Mini-golf pop-up opens at the Vanderbilt Museum

It’s tee time at the Vanderbilt Museum.

A pop-up miniature golf experience running weekends at the storied Centerport site is made for family fun as well as to commemorate William K. Vanderbilt’s love of the game.

Mini-golf at the Vanderbilt opened March 27 and the 18-hole course has a place of honor on the former summer estate. "It’s on the lawn near the Hall of Fishes, right where Mr. Vanderbilt’s original course was located," says museum event coordinator Sarah Beutel.

"We have had around 2,500 guests play golf so far," adds Beutel. "We had a lot of players during spring break."

Starting times are staggered to accommodate social distancing, and masks are required for play. Hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will run through May 16. Day play is designed for nine holes, but the museum is flexible if you want to play all 18.

Mini-golf includes complimentary grounds passes. After navigating doglegs and obstacles like tiny bridges and a lighthouse, you can check out the eye-popping Spanish-Revival architecture as well as decorative ironwork by Samuel Yellin dotting the property.

Patrons who play a round of golf are entered into a giveaway for a flat-screen TV and a yearlong museum membership. The winner will be announced after May 16.