Sleepy Hollow, NY

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Visit the graves of Washington Irving, John D. Rockafella, Hulda of Bohemia, the name inspiration for Katrina Van Tassel, and more. During October, take a lantern light tour of the cemetery or attend a live reading of Frankenstein and more!

Elizabeth Arden’s Grave

Elizabeth Arden, the cosmetic tycoon, is buried in the newer part of the cemetery. However, you won’t find the name Arden on her tombstone. Her real name was Florence Nightingale Graham, which has a much nicer ring to it if you ask me. Graham is the name to look for if you’d like to pay your respects to the creator of the Red Door spa.

Andrew Carnegie’s Grave

William Rockefeller’s Grave

The William Rockefeller Mausoleum is the largest mausoleum in Sleepy Hollow, and was built in 1920. There are several Rockefeller family members buried here.

The Old Dutch Church and Burying Ground

The old Dutch Church and Burying Ground is connected to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, but they are actually entirely separate cemeteries. They have separate entrances for visitors as well, so make sure you are visiting the correct one when planning your trip. You can walk from one to the other, but would be parking in the area designated each respective cemetery, so keep that in mind before strolling too far in the opposite direction.

Washington Irving’s Grave

This is a hot spot during October, so be prepared for crowds. Enter through the Old Dutch Church entrance and follow the main path up the sign leading to his grave. Be respectful as it is a cemetery and allow other tourists the space to view the gravesite as well.

Hulda of Bohemia’s Grave

Hulda of Bohemia was a misunderstood healer of her time who was shunned by her community in Sleepy Hollow. After contributing in the war effort and losing her life as a result, she was given a Christian burial, but left without a proper grave marker. She was recently given the grave she deserves inside the Old Dutch Church Cemtery, which you can visit today.

Katrina Van Tassel’s Grave

The real Katrina! Yes, the fictional character from Irving’s tale got her name from a real life Van Tassel. You can visit her grave in the Old Dutch Burial Ground.

The Headless Horseman Statue

The Headless Horseman statue is just before the Old Dutch Church and Cemetery. People will probably be standing around gawking at it during October. It is an iron statue and is kind of cool if you’re into the story and the legend. It is a quick stop to make on the way to the cemetery if you’d like to check it out.

The “Headless Horseman Bridge”

While this isn’t the real bridge from The Legend, and even that one has since disappeared, it is the modern bridge that visitors travel to and bears the name from the famous legend. It is located in the cemetery and crosses over a babbling brook. It is absolutely stunning in all seasons, and worth it to soak in a serene moment listening to the water travel downstream.

Real Headless Horseman Bridge

If you want to see the location where the actual bridge was most likely situated, you can visit that too. While the bridge is gone, a sign indicating where it once stood is just across the way from the entrance to the Old Dutch Church. Look for a blue sign with yellow trim.

Sunnyside

Sunnyside is the former home of Washington Irving, and even the Van Tassel family once lived here! You can tour the home, listen to a reenactment of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and more. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Phillipsburg Manor

See what life was like in colonial times. You can tour the manor house and see period artifacts and reproductions. You’ll hear history of what life was like at the manor from those who lived and worked there.

Lyndhurst Mansion

If you enjoy architecture you’ll love touring Lyndhurst. It was the filming site of both Dark Shadows movies, and was once home to Robber baron of the gilded age, Jay Gould. They sometimes run events during October, but even if they don’t, the grounds and mansion are breathtaking.

The Armour-Stiner House (Octagon House)

This is the only octagon shaped house in the United States, and is still occupied today. Tours run during certain dates. It is really a structure to marvel at, especially if you are interested in Victorian architecture.

Tarrytown Music Hall

This iconic music hall is a great place to see a show if something good is playing while you’re in town. If not, it is still a beautiful theatre to admire from the outside. It is supposedly haunted, and haunted music hall tours are sometimes offered in the fall.

The Great Jack-O-Lantern Blaze

This event is a must during September or October, but tickets sell out quickly! It is not a far drive from Sleepy Hollow, so if you’re visiting The Hollow, I definitely recommend taking a little detour to The Blaze!

