Complete Guide to Hamilton Grange National Memorial in New York, including things to do, history, nearby lodging and camping, directions, and so much more.
TL;DR Don’t have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
I am sure you have heard of a small Broadway production called Hamilton. LOL! Well, this musical has made Hamilton Grange National Memorial in New York a very popular park!
About Hamilton Grange National Memorial
Alexander Hamilton was a trusted aide to George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Hamilton was one of the most influential of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
He served as a delegate to the Continental Convention and was a co-author of The Federalist Papers which greatly influenced the U.S. Constitution.
He was also the first secretary of the Treasury.
Hamilton commissioned prominent New York architect John McComb Jr. to design his house on his 32-acre estate in Upper Manhattan. The house was completed in 1802 and named the Grange after the Hamilton family's home ancestral home in Scotland.
Alexander Hamilton only lived at the Grange for two years before he was fatally wounded in a duel with political rival Aaron Burr on July 11, 1804.
One of the coolest things about the Grange is it was actually moved in 1889 and for decades stood between an apartment house and a church.
In 2008 it was again moved to St. Nichols Park.
The house was restored to its original appearance and now looks how it did originally. The house still sits on part of Hamilton's original 32-acre estate.
Be prepared for there to be a potential crowd at Hamilton Grange National Memorial. The popularity of Hamilton the Broadway Show has brought a large increase in visitation to the Grange.
Is Hamilton Grange National Memorial worth visiting?
Yes! We truly enjoyed our visit to this National Park Service Site! Learning more about Hamilton Grange Mansion a Federal Style Country Home, including checking out the period furniture, finding out more about Alexander Hamilton, and the political turmoil of the 1770s
History of Hamilton Grange National Memorial
The Hamilton Grange National Memorial, widely known as The Grange, is a memorial to one of the most influential figures in American history, Alexander Hamilton.
In addition to being one of America’s Founding Fathers, Hamilton was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Hamilton was also the first secretary of the Treasury for the United States of America during which time he established the mint and introduced the U.S Dollar.
The Grange was the only home Alexander Hamilton owned and was built to be a country estate in Uptown Manhattan. During its 200-year history, the home has been moved twice.
Who Was Alexander Hamilton?
Alexander Hamilton was a soldier, statesman, lawyer, and Founding Father of America. He was born on January 11th, 1755, in Charlestown, Nevis, in the West Indies. Orphaned as a teen, Hamilton was adopted by a wealthy merchant.
Hamilton entered the working world on the island of St. Croix. People soon noticed Hamilton's intelligence and potential, so they started a fund to send him to study in the North American colonies.
Hamilton began his further education in 1772 in New York City. It was during his time as a student that he became involved with the political issues the American colonies were experiencing. Hamilton did not complete his education, instead, he left school to fight in the Revolutionary War.
Alexander Hamilton During the Revolutionary War
In 1777 Hamilton joined General George Washington’s staff, serving as an aide. Hamilton was given the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The two men formed a close working relationship that continued to grow throughout Washington's life
Throughout his military career, Hamilton played a pivotal role in several key battles. Hamilton launched a surprise attack on Hessian forces stationed in Trenton, New Jersey. He camped at Valley Forge with Washington and the Continental Army, where the United States Army was born.
Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in the Siege of Yorktown. The Siege of Yorktown and the resulting battle ultimately led to the American victory over the British and the establishment of the United States as a sovereign nation.
The Life of Alexander Hamilton After the Revolutionary War
After the war, Hamilton returned to New York to study law. During his time as a lawyer, he established judicial review. Aside from being an extremely influential lawyer, the Founding Father was a key figure in the Federalist Party.
The Federal Party advocated for a strong central government and the adoption of the United States Constitution. Hamilton fully supported this stance due to the inaction of Congress during the war and the subsequent lack of supplies for the Continental Army.
Hamilton was an influential voice in the ratification of the Constitution and the establishment of the new federal government. Hamilton was appointed as Secretary of the Treasury of Washington's government in 1789. Hamilton played a major role in the establishment of the United States of America’s financial system.
The Death of Alexander Hamilton
Hamilton's life was cut short when he was killed in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr in 1804. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, duels were commonplace and fought over men's honor.
Aaron Burr and Hamilton had a law practice together in 1784, but within the space of a decade, the relationship between the two had broken down. Hamilton and Burr were engaged in a competition of sorts. Burr and Hamilton were political rivals for over 15 years before the infamous duel.
The duel arose over an exchange Hamilton had at a dinner table, where he called Burr a dangerous man. This conversation was published in a newspaper in 1804. Hamilton refused to apologize for the statement and so a duel was proposed.
