Sleepy Hollow Adventures
October 28, 2021
If you’re looking for a spooky getaway this Halloween season, look no further than a trip to the infamous Sleepy Hollow. As only a short hour and thirty-minute drive from our town of Wantagh, Sleepy Hollow is a convenient and family-friendly trip that is filled with ghostly activities. From farmer’s markets to haunted hayrides to great dining options, there is something for everyone at Sleepy Hollow, even the scaredy cats!
When planning a trip, one should always begin with finding a place to reside for the vacation. Sleepy Hollow has an array of hotels in the neighboring areas like their sister town, Tarrytown, or just across the Tappan Zee Bridge in Nyack. One of the more affordable options for a hotel room is Hotel Nyack ranging from $160 to $200 a night and is only 15 minutes from Sleepy Hollow. A closer option would be the Comfort Inn, which is only a 10-minute drive to Sleepy Hollow and is roughly $300 a night. There are also other options in the area such as the Hampton Inn, the Marriott, or the Sheraton, so there are many options to choose from when looking for a place to stay!
Next up on the list are the spooky activities you can find in Sleepy Hollow. I recommend opening the trip with the play called Irving’s Legend, which is narrated by Johnathan Kruk. Kruk takes you through Irving’s most infamous story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and a little bit about Washington as well. The play actually takes place at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside estate so you also get to admire Washington Irving’s home.
On the estate, there is also a gift shop filled with Sleepy Hollow-themed merchandise and, of course, copies of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Additionally, the audience is visited by the Headless Horseman himself and is allowed to take pictures with him.
Another must-see at Sleepy Hollow is the old cemetery where you can visit Washington Irving’s grave. The cemetery is extraordinary and chock full of history as it also features the Old Dutch Church which is featured in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I highly recommend purchasing tickets to the night lantern tour of the cemetery where you get to walk around the cemetery at night and learn about the Carnegies and Vanderbilt’s, as they are also buried there in impressive mausoleums. The lantern tour is a great option for history buffs!
An option for those who may not enjoy scary or creepy things would be to take a trip to the Tarrytown Farmers market. This farmers market runs on Saturdays from 8:30 in the morning to 1:30 in the afternoon. It is a good way to relax and take a stroll around one of Tarrytown’s parks and is also a great time to buy souvenirs for your friends back home or try out some delicious baked goods.
The main attraction to Sleepy Hollow, however, is their haunted hayride. For up to 45 minutes, you and your friends or family are driven through the cemetery of Sleepy Hollow and the woods where you will be in for quite a fright as you are chased by ghouls, witches, and clowns. I highly recommend saving this activity for last to end your weekend trip with a bang.
Lastly, for every trip, there must be killer places to grab a bite. For breakfast, the Eatarry in Tarrytown is an adorable spot for your first meal of the day. It has classics such as waffles and pancakes for breakfast but also has some not-so-traditional meals such as their corned beef hash and their savory pesto grain bowl.
An outstanding option for lunch or dinner would be the Bridge View Tavern. It has such a cool vibe and both an indoor and outdoor seating option. The outdoor areas are heated so do not fret if you are afraid of getting cold on these chilly autumn nights. No meal is complete without dessert, of course, and Main Street Sweets in Tarrytown is the perfect place to get a scoop of your favorite ice cream flavor! They have over 35 flavors and all of the ice creams are homemade! Not a huge fan of ice cream? Well, they also have an assortment of cupcakes, cake, and donuts!
Sleepy Hollow really is a must-see for lovers of all things Halloween! From great food spots to spooky activities, this is a great vacation for everyone in the family! Especially considering how close it is to our town of Wantagh it is very accessible for a weekend trip. I hope you choose to go to Sleepy Hollow this Halloween season!
