Bannerman Castle in Poughkeepsie

Went to a showing of Young Frankenstein and performance of Dracula a few years ago. Wonderful mood setting experience.

I had the pleasure of taking a walking tour then exploring Bannerman Island. I really enjoyed hearing about the rise and fall of the castle as well as the island itself. Mary was my tour guide and she did an amazing job painting the picture of the rich history of how we’ve come to know Pollepel island as Bannerman Island. The landscape is beautiful! Even in October we were still able to see butterflies and gorgeous flowers. While you can’t get close to the ruins of the castle you can still get several beautiful angles from a couple different vantage points. I found it an easy walk not too long, but partially rocky. I say it’s a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. The boat ride to and back was informative as well and the crew was lively and entertaining. I say take the tour and learn a little history!

Ferry ride, beautiful location,great staff and an outdoor movie. What more could you ask for? I will absolutely be back.

Was really cool to learn the the castle isn’t a normal castle, plus the little hike on the island is fun and not super hard, I would definitely go back with family and friends

Very interesting location and a great day trip. From the boat crew to the guides on the island, everyone I interacted with was friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable about this fascinating island and castle. After the guided tour, they give some time for everyone to explore the island and its stunning views on their own. Would gladly do this again!

We enjoyed a bout ride to the island (about 15-20 minutes). There is also a guided tour for about 45 minutes. A lot of interesting historical facts. The weather was perfect. Great excursion to spend time.

Pleasant ferry ride from Beacon, about 15 minutes each way. The crew did a narrative on the history of the area, a nice addition which I wasnt expecting. Very informative. Once at the Island, there were several flights of stairs to climb. We walked the island in its entirety, the paths meandered up, down & around. Beautiful views in all directions & lovely plantings. Of course I enjoyed seeing the remains of this once magnificent castle.

Went to see Dracula. Let’s start with the confusion with times to arrive for the ferry. I was texted to arrive early only to find it was a mistake on their end and was told to wait. They then had room for 5 more people on the first ferry and was I and others in the front allowed on? Nope, 5 other folks pushed their way on.Ok so now I wait. I finally get there and the stage is just sad. High Schools have better sets. How’s the acting? Dr Van Helsing and Renfield were good. The others? Dr Seward called Mina Lucy and Dr Van Helsing had to correct him. I’ll leave it at that. Dracula? I think he would be better on a show like the Sopranos.The idea is that the castle is the backdrop, but depending on where you sit, you don’t even notice the castle.The play is finally over. Now I’m a captive. The early folks get to take the ferry, the rest of us get a history lesson on Bannerman Castle. I’m actually writing this as the person - who is very knowledgeable- prattles on.I get that they want to make money. But perhaps there is only one ferry. Now everyone can have a better seat to capture the “magic” of the castle during the performance.The person is still talking about Bannerman. But I’ll end my rant here. Would I come back? Nope.

Bannerman castle is such a cool place! I have been twice and it is just such a great way to spend some time for a few hours.

Had a great time! The place was amazing, the boat rude was fun. The tour guides were informative and pleasant. The Dracula play was actually pretty good. Actors were great and kept things fun. Seats could be a little bit more comfortable but all in due time. Theyve been doing an excellent job restoring the structures. Keep up the good work!

A fun and informative tour. The ferry crew and tour guides were very helpful and friendly.

Great little spot. Definitely has a lot of history.

Idk how much little kids would love it but as someone who appreciates these types of things this was great!!!! Im giving it 5 stars because the place and the people who work so hard there deserve to know their hard work is appreciated!!! The tour guides were great it was educational some lil jokes very interesting getting to walk through and learn especially from ppl who you can tell really love the place and want the best for it!!! My only issue is timing our tour ran late and we had 13 mins before the boat got there so itd be cool to have a lil more time but even given that the tour itself was worth it!! The guys who run the boat back and forth are also very kind and funny i loved that they gave us information of the area as much as the could!! Overall enjoyable and Im glad I did it

Our incoming Cruise and Walking tour is 12 days from now. I hate to make this review before the trip because I truly appreciate the community that help restore and maintain this beautiful site but the BOOKING POLICY is extremely problematic. The cancellation policy stands under any circumstance. No refund and no rescheduling. There is no technical support for visitors who encountered booking mistakes and want to fix in the first place. We called you IMMEDIATELY for help that we selected the morning tour by mistake (confirmation number #136336390and wanted to fix it to the same-day afternoon tour. On the phone, the staff told us that you are unable to make adjustment or issue a refund once the order is sent. We need to place a new order if wish to join the same-day afternoon tour. We ended up paying twice which is $ 89.6 (+tax, fee includedper person for the Cruise and Walking tour to make this trip happen (confirmation order #136488138). Its NOT a personal bad weather excuse, a no-show situation or a last minute rescheduling.The order was placed 12 days prior to the tour and WE CALLED YOU RIGHT AFTER the order was mistakenly placed. You refused to help and suggested us to pay additionally for new order .We want to support and make donation to make the site better but not like this way.