The duel occurred on July 11th, 1804, in Weehawken, New Jersey. Two shots rang out seconds apart. Hamilton's bullet hit a tree, which was what he planned. Burr’s shot struck Hamilton in the abdomen. Hamilton succumbed to his injuries on July 12th, 1804.
The Grange
Alexander Hamilton purchased land in upper Manhattan in 1802, as he wanted to build a country retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city for his wife, Elizabeth Hamilton, and their children. The couple had 8 children together, sadly losing their eldest son in 1801 in a duel.
Hamilton commissioned architect John McComb Jr. to design a home for him and his family on the land. The home was named The Grange after Hamilton's father's ancestral home in Scotland.
The Grange is a two-story Federal-style mansion that features a central hallway, a parlor, a dining room, and bedrooms on the second floor. The home was completed in 1802, and Hamilton lived there until he died in 1804.
After Hamilton's death, the Grange passed through several owners being used as a home, a church, a day school, and a museum. Hamilton’s home has also been moved twice in its history! First in 1889 and again in 2008 to adapt and adjust to the city's evolving landscape.
The Grange was moved to its current location in St. Nicholas Park at Hamilton Grange National Memorial. The 1-acre area that The Grange is situated on was originally part of Hamilton's 32-acre property.
Things to know before your visit
Entrance fee
$0.00 - There is no entrance fee to visit the park.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Time Zone
Eastern Time Zone
Pets
Pets are allowed on the trails around Hamilton Grange National Memorial. Pets are not permitted in public buildings or on interpretative walks.
Pets should not be left unattended. Summer heat poses a threat to pets left in vehicles. Service animals are an exception to those rules and may accompany their owner to all park locations.
Cell Service
We had great cell service while visiting the park.
Park Hours
Sunday: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is available
Insect Repellent
Insect repellent is always a great idea when outdoors, especially if you are around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips.
Water Bottle
Make sure to bring your own water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Parking
There is no parking available on-site, and street parking in the area is very limited.
Food/Restaurants
There are no restaurants within the park.
Gas
There are no gas stations within the park.
Drones
Drones are not permitted within National Park Sites.
National Park Passport Stamps
National Park Passport stamps can be found in the visitor center.
Hamilton Grange NM is part of the 2012 Passport Stamp Set.
We like to use these circle stickers for park stamps so we don't have to bring our passport book with us on every trip.
The National Park Passport Book program is a great way to document all of the parks you have visitied.
You can get Passport Stickers and Annual Stamp Sets to help enhance your Passport Book.
Electric Vehicle Charging
Within a 5-mile radius of Hamilton Grange NM, there are roughly 20 electric vehicle charging stations available.
Details about Hamilton Grange
Size - .5 acres
Check out how the park compares to other National Parks by Size.
Date Established
April 27, 1962
Visitation
In 2022, Hamilton Grange NM had 45,198 park visitors.
In 2021, Hamilton Grange NM had 29,096 park visitors.
In 2020, Hamilton Grange NM had 23,015 park visitors.
In 2019, Hamilton Grange NM had 71,247 park visitors.
Learn more about the most visited and least visited National Parks in the US
National Park Address
414 West 141st Street
New York, NY 10031
Where is Hamilton Grange National Memorial?
Hamilton Grange National Memorial is located in New York City, specifically in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood of Harlem. The address is 414 West 141st Street, New York, NY 10031.
Estimated distance from major cities nearby
- Newark, NJ - 22 miles
- Philadelphia, PA - 105 miles
- Baltimore, MD - 202 miles
- Boston, MA - 207 miles
- Washington DC - 236 miles
- Virginia Beach, VA - 373 miles
- Norfolk, VA - 373 miles
Estimated Distance from nearby National Park
Acadia National Park - 475 miles
Shenandoah National Park - 307 miles
Great Smoky Mountains National Park - 716 miles
Cuyahoga Valley National Park - 445 miles
Indiana Dunes National Park - 743 miles
Where is the National Park Visitor Center?
The National Park Visitor Center for the Hamilton Grange National Memorial is located at 414 West 141st Street in New York City.
Getting to Hamilton Grange
Closest Airports
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) - 26 miles
- Teterboro Airport (TEB) - 11 miles
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) - 8 miles
- John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) - 17 miles
International Airports
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Regional Airports
- Morristown Municipal Airport (MMU) - 26 miles
- Westchester County Airport (HPN) - 42 miles
Closest Subway Stations
- 157 Street Station - 1 mile
- 181 Steet Station - 3 miles
- 145 Street - 0.5 mile
- 124 Street Station 1 mile
Driving Directions
Turn right into Broadway after taking the West Side Highway and 155th Street Bridge. Turning right onto Convent Avenue requires continuing straight ahead and continuing onto West 146th Street.