“Myths and Mysteries of the Octagon House” at Armour-Stiner

Hear tales of phrenology and a potential ghost that lingers at this private residence. This tour is only available during September and October and puts a twist on the classic interior tour of the home.

Fall Tours at Lyndhhurst mansion

Spirited Mansion Weekends: See the mansion’s interior decked out for fall

Lyndhurst After Dark: Hear Victorian lore and see some of the former residents mourning and memorial objects on display.

Mr. Dickens Tells a Christmas Carol: View an hour long performance based on A Christmas Carol. This runs from early December to just before Christmas.

Haunted Hayride

Sleepy Hollow’s only haunted attraction for the spooky season! This one sells out SUPER quickly, so you need to get tickets right away once they go on sale.

Cemetery Tours

There are various different cemetery tours given during October, but tickets sell out pretty quickly, especially for more coveted weekend days. Some of the tours are below, and you can learn more about each tour and purchase tickets here.

The Murder and Mayhem Tour

Classic Evening Lantern Tour

The Good, the Bad, and the Unusual!

American Aristocrats

Hulda’s Night

Hear Hulda tell her story on land that may have been, or was very close to, Hulda of Bohemia’s actual home. Hulda was a healer who was shunned by her community until she became a casualty in the revolutionary war. She was then given a Christian burial in the Old dutch Church, though in an unmarked grave. In 2014 she was finally given a proper headstone.

Hearts of the Hollow

This Sleepy Hollow musical is a newer event, 2022 having been its debut year. It was inspired by Washington Irving’s famous tale, but puts a new twist on it.

See the Scarecrows

Every year, decorated scarecrows end up lining the fence at Patriot’s Park. They’re fun to look at while taking a stroll and each one depicts a unique scarecrow character.

Take a Stroll Around Town

If you’re visiting during October, you’ll definitely want to park your car and leave it there for the day, which gives you the opportunity to take a walk around and take in the spooky atmosphere. See the scarecrows lining Patriot’s Park, admire the Halloween flags hung on the main streets, take a gander at all the businesses and homes decorated for Halloween. My favorite part of visiting any place is just walking around and getting a feel for it. Breathe in all that spooky air!

Visit the Clock Tower

The clock tower sits in the center of town, right at the top of Beekman Ave. It’s a busy intersection, but worth checking out the beautiful clock tower and the spooky decor surrounding it. A friend of mine calls him “Beekman Ave. Jack,” and so, that is his name.

Spook Rock

Spook rock is a large rock that once served as a landmark for residents of the area. It also plays into a legend passed down from long go. Located in Rockefeller State Park Preserve, it lies not far from where Hulda’s cottage supposedly stood. If you’re not aware of Hulda, read about her in the notable graves section of this guide. The legend involves not Hulda, but celestial maidens dancing atop the rock. One married a hunter, they had a child, and when she left them to return to the stars and the sky, the child died and the hunter left the area. Upon returning she realized she had been gone for years when she thought it was only hours. They say you can still see lights dancing in the wooded area on clear, quiet nights.

Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse

The lighthouse is beautiful, and on a clear day you can get a great view of the Hudson. It is also called the Tarrytown Lighthouse and Kingsland Point Lighthouse. It is actually being restored currently and is closed to visitors, but you can still see it from the shore.

Rockefeller State Park Preserve

If you want to be surrounded by nature and gorgeous views, spend some time walking through the Rockefeller State Park Preserve. You’ll see people walking their dogs here, running, strolling leisurely, and horseback riding. It is beautiful any time of year, but really shines during autumn!

Patriot’s Park

This small park borders Sleepy Hollow but is technically in Tarrytown. Is is a stone’s throw from one of the infamous Sleepy Hollow signs, which is just a block away at the Sleepy Hollow High School. There is a playground here, some history involving the capture of general Andre, and the TASH farmer’s market on weekends. It’s a great spot for a stroll, a picnic, or to just pass through on your way to Main Street in Tarrytown. Is is also next to the local library.

