Discover the rich history and iconic landmarks of New York and the Capital-Saratoga region! The Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, housed in the former home of steel titan Andrew Carnegie and his wife, Louise Whitfield Carnegie, stands as a unique celebration of all design disciplines. Once part of Manhattan’s famous Millionaire’s Row on Fifth Avenue, many historic mansions have been replaced, but this one remains a remarkable relic of the Gilded Age. The mansion became the Smithsonian-affiliated design museum in 1976, showcasing creativity and innovation.
Nearby, the Frick Collection reopened in spring 2025 after a five-year renovation. Housed in Henry Clay Frick’s former mansion—an art lover, financier, and industrialist—the museum displays Old World master paintings, European sculptures, and now features its first onsite restaurant. In Manhattan’s Murray Hill, the Morgan Library & Museum originates from J.P. Morgan’s personal collection of manuscripts, printed books, and drawings.
In Brooklyn, the historic Villard Houses, once home to Henry Villard of the Northern Pacific Railway, are now part of the luxurious Lotte New York Palace Hotel. Movie buffs can catch glimpses of the Brooklyn Bridge’s construction, famously completed in 1883 and celebrated for its engineering marvel.
Experience the Gilded Age in the Capital-Saratoga region with its majestic homes and historic sites. Book your dream vacation today with MWR LIFE and explore the grandeur of America’s golden era!
Discover Saratoga Springs, a historic resort known for its natural mineral waters and famous Saratoga Race Course. The Adelphi Hotel, a true crown jewel, opened in 1877 and quickly became a hotspot for financiers, politicians, and celebrities. After a five-year restoration completed in 2017, the hotel preserved its original architecture while adding modern guest amenities. Other notable Gilded Age hotels include the Batcheller Mansion Inn and Union Gables Inn. Visit the Saratoga Springs History Museum in the Canfield Casino (circa 1870s) or stroll through Yaddo Gardens, once part of financier Spencer Trask’s summer estate.
In Troy, many iconic sites feature in HBO’s “The Gilded Age”, such as Oakwood Cemetery, Rensselaer County Courthouse, Hart Cluett Museum, Washington Park, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, and Paine Castle.
Explore the Gilded Age in the 1000 Islands region—rich in history, grand estates, and classic architecture. Book your vacation now with MWR LIFE and experience the timeless beauty of America’s Gilded Age!
Explore Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands, a stunning mansion project started by George Boldt, a famous hotelier. Located along the U.S.-Canada border, this region attracted many wealthy travelers during the Gilded Age, who built lavish estates. Boldt planned the castle as a summer home for his wife, Louise, but construction stopped suddenly after her death. Abandoned for over 70 years, the castle was restored by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority and is now open for tours during the warmer months.
Singer Castle, commissioned by Frederick Bourne, president of Singer Sewing Machine, was built as a hunting lodge and summer retreat. Unlike Boldt Castle, Singer Castle was fully completed and used for many years. Visitors can stay overnight in a special suite within the medieval-style mansion.
Experience the Gilded Age in the Hudson Valley, where historic estates and grand homes tell stories of America’s Golden Era. Book your dream vacation with MWR LIFE and dive into the luxurious history of this remarkable period!
Lyndhurst in Tarrytown was where railroad baron Jay Gould once lived.
Purchased by railroad baron Jay Gould, Lyndhurst in Tarrytown is a strong example of Gothic Revival architecture in America, with castle-like crenelations, turrets and stained glass in arched windows. Leave time to stroll Lyndhurst’s 67 acres packed with Hudson River vistas and gardens and a recently restored, circa 1894 bowling alley.
Kykuit, The Rockefeller Estate in Sleepy Hollow was the home of John D. Rockefeller, Standard Oil magnate and the richest American of his time. This six-story structure still holds this family’s collections, ranging from antique furniture to classic cars to works by world-famous artists.
Kykuit in Sleepy Hollow was the home of John D. Rockefeller, who was once considered to be America’s most richest man.
Armour-Stiner Octagon House in Irvington was built toward the end of what was then known as the “octagon style craze.” As one of only two domed octagons in the United States, this New York house is amid just over three acres of restored 19th-century landscape design.
In Yonkers, Glenview Mansion at the Hudson River Museum is tucked within its main building. This former home of stockbroker John Bond Trevor was staged as the home for Mrs. Astor in “The Gilded Age’s” first two seasons.
Yonkers’ Untermyer Gardens are at what was originally Greystone, the estate of hat manufacturer John T. Waring and then its later owner and social progressive, Samuel Untermyer. Wind along sculpted griffins, a hilltop tempietto, fountains, a grotto, marble colonnades, a reflection pool and an amphitheater amid Hudson views.
The Gilded Age In Long Island
Oheka Castle sits on the highest point of Long Island,
Long Island’s Gold Coast region along the North Shore is often linked to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” but it also has ties to the Gilded Age.
Old Westbury Gardens reflects the era’s opulence with a 23-room English manor house and over 200 acres of traditional, formal gardens. Once the home of lawyer and businessman John S. Phipps and his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps, this estate has been featured in many movies and TV shows. The listing includes “The Gilded Age,” along with “North by Northwest” and “Love Story.”
Old Westbury Gardens on Long Island has appeared in many movies and TV shows.
Oheka Castle is a historic hotel and wedding venue in Huntington that is also open to public estate and garden tours. This French-style chateau, built as a summer residence for financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn, sits on the highest peak in Long Island.
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium in Centerport is linked to William Vanderbilt II, a yachtsman and motor race driver. While creating an onsite museum for his collection of marine specimens, Vanderbilt established a trust fund for his estate to fully become a museum upon his death in 1944.
The Gilded Age In The Adirondacks
Camp Sagamore in The Adirondacks was established by William West Durant, who is credited with starting the region’s “Great Camp” movement.
The Adirondacks are credited as the birthplace of the American vacation and the Gilded Age elite would come and build sprawling compounds designed to reflect the Adirondack landscape and known as “Great Camps.”
Many Great Camps were built by the Rockefeller, Durant, Post and Carnegie families, and are still used as private residences or have guest accommodations.
Great Camp Sagamore in Raquette Lake was crafted in 1897 by William West Durant, who is credited with starting the “Great Camp” movement. This wilderness retreat was a cherished haven for the Vanderbilt family for over five decades. Today, you can stay at this landmark and see its storied buildings and lush grounds.
White Pine Camp was once was the summer White House of President Calvin Coolidge. Among other amenities, the retreat contains a bowling alley.
Great Camp Santanoni in Newcomb was built by and for the Pruyn family and welcomed its first guests in the spring of 1893. This secluded National Historic Landmark is also one of the earliest examples of an Adirondack Great Camp.
White Pine Camp in Paul Smiths was the summer White House of President Calvin Coolidge. This year-round retreat offers 13 distinct cabins and cottages featuring handcrafted Adirondack-style furniture and cozy stone fireplaces or wood stoves. Unique facilities include a Japanese tea house, bowling alley, tennis house and boat houses.
Other ways to learn more about the Adirondacks’ vacation history are the museum, ADKX, or by taking a scenic lake cruise with the Raquette Lake Navigation Company.
The Adirondack Trail is being built along the former New York Central railroad line between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake, as a multi-use recreation trail and partly with restored train service. It is to be finished later this summer.
