ulysses s. grant cottage

This is overall a small place, but we found it very interesting. The reception area starts with a short video, and has quite a few very interesting information boards, plus some exhibits. At the cottage, it is a guided tour through four rooms. Just about all articles in the rooms dated back to General Grant's days there including the bed on which he died - everything as it was at that moment in time. One can also visit the east over-look site, a short walk from the cottage, where General Grant liked to spend time - beautiful spot. Check the website for visiting days - it is not open year-round.

This was a little out of the way, but it had so many great reviews we decided to stop. There really isn't much to it, just a few rooms open on first floor. A little morbid. Not much about his life, as he was here just a short time before dying. Not sure what all the fuss is about, unless you're really a USG fan??

In Saratoga for Labor Day Weekend and my girlfriend's birthday and decided to attend a reading at the cottage. Two individuals read from Grant's writings as well as from members if the Confederacy and Union providing a window to the immense respect and admiration many had for the President. We also learned many facts including how honorable the President was, his friendship with Mark Twain, and his deep love and devotion to his wife and family, he was scammed and betrayed by a business partner, and his efforts to repay his debts. We were pressed for time so we managed to step into the cottage for an abbreviated tour. It was truly a humbling and fascinating experience to be standing in the same place he stood in his last few days of his life. The cottage was beautiful and the scenery from atop the mountain breathtaking. My girlfriend and I truly wished we could have spent more time in the cottage. We highly recommend President Grant's cottage.

We took our grandson and we all learned a lot about Grant and that time period in our history. You first see a short video about Ulysses S. Grant, his life and his home. Then, you have a tour of the first floor only of the cottage he and his family went to so he could finish his memoirs. You see his bedroom where he died three days after completing his book. The prison is Now closed, so you only need to give your name and state. No identification is needed anymore to get to the cottage. The prison closed three weeks ago. I didn't like that we only saw the first floor, not the bedrooms . It is a good tour for the money, $4 for children and seniors.

One often wonders why President Grant chose New York state to spend his last days on earth before dying of throat cancer but this visit clearly showed why - the breathtaking views he enjoyed and the fresh mountain air were just two of the reasons as he finished his memoirs so his family could be financially secure after he was gone. The cottage is furnished with many of the original furnishings President Grant used during his stay along with the funeral memorabilia since his funeral was held on the cottage porch. Unfortunately, the signs directing us to the cottage were not helpful. Follow the directions on the website and you should be fine and although the Mount McGregor Correctional Facility is closed, you still need to check in before proceeding to the cottage. The reason is to control access to the Correctional Facility and not add a layer of coordination to see the cottage.

Grants cottage is a hidden gem of places to go while in Saratoga/Lake George area located atop a mountain and oddly enough on the grounds of a former prison (you will have to show ID on the road to the cottage). The museum shows a short film about General/President Grant. There is also some displays and exhibits pertaining to the site. A short walk uphill to the cottage where you will be given a history of the cottage and of President Grant's stay at the cottage. Then you tour the cottage, you will step back in time to when President Grant spent his final days there. The furnishings are the same ones used by the President, along with some of the actual floral displays from his funeral. Then take the walk to the observation area where the President viewed the valley and the mountains days before he passed away. I would allow 11/2 to 2 hours for this visit. The tour guide we had, Bill was a great source of information and made the experience all the more enjoyable.

I'm not a history buff but visited at the suggestion of many who've been dazzled by it. This place is literally a step back in time, and a very significant one at that. The two-story cottage is at the top of a mountain and literally a world away from the turbulent times of the modern world at the foot of Mt. McGregor. The home is left exactly as it was the morning Grant died there. And you can see why he retreated to the cottage in order to finish his memoirs: it's quiet and peaceful. The docents are very helpful, the guided tours pretty eye-opening, and the museum and bookstore filled with interesting facts, souvenirs, and books by Grant himself and various historians. The more I learned about Grant, the more humble and bittersweet I felt. He was a man of great integrity and lived in a time when corruption didn't seem to rule our nation. Everyone who passes through Saratoga County or lives near it should make a pilgrimage here to see the elements of a really amazing leader.

