Westchester: A Perfect Autumn Day Trip For Family Fun

13.09.2023 - 23:21 / forbes.com / Andrew Carnegie

A day trip to leafy Westchester in autumn offers a variety of attractions: historic sites, scenic beauty, casual dining, and special events that will appeal to adults and kids of all ages.

Although Westchester is sometimes dubbed “upstate,” it is a misnomer. The vibrant river towns along the Hudson are only 30 minutes from New York City, making the destination an easy escape by car or Metro-North Railroad.

During autumn, the Hudson Valley comes alive with fall foliage. Here are some not-to-be-missed seasonal attractions:

If your brood is interested in stories of ghosts, goblins, and other tall tales, the place to start is in the village of Sleepy Hollow (once called North Tarrytown), immortalized in literature by Washington Irving. In this iconic ghost story, a Headless Horseman rides through the town at night, terrorizing the locals.

Here you can visit the 2.5-acre churchyard featured in Irving’s story. Not only the haunt of the Headless Horseman, he also is purported to be buried here. On-site, you can purchase a copy of Tales of the Old Dutch Burying Ground, a self-guided tour of the churchyard that includes a map.

Nearby is the beautiful Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, founded in 1849, where you can visit the actual grave of Washington Irving.

Some of the other many famous interments include John Dustin Archbold, a director of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company; philanthropists Brooke and Vince Astor; steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie; real estate moguls Harry and Leona Helmsley; Walter Chrysler, found of the Chrysler automobile company, and journalist Francis Pharcellus Church, who penned “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.”

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is listed on the Register of National Historic Places and offers a serene setting with sculptures, mature trees, and plantings that change colors with the season.

During the fall, the cemetery offers walking tours by trained docents, some of which take place in the evening with kerosene lanterns.

Washington Irving’s home, now a house museum, is located just a few miles south close to the banks of the Hudson River.

On Thursdays through November 9th, visitors can take guide house tours and learn about Irving and his characters.. On Fridays through Sundays, the family-friendly “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” includes the house tour (decorated for the season), a short shadow puppet film, and games on the lawn.

On select days in October, guests can attend Irving’s Legend, a dramatic performance outdoors under the stars with live music. Spoiler: The experience includes a visit from the Headless Horseman himself.

Also in Sleepy Hollow, historic Philipsburg Manor is one of 14 sites that comprise the African American Heritage Trail of Westchester