleasure of visiting Locust Grove during Christmas vacation - it was December 26th and they were open for decorated house tours. The place was really beautiful. The history of how it came to be was really interesting to learn about. They also have a nice little gift shop where you can buy really neat hats, soaps, candles, Christmas bulbs, and other trinkets. I found a very nice tile with a print of the house on it that I really like. Our intent for this visit was to check the place out as a potential wedding reception venue. Ken Snodgrass met with us that same day for just a few minutes; I was very grateful that he was willing to talk with us - since we hadn't intended on meeting with anyone we didn't set anything up. He gave us a little tour and some papers to take home. We thought on it for about an hour, but all along I think we knew it was the place for us. I'm very much looking forward to working with Ken, he seems to be well organized, willing to answer questions, and was very responsive. We decided to book it - and if I give you any advice and you are thinking of this location for your wedding/reception, it would be to book early! Our wedding wo read more

Lovely grounds. I enjoyed the produce and flower gardens and walking the grounds. Lovely views. The gallery exhibition of pastels was well done. Very much enjoyed my visit and the event that was held here (rehearsal dinner). Thanks! read more

This is the Samuel Morse Historic Site. Samuel Morse was best known for inventing the telegraph (and Morse code). Samuel Morse purchased the Locust Grove estate in 1847. The site has been open to the public since 1979. I haven't visited the house, but the grounds are beautiful, and are perfect for a nice walk. There are 3 miles of carriage and walking trails through the woods, and beautifully landscaped gardens. Visiting the grounds is free, but it costs $9 ($5 for kids) to visit the mansion. Their website has lots more information: http://www.morsehistoricsite.org/ read more

We love this park Beautiful flower garden, hiking trails, and some views of the river. Great place to come during hot days with lots of shade provided by tall trees. Friendly staff and volunteers. read more

Locust Grove Estate is a wonderful location to host any wedding ceremony/reception. We were thrilled to have both our ceremony and reception on the grounds. The scenery and location are just spectacular. Executive Director Ken Snodgrass was wonderful to deal with. He helped with all the details, which made our day even more special. I would recommend Locust Grove Estate for any wedding celebration. You will certainly be happy that you did. It is definitely worth more than 5 stars!!!! read more

One time home of Samuel F.B. Morse- painter, telegraph inventor and bigoted renaissance man.The house you see in the inside is largely the product of a later owner who clearly liked to collect and did not throw things out.Very nice staff - good tour.If you want to get a good glimpse of how late 19th - early 20 th century upper bourgeois lived , this is a good place to look . This is not robber baron territory.The grounds are also very nice. Finally some paintings by Morse are on display. read more

Ken and his team of professionals made our wedding memorable at Locust Grove, Samuel Morse Estate in Poughkeepsie, NY! From family and friends, to all our guest, they were so impressed with the gardens, facilities and shear beauty of LG. I highly recommend going to see Ken at LG to schedule a consultation. The grounds are open daily. Take a look for yourself. I guarantee once you step foot on the grounds of LG and you'll sign on the dotted line. -Brad and Gary PS When you rent LG you also get all the tables and chairs along with use of the grounds and reception area. HUGE SAVING! read more

Enjoyed learning about Samuel F.B. Morse life at his Locust Grove Estate. The art Gallery & tour of his home as well as our tour guide were lovely. I recommend visiting the grounds during your next stop by the Hudson. Gift Shop has plenty of delightful unique gifts. read more

This place is dreadful. The wedding started at 5. At eight they finally brought food to the other side of the room. Our side had to wait another half an hour for them to bring dinner. When I asked if we could have some bread, the girl said no.I had to chase someone down to get water glasses filled at our table. No one ever came around to see if we needed any thing. The steak and potato would not have filled an infant. I am a very small petite woman who doesn't eat much... went home starving!! Never again. read more