I just love getting out of the house to explore on the back
roads. I usually remember to take a camera in addition to a smartphone
along. When you are exploring you never know what you will find! Just north of
New York City in Westchester County is a favorite ride. Get off the main
roads of Interstate 287/87 and get on route 9A north and wind through the very
scenic Hudson Valley. It’s especially scenic this time of year with the
trees in their autumnal splendor. Maybe stop at a farm stand or pick some
apples too or go antiquing. All up to you!
Nestled in the heart of the Hudson River Valley near
Tarrytown is a quaint town known as Sleepy Hollow. Until 1996 Sleepy Hollow was
known as North Tarrytown. The whole Hudson Valley Region sits on the banks of
the Hudson River and is ripe with Revolutionary War battles and history. The
area was originally a Dutch settlement. This is the same town where
Washington Irving’s tale “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” is set. There
are a number of interesting places to visit in Sleepy Hollow and surrounding
areas such as Kykuit the Rockefeller family estate set on the Hudson River with
it’s vast views of the river.
Sunnyside is the estate of Washington Irving and there are a
number of other estates along the Hudson River. Philipsburg Manor,
which was a successful farming, milling, and trading, center owned by the
Philipses in the center of Sleepy Hollow. If you have not had the
opportunity to explore this are I would recommend you do make time for a visit.
I will not tell you the entire tale here, just a snippet in
case you have not heard or read it. Ichabod Crane was a
teacher who one very dark night was heading to a party at the Van Tassel’s
residence hoping to woo Katrina Van Tassel. Suddenly out of the
shadows came the Headless Horseman, local legend claimed him to be a fallen
Hessian soldier buried in the nearby church cemetery in search of his head. Ichabod
was chased over a bridge trying to get away from the Headless
Horseman. The Horseman hurled his burning jack o’lantern head
at Ichabod and chased Ichabod to the Old Dutch Church.
The bridge is no longer in the center of town however the
Old Dutch Church built in 1685 is. This is the oldest church in all
of New York State. The cemetery surrounding the church is quite
large and holds a great number of famous final resting places for business
legends including Brooke Astor, The Helmsley’s, Andrew Carnegie, Rockefellers,
and even Walter Chrysler founder of Chrysler Auto Company. Tours
are given of the church and cemetery including some at night, or, you can
purchase a map and wander around yourself.
There are a number of seasonal events hosted in Sleepy
Hollow, which reference that legendary tale. This year and every October Sleepy
Hollow hosts a fabulous event The Great Pumpkin Blaze with more than 5000
blazing jack o’lanterns and is being held for 25 nights this year. This
is always a sell out event and tickets are necessary. It is mostly handicap
accessible also.
Another seasonal event held yearly is at Phillipsburg Manor
is Horseman’s Hollow. Ghosts and ghouls abound and will try and
scare you out of your wits…. all in fun of course, and not for the faint of
heart or small children. Or perhaps Irving’s Legend would be an
event you would like. A reading of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
by a master story teller and held in the infamous Old Dutch Church where
Ichabod fled. If you can not get there this time of year, how about a summer
event like Pirates of the Hudson in early July, or Scrooge telling his story in
the Old Dutch Church just after Thanksgiving and throughout December? Family
fun for sure!
This is a great area to visit for families, take photos,
learn some history, step where many of the most famous people have the 19th and
20th century walked. You do not always have to go far
from home to have a great time. There are many other towns
along the Hudson River Valley on both sides of the river like Piermont….but
that is a story for another day. Get out and explore!
Ciao for now!
Philipsburg Manor
Helmsley Mausoleum
Philipsburg Manor
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