1. Van Cortlandt House Museum

0

Bronx, NY

Cancel

Open app

Search

Van Cortlandt House Museum

4.5 (13 reviews)
Closed • Closed

VAN CORTLANDT HOUSE MUSEUM · YELP ASSISTANT

Ask Yelp Assistant

Van Cortlandt House Museum Photos

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Van Cortlandt House Museum

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Slave quarters
Que B.

The Van Cortlandt House, also known as the Van Cortlandt Mansion, is the oldest known surviving house in the Bronx in New York City. It is located in the southwestern portion of Van Cortlandt Park. The house is operated as a historic house museum known as the Van Cortlandt House Museum. Built of fieldstone by enslaved labor, the Van Cortlandt house stands on property that was once a plantation where a thriving wheat growing and processing business ran. Frederick Van Cortlandt, son of the original plantation owner, started building the house for his family in 1748, but on his death it was passed to and completed by his son James Van Cortlandt. James served as a Colonel in the Westchester County Militia and represented Westchester County at the first Provincial Congress in 1775. Van Cortlandt House was also temporary home to General George Washington on several occasions during the Revolutionary War. Washington first occupied Van Cortlandt House as temporary headquarters in October of 1776 and then again in late November 1783. The house was also used during the Revolutionary War by the Comte de Rochambeau and Marquis de Lafayette.

Gift shop
Tasnia S.

Van Cortland House museum was great! It's a nice hidden gem museum where you get to tour different rooms in the house from the attic to all the floors. You learn a lot about history and cool facts even about the American revolution. It also doesn't cost too much, tickets are around $3-$5.

Mr F G And Mrs M S.

This house museum is located inside the Van Cortland Park, it is a part of the NYC Historic House Trust organization. From the front it looks so grand but it only has 2 floors with an attic. We went first to the visitor center next to the house and was given an information booklet and was free to explore the house on our own. The kitchen and the dining area were closed due to restoration. Not too much going on inside the house, but overall they did a nice restoration for the rooms. It can easily be done within 30 minutes or less. We felt a bit creepy inside the house, maybe because some parts of the house were quite dark or maybe because we were the only visitor. Admission is $5 but it's free on Wednesday!

George C.

Missed Smithsonian Day Live here, which was just fine because IDNYC gets you a free annual membership here, which is really unnecessary. Sorry, but even if it's the oldest house in The Bronx located in the third largest park in New York City, I still can't see myself coming back.

Staircase at Van Cortlandt House

See all

6 months ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Cam E.
54
842
15424

1 year ago

Helpful 25
Thanks 6
Love this 21
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Que B.
296
586
3477

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Tasnia S.
18
107
627

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Giacomo C.
2179
1630
5764

8 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

13 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Ilan F.
0
448
238

11 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

11 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Ask the Community - Van Cortlandt House Museum

Review Highlights - Van Cortlandt House Museum

“Although I wasn't lucky enough to be on a scheduled tour, I still enjoyed a stroll inside this building built by Frederick Van Cortlandt in 1748.”

Mentioned in 3 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Museums 5,578 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Hudson River Museum - Matthew Lifflander Gallery

Hudson River Museum

4.2(40 reviews)
4.4 mi

*** 5,500th review ***…read more I don't know what took me so long to check out the Hudson River Museum. The views, alone, would be reason enough to visit. I was initially drawn to the impressive dollhouse, but there are also so many other cool paintings, sculptures, and photographs here. The museum building itself is very bright and welcoming. Check out the courtyard, too, where there were some lawn games over the summer. We also explored the education center, which seems to have an ongoing activities for kids. Next time I visit, I'll check out the planetarium!

