If you’re upset with the outcome of the election, you don’t have to accept the reality of it for another two months. And if you’re upset that Halloween is over, you don’t have to accept that either until the end of November. For those who haven’t yet gotten their fill of Halloween fun and for those who just love to get spooked, visiting Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. is a perfect fall day trip.
Named after Washington Irving’s classic tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this quiet village along the eastern shore of the Hudson River celebrates the region’s spooky history every Halloween. Just an hour’s drive from Jersey City, Sleepy Hollow has become one of the Tri-State Area’s biggest fall attractions and many of the most popular events are extended through the end of the month. Whether you go with your family, friends or a significant other, a day in Sleepy Hollow country is a wonderfully spooky and charming getaway!
Start off by visiting the Old Dutch Church and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, which is not only the fictional home of the Headless Horseman, but also offers a surreal landscape that’s perfect for your Sleepy Hollow adventure. The cemetery’s hilly grounds are also home to amazing examples of Victorian era and gothic architecture and the burial sites of famous residents such as William Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie and Irving himself. Check out a guided daytime or evening lantern tour here, or pick up a free map and do a self-guided tour. Just remember to take on the cemetery’s many hills and valleys in comfortable shoes.
From the Old Dutch Church, stroll down Broadway to see a Headless Horseman sculpture, a sign marking the site of the story’s famous bridge and the scenic pond of Philipsburg Manor, which was also mentioned in the story. From street signs to fire trucks, you’ll see images of the horseman everywhere you look. Grab a drink and a bite at one of the restaurants and pubs that line scenic Beekman Ave., such as J.P. Doyles or Bridge View Tavern. The town’s historical society also offers a two-hour walking tour where you can hear real stories and lore about Sleepy Hollow’s famous residents.
While technically in nearby Croton-On-Hudson, the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is without a doubt the main reason to spend a day in Sleepy Hollow country. No picture can do justice to this amazing spectacle that features more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins illuminating an elaborate path outside Van Cortlandt Manor. Stroll past giant spiderwebs, snakes, dragons, witches and ghosts, and see replicas of iconic structures like the Tappan Zee Bridge and the Headless Horseman Bridge. This is one of the area’s most popular events, but weekend tickets are still available for November 19, 20, 25 and 26.
Cap the night off by grabbing some apple cider donuts or a Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale in the food tent area, and check out every pumpkin-flavored treat you can imagine in the gift shop.
If you go, make sure to buy event tickets in advance and plan out your day so that you have enough time to get around (The Blaze is a 20-minute drive from Sleepy Hollow). Happy belated Halloween!
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