We got a Groupon for this place, which makes the price a lot more reasonable. They don't open until…read more1 pm on the weekends, and on Saturdays they don't even give guided tours. Instead, they give an "augmented reality" audio tour which is kind of hit or miss. The house was preserved for the historical significance of the Townsend family, one of which was a spy for George Washington. I didn't feel there was a ton of information on the family though. Pointing their phone at the different objects in a room turned on audio about them, but only a couple of rooms in the actual house were interactive. The rest didn't have signs, and one loan employee was around to answer questions at the end. The exhibit in the visitor center was nice though. I just don't think the AR experience was really up to replacing a person, both in amount of information and the uncanny valley, unnerving portraits. There is street parking and a nearby lot that are free on weekends. The gift shop is minimal. It was an okay spot to visit, but I would recommend coming on Sunday or whenever they offer actual tours to get a more thorough understanding of the house and the history of the people who lived here.

We went here on a winter weekend, and were fortunate to have the builsings to ourselves. The…read morehelpful staff took out modest admission fee and explained that they don't do tours on Saturdays but they do have tour devices using augmented reality. That means that when you walk through the buildings, you scan the cell phone device on important paintings and artifacts and they talk to you with further information about who or what they are. The small building that contains the entrance is packed with paintings, dioramas, documents and artifacts. Next you walk to the main house, built in the 1730's, and housing the Townsend family. At the time of the Revolutionary War, Samuel had to make room for a British colonel. In spite of the fact that he sympathised with the patriots, he maintained good relations with his "Guest." At the time of the war, the house had eight rooms. One of his sons was one of the leaders of the Culpepper Spy Ring, Placing the home on the National Registry of Historic Places. Each room was elegantly decorated, with the exception of the space for the enslaved housekeeper. In spite of the fact that we didn't get a formal tour, the staff member tagged along with us and kept up a spirited conversation - even giving us a bonus look at the Victorian wing which doubled the size of the structure. The house is said to be haunted, of course. Very highly recommended. The full set of photos can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/terryballard/albums/72177720323110655

TEP deserves more than 5 stars for the amazing start to finish service we experienced on our 7 day…read moreadventure to Peru to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. From the time we signed up, to the time we boarded the plane to return home, TEP took care of every detail. We commented amongst ourselves that we felt like kids on vacation with our parents, as we didn't have to worry about any of the details - just show up and follow Neptali (our guide). From airport pickup in Cusco in luxury Mercedes vans where we were promptly served Coca tea to help with the altitude acclimation, to group dinners at amazing Peruvian restaurants, to historical tours and education on the history of the Inca - everything was covered and taken care of for us. And that was all before the amazing trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! Of course the trek itself was the highlight of the trip, and although it was extremely challenging for us, TEP's unbelievable attention to detail did not fail us on the trail. With nearly a 2:1 porter to trekker ration, our every need was met on the trail. We dined like kings every meal, and were consistently amazed with the quality (and nutritional appropriateness) of the food our chef and sous chef were able to put out with minimal kitchen conveniences. The thing I felt was most special about TEP's approach to this trip was the focus on gaining a cultural and historical appreciation for what we were experiencing. Every step along the way, we learned about the native people of Peru, the Inca civilization, the many ruins we came across, the vegetation we saw and how it was and is used, and the history of modern Peru. It was the trip of a lifetime, and have the help of The Explorer's Passage made it so much more enjoyable, and so much more memorable. The value of what they provide is amazing for the cost....rather, for the investment. I highly recommend them!

What a fabulous tour! I did the "Washington in NYC" tour in June 2017 and it was such a wonderful…read moreexperience! So much fascinating historical information that I can't wait to share with all my friends now; such a great group of fellow explorers; and all so perfectly run - well planned, perfectly on time, with a great variety of sights and insights for all types of travelers. I recommend this tour highly - and will be on the lookout for future adventures from The Explorer's Passage! :)

This tour company represented that we would attend the papal mass in St. Peter's Basilica for the…read moreFeast of the Epiphany in January 2026. This was on the initial tour advertisement and on the tour itinerary we received by FEDEX on Dec 22d, 2025, eight days before our trip started. The evening before the mass the tour manager said, We don't have tickets for you to go inside to the mass so you'll be in the square and watch it on the screen. It's going to be raining again, so if you don't want to go just let me know. She explained nothing about what to expect on the square, would there be seating, would we have the opportunity to receive the Eucharist, are there restrooms, etc. The rain was very heavy, and we would have been out there for about four hours. Most people decided not to go. Our trip leaders had tickets to get into the basilica, and so some of them went, rubbing salt in the wounds of those who couldn't get in. The tour managers knew they didn't have tickets for us to go into the basilica from day 1 of the trip, but they didn't let us know until it was too late to make other plans. They could have taken one bus to the square with people who wanted to go despite the rain, and they could have taken another bus possibly to mass at another basilica or church in town so we wouldn't miss the feast day mass, or people could have planned to take the morning to go on their own to a museum or church rather than stay out in the rain, but since the tour managers sprang it on us at the last minute, it was just a little too late to react with a good plan. They misrepresented what they were offering us, offered no explanation as to why this happened, and offered inadequate alternate plans.

