Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown NY Community

In 1996, the inhabitants of North Tarrytown decided they wanted to honor the writer most familiar with their area, Washington Irving, in a unique way, so they changed the name of their town to Sleepy Hollow, after the writer's colorful Legend of Sleepy Hollow. At 2.6 square miles in size, it's a cozy riverside spot that is known for its wide range of home styles, everything from tiny single-family dwellings to exotic mansions. It's also a great place for walking, with a comfortable, small-town feel to its main streets and a number of must-see landmarks that are rich with the history of Hudson River lore. There's the Old Dutch Church, a beautifully maintained stone edifice that dates back to 1685, and the world-renowned Kykuit estate, built by the Rockefellers in 1902, whose breathtaking vistas (kykuit means “high point” in Dutch) are awe-inspiring. The estate attracts a steady stream of visitors with its special collection of antique cars, horse-drawn carriages, gardens, sculpture, and paintings from a wide array of artists

Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown Attractions

The city has a thriving public school system which it shares with Tarrytown, and an active recreation department, with open gym nights, an annual concert series, a Summer Day Camp, and Pop Warner leagues for kids; there's also Kingsland Point Park, with 18 acres of land containing picnic areas, fishing spots, and even a Dog Park for Fido. If you're delighted by spooky stuff, Sleepy Hollow comes alive on Halloween, with the annual Haunted Hayride through town. Those with a sailing interest will love the Philipse Manor Beach Club, with its 40-slip marina, and the riverfront area is presently coming alive with a strong rebuilding project,which includes town homes, stores, professional spaces, and a ball field. Finally, locals are loyal to the Bridge View Tavern, voted number one for burgers, as well as Carlo's Place for traditional Italian dishes and the newcomer, Tyrinda Thai, high on the list of Westchester Magazine's Best Asian spots.

Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown History

25 miles north of Grand Central Station, the story of how Tarrytown got its name is still a matter of dispute. Fans of Washington Irving say that the writer's take is that the wives of local men who traveled around to hunt and to work in the many granaries of the area spent too much time on their way home “tarrying” in the city's taverns. Others say that the area's soil made it especially suitable for growing grain, and it was known as the most important distribution spot for wheat in the North during the nineteenth century. Wheat Town became Terve Town owing to Dutch influence, and eventually became Tarrytown. Whichever legend you prefer, Tarrytown is known for its great mix of families, singles, and retirees (population 11,500) and its broad ethnic diversity. It's certainly changed a lot since its days as “Millionaire's Colony,” a term used to describe it at the turn of the century, when the 5.7 square mile city boasted 65 estates. Two of the most famous, Carrolcliff and Hillcrest, have been turned into gorgeous special-event spots with fine cuisine, The Castle and Tappan Hill, respectively.

Tarrytown has also gone through many changes since the day in 1780 when Major John Andre was arrested as a spy and hanged, plans for an insurgency designed by Benedict Arnold having been found in his boot. It's been central to employment of workers in Westchester, with the huge GM plant on the water offering jobs during the post-War manufacturing boom. Although GM is sadly gone, business giants such as Siemens, Hitachi, and PGMS have taken up the slack, and small businesses thrive on the city's main thoroughfare, Broadway.

Things to do in Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown NY

There's something for everyone in Tarrytown, and it's an active spot for antique enthusiasts in the metro area (it's got major highway access to parkways, I-287 and the Tappan Zee Bridge) . Visit eye-popping Lyndhurst, the finest example of Gothic Revival Mansions in the United States, or if you'd like some music with your architecture, the Tarrytown Music Hall, the oldest operating theater in Westchester, done up in Queen Anne style. The Tappan Zee Gallery is a showcase for contemporary and fine art, and tours and lectures are sponsored often by the Historical Society of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown. The county's only coffee shop and roaster, Coffee Labs, is a popular hangout for locals, and if tea is more your passion, Silver Tips Tea Room offers a great Afternoon Tea, complete with finger sandwiches and scones. For chowhounds, the city also offers award-winning restaurants such as Caravela (Portuguese), Striped Bass (seafood dockside at the Tarrytown Marina), Chiboust (French-American bistro), and Lefteris (Greek).

Margot Bennett
Lic. RE Broker in NY
Margot Bennett, Inc.
747 Palisade Ave
Yonkers, NY 10703-1817

Business:
(914) 376-7777
Fax:
(914) 376-0109
E-Mail: info@margotbennett.com