Ridiculous! The company refuses to refund me or reschedule for a different date. I was exploring the area, and I got ill from the food I ate. I called them in advance to change the date but no luck.I returned to the city without attending the tour and lost 42 dollars. I believe things happen, especially with Covid! Please change that policy. It is not pleasant to take people’s money or refuse to give them a different date.

I cant say what the tour is like but from the air this place is very neat looking. Love the history behind the castle and hope to do the tour the next time were in NY.

Great historic trip. A must for Veterans.

Fun tour of this landmark in NY. Boat ride was nice and full of information. My Mom enjoyed is so much, loved in area all her life and never went. Volunteers are so informative and truly enjoy what they do! A must see!

Jay and the Captain were a great pair. Jay was vey funny. He shared his historical knowledge of the area in a way that was fun to listen to.

We went to see "Scotland Road" performed outside the residence. The wait at the dock was scheduled (arrive by 7 for 7:30 departure). There were some scheduling issues on the island with regards to the earlier boat, but Bannermans tried something new and it was a learning experience for allIt was a lovely evening all in all.Well be back again

I have heard about Bannermans Castle for years. A hidden gem in the Hudson Valley. You grab a ferry down in Becon along the river and take a short ride to the Castle. I have to say both gentlemen on the ferry were awesome and very professional. The gentlemen who was giving us some background about the river and telling us local facts was what made the trip. He was excellent! The driver of the boat was very safe in the operation, of the boat. I was very impressed with his docking skills. He handled that boat with a lot of skill. The two gentlemen should be held in high regard for their talent and expertise! Once we got on the island all the staff on the island were great. Our tour guide excellent and very knowledgeable. Im so glad to have went and had a great experience. I will be going again for sure. Thank you staff, so much for making it a great day!

This was definitely on my list to get to and certainly didnt disappoint. I would certainly recommend this to anyone into State Parks, Historic Adventures or enjoy seeing abandoned places.

Both the boat crew and tour crew were amazing! We learned so much about the history of the island while also having some laughs! Go go go! You wont regret it!Walking around the island on your own means you have to be okay with steep inclines, maneuvering rock scrambles, etc.

Great history. A must see! You can take a ferry or kayak tour. Definitely Great for a summer adventure.

What a great day on Bannerman Island. Started off with the boat on a lovely day. Smooth and safe trip to and from the island. The island itself was fascinating with a great tour. Interacting facts and a great walk through the island. Thank you to everyone who made this day interesting, historical, and all around a wonderful day!Very highly recommended!

Awesome day trip, made even better by Adam’s great tour around the historical site. Will be recommending to anyone looking to get out of the city for the day. The MTA takes you right to the ferry, so all in, not hard at all to get to

Heres what I wish I knew: Park in the station parking lot even though it says permit parking only!! The ferry leaves exactly at the time that the tour begins. The people working here are what really make this place worth it. The boat staff were really funny and point out cool stuff along the river, the tour guides are very knowledgeable and welcoming, and the gardeners have done an amazing job 💕 The tour consists of a guided tour and then you get 30-45 minutes to explore the island on your own. There are really just two little trails that loop, but you really should wear appropriate shoes. The stairs have railings to hold on to and a resting area half way, but you will have to step on to the ferry and there are many places throughout the island where you could lose your balance. You can purchase some things with cash only inside the residence building, and yes, there are bathrooms 👌 In the end, 10/10 would recommend!

Wonderful tour. Lots of interesting history provided by our first mate Moose and tour guide Mary. Boat Captain Justin also made the trip fun. I loved the island, especially exploring the trails. We went with my sister who was in from California. It was a great way to spend the day!

I haven’t been here yet but the place looks magnificent from the train! I can’t wait to visit here. It’s a majestic looking medieval castle from top to bottom.

Wonderful trip great history and an interesting format. Out boat captain Justin and First Mate Moose was FABULOUS! Gave us a great history of the waterway from back when to present. Our tour guide Adam was amazing! Ver informative, engaging and provided answers to all questions! A definite hidden gem if the Hudson Valley!

What a great time! Justin, our ferry captain, and John, his first mate + historian, were the perfect start to this adventure + gave us a smooth ride to the island and lots of great info along the way. Once we arrived, our guide, Adam, was a wealth of knowledge and we learned so much. The island itself is rugged and we had a great time exploring on our own after the tour. Definitely recommend a visit to Bannerman Island!

We took the cruise & walking tour. The cruise was very nice ride, and they were informative. They took us around the island to show. The tour guide was also informative. The castle was very interesting design and they maintained the garden with lots of flowers! The trails directed us to the nice view spots! It was a very nice little getaway!

1. The tour guide is very nice, knowledgeable, gave a fun tour of history.2. The captain let four kids drive the boat a bit, that’s one of the highlights of the trip, for the kids that’s the best part of the trip.3. Highly recommended tour.

