Top 11 Things To Do In Tarrytown, New York

1. Lyndhurst Mansion

Set against the stunning backdrop of the Hudson River and green rolling hills, Lyndhurst is a Gothic Revival mansion and one of the top Tarrytown attractions. Spanning over 67 acres (27 hectares) of gorgeous park space, the estate, also known as the Jay Gould estate, houses America’s first steel-lined conservatory, built by its owner, George Merritt, who gave this property a complete makeover.

Surrounded by gigantic evergreen trees, the country house is a four-storey building, featuring narrow hallways, small windows, and vaulted ceilings. The dreamy location is almost like a picture out of a fairy tale book and should definitely top your touristy to-do list.

Lyndhurst Mansion

Address: 635 S Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA

Website: Lyndhurst

2. Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow

The Old Dutch Church, currently the oldest church in New York, and the surrounding 3 acres (1 hectare) of burial grounds, served as the inspiration for Irving’s widely-read short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. It is the final resting place of great personalities like Andrew Carnegie, Elizabeth Arden, William Rockefeller, Walter Chrysler, to name a few and, every year, the cemetery honors the remains of the locals who’ve inspired the Sleepy Hollow characters.

This legendary site sees thousands of visitors, every autumn when the Historic Hudson Valley and other organizations hold some excellent tours and performances.

Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow

Address: 430 Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591, USA

3. Tarrytown Lakes Park

If you are an outdoorsy person and wondering what to do in Tarrytown, make your way to Tarrytown Lakes Park. For a dose of outdoor adventure, look no further than this 72-acre (29 hectare) preserve, which contains two beautiful lakes, lovely walking and biking trails, great bird-watching opportunities, excellent canoeing options and, during the winter, cross-country skiing and ice skating.

Located just 35 miles north of New York, picturesque Tarrytown Lakes Park is beautifully maintained by the authorities and has a very active picnic and fishing scene.

Tarrytown Lakes Park

Address: Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA

Website: Tarrytown Lakes Park

4. Tarrytown Lighthouse

This 1883 cast-iron fixture, on the eastern side of the Hudson River, lends a magical touch to the entire Sleepy Hollow estate, of which it’s an integral part. Formerly known as Kingsland Point Light and the Sleepy Hollow Light, the lighthouse offers a lovely view of the sailboats dotting the river and the majestic Tappan Zee Bridge, in the distance.

A scenic walk along the river leads you to the pretty spark plug that’s played an important role in history, by acting as a navigational aid to ships, guiding them away from the dangerous shoals lining the river’s eastern shores.

Tarrytown Lighthouse

Address: Tarrytown Light-Kingsland Point Path, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591, USA

Website: Tarrytown Lighthouse

5. Musical event at Tarrytown Music Hall

Owned and run by the Friends of the Mozartina Musical Arts Conservatory, Inc - a 1979 non-profit, cultural organization - the Music Hall brings the best talents in the performing arts, to Tarrytown. The 843-seater is the busiest theater in the region and a great cultural destination that attracts over 85,000 people annually, from all across the tri-state area.

Head to this seemingly ordinary historic site, which is also the oldest theater in Westchester, for some extraordinary performances in music, dance, theater, and film. Attending a musical event here is one of the must-do Tarrytown activities.

Tarrytown Music Hall

Address: 13 Main St, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA

Website: Tarrytown Music Hall

6. Sunnyside

You cannot come to Tarrytown and not visit the home of the man behind the legendary stories of Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Spanning over 10 acres (4 hectares) of lush green land along the Hudson River lies Washington Irving’s beautiful home, which is now a scenic historic attraction. The layout and design of the romantic homestead and its gorgeous surroundings reflect Irving’s keen eye for art, history, and nature, for the man himself arranged the vistas, trees, pathways, and water features. Visiting this site is like getting lost in an enchanted world, created by the beloved writer who put this town on the map.

Sunnyside

Address: 3 W Sunnyside Lane, Irvington, NY 10533

7. Patriots Park

If you’re looking for things to do in Tarrytown this weekend, consider visiting Patriots Park. This 4-acre (1.5 hectares) gorgeous green parcel comes with interesting monuments, a walkway, a basketball court, and a playground. Nestled between Sleepy Hollow and the Tarrytown borders, on Broadway, Patriots Park is not only popular for community events but also the Saturday farmers market, held between May and October, every year. Especially beautiful during fall, this lovely, open space is great for languid strolls, picnics, and spending fun afternoons with your little ones.

Patriots Park

Address: Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591, USA

8. Demeter's Tavern & Sports Bar

The Great Old Tavern, as this joint is affectionately called, is Westchester’s oldest family-run business, spanning over three generations, and is a great spot to unwind and relax after a long day of sightseeing. While the Tavern kitchen, helmed by the owner’s brother, constantly dishes out fresh-to-order, all-American food, the sports TVs add to the already convivial environment. One of the busiest bars in the area, this place comes highly recommended by locals and tourists, alike.

Demeter's Tavern & Sports Bar

Address: 51 Old White Plains Rd, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA

Website: Demeter’s Tavern & Sports Bar

9. Tappan Zee Bridge

Named after the Tappan Nation - the native Americans who were killed in the genocide - this engineering marvel is truly a sight to behold, from near and far. Connecting Westchester to Rockland County, Tappan Zee Bridge provides not only a smooth roadway but also incredible views of the Hudson River and the surrounding areas.

Catch a glorious sunset along the riverbank, when the architectural wonder is bathed in twilight hues, which makes for a perfect picture-postcard frame. Amidst controversy, the bridge is now to be renamed the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, after the late, three-term governor, who hailed from Queens.

Tappan Zee Bridge

Address: Tappan Zee Bridge, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA

10. Ona

This combination gift boutique and art gallery, run by Ona Cohn, is as quaint and interesting as the town itself. With a store featuring unique, handcrafted merchandise from practically all over the world - Michigan, Madagascar, Kenya, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, and England - your shopping experience is made even more entertaining with Cohn’s fascinating travel stories.

So, stop by this enchanting place and you’ll end up finding the perfect gift you didn’t know even existed. Cohn has now extended her talents to custom clothing and that includes weddings as well - one more reason to visit Ona!

Ona

Address: 53 Main Street, Tarrytown, NY 10591

Website: Ona

11. Kykuit

Home of the oil tycoon and patriarch of the famous Rockefeller family, John D. Rockefeller, Kykuit is now a historic landmark in Tarrytown. This mansion is situated on thousands of acres of land and has housed four generations of Rockefellers. Guided tours of the mansion, beautifully landscaped gardens, and other areas are offered to visitors. Enjoy exploring opulently decorated rooms, terraces, and gardens as you learn about the history of this illustrious family.

Kykuit

Address: Dummy address

Website: Kykuit

Price: 28 USD onwards

Discover the beauty and quaintness of Tarrytown

Made famous by Washington Irving’s classic works, this picturesque riverside town is undoubtedly one of the best getaways for city zombies. Home to many stately buildings, classic artwork, scenic parks, as well as buzzing local pubs, the vibrant city always seems to be shrouded in an air of romanticism. The rich history and cultural heritage add to this allure, which sets Tarrytown apart from other small communities and makes it a magnetic destination.