Tarrytown may be located just 25 miles north of New York City, but this idyllic small town feels like a world away. With its picturesque streets and small town charm, Tarrytown continues to enchant new visitors every day, and I too recently fell under its spell. After a business conference brought me to Manhattan, I found I had a couple of days to kill before catching my flight back home. Since I visit New York City frequently, I felt the need to get out of the concrete jungle and explore more of this East Coast state. So, with my bags in tow, I headed to the train station and picked – at random – a destination on the departure board. And that’s how I ended up in Tarrytown.
As I boarded the train to Tarrytown, I pulled up the HotelTonight app on my phone and quickly booked a last-minute hotel in Tarrytown. It was comforting to know that I had a hotel room waiting for me on the other side of the train ride, because I didn’t know what else to expect from Tarrytown.
Even if you have never heard of Tarrytown, you certainly know the legend behind one of its most famous attractions, the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Washington Irving, the writer of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” lived in Tarrytown, and his grave now rests at the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. You can take walking tours of the cemetery grounds and learn about the famous people buried here, from William Rockefeller to Brooke Astor. Since I love history (and I’ll admit, I also love the macabre a bit) I decided to take a walking tour of the grounds, and it was a truly fascinating stroll through this hauntingly picturesque cemetery.
Even though Tarrytown is a small, historic town, its downtown is full of life and energy. The bustling town center is home to great dining options, both casual eateries and upscale restaurants, as well as cute boutiques and stores. Since my hotel was located in downtown Tarrytown, I checked into my room and dropped my bags off before wandering through the old, pretty streets of Tarrytown. As I meandered down tree-lined streets and past old brick buildings, I understood why Tarrytown is regularly ranked as one of the prettiest towns in the country.
After grabbing a bite to eat in downtown Tarrytown, I headed to one of Tarrytown’s best-known attractions, the Lyndhurst Mansion. Although this sprawling estate is considered a tourist destination, it’s also a popular spot for locals, as the estate hosts weddings, concerts and various other events year-round. This Gothic revival mansion is a dream for history buffs and architecture lovers alike, and the beautiful grounds are the cherry on top of a beautiful estate. I ended up taking a tour of the mansion so that I could learn more about its unique history, and I learned countless fascinating facts about both the mansion and its wealthy occupants.
If you happen to love American literature, you won’t want to miss a trip to Sunnyside if you make it to Tarrytown. As the former home of the famed author Washington Irving, who penned classics like “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle,” this idyllic home is now a preserved museum. I didn’t spend much time in Sunnyside, but I felt like I couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the home of one of my favorite American authors when I was in town.
The next day, I decided to embrace the crisp, sunny fall weather by walking along the Hudson River. The RiverWalk provides stunning views of the river, and the path takes you past lighthouses and picture-perfect lookout points. As I strolled along the river, it wasn’t hard for me to understand why so many locals love walking, running, and biking along the RiverWalk, as well as enjoying picnics and scenic views at Pierson Park. After a morning enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Hudson Valley, I headed back to the train station. The thought of leaving this peaceful, picturesque town for the bustling madness of the city made me a bit melancholic, but I found comfort knowing that I could always book another last-minute Tarrytown hotel on my next New York City trip thanks to HotelTonight.
Tarrytown is certainly not the most popular destination in the state of New York, but it’s one that shouldn’t be overlooked. If you want to escape the crowded, hectic city, even for a night, Tarrytown is a great destination, since it’s an easy train ride out of the city. This quaint town is full of charm and history, and it’s an especially great destination for lovers of architecture, literature and American history. I’m glad that I was able to make my impromptu trip to Tarrytown happen, and I have HotelTonight to thank for making it so easy to book a last-minute Tarrytown hotel room.
