Sleepy Hollow, New York, is a famous town in American literature. It was popularized by Washington Irving's classic short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," which was originally published in 1820. Literature lovers and horror fans visit Sleepy Hollow each year to pay their respects to Washington Irving and to visit the town. Halloween is an important time of year in Sleepy Hollow. Many different themed activities are offered throughout the Halloween season.
The historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery offers an evening lantern tour of the graveyard through the months of September and October. The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery website explains that the tour begins at Washington Irving's grave and visits the final resting places of many famous and infamous individuals, including William Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie, as well as the graves of a famous spiritualist and a well-known counterfeiter. The tour usually includes commentaries about the different types of cemetery architecture and monument art, as well as a visit to the 100-year-old underground vault. The tour lasts for approximately two hours and covers more than a mile of interesting landmarks. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
The Horseman's Hollow experience was introduced in 2010. It takes place at historic Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow over eight frightening October nights. Horseman's Hollow occurs along a haunted trail where visitors encounter evidence of the terror and destruction caused by the Headless Horseman. The trail is haunted by the mad-with-fear villagers who leap out at unwitting guests, as well as a variety of special effects designed to enhance the experience. This attraction is not appropriate for adults with respiratory or heart conditions, people who suffer from claustrophobia or small children.
The Legend Celebration takes place at Sunnyside, Washington Irving's meticulously restored historic home. According to the Hudson Valley website, these daytime activities are a good choice for families with small children. Some of the activities include 19th century-style magic shows, ghost stories, food, and Halloween-themed nature walks, as well as "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" puppet shows.
The Old Dutch Church, located across from Phillipsburg Manor, hosts master storyteller Jonathan Kruk as he offers a retelling of Irving's masterpiece, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." The performance, which lasts for approximately 45 minutes, is accompanied by eerie organ music performed live by Jim Keyes.
Van Cortlandt Manor in nearby Croton-on-Hudson celebrates the Great Jack O' Lantern Blaze each year. More than 4,000 hand-carved jack o' lanterns are lit and displayed, along with a display of pirates, mummies, ghosts and even a pyramid, all made out of jack o' lanterns.
