My husband and I are looking for a cute/historic town to visit Halloween weekend. We went to PA last year and got rained in, forcing us to watch movies all day in a B&B. This year, we’d like to try something different, and hopefully somewhere with a little more to do rain or shine. Salem seems like fun, but I’ve never been, and Sleepy Hollow just seems ok. Any advice/suggestions?
I haven’t been to Salem, MA, but I can tell you about Sleepy Hollow in (Tarrytown, NewYork). No, it’s not on Long Island. It’s north of New York City, in Westchester County.
For many years I lived in another village in Westchester, about a mile from Sleepy Hollow Road. Sleepy Hollow was made famous (of course) , in the famous story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" written by Washington Irving (published in 1820), this is where Icabod Crane meets up with the Headless Horseman.
The area is beautiful and rich in history. Another close by village is Irvington, named after Washington Irving. There are many sites to see in the area.
To name a few:
-Kykuit, the Rockefeller Mansion in the hamlet of Pocantico Hills, which is on the outskirts of Sleepy Hollow. You can tour the house, art galleries, and gardens there.
-The Union Church, also in Pocantico, featuring stained glass windows by the great artists Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse (his last work).
-Sunnyside, the home of Washington Irving (who also wrote Rip van Winkle)
-Andre Captor’s Monument, on the spot where Americans captured a British spy during the Revolutionary War. This spy exposed Benedict Arnold’s treasonous activities. It is also where Icabod Crane first meets The Headless Horseman in the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow".
-Philipsburg Manor, an old Dutch Manor that has been restored to it’s original state, late 17th to early 18th century.
-Lyndhurst, an old Gothic mansion, once owned by a railroad baron (Jay Gould). It is now part of The National Historic Trust.
-There are several creepy old cemeteries in the area. Looking at and reading the headstones is extremely interesting. One of them is Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Washington Irving, Elizabeth Arden, Andrew Carnegie, William Rockefeller, and Walter Chrysler, are buried there to name a few. It is next to the Old Dutch Church.
-The Old Dutch Church, also has the Old Dutch Burial Grounds (The area was founded by the Dutch).The church was built around 1690 and is still in use today.This church is referred to in "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". It is where Icabod Crane seeks refuge from The Headless Horseman. ( The burial grounds headstones are terrific there).
-The best place to stay in the area is Castle on Hudson (pricey). The views of the Hudson River are spectacular from there.(Tappan Zee) . The restaurant there (Equus) has food to die for. The "Castle" is an experience within itself. Of course, there are other restaurants and accommodations in the area.
-Philipsburg Manor Gift Shop, the best place to buy Sleepy Hollow souvenirs.
Also in the area:
-Scarborough. Remember the song "Are You Going to Scarborough Fair" (Simon and Garfunkel)? Well that’s it.
-The (Donald) Trump National Golf Club, in Briarcliff Manor where I used to live. It is gorgeous there. Ex President Bill Clinton, plays golf there often. Bill’s and Hilary’s home is approximately 5 miles away in Chappaqua,NY. It might be interesting to drive by there and take a look.
There are so many sites to see in this area that I can’t possibly name them all. If you should get bored (and I don’t think you wilI) , you can always hop on Metro North (the train) and be in the center of Manhattan (NYC) in 30 minutes.
Wherever you decide to go…..ENJOY!
Dalai | Sep 29, 2008
idk but is it on Long Island because i’m going there and was going to a haunted house and corn maze but if sleepy hollow and salem have more scary stuff i want to go?
(name has been deleted) | Sep 29, 2008