Kykuit is an impressive 40-room house in Westchester County, New York. It is situated on the highest point in the hamlet of Pocantico Hills, overlooking the Hudson River with magnificent views of the New York City skyline. Kykuit is also known as John D. Rockefeller Estate, This hilltop paradise has been the home of John D. Rockefeller and his descendants.

Tours of Kykuit will take you to the main rooms of the six-story stone house including the office, the Drawing Room, the Music Room the China Room, the Butler’s Pantry, the Dining Room, the Alcove Room, and the Library. Each room represents a different aspect of the Rockefeller’s life and maintains its unique character.

The underground art galleries, were originally used as a play area for the Rockefeller children. Later Governor Rockefeller transformed the area into art galleries to display his impressive collection of art including Picasso tapestries.

The Coach Barn, with its collections of classic automobiles and horse-drawn carriages bring with it the fascinating experience of automobiles in the early 1900’s.

The magnificent expansive, terraced gardens include a Morning Garden, Grand Staircase, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Japanese-style brook, Japanese Tea-house, large Oceanus fountain, Temple of Aphrodite, loggia, and semicircular rose garden. Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller’s exceptional collection of 20th-century sculptures created by world famous artists, are placed in strategic areas throughout the garden, to compliment the magnificence surrounding them. In 1901 a golf course was added to the grounds.

Nelson Rockefeller bequeathed one-third of the estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, upon his death. Kykuit was renovated and modernized in 1995 by New Haven architect Herbert S. Newman and Partners. Included were major infrastructure changes enabling the estate to accommodate group tours of the first floor and art gallery, as were a reconfiguration of third and fourth floor staff quarters into guest suites. Kykuit is now open to the public for tours.

With its extraordinary architecture, remarkable gardens, art, history, and spectacular scenery, Kykuit is definitely worth a visit!

 Note: Photos of the interior of Philipsburg Manor and Kykuit are not permitted.

Posted: August 2, 2017

Information, prices and hours posted here are current as of the posted or updated date. It is advisable to call ahead or check online to confirm hours and prices.