Mark Twain called the late 19th century the "Gilded Age." It saw the creation of a modern…read moreindustrial economy, a national transportation and communication network. In the HBO drama "The Gilded Age," the characters are keenly aware that they live in interesting times, and this establishment was featured as Mrs. Astor's home. Built for millionaire banker John Bond Trevor and his family, Glenview Mansion has been painstakingly restored by the Hudson River Museum, which is a hidden gem located in Yonkers. Guided tours are offered to six fully restored rooms (Great Hall, Sitting Room, Parlor, Dining Room, Ebony Library, and Billiard Room), which my partner and I had the pleasure of today at $20 per adult and can be purchased on their website. Since his primary residence was in NYC, this 19th-century seasonal home was used from April to December each year and sits on a 23-acre estate. The owner commuted into his office on Wall Street in New York City, about 23 miles away. Upon entering the mansion, it showcases late Victorian with the colorful tiles on the floor, the high ceilings, and the furniture and fixtures such as the Tiffany and Co. grandfather clock, a Victorian recliner chair, or the storybook tiles over the fireplace in the Great Hallway. The original home featured a wraparound balcony that could be accessed through the Sitting Room, but it was later removed in order to lower maintenance costs. Besides the mansion, the museum is a complex of galleries that present changing art exhibitions, a permanent Hudson River School collection, a planetarium, an amphitheater, and educational spaces for all ages. The staff was friendly. The interior was very well kept and organized. With great views of the Hudson River, this is a relatively short day trip, which we can recommend.

Photos
Hudson River Museum - The Billiard Room

The Billiard Room

Hudson River Museum - The Front Desk

The Front Desk

Hudson River Museum - At the entrance

See all

At the entrance

The Met Cloisters - Have the courage to act instead of react.
   -Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr

The Met Cloisters

4.6(824 reviews)
2.6 mi•Washington Heights

All the virtues of medieval Catholicism without the kings and plagues. Sometimes, instead of my…read morechildhood religiosity, l think of these chapels and cloisters from 14th century Europe. Too bad the unicorn was hunted to extinction. Some people believe they never really existed.

My first time going to the Cloisters. I went with family last week- they went at their pace then…read moresat in the courtyards which had some seating, while I went around at my pace. Good thing I didn't take my boys when they were younger, wouldn't have been for them. A smaller museum compared to the Met but there were still many items to look at. What caught my attention were the details - in the paintings, written books, carved pieces/sculptures (esp the really small ones), tapestries, etc. There were groups having an activity in some areas which blocked us from seeing some of the works of art up close though, like the Unicorn tapestry. I think visits in the spring and summer are better so can enjoy the outdoors. The open courtyards/gardens were lush with greenery and it's nice to spend time out there. The museum has 2 floors. Be ready for going up/down via stairs. It is wheelchair-accessible though I read it is limited. There are a few wheelchairs - free to use, first come-first served. Best to contact them re: the accessible entrance, a shuttle, etc. I learned from another visitor that a staff member has to accompany when taking the elevator. Restrooms are in the lower level, with a wheelchair-accessible one. Took the A train - Dyckman St. station. Entered Fort Tryon Park, then walked uphill a bit then took the stairs (towards the left from the path, steep in some areas). If you have difficulty with stairs, continue on the path or ask about the shuttle.

Photos
The Met Cloisters - "If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough"
         --Robert Capa

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough" --Robert Capa

The Met Cloisters - "The most beautiful stories always start with wreckage." 
           ― Jack London

"The most beautiful stories always start with wreckage." ― Jack London

The Met Cloisters - Tell all the truth but tell it slant.
     --Emily Dickinson

See all

Tell all the truth but tell it slant. --Emily Dickinson

Museum of Sex

Museum of Sex

3.3(1.6k reviews)
11.3 mi•Flatiron

I didn't know what to expect, but a few different friends recommended that I visit the Museum of…read moreSex while in NYC. Tickets felt fairly pricey, and entry is timed. Once I got to explore all the traditional and interactive exhibits (except I didn't spend much time at the bar/restaurant) I understood why and appreciated that they limit the number of patrons inside the space at any given time. Love what this museum stands for and all the education their exhibits do on the history and general topic/stigma of sex. Lots of neon lights and "psychedelic" displays. The gift shop was fun too. As a future therapist, I appreciated each exhibit for a different reason, and it was fun to reflect on my own beliefs and biases. Would definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a new and refreshing entertainment option in NYC!

My friend and I ended up at the Museum of Sex completely randomly after spotting it while we were…read moreon our way somewhere else! When you first walk in, you're greeted by a shop that has pretty much anything you could want from a sex shop. All of the staff members we interacted with were also really friendly and welcoming! We enjoyed some of the history and artwork, and there were definitely some interesting things to see, but I also felt like a lot of it was there purely for shock value. There was a short movie before the games section that I honestly didn't really understand or see the point of. The games were entertaining, although a lot of them felt a little dated. Some were fun, and you can scan to play most of them, but they don't really make it clear that you only get one free play before having to pay. Considering the price of admission, I feel like the games should be included without additional charges. Overall, I'm glad we went, and it was definitely a unique way to spend some time in NYC. It's one of those places that's fun to experience at least once, especially with a friend or partner, but I don't think there's enough there to justify the ticket price or make me want to go back. Worth checking out if you're curious!