We just did Bannerman Castle in the rain and loved it. The boat ride out was great with a lot of information shared about the history of the area. The tour of the island was wonderful- even with less than ideal weather. The tour guides were great, too.

Bannerman castle is a beautiful and interesting piece of history. Thanks to the boat crew that kept us safe and entertained on the way to and from the island and thank you to our guide on the island who wanted to make sure we know everything we possibly can about this place. Now we know more history behind this beautiful place and people who created this history for us to enjoy today.

Really beautiful place to visit. You have to buy tickets in advance. There are some short hikes inside the island. We had a guided tour, it was great to learn a lot of history about the island.

Fascinating 3 hour trip to a place largely forgotten by history. Francis Bannermans story is a unique one. Our tour guide Adam was very knowledgeable and entertaining. You could tell the history of this island and the Bannerman family was personal to him. Great visit, highly recommended to anyone in the area with an interest in history or architecture.

Enjoyed the view from the viewing platform near the Breakneck Ridge Train stop. Interesting to see and the view from a distance satisfied my curiosity. Pictures are just with my cell phone, a zoom lens would do wonders. Id visit the island if I wanted to do a photo shoot.

Highly recommended for local history folks or anyone looking for a relatively easy hike around a small mountain with some picturesque scenery.Its probably New Yorks closest thing to a lasting castle from the early 20th century. The castle is maintained by the state and a local family, so the cost of the boat ride is fairly cheap at $35. It is advised to arrive 30 minutes before departure as they will leave on-time if youre taking your sweet time.The island has a group of volunteers who help maintain the gardens, so if possible, contribute through donations to keep the services intact. Definitely would be a loss to New Yorks local history if the island loses its value as a historical site.

Very positive experience! Great boat trip with alot of scenic views, friendly and knowledgable staff. The island with its castles is very picturesque, and gave me a feeling of Scotland more than Upstate NY. The guide tour was interesting and very cortous. There are restrooms all on the island as well. Overall great time spent!

Wonderful day trip!! Right off the Hudson line Beacon train stop hop on the Bannerman Boat with Captain Justin and Moose, the Bannerman”s Castle history is amazing!! Beautiful scenery along the Hudson and on the island!!

Start with a relaxing 30 min boat ride to the island. Be warned, once you arrive theres a 72 step staircase you must climb to meet up with your guide and see the castle and buildings. Margaret, our guide, was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.

The tour of the castle was well worth it. Not only was it beautiful and scenic, but we were given a very informative history of the estate.The boat ride over was quite pleasant as well. If you have the time and are interested in learning more about the castle its well worth the time!

Had a wonderful time touring the Bannerman Island & castle! We also love the 30 minutes boat ride to the island from Beacon. Wish we could spend more time there.

A fascinating piece of history, Bannerman Castle was a delight to see in person, since Ive glimpsed it from the train many times, when on the Hudson line. It was wonderful seeing it during foliage season. The views from the island are breathtaking, particularly at sunset. You must consider wearing extra layers as it gets bitterly cold, what with it being the last tour of the year on October, 31, especially when the sun is about to set, and carry a scarf or something compact and warm to put on the metal seat of the boat that takes you to and from the island, unless you court hypothermia. On the ride back to Beacon, we were treated to a rare Full Hunters Moon, hanging buttery yellow, huge and majestic over the Hudson. I have never seen a Moon of such magnificent beauty! It even made me forget I couldnt feel my extremities for a moment. It was the absolute highlight of a very interesting day trip. Visiting Pollepel island would be a great experience in late spring or summer, as well.

This is an incredible marvel rich with American history. The tour guides are wonderful, and it’s basically guaranteed to be a memorable experience. Well worth a visit. For young kids, it’s a little long and slow, but it’s still easy enough, and some will appreciate the natural surroundings and adventure.

Well preserved historical structure, every part of this island is picturesque, very happy to have set my foot in the premise of this castle. Went from Beacon side, metro north station and/or parking is directly across street of the pier.

The tour for Bannerman Castle is awesome from the boat ride to the actual castle! I had no idea that its historic tale connects to Brooklyn. The building is very unique, and it carries a sense of beauty despite it nearly falling apart due to time and weather. Definitely come to visit before time and nature takes over this beautiful landmark.

The tour we took of Bannerman Island was wonderful. The tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable. First you take a boat ride down the river to the island, and then walk around the island to see the castle (which was used to store army suppliesand the Bannerman Family house. The paths are easy to walk on - with the exception of one part at the other side of the island thats a bit steep. However, people who didnt feel up to is simply waited at the top until the other group returned. The story of the family is interesting with lots of historical tidbits, and I really enjoyed.

Went to the Island to movie night. Saw the so lame its good movie Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure. Guides very knowledgeable and Island has a gift shop and there were plenty of chairs and tables to sit around during the performance. There was a gift shop with t shirts and photographs and variety of movie food and drink for sale.Great fun and with a date it could have been romantic. Disabled be warned their are a lot of steep stairs. Stairs are wood and uniform not rickety but lots of them.