I first heard of Tarrytown in Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Of course, that was many years ago, and my interest in the town was rekindled when I saw it listed as one of the top places to visit in the Hudson Valley.
Tarrytown is a charming village located on the east bank of the Hudson River about 25 miles north of New York City. It’s a popular day-trip destination for city dwellers and an ideal base for exploring the Hudson Valley. So if you’re looking for inspiration for The Top Places And Things To Do In Tarrytown, NY, read on.
Things To Do In Tarrytown, NY
1. Discover the Beauty and Quaintness of Tarrytown
Tarrytown is a lovely town located in New York’s Hudson Valley region. The town is full of charming shops and restaurants, and it’s a great place to take a walk and enjoy the scenery.
One of the things that makes Tarrytown so special is its location. The town is situated on the Hudson River, and it offers stunning views of the river and the surrounding area. It’s also located close to New York City, making it a great place to visit if you’re looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Tarrytown is also home to some of the best-preserved historic buildings in the Hudson Valley region. The town’s Main Street is lined with beautiful Victorian-style homes, and you can also find several historic churches throughout Tarrytown. In addition to its historic buildings, Tarrytown is also home to some beautiful parks and nature trails.
But if you want to get a little more out of your visit, there are also several great shops and restaurants located throughout Tarrytown. You can find everything from locally-owned boutiques to nationally-recognized chain stores in Tarrytown. And when it comes to dining, you’ll find everything from casual cafes to fine dining restaurants in Tarrytown.
So if you’re looking for the best things to do in Tarrytown, you really can’t go wrong with taking a walk around town and enjoying the scenery. This is a great place to visit for a day or a weekend, and you’re sure to fall in love with its beauty and quaintness.
2. Visit the Philipsburg Manor
Another popular attraction in Tarrytown is the Philipsburg Manor. The Philipsburg Manor is a historic site that was once a milling and trading centre for the Dutch Colony of New Netherland.
The Philipsburg Manor has a long and interesting history. In 1693, Frederick Philipse was granted a charter by King William III to build a mill on the property. The mill was completed in 1697 and became an important part of the local economy. In 1750, Frederick Philipse’s grandson built a new mill on the site and expanded the trading operations. The Philipsburg Manor became an important stop for traders traveling up and down the Hudson River.
In 1779, the Philipsburg Manor was burned down by British troops during the Revolutionary War. The manor was rebuilt after the war and continued to operate as a milling and trading centre until the mid-19th century.
The Philipsburg Manor is now a museum that is open to the public. The museum is located on the same property as the farm and includes the original farmhouse, barn, and outbuildings. You can tour the museum and learn about the history of the Philipsburg Manor and the lives of enslaved Africans who worked on the property.
The museum is well-preserved, and the tour is very informative. I would definitely recommend visiting the Philipsburg Manor if you’re looking for top attractions in Tarrytown.
3. Marvel at Lyndhurst Mansion
I was unsure what to expect when my friends suggested we visit Lyndhurst Mansion. I knew it was a historic site, but I wasn’t sure what there would be to do there. As it turns out, Lyndhurst is a gorgeous site with plenty to do.
Also known as the Jay Gould estate, The Lyndhurst Mansion is a Gothic Revival-style mansion built in 1838. The mansion is located on 67 acres of land and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. The mansion’s interior is just as stunning as the exterior and is full of antiques and artwork.
One of the things that I found most interesting about the Lyndhurst Mansion was the history behind it. William Paulding, Jr. was the first owner of the mansion, and he was the mayor of New York City at one point. George Merritt and his family were the second owners of the mansion and doubled the size of the house. The third and final owner of the mansion was Jay Gould, a railroad magnate, who left the mansion to his daughter Anna Gould after his death in 1892.
The Gould family later donated the mansion to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1961. And today, the mansion is open to the public for tours, and visiting it is one of the most popular things to do in Tarrytown.
You can purchase tickets for a guided tour of the mansion, which takes about an hour. Or, if you prefer, you can take a self-guided tour which takes about 45 minutes. I would recommend the guided tour because you learn a lot more about the history of the mansion and the family that lived there.
