General Grant National Memorial

The Basics

Enter the mausoleum through massive bronze doors to see the open crypt holding the two sarcophagi of General and Julia Grant. A gallery inside the mausoleum illuminates key moments in General Grant’s life and also includes busts of his most important lieutenants. The visitor center, located in a separate building, offers additional exhibits and a film about Grant’s life.

The memorial is featured on a number of sightseeing tours, including walking and biking tours of Upper Manhattan and Harlem that include other area highlights, such as Central Park, Columbia University, the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, or Alexander Hamilton’s Harlem home.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The General Grant National Memorial is popular with history buffs and architecture fans.

• The memorial is free to enter.

• Rangers or volunteer-led walking tours are sometimes available.

• The visitor center is wheelchair accessible, but the Mausoleum is not.

• The visitor center offers kids’ programs activity books and includes restrooms and a bookstore.

How to Get There

The General Grant National Memorial is located in Riverside Park, at 122nd Street, in Morningside Heights. To reach the site by subway, take the 1 train to 125th Street, exit onto Broadway, and head south. A number of buses also stop nearby, including the M4, M5, M11, and M104. Street parking is available but can be difficult to find.

When to Get There

The memorial is open Wednesday–Sunday but is closed on major holidays. The site hosts special events throughout the year, including an annual military ceremony on Grant’s birthday, April 27. Ranger-led programs change seasonally.

Why the Memorial is in New York

Grant is the only President interred in New York. He moved to New York after his two terms as president, and he spent the remainder of his life here. After his death, his widow, Julia, announced that it was his wish to be buried in New York. Despite some opposition from Washington D.C., the memorial was built here and inaugurated on the 75th anniversary of his birth, in 1897.

Ways to explore

Enter the mausoleum through massive bronze doors to see the open crypt holding the two sarcophagi of General and Julia Grant. A gallery illuminates key moments in General Grant's life, and also includes busts of his most important lieutenants. The visitor center, located in a separate building, offers additional exhibits and a film about Grant.

The memorial is featured on several sightseeing tours, including walking and biking tours of Upper Manhattan and Harlem that stop by other area highlights, such as Central Park, Columbia University, the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, and Alexander Hamilton's Harlem home.

Accessibility

While the visitor center is open to wheelchair users, the mausoleum itself is not wheelchair accessible.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Camera, handheld bag, water bottle, sun or weather protection

What to wear

Wear comfortable layers and walking shoes—keep in mind that it may be breezier or cooler near the river.

Not allowed

Being loud or disruptive, wearing hats inside the tomb

Amenities

Restroom, gift shop, rangers on hand

Address

Grant’s Tomb is located in Riverside Park, just off Riverside Drive, in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood. The area is well-served by public transportation, and taxis and rideshare services are also available.

Driving

Owing to congestion and traffic restrictions, driving in Manhattan is not recommended. If you must drive, however, make use of the paid parking garages that are located near the monument.

Public transportation

To get to the General Grant National Memorial using the subway, take the 1 train to 125th Street station. A separate 125th Street station—served by the A, B, C, and D trains—is also nearby.

Best times to visit

Grant’s Tomb is open from mid-morning until early evening, although the mausoleum can be viewed from the outside at any time.

Best days to visit

The General Grant National Memorial is open Wednesday to Sunday. Expect weekdays to be quieter than weekends.

Best months to visit

To make the most of the park setting in which the mausoleum is located, aim to visit on a good-weather day in the spring or fall.

Special events

A good time to visit the memorial is during its annual celebrations for General Grant’s birthday, held at the end of April.