Photos
Museum of Sex
Museum of Sex - Gallery: ObjectXXX

Gallery: ObjectXXX

Museum of Sex - Installation: Jump for Joy

See all

Installation: Jump for Joy

Museum of Illusions

Museum of Illusions

3.1(529 reviews)
11.9 mi•Meatpacking District, West Village, Chelsea

My wife (Won-ok) and I had a surprisingly good time at the Museum of Illusions a few weeks ago…read more I've got to admit: It was not a place I would have ever cared to see. I've always been bad at math and science, and I've never had much use for illusions. I thought the museum was about magic tricks or something, but, fortunately, I was wrong. I'm so glad we checked this place out. The highlight of the day was the photo opp at the "Illusion Street Station" of the NY subway system. A very kind and enthusiastic staffer named Julie encouraged us to experience that exhibit, and even took awesome photos for us that are absolutely going up on our walls. She also explained the basic of what we were looking at, and kept it in simple terms so a math/science-challenged guy like me could understand. I learned a few cool nuggets on those subjects but that was all I could absorb. That doesn't matter, though, because the museum achieved its objective with me -- sparking curiosity and a desire to learn more about the subjects it covers. Won-ok loved it, by the way, because she is all about the world of illusions. If you're looking for a completely unexpected treat in New York, stop by the Museum of Illusions -- unless it's not really there.

Honestly, the Museum of Illusions was a bit underwhelming, especially if you're visiting by…read moreyourself and there isn't a special event or anything else going on. I'm not sure the experience justifies the price of admission. Tickets are $35 per adult, so if you bring someone with you, that's already $70 for two people. In my mind, that's practically $100 for an experience that feels pretty limited. There's just not enough going on to make the price worthwhile. Some of the exhibits are things you simply walk right past without spending much time on them. To be honest, it almost feels like you're getting robbed because the experience just doesn't offer enough for what you're paying. I think the museum would benefit from having an actual magician or illusionist on-site to give demonstrations, explain the exhibits and provide guided tours. That would make the experience much more interactive and give visitors a better sense that they're getting their money's worth. Going by yourself, I found the experience particularly disappointing. I expected more, and unfortunately, there just wasn't enough there to justify the admission price.

Photos
Museum of Illusions
Museum of Illusions
Museum of Illusions

See all

Color Factory - Grab your headphones and go dance in the next room under the disco lights

Color Factory

4.1(647 reviews)
12.8 mi•South Village

I had to run it back while in NYC and this was one of my favorite dates I've ever went on!…read more My friends had never been so they trusted me with a good time. We had so much today and it brought back the first time I came here and the amazing memories we made. It allows you to be a kid again and enjoy sweet treats and cool rooms while capturing photos ! Pending my link , then I'll update more photos #RICJAMES4EVA lol

Color-Free Factory Aug 2026…read more My advice: money is green, which is a color. Keep your green money in your pocket and don't spend it at Color Factory. A color museum should have COLOR. This place was unbelievably shabby and unloved, the confetti room had no confetti, the color rooms were just painted empty dark closets the size of a mop and bucket. The whole thing could be done better in your own garage with three quarts of Sherwin-Williams paint and a roll of paper towels for confetti. The ball pit was only ankle deep in balls. I'm so embarrassed for Color Factory, I could make this place better in one long weekend with $100 and the help of three kids from a teenage art class. Collect colored objects from Goodwill, buy paint samples from Lowe's! Let kids paint! Buy colored plastic magnets and some light tables! In such a creative city packed with broke art students, this place should be amazing. It could be a home for inventive uses of color and design, instead of a broken, shabby, color-free house of sad. Skip Color Factory and just go for a walk in amazing New York. There's more color and creativity in one city block, and it's free.

Photos
Color Factory - Daughter and grand.

Daughter and grand.

Color Factory - Confetti Room

Confetti Room

Color Factory - The confetti room ! Our favorite room

See all

The confetti room ! Our favorite room

Van Cortlandt House Museum - museums - Updated November 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...