At first thought, you wonder where you could be going? The entry to Grant's Cottage starts at the gates of a prison. So, with that being said, have ID! You will follow the path up the scenic road to Grant's unique home sitting on the hillside of a magical view. To think that you are standing on the same ledge that one of our Founding Father's took his last breaths is magical. Walk through time as you see the home he spent his last days with major decisions still sitting upon his shoulders. The house is in pristine condition, and my favorite color too! Listen to the story of how the house got where it is, and still sits today. Be ready to go back in time and be amazed. I know I was, and would go back again. This is the second house of Grant's that I have had the pleasure to go in.

I was skeptical. I thought they probably staged this to look like what it might have been when Pres. U.S. Grant was here. But then I turned a corner and saw the dried flower arrangements from 1885 and I was speechless. I mean, just, game over, museum of the year, knock yer' socks off, amazing!

This is where Ulysses S Grant spent the last six weeks of his life, finishing his memoirs. The family was desitute, and this was his attempt to provide for them. Published by Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), they were enormously succesful and the family became wealthy.A small Visitor's Center with knowlegable staff, an introductory video and some timeline information is your first stop.(Good bookstore too) Take the time to see and read all. A short walk (100 yards) to the Overlook is a must. A great view and some more information. (also some amazing 21st century industrial sites that are surprising).The cottage is small - tour is only on the first floor (Grant never got to the 2nd floor). The interior is as it was in 1885. (and shame on the ones I saw walking on the 130 year old carpet despite the guide's request). 90 minutes is a good time estimate to do it all.While this is a New York State Historical Site, it is operated by the Friends of Grant's Cottage - check their web site for events and lectures.I used 20 Mount McGregor Road, Wilton, NY in my GPS - it was short of the site - just keep going up the hill to the Correctional Facility (closing - no prisoners on site). Check in at the gate and bear right up the hill.)

If you are into American History this is a must see stop. The guides are excellent and tell the story of the brief time he lived there prior to his death. It is right outside Saratoga and well worth the drive. Even though the house is small you really get a good idea of the of not only the what a cottage was like after the civil war but also the admiration the pubic had for him. The entire visit should last about 1.5 hours.

This is the cottage that U. S. Grant brought his family to, to write his memoirs before dying of throat cancer. He and his son had lost the family's wealth in a ponzi scheme and Mark Twain had promised to published Grant's memoirs to provide an income for his widow and children. This is a must see for every history enthusiast. There are many personal items in the cottage and our guide was very informative. There is a small fee of $5 which is well worth it. There is a breath taking overlook that Grant enjoyed before passing. Great picnic spot. This attraction is totally run by volunteers.

This house is the site of Grant's death. He and his family were given the use of it by someone who wanted him to have a quiet, cool place to finish his memoirs. He was dying of throat cancer at the time, and it was very hot in New York City.I was there on a rainy day and had the place to myself. I got a very personalized guided tour of the downstairs. (The upstairs is closed.) Nothing really has changed since Grant was in residence. The only pieces of furniture the family brought with them are the 2 chairs Grant used for sleeping. They are still at the house (though re-covered). I learned just enough about Grant's personal life to make me want to know more!I walked to the overlook which Grant asked to see not long before he died. Unfortunately, the rain did nothing for the view. But I hear it's wonderful.It IS by a prison, but by the time I visited, there were no prisoners in residence. I did have to stop at the guard station to give my name. Be prepared for a climbing, twisty road. A nearby building serves as a museum and gift shop.Well worth the stop!

An historic spot not to be missed! This is where the famous General and President, Ulysses S Grant spent his last days writing his Memoirs and finishing them before succumbing to that dreadful disease, cancer. One can tour the "Cottage" and view the furnishings as they werein 1885. There is a Visitor Center where books are in ample supply relating to the General.One must also view the Overlook, which the General enjoyed so very much. The tour guidesand those involved with the "Cottage" are an awesome group who are willing to help andanswer your questions. Bring your camera, a picnic lunch, and savor your visit!

This was where President Grant spent his final days and completed his memoirs. The cabin was left exactly as it was when Grant lived there and the tour guide was excellent. It shows a different side of Grant with a focus on his wife and family and how he insured his family's future was secure prior to his death. As other reviewers have noted the cabin is located on the prison grounds but very easy to access. The views from the the area overlooking the mountains is stunning! A worthwhile way to spend a couple of hours.