Tour the house
The mansion is a history lesson in itself. Everything has been preserved exactly like it would have been if the Vanderbilts were still alive today. It seems as if they are only off on vacation somewhere.
You can see up-close relics and artifacts from decades ago, such as telescopes, 1920’s suitcases and clothing, their living quarters, and even a state-of-the art air conditioning system (holes in the ceiling where they would blow out ice-cooled air with fans to cool the visiting royalty).
See stars in the planetarium
Mr. Vanderbilt was an avid sea captain and known for his impeccable ability to navigate using the stars. So, what better way to secure his legacy than to build a multi-million dollar planetarium? Recently renovated in 2013, the 60-foot dome is one of the most advanced planetariums in the country, offering educational programs for children, Rock ‘n’ Light shows and sky shows. On Friday nights (weather permitting), they also open the rooftop observatory where you can take a peek at real constellations using Vanderbilt’s own 16-inch Meade reflecting telescope.
Take part in kid-focused educational program
The Vanderbilt Museum offers a slew of great programs for kids. Mr. Vanderbilt himself was a world traveler and explorer on his own yacht, Alva. He collected animals and unique items and brought them back to create his own collection—including a mummy he bought in Egypt!
Programs are arranged by age. Our favorites include: “Science Safari,” a tour of Mr. Vanderbilt’s personal habitat collection with hands-on examination of mammals (ages Pre-K–4); “Egyptian Mummies,” an up-close look at the mummy, plus an examination of CT scans and X-rays to learn about the life and death of the ancient person (grades 5–8); and “Sea Search” (currently under renovation), a tour of Mr. Vanderbilt’s marine collection with hands-on activities with some of the oceans’ creatures (ages Pre-K–5).
Inquire about the traveling classroom
If your child’s school can’t plan a trip to the planetarium, no worries. They also have a traveling classroom that will come to you. This state-of-the-art tour bus is packed with different learning stations, such as light, telescope and gravity, teaching students about astronomy and how to identify objects in our cosmos. A fan favorite is their 3-D solar system. Tell your child’s teacher about the bus—they can get more information by calling the Vanderbilt Education Center at 631-854-5552.
Hours and Admission
Location: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, New York 11721
Admission: $7 adults, $3 children under 12; add $5 per person for planetarium shows or mansion tours.
Hours: Fall season (September 1–November 2): Tues, Fri and Sat 11am-5pm; Sun noon–5pm. Winter season (November 3–April 13) Tues, Sat and Sun noon–4pm. Spring season (April 13–June 26) Tues, Sat and Sun noon–5pm. Summer season (June 27–September 1) Tues–Sat 11am –5pm; Sun noon–5pm. Click here to see special hours during school holidays.