All in all, visiting the Lyndhurst Mansion is a great way to spend your morning or afternoon in Tarrytown. It’s a beautiful mansion with a lot of history, and it’s surrounded by stunning grounds. The tour is great for all ages and is a must-see attraction in Tarrytown.
4. Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
No trip to Tarrytown would be complete without a visit to Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate. Located just a short drive from Lyndhurst Mansion, Kykuit is another gorgeous historic site that’s definitely worth a visit.
The Rockefeller estate was originally built in 1913 for John D. Rockefeller Sr. and his family. The estate is located on 3400 acres of land and features a 40-room mansion, gardens, art galleries, and more. This home has seen four generations of Rockefellers, and today it’s open to the public for tours.
Visiting Kykuit is a great way to spend a day in Tarrytown. There are several different tour options available depending on what you’re interested in seeing. They include Classic Tour, Grand Tour, landmark Tour, Timesaver Tour, and Group Tour. I opted for the Classic Tour, and it did not disappoint.
The tour takes you through the main floor of the house, where you get to see the living room, dining room, and kitchen. You also get to see some of the art that’s on display in the house. After the tour of the house, you get to explore the gardens and grounds. The estate is absolutely beautiful, and it’s easy to see why the Rockefellers chose this as their home.
Overall, this is definitely one of the best places to visit in Tarrytown if you’re interested in history or architecture. The tour is great, and there’s so much to see and explore.
5. Tour Washington Irving’s Sunnyside
Washington Irving was an American author best known for his short stories “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle.” Irving was also the first American author to achieve international fame, and he did much to promote an interest in American literature.
So it’s no surprise that one of the top things to do in Tarrytown is tour Washington Irving’s Sunnyside. Sunnyside is a Gothic Revival-style cottage built in 1835 and was Irving’s home from 1837 until his death in 1859. The cottage is located on 10 acres of land and overlooks the Hudson River.
The interior of the cottage has been restored to look like it did when Irving lived there, and it’s full of furniture and artwork from the period. The grounds are also beautiful and feature a variety of gardens, including a rose garden and an herb garden.
I was fortunate to tour the cottage during fall when there were exhibits on Irving’s life and work. The exhibits were very well done, and I learned a lot about Irving and his writing. If you can, I would also recommend touring the cottage during the fall when they have special events and activities. But even if you can’t make it during this time, touring Washington Irving’s Sunnyside is still a great way to spend your time in Tarrytown.
6. Explore the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Do you love history? Are you interested in the supernatural? If so, a visit to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is a must-do while in Tarrytown. I know a cemetery doesn’t sound like a fun place to spend your day. But I promise you; the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is worth a visit.
Founded in 1849, the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is the final resting place of many famous people, including Washington Irving, Walter Chrysler, Andrew Carnegie, and Brooke Astor. But the cemetery is most famous for being the final resting place of The Headless Horseman.
The Headless Horseman is a fictional character that appears in the short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving. The story is set in the 1700s in the village of Sleepy Hollow, which is now modern-day Tarrytown.
According to the legend, the Headless Horseman was a Hessian soldier who lost his head during the Revolutionary War. It is said that he roams the cemetery to this day, looking for his head. Although the character of The Headless Horseman is fictional, there is a grave in the cemetery that is dedicated to him. The grave is unmarked, but it’s easy to find if you ask one of the cemetery employees.
Whether or not you believe the legend, a visit to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is sure to be a fascinating experience. The cemetery is beautifully landscaped, and there are many interesting monuments and gravestones to see. And if you’re a fan of history or horror stories, then you’ll definitely want to add the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery to your list of places to visit in Tarrytown.
7. Admire the Views of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
The Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that spans the Hudson River between Westchester County and Rockland County. Cable-stayed bridge means that it has cables that support the bridge deck. The bridge opened to traffic in September of 2018 as a replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge.
The Cuomo Bridge is the longest bridge in North America, and it’s one of the most impressive things to see in Tarrytown. The bridge is named after former New York governor Mario Cuomo who passed away in 2015.
