Don't be afraid to take a trip to Sleepy Hollow
Lodging, dining, points of interest go beyond the headless horseman tale
The history of Sleepy Hollow in the Hudson Valley is a fun one to explore. Fans of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving travel here to explore the famous sites mentioned in or inspired by the tale of the headless horseman. What some may not expect is the not-so-spooky area – in Sleepy Hollow and nearby Tarrytown – that they encounter, with luxurious lodging, fine dining and a few surprises.
CHECKING IN
Tarrytown House Estate on The Hudson (49 E. Sunnyside Lane, Tarrytown)
When we pulled into the Tarrytown House Estate on The Hudson, there were multiple buildings with different amenities and accommodations on 26 acres. We were staying in the 1840 King Mansion, right next to the reception building and restaurant, Goosefeather. The decor was stunning, with art all over the ceiling and a huge terrace leading out to views of the Hudson River and the New York City skyline in the distance. Standing on the private balcony, watching the sunset with the reflection of the city and hearing the soft buzz at the restaurant below, was peaceful.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (540 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow): The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, which dates back to 1849, expands more than 90 acres. The cemetery holds famous plots from Andrew Carnegie and William Rockefeller to the Sleepy Hollow legend’s writer, Irving.
Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse (Tarrytown Light-kingsland Point Path, Sleepy Hollow): The Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, built in 1883, is just yards away from the Westchester Riverwalk (landfill over the years brought the shore closer). You can admire it from afar, especially at sunset, or walk right up to it to see the weathered detailing. Tours are offered by the village of Sleepy Hollow.
The Old Dutch Church (430 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow): The Old Dutch Church dates back to 1685 and is featured in Irving‘s original short story. Services are still offered there.
Sculpture of Headless Horseman (362 Broadway, Sleepy Hollow): The area was put on the map by the story of the Headless Horseman, so the town paid tribute to the local legend through this rust-colored, metal-plated statue. In fact, in 1996 the village changed its name from North Tarrytown to capitalize on the famous story.
Headless Horseman Bridge (415 Broadway, Sleepy Hollow): This address takes you to the more official Headless Horseman bridge, noted by a historical sign. It is off a busy street and is quite modern. However, for more of an old-fashioned scene, follow the main road of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. If you take the farthest-right road along the water, you will run into a wooden bridge
nearby where many visitors go to take their photos instead.
The Armour-stiner Octagon House (45 W. Clinton Ave., Irvington): The Armour-stiner Octagon House, according to its website, “is the only known, fully domed octagonal residence and the only house which replicates Donato Bramante’s 1502 Tempietto in Rome.” It is a private residence. You must book a tour before coming onto the property. Tickets can be purchased on the website.
DINING
Goosefeather (49 E. Sunnyside Lane, Tarrytown)
While staying at the Tarrytown Estates,
eating at Goosefeather is a must. Chef/owner Dale Talde, who has been on cooking shows including “Top Chef ” and “Chopped,” creates Hong Kong-inspired dishes, focusing largely on dumplings, Cantonese barbecue and noodles. I started with a cocktail, the Schrute's Spritz, named for the beet-farm-owning character in “The Office.” The drink combines beet extract, aquavit, sweet honey, tart lemon, stone pine liqueur and tonic, which mixes to create a bright, hot pink color. We ordered a wide variety of dishes to try, like their gem salad with salty parmigiano reggiano cheese and eight-treasure spice, and the crispy Brussels sprouts with apple cider vinaigrette and Lady apples. Another crowd pleaser is roasted hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, glazed with glossy umami butter and pomegranate for a sweet touch. Kung pao
chicken wings were spicy and flavorful, served with shaved celery and peanuts for a crunch, with a silky buttermilk-dill ranch. The Hunan lamb noodles had a good chew, with crunchy pistachios and red chilies for a little heat. The Bagel Emporium of Tarrytown (350 S. Broadway, Tarrytown)
When we walked up to this bagel shop, we saw a line wrapped around the outside of the building. The emporium had a generous selection of flavored spreads, from usual options like scallion and vegetable to more obscure flavors like cotton candy, olive-pimento and bacon-tomato. The shop has a wide variety of regular bagels and whole-wheat bagels in addition to some specialty ones: multicolored rainbow bagels, party bagels (which is one giant bagel), and flagels, which is basically the crust of a bagel without the dough inside. The Bakehouse of Tarrytown (2 Depot Plaza, Tarrytown)
We were on the lookout for a good bakery with treats made from scratch to bring home for a family member’s birthday. A local recommended The Bakehouse as we were about to walk into another bakery. The offerings included fresh cookies, pies (including a popular stone fruit pie with peaches, plums and cherries), cupcakes, individual pastries and tarts. It’s the perfect place to treat yourself.