Tarrytown.
- WHAT TO DO
- WHAT TO SEE
- WHAT TO EAT
Tarrytown sits twenty-five miles north of Manhattan on the eastern bank of the Hudson River, forty minutes by Metro-North express from Grand Central. It is known for its nineteenth-century riverfront estates, Dutch colonial heritage, and proximity to Washington Irving’s legendary Sleepy Hollow. The compact downtown climbs uphill from the station along Main Street. Tarrytown is worth visiting if you want historic stone architecture, river walks, and solid tavern cooking without renting a car.
Last updated 12 Sept 2026
Field notes
Photographs · Wikimedia Commons
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What to do in Tarrytown New York United States
Tarrytown climbs a sharp hillside between the Hudson River and Broadway. Days here naturally split between visiting grand historic estates like Lyndhurst and Kykuit, and idling along Main Street with its coffee shops, indie bookshops, and brick-walled taverns. It suits travellers who appreciate American literature, architectural history, and unhurried walking within effortless rail reach of New York City.
24 hours in Tarrytown New York United States
Arrive on the morning Metro-North train and walk ten minutes south to Lyndhurst for a house tour. Head up Main Street for lunch at an old tavern, then explore Washington Irving's Sunnyside in the afternoon. End with a riverfront seafood dinner at Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park as freight barges drift past. Select 1 Day above to see it.
2 days in Tarrytown New York United States
A second day lets you cross the northern border into Sleepy Hollow. Spend the morning at the 1685 Philipsburg Manor and the old Dutch burying ground, followed by wood-fired pizza on Beekman Avenue. In the afternoon, view Matisse's stained glass at Union Church of Pocantico Hills. Choose 2 Days to expand the plan.
3 days in Tarrytown New York United States
With three days, slow down on the gravel carriage trails of Rockefeller State Park Preserve. Take a morning walk around Swan Lake, cross the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge pedestrian path for expansive river panoramas, and catch an evening show at the historic Tarrytown Music Hall.
Tarrytown New York United States itineraries by interest
Gilded Age Architecture in Tarrytown New York United States
Tour Lyndhurst Mansion, an 1838 Gothic Revival country house with 67 landscaped acres, original furnishings, and clear views over the Hudson.
Literary History in Tarrytown New York United States
Visit Sunnyside, the wisteria-covered riverside cottage of Washington Irving, preserved with his personal library, writing desk, and original garden paths.
Riverside Walking in Tarrytown New York United States
Stroll Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park at Tarrytown for breezy shoreline paths, riverboat spotting, and open vistas of the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
Colonial Heritage in Tarrytown New York United States
Explore the 1685 Philipsburg Manor to study eighteenth-century Dutch milling, tenant farming, and the lives of enslaved Africans in the Hudson Valley.
Sacred Art in Tarrytown New York United States
Step inside the Union Church of Pocantico Hills to view stained glass masterworks created by Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall for the Rockefeller family.
Local Taverns in Tarrytown New York United States
Settle into brick-walled Main Street dining rooms for local craft cider, roasted Hudson Valley duck, house-cured pastrami, and freshly baked sourdough.
Estate Gardens in Tarrytown New York United States
Wander Kykuit, the stone Rockefeller estate, to inspect classical terraced gardens, grottos, and twentieth-century outdoor sculpture above the river.
Vintage Shopping in Tarrytown New York United States
Browse the antique shops, secondhand bookstores, and vintage dealers concentrated along the walkable Main Street and North Broadway corridors.
Live Performance in Tarrytown New York United States
Catch folk concerts, indie touring acts, and classic films inside the 1885 Tarrytown Music Hall, Westchester's oldest continuously operating theater.
Foliage & Forests in Tarrytown New York United States
Hike the shaded unpaved carriage trails of Rockefeller State Park Preserve, circling Swan Lake and winding through mature oak and beech woodlands.
Waterfront Dining in Tarrytown New York United States
Order raw Blue Point oysters, steamed clams, and crisp local pilsner at riverside patios just steps from the Metro-North station platform.
Historic Cemeteries in Tarrytown New York United States
Walk the steep wooded lanes of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery to locate the graves of Washington Irving, Andrew Carnegie, and labor leader Samuel Gompers.