One of the best things about the Cuomo Bridge is that it has eight lanes of traffic and also has a pedestrian and bicycle path. The path is over 3 miles long and runs along the south side of the bridge. It’s a great place to go for a walk, run, or bike ride with stunning views of the Hudson River.
The best way to marvel at the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge is from one of the six scenic overlooks that surround it. The overlooks are located in both Westchester County and Rockland County. They’re all easily accessible by car and offer breathtaking views of the bridge and the river.
The best time to visit the bridge is during the daytime when you can see all eight lanes of traffic. But if you’re looking for a more peaceful experience, I would recommend visiting at night. The bridge is beautifully lit up, and it’s a beautiful sight to see.
8. Stop by the Tarrytown Lighthouse
Tarrytown is home to a beautiful lighthouse that was built in 1883. The Tarrytown Lighthouse, also known as the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, is a historic landmark and one of the top attractions in Tarrytown.
The Tarrytown Lighthouse served as an important guide for ships traveling up and down the Hudson River during its time. Twelve lightkeepers lived in the lighthouse with their families. The last light keeper left the lighthouse in 1959, and it was eventually decommissioned in 1961.
Today, Tarrytown Lighthouse is a great place to visit if you’re interested in history or architecture. The tour of the lighthouse takes you through the living quarters and up to the top of the lighthouse, where you can get a stunning view of the Hudson River. You can also learn about the history of the lighthouse and the families who lived there.
I had a great time touring the lighthouse, and it’s definitely one of the things that I would recommend doing if you’re in Tarrytown. The tour is quick and easy, and it’s a great way to learn about the history of the area. The highlight, for me, was definitely getting to see the stunning view of the Hudson River from the top of the lighthouse.
9. Take a Leisurely Walk on the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Tarrytown that are a little more active, then I would suggest visiting the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. The Old Croton Aqueduct was built in the early 19th century to bring water from the Croton River to New York City. The aqueduct is now decommissioned, but the trail that runs alongside it is a popular spot for hiking, biking, and walking.
The Old Croton Aqueduct Trail stretches for 26 miles from Croton-on-Hudson to Yonkers. But if you’re short on time, a few sections of the trail are especially scenic and worth visiting. Some of the popular sections of the trail include the Sleepy Hollow section, which runs along the Pocantico River, and the section that goes through Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
One of the things I love about the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail is that it’s so scenic. The trail follows the Hudson River for a lot of its length, and you get great views of the river and the surrounding countryside. There are also a few spots where you can see the remains of the aqueduct itself.
The trail is well-maintained, and there are several picnic areas, playgrounds, and even a few restaurants. The trail is also great for birdwatching as there are a variety of birds that live in the area.
All in all, the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail is a great place to spend a few hours if you want to get out and explore the nature around Tarrytown. It’s a beautiful trail with plenty to see and do. And it’s a great way to get some exercise while you’re on vacation.
10. Catch a Performance at the Tarrytown Music Hall
If you’re looking for the best things to do in Tarrytown, catching a performance at The Tarrytown Music Hall is a great option. The Music Hall is a historic theater that dates back to 1885. It’s one of the oldest theaters in Westchester County and has hosted countless performances over the years.
The hall itself is a beautiful building with a lot of history. It’s been renovated several times over the years, but it still carries the air of that old-world splendor. Some of the highlights of the theater are the ornate ceilings, wooden carvings, and gold and red accents.
Today, the Music Hall is a great place to see a variety of performances. The theater hosts everything from musicals and plays to comedy shows and concerts. The seating is quite intimate, making for a great experience no matter what you see.
During my visit, I saw a performance of the musical “Mamma Mia!” The show was fantastic, and the theater was the perfect size for it. I could see the stage perfectly, and I wasn’t too far away from the action.
Overall, this is a great place to spend an evening in Tarrytown. It’s a historic theater that offers a wide variety of things to do. Whether you’re looking for a night of entertainment or a piece of Tarrytown’s history, this music hall is the best option.
In summary
And I have come to the end of my article about the best things to do in Tarrytown. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it and that you’ll consider visiting some of these great places the next time you’re in Tarrytown. Thanks for reading!