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Plan Like a James A. Garfield NHS Park Ranger

Top 10 Activities at James A. Garfield National Historic Site

Whether you are local or from out of state it is important to know directions to James A. Garfield National Historic Site! The site's physical address is: 8095 Mentor Avenue Mentor, Ohio 44060.  Visit this page for a map and directions. 

Reservations are required for guided Garfield Home tours during the month of May; please call the site at (440) 255-8722. June - October, visitors will be placed on the next available tour upon arrival.

Learn more about activities at James A. Garfield National Historic Site! 

Rangers are ready to answer any questions you may have upon arrival or if you'd like to call the site before visiting. Our phone number is (440) 255-8722. Inside the Visitor Center visitors can view exhibits that span the life, presidency, and death of James A. Garfield.  Junior Ranger and B.A.R.K. Ranger booklets are available at the front desk. A 18-minute biographical film is also played in the theater upon request. Our site's America's National Parks bookstore is also available.  

Restrooms are located in the building next to the Visitor Center. 

Rangers and Volunteers will meet visitors at the front desk to begin guided tours. 

Food and drink are prohibited in the Visitor Center as well as flash photography. 

James A. Garfield National Historic Site has 8-acres to explore. Two cell phone tours describe the historic buildings on the property as well as the events that took place during the 1880 Presidential Campaign. Those tours can be found here

Do you have children visiting the site with you? If so, James A. Garfield National Historic Site has three different junior ranger booklets, which include the site specific, Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, and Railroad Explorer. After completing the programs be sure to check out our world famous Junior Ranger Badge Display in the theater!  

Click here to find out what other National Park Service sites offer the Junior Ranger Program. 

Do you and your dog need a stretch break? If so, take the B.A.R.K. Ranger trail and learn how you and your pet can become good stewards on public lands. Complete the B.A.R.K. Ranger activities and your dog can be sworn in by one of our park rangers! B.A.R.K. Rangers also receive a certificate and B.A.R.K Ranger collar tag. The FREE booklet is available inside the Visitor Center, but no dogs allowed (sorry) so please call a ranger to bring one out to you. 

Learn what other National Park Site's offer B.A.R.K. Ranger Programs!

Guided tours of the Garfield Home are accessible to all visitors! Check out our Accessibility Page if you have any questions about what is offered to visitors with different abilities. 

When planning and mapping out your visit it is always a good idea to keep between an hour and a half to two hours open in your day to enjoy the whole site experience.  Guided tours (reservations required) are about 45-minutes and our site film is 18-minutes.  The Visitor Center exhibits and grounds can be done at your own pace. Know if you are the type to casually stroll through, see the greatest hits and leave quickly, or stop and read every line of text.  Plan accordingly to best enjoy your time.        

Do you enjoy all things National Park Service? If so, the new App is for you! This service-wide App will help visitors plan their next trip to any of our 427+ sites or virtually visit when traveling is not possible. Find out more about the App here.

If you have had a wonderful time and taken a good photo, be sure to share it with us by tagging us @GarfieldNPS on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!  We love to see how you interpret our park in its aesthetic and natural beauty.  

James A Garfield National Historic Site

Last updated: May 1, 2022