The Taco Project

Who doesn’t want to do a project that involves tacos? There’s more than just tacos here. You can find waffles, burritos, salads, enchiladas and more. With a weekend brunch menu and signature cocktails, you really can’t go wrong. They also offer catering, and have several locations in Westchester.

Tarry Tavern

Tarry Tavern has it all from an amazing selection of soups to seafood and pastas. This place is a bit more upscale in terms of menu items than some of the other restaurants featured in this guide. You can choose from a Market or Tavern menu, the first of which celebrates seasonal foods, and the later of which celebrates more consistent and expected menu items. Both options showcase the Hudson Valley’s fare.

Osaka

Osaka is a Japanese steak house and sushi bar offering everything from bento boxes and hibachi to special sushi rolls and donburi. Osaka is open daily, and is right on Wildey Street.

J.P. Doyle’s restaurant and Public House

J.P. Doyle’s has typical bar food and a bar atmosphere. You can catch Sunday brunch AND Taco Tuesday here. There is a party room for private events or large parties, and the place is always decked out for the month of October!

Grass Roots Kitchen

This is the best spot for brunch in my opinion. There’s a mix of a regular menu and a vegan menu, indoor and outdoor seating, and a fairly expansive menu. Their mac n cheese is the best I’ve ever had, and their fresh baked desserts are great for a sweet tooth!

Bridge View Tavern

Bride View Tavern offers delicious food and craft beers. There’s even an outdoor beer garden! It sits right near the Hudson River, so there is a great view too.

Sweet Grass Grill

Sweet Grass Grill is a cute little spot on Main Street that has both regular and fully vegan menu options. There’s something for everyone here. I highly recommend the “celery root wings.” I had never heard of celery root as a dish before, but it is out of this world. Their sister restaurant, Grass Roots Kitchen, is also delicious with plenty of vegetarian/vegan options, but a more casual atmosphere and menu.

Horsefeathers

This restaurant has lines out the door almost daily in October, and for good reason. The food is great, the atmosphere is fun, and the staff embraces spooky season year round. If you visit during warmer weather you can opt to people watch at the outdoor tables.

Goosefeather Restaurant

This mansion turned restaurant serves asian dishes with a twist. The lawn is ideal for cocktails in the warmer weather, and you can even book a room upstairs for the night. My favorite thing about this place? Upon giving me the check for my bar tab, they placed it delicately inside the worn pages of a small vintage book. I will never forget that and haven’t seen it anywhere else.

Beekman Ale House

Delicious bar food like mozzarella triangles, wings, and garlic knots, and a variety of pizzas. They have an extensive beer menu including a “Pumpkin Fest” section for all you pumpkinheads!

Coffee Lab Roasters

If you want a hot (or cold) drink, this spot is at the top of Main Street and has a nice selection of fall themed beverages. They’re also known to make cool latte art in your foam, though I’ve never been lucky enough to receive any foam art. The staff is super friendly and this place is usually buzzing with activity.

Muddy Water Coffee and Cafe

This place has the best breakfast bars and scones. Especially if you’re dairy free. The cafe has a very cozy atmosphere and their marshmallow drink flavoring is so delicious. While Coffee Labs Roasters seems to be the hot spot in town, my husband and I prefer Muddy Waters because it is more calm, less crowded, and he says their coffee is better. I’ll leave it to you to decide.

Main Street Sweets

My motto in life is that it’s never too cold for ice cream, so you know I had to include this local ice cream shop. Main Street Sweets makes their own ice cream and offers milkshakes and some ice cream pops. It’s delicious, and yes I recommend ice cream in the fall. Please refer back to my motto.

Posh Pretzels

These pretzels are the fanciest pretzels I’ve ever seen. They are so creative and delicious. You can get individual desserts, platters for parties, and gift boxes. I was walking our dog past the shop once when it was closed, and he would NOT leave the doorway. He kept sniffing under the door and put his paw up to it to try and get in. Even he wanted some pretzels!