Pilgrimage to Rome, Jan 2026. Under no circumstances use Peter's way, pm, our trip was awful…read more Lufthansa, omg, the worst airline. Our overnight flight from Tampa to Frankfort had a 1 hour connection time in Frankfort. in hindsight EVERYONE (luftansa&pw) knew 1 hour was not possible due to how ineptly run the Frankfort airport is. There were at least 1000 peeps lined up to get thru customs. our connecting flight left w/o more than 1/2 our tour. There was no one from Lufthansa or Pw available to help us get to Rome. We missed the first audience w the pope. the pw 800 customer service number went unanswered. total cluster. Unforgivable. After near 48 sleepless hours we finally got to Rome. Papal mass at St. Peter's was awesome and breathtaking. The only redeeming event on the trip. Every day, breakfast at 6, bus 6:30-7. Gone all day, til 6pm, dinner at 7, bed, wash,rinse, repeat. Most days no lunch as the schedule was so packed no time. One day lunch at a truck stop. Hotels sucked, food (breakfast, dinner inc in tour price) at the Hotels sucked. Went to dinner at nearby restaurants for a decent meal. The hotel in lucanto...my husband did not fit in the tiny shower, the shower doors were easily knocked off runners. We had 1 sconce that worked in the room for light. Went to the desk to get a bulb for another light and was told there were no additional light bulbs. Just awful. Every was exhausted and sick from trying to keep pace w the grueling schedule. No time to shop or for one's self unless one stayed at the hotel. Most days one was forced to the bus in the am cuz we were on to the next town. We've traveled extensively and this was by far the worst trip ever. Never again. Unfortunately zero stars not available.

Great tour - Margo was so knowledgeable and it was a lot of fun! Great way to celebrate America's…read more250th birthday!

Recently, I did a 2 hour walking Culper Spy Ring with Margot…read more It was really amazing . Two hours passed by so quickly! Margot is very knowledgeable and dedicated. Her enthusiasm for the history of Setauket is heart warming. Thanks to Margot, you can actually feel like you are a part of history while walking the tour. A tour worth taking whether you are a "local" or coming from far! Deepti G

Lots of great history and stories. The staff love and believe in their mission to restore the…read moremansion. The ghost hunting tour is a must do-very well planned and an unforgettable experience.

We went on a haunted tour this evening and it was definitely more authentic than we ever expected…read more Upon entering the main foyer, you immediately & instinctively know that it's history is very much alive in spirit. We had a few very weird occurrences happen throughout the night, most notably in the attic and basement, both of which gave off insanely heavy vibes. The staff is amazing as is the old mansion itself, which has been through a myriad of architectural changes throughout the decades. We will definitely be back for a day tour! I'm too chicken to go back for a night tour! Highly recommend!

We went on their China Town & Little Italy tour of down town Manhattan. Dan was just terrific!…read more His enthusiasm was contagious that made our Birthday celebration weekend. We now want to go on all the tours that they offer.

What a superb tour we had with Dan. He was incredibly knowledgable and kept us engaged with…read morefascinating details and fun facts. Highly recommend

I met Rad in a jazz club while visiting NYC on business and what luck because Rad is a wealth of…read moreknowledge about the NYC jazz scene and jazz in general, and knows the local musicians. I liked Rad so much that although I live in California I've stayed in touch regularly and will connect with him next time I'm in NYC.

From the owner: This is a unique jazz walking tour of Greenwich Village with a history lesson…read more To this day, NYC continues to boast a rich history of iconic jazz clubs, and a thriving jazz scene. On this walking tour, we will first meet in the West Village in front of the historic Village Vanguard, New York City’s oldest operating jazz club since 1935. We will give a brief history lesson about the world famous venue and its humble beginnings, where such greats as Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Mary Lou Williams, Keith Jarret, Stan Getz, and the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra performed regularly. Next we will make a stop at one of the nearby Village coffee shops, cafes, or specialty shops. The highlight will take place during the final hour, where we will attend a live jazz concert (one 45-minute set) at one of the historic jazz clubs in Greenwich Village. The club will vary each walking tour depending on who will be performing that night; however rest assured, we will secure the best performances and spots available. Don’t be surprised if we get to see up close some of the greatest jazz musicians in the world and even occasionally the famous jazz musicians themselves. There may be a chance (no guarantees!) after the band’s set, to get a group photo-op with the band or performer, depending on the show chances can be good.  This will definitely be a truly unforgettable experience for all lovers of NYC history and jazz.

