Grant's Tomb (General Grant National Memorial) | New York

The General Grant National Memorial, commonly known as Grant's Tomb, is a mausoleum located in Riverside Park, New York City, USA.

It serves as the final resting place for Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, and his wife, Julia Dent Grant.

Visual Characteristics

The memorial is a large, cylindrical granite structure with a domed roof, measuring 150 feet in height and 100 feet in diameter. The exterior is clad in white granite. A colonnade of 16 Doric columns surrounds the main structure. Inside, the central chamber features two sarcophagi made of red granite, one for Ulysses S. Grant and the other for Julia Dent Grant. The interior walls are decorated with mosaics depicting scenes from Grant's life and military career.

Location & Access Logistics

Grant's Tomb is situated at Riverside Drive and 122nd Street in Riverside Park, Manhattan. It is approximately 5 kilometers north of Columbus Circle. Access by car is via Riverside Drive. Public parking is available on Riverside Drive, subject to availability. The nearest subway station is the 1 train at 116th Street-Columbia University, which is approximately a 15-minute walk south. Bus lines M4, M5, and M104 stop near the memorial.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Construction of Grant's Tomb began in 1891 and was completed in 1897. The architect was John H. Duncan. The memorial was built to honor Ulysses S. Grant and serve as his final resting place, fulfilling his wish to be buried in New York City. The site was chosen for its commanding views of the Hudson River.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can view the sarcophagi of Ulysses S. Grant and Julia Dent Grant in the central chamber. The lower level houses a museum with exhibits on Grant's life and the Civil War. Ranger-led talks are offered periodically. Walking the grounds of Riverside Park surrounding the memorial is also a common activity.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available within the memorial building. Limited shade is provided by the structure itself and surrounding trees. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available in the area. There are no food vendors directly at the memorial; dining options are available in the surrounding Morningside Heights neighborhood.

Best Time to Visit

The memorial is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the last entry at 4:30 PM. The best time of day for photography of the exterior is late morning or early afternoon when sunlight illuminates the granite. Weather is generally most favorable for outdoor exploration from April to October.

Facts & Legends

A unique aspect of the memorial's construction is that it was funded primarily by public donations, with over 90,000 individuals contributing. The tomb was designed to be a place of national reverence and a symbol of American unity following the Civil War.

Nearby Landmarks

• Riverside Church (0.3km North)
• Columbia University (0.8km South)
• The Hungarian Pastry Shop (0.9km South)
• St. John the Divine Cathedral (1.5km South)
• The Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (1.8km South)