Tarrytown, a village 25 miles north of New York City just along the Hudson River, is rich with history, rolling hills, and old Sleepy Hollow folklore. The Tappan Zee Bridge, which separates Tarrytown from Rockland County on the other side of the Hudson, was named after the Tappan Indians who settled the area. It is also former home to the famous Washington Irving. Tours of Tarrytown range from boat rides along the Hudson River, to guided tours of Vintage homes, mansions, museums and the Historical Society, home to ancient Native American artifacts.
The NY Waterway offers boat tours up the Hudson River, docking in New York City ports or in Tarrytown and heading north. Famous sites include Sing Sing Prison, Oyster Point Nuclear Power Plant and Sleepy Hollow, the inspiration for Washington Irving's short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Docking begins on lower Main Street in Tarrytown on the Hudson River, or from Pier 78 on West 38th Street in New York City. Tours run from from October 16 through November 7 on weekends.
Sunnyside, former home of Washington Irving, is a restored 1835 Dutch Colonial-style home, furnished with antiques and lined with gardens and lush hiking trails. Guided tours are offered throughout late spring beginning in April, throughout the summer and into the fall or November. They're offered every day except Tuesdays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lyndhurst, an 1838 Gothic mansion, is filled with period furniture, original toys, and 19th-century artwork. It's located just off Route 9, is easily accessible by car and has plenty of parking. Weekends are filled with educational programs and tours from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April through October.
The Historical Society features artifacts of Native American and early Dutch settlers, as well as Revolutionary War firearms, jewelry and clothing. Guided tours are available while the museum is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2 to 4 p.m.
Kykuit is another famous Tarrytown mansion, with tours available through the state Office of Parks and Recreation. Formerly owned by the Rockefellers, Kykuit is a granite Georgian mansion with lush gardens and Beaux Arts landscaping. It is home to a famous collection of 20th-century artwork with works by Picasso and Noguchi.