If your local to the Bayport - Sayville area and you love to hike, Meadow Croft offers a nice…read moreleisurely stroll through meandering trails along an Inlet and nearby Lotus Lake. The Roosevelt family walking trail is 0.7 miles long and offers a nice, peaceful and easy hike through a serene landscape. Highly recommended for a short hike.

This understated, yet stunning estate is the Former John E. Roosevelt Estate located in the Suffolk…read moreCounty Sans Souci Lake Nature Preserve. It is tricky to get to - it's right around the corner from St. Ann's in Sayville - you must drive down a dirt road (the estate is about 400 yards in from the Main street / Middle Road). You will see marshland, a few water bodies, and then you will come upon a beautiful pale yellow summer "mansion." This estate is very different from the mansion in the huge Bayard arboretum and the palatial estates of the North Shore - this mansion functioned as a "summer home" for the Roosevelt family during the early 20th century. The grounds were designed for enjoyign the summer air outside of NYC pollution, hunting and preservation/conservation, and water sports. The estate is open to the public at 2PM on weekends - you can take a 2.5 hour tour of the grounds/ house. This review does not do justice to the serene and unpretentious nature of the property.

I came to this place as a chaperone for a school field trip. I have to start by saying that the…read moreentire grounds are beyond amazing! There are so many plants, flowers, and a beautiful greenhouse. Everything outdoors was stunning, and despite the heat, it was a wonderful day to spend outside. The kids had a great time, and the parents acting as chaperones enjoyed the nature as well, we were able to hear the birds, smell the flowers, and take beautiful pictures. Everything was great from that perspective. However, when we took the tour inside the castle, things took a turn. There is no AC inside, and it was a very hot day. You can imagine having a large group of kids inside a stuffy museum after they had already been out in the sun! They had a scavenger hunt set up for the kids, yet when the kids actually found the items, the staff very angrily told them they weren't allowed to touch anything. It makes no sense to host a scavenger hunt for children if they aren't allowed to interact with the items. In every single room we entered, they were just barking orders: 'Don't touch, don't lean, don't do this, don't do that.' It was incredibly frustrating, especially given the heat. To make matters worse, one of the girls working with the tour guide kept complaining out loud, saying, 'Oh my God, oh my God, these kids.' It was very unprofessional. Vine a este lugar como acompañante en una excursión escolar. Tengo que empezar diciendo que todo el terreno exterior es más que increíble. Hay muchísimas plantas, flores y un invernadero hermoso. Todo afuera es espectacular y, a pesar del calor, fue un día muy bonito para pasarlo al aire libre. Los niños se lo pasaron genial y los padres que íbamos como chaperones también disfrutamos de la naturaleza; pudimos escuchar las aves, oler las flores y tomar fotos preciosas. Todo estuvo excelente desde esa perspectiva. Sin embargo, cuando hicimos el recorrido dentro del castillo, la situación cambió por completo. No hay aire acondicionado adentro y hacía mucho calor. ¡Imagínense tener a tantos niños dentro de un museo caluroso después de haber estado bajo el sol! Tenían una búsqueda del tesoro (scavenger hunt) para los niños, pero cuando ellos encontraban los objetos, el personal les decía de forma muy molesta y agresiva que no tenían permitido tocarlos. No tiene sentido organizar una búsqueda del tesoro para niños si no pueden interactuar con los objetos. En cada habitación a la que entrábamos, solo nos decían: 'No toquen, no se apoyen, no hagan esto, no hagan aquello'. Fue muy frustrante, especialmente por el calor. Para colmo, una de las muchachas que estaba con el guía no dejaba de quejarse diciendo: 'Ay Dios mío, ay Dios mío, estos niños'. Fue muy poco profesional.

If you like orchids then this was the event for you. Placed at the Horticultural house with easy to…read morefollow spink signage along the path , this 3 day weekend event was all about them. Lots of variations, everything for purchase to buy and set yourself up for these plants, classes , materials, pictures and jewlery. This said stopping into their Greenhouse to see many other amazing plants was also a treat to the eyes .The sensory garden was quite nice with sweet smells and a little fountain of running water. Sunday head beautiful weather and a nice place to visit most anytime. Note : parking is 8 dollars and after you find and pay at machine you must take tag back to your car for placement in window. ( maybe libraries have tickets for it - it's worth checking)