The Hamilton Grange National Monument is on your left as you approach West 141st Street after continuing on Convent Avenue. You might also travel along the Harlem River Drive and get off at the 135th Street exit.
Drive straight until you reach West 141st Street after turning left onto St. Nicholas Avenue. As you reach the Hamilton Grange National Monument on your right, turn right onto West 141st Street and continue driving.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Hamilton Grange National Memorial is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and comfortable. The Memorial is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.
If you want to avoid crowds, you should go during the week, as weekends can be very crowded. Furthermore, if you want to take a tour, try to arrive early to secure your spot, as tours can fill up quickly, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Weather and Seasons
The warmest weather at Hamilton Grange National Memorial typically occurs during the summer months of June, July, and August when temperatures can reach the high of 80 degrees.
The coolest weather at Hamilton Grange National Memorial generally occurs in January and February, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to the mid-40 degrees.
Best Things to do in Hamilton Grange National Memorial
We suggest planning a couple of hours to visit Hamilton Grange.
Take a guided tour of Hamilton Grange
Guided tours are generally about 30-45 minutes long and include a short video about the move and restoration of the house.
Take a self-guided tour of Hamilton's Home
If you are not at Hamilton Grange at the right times for a guided tour you can take a self-guided tour of the house that is available from 12-1 pm and 3-4 pm daily.
Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger program includes questions about Alexander Hamilton and encourages you to explore the Grange.
NYC Guided Tours
New York CityPASS - Visit 5 major New York City attractions at significant savings including the Empire State Building, American Museum of Natural History, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Intrepid air and space museum, and Guggenheim Museum.
1 hour cruise around the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island - Sail within 100 feet of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, Cruise under the Brooklyn Bridge and passed South Street Seaport, Marvel at the skyline of Lower Manhattan from both the east and the west sides.
NYC: SUMMIT One Vanderbilt Experience Ticket - Re-imagine New York City with a visit to SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. Transcend 93 floors above the concrete jungle and step into an immersive, multi-sensory art experience with sweeping 360 degree views of the city.
Chinatown and Little Italy Food Tour - Immerse yourself in the history and food of Little Italy and Chinatown
Manhattan Island Helicopter Tour - Experience the beauty of Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty, the Intrepid Air and Space Museum, and more
9/11 Memorial & Museum Timed-Entry Ticket - Reflect on the events of September 11, 2001 when visiting the poignant 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Listen to personal stories of remembrance & resilience following the attacks.
How to beat the crowds?
Here are some tips to beat the crowds at Hamilton Grange National Memorial:
Plan your visit for a weekday: Weekends are typically the busiest times. Visiting Hamilton Grange National Memorial on a weekday can help you avoid crowds.
Arrive early: The memorial opens at 9:00 am, and arriving early can help you avoid the lines and crowds later in the day.
Visit during the off-season: Summer and weekends are the busiest times at Hamilton Grange National Memorial. Visiting during the off-season (fall and winter months) can help you avoid crowds.
Where to stay when visiting New York City
There are no National Park Lodges within the park.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge - 5-star luxury hotel in the heart of Brooklyn Heights, a neighborhood in Brooklyn. All 194 individually decorated rooms offer comforts such as premium bedding and air conditioning,
Holiday Inn Express New York City - Wall Street - Hotel located near One World Trade Center with rooms rejuvenated in 2017. located close to Battery Park and National September 11 Memorial, and provides free to-go breakfast, a grocery/convenience store, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a gym and a business center.
Hilton Garden Inn NYC Financial Center/Manhattan Downtown - 3-star hotel revitalized in 2017 and located near One World Trade Center. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a 24-hour business center and a restaurant.
Moxy NYC Downtown - 4-star hotel near One World Trade Center. All guestrooms at Moxy NYC Downtown boast perks such as laptop-compatible safes and air conditioning, in addition to amenities like Wi-Fi and sound-insulated walls.
Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Downtown East - Located close to Brooklyn Bridge, Fairfield Inn & Suites New York Manhattan/Downtown East provides a free breakfast buffet, a grocery/convenience store, and dry cleaning/laundry services. In addition to a gym and a business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.
Click on the map below to find current rates for hotels and vacation rentals in New York City.
Camping
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando
Parks Near Hamilton Grange National Memorial
Statue of Liberty National Monument
Castle Clinton National Monument
General Grant National Memorial
Governors Island National Monument
African Burial Ground National Monument
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
Federal Hall National Memorial
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
Gateway National Recreation Area
Check out all of the National Parks in New York along with neighboring National Parks in Connecticut, National Parks in Massachusetts, National Parks in New Jersey, National Parks in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island National Parks, and Vermont National Parks
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Leave a Reply