How to Spend a Perfectly Spooky Saturday in Sleepy Hollow
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It’s that time of year when visitors flock to the riverfront village for gorgeous foliage and superb Halloween events in Westchester.
By Samantha Garbarini, Anthony Tornatore, and Ryan Noel
In October, visitors flock to this Hudson River-facing village for gorgeous foliage, Halloween events, and to celebrate Washington Irving’s famous literary work, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Whether you’re looking for a lantern tour, a journey through a historic estate, or just a spooky hayride, this is the Halloween town for you. What’s more, these events paired with meals from some of the village’s top eateries are a match made in heaven. So, pack your bags and enjoy your Saturday in Sleepy Hollow.
10 a.m. – Grab something sweet from Los Andres Bakery
Grab a quick bite at Los Andes Bakery (180 Valley St.; 914.631.3256). The Chilean shop — look for a sign reading simply “Valley Bakery” — serves traditional pastries like flaky empanadas and sweet alfajores, a.k.a. buttery cookies held together by a layer of dulce de leche.
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11 a.m. – Head to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
Pick up a free map at the south gate or office to help you navigate the 90 arboreal acres of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (540 N Broadway; 914.631.0081). Among the tombstones and stone angels, you’ll find grand mausoleums belonging to titans of industry and the monied elite, including Walter Chrysler, William Avery Rockefeller, and Harry and Leona Helmsley. Also buried here: Elizabeth Arden, Brooke Astor, Andrew Carnegie, and the cemetery’s most popular interment, Washington Irving.
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12 p.m. – Have lunch at the Bridgeview Tavern
Head to Bridgeview Tavern (226 Beekman Ave.; 914.332.0078) for a leisurely lunch in the beer garden. Pair any of the restaurant’s craft beers or ciders on draft — Hill Farmstead, American Brown Ale, Downeast Cider, Foam Like Clockword, and more — with wings, burgers, or our favorite “Disco Is Dead” fries, the latter which come loaded with wild-boar-chorizo chili, cheese, and pickled jalapeños.
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2 p.m. – See where the Headless Horseman haunts Sleepy Hollow
Back towards the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is the Old Dutch Church and Burying Grounds (430 N Broadway), the fabled haunt of the Headless Horseman and the resting place of residents thought to have inspired the characters in Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” If it’s open, pop into still-functioning Old Dutch Church, a National Historic Landmark, to admire its 17th-century Dutch Colonial interior.
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4 p.m. – Take a sunset kayak tour
Meet at Kingsland Point Park for Hudson River Recreation’s (Riverwalk Center; 914.682.5135) popular Sleepy Hollow sunset tour. The guided group excursion, which includes all equipment, paddles past Tarrytown Lighthouse with golden-hour views of the Cuomo Bridge, Palisades, and NYC skyline. (Available through October)
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6 p.m. – Enjoy dinner at Hudson Farmer & the Fish
Nab a waterfront table by the RiverWalk at Hudson Farmer & the Fish (11 River St.; 914.631.8380), where chef-owner Michael Kaphan sources the freshest seafood and harvests seasonal produce from his other restaurant-farm, Purdy’s Farmer & the Fish in North Salem. Order a bottle of white, anything and everything from the raw bar, some salads, and a thin-crust white-clam pizza, and you’re set for the rest of the night.
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8 p.m. – Watch The Legend, a Cirque Theatre Performance
After you fill up on some much-needed grub, go back in time to the 1800s with this immersive experience. “The Legend” is an adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic ghost story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” This is the latest visual experience commemorating the 200-year anniversary of the legendary tale, and it incorporates holograms of Washington Irving and the iconic Headless Horseman. The holograms are paired with circus performances by the Westchester Circus Arts.
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9 p.m. – Rest at the Tarrytown House Estate on the Hudson
Located a few miles north of Dobbs Ferry, this four-star hotel embodies elegance reminiscent of America’s Gilded Age. Overlooking the Hudson River, the Tarrytown House Estate (49 E Sunnyside Ln; 914.591.8200) is a haven for recreation and relaxation. Hit the tennis court, shoot some hoops, or take a dip in the pool. If the hunger pangs hit, order a fantastic meal at Goosefeather, where you can enjoy modern, seasonal Chinese fare made by Chef Dale Talde.
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Related: Top 3 Spooky Spots in Yonkers
