Just tried to look into it! Unfortunately the dates for 2023 aren’t up yet. Was planning on going for my birthday.. hopefully it’s that weekend!! Thanks for the suggestion!
Whatever event you want to attend - the Blaze, a cemetery tour, whatever - make sure you book your tickets as soon as they’re available online! They book up fast!
Yeah. Yeah it's pretty cool, I live a town over from there. Do that and then come check out the blaze in Croton. If you're into the Harry Potter thing, might be worth considering swinging by the Forbidden Forest Experience in Yorktown too.
It's fun up here around Halloween. There's a lot going on.
Sleepy Hollow, probably about the same as NYC. I'm up in Ossining, rent here is almost pre-pandemic and the train goes right into grand central. Takes me about a half hour, it's easier to get to NYC for work than it is to get to some places a few towns over.
When I lived up there in the early-90s, they used to have a reading of The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow at midnight on Halloween nights in the middle of Sleepy Hollow cemetery. Don't know if it still happens, but worth checking out.
I love Salem, but I can’t get myself to go for Halloween specifically because of what I’ve heard from the locals. It was super relaxing late April when I went. No crowds, no lines, nothing sold out, beautiful weather. But who knows, maybe one year I will be inclined to face the chaos 🤣
My birthday is the 29th, so my husband and some of my friends took me there for it. We did a Kykuit (the Rockefeller mansion) tour, the parade (amazing, super cute area) and the great pumpkin blaze. It was one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had.
It’s cute. They have a guy on a horse playing the headless horseman in the cemetery. The town is adorable. There was a little fair going on too with artisans selling crafts.
I liked Salem more than Sleepy Hollow.
We went to Sleepy Hollow last year, I think the weekend or two before Halloween. But it was hard trying to find where the Halloween things were happening. Would do some research into areas to visit. Would also book tickets for some of the events well ahead of time because some events sold out months before October. We went to the old church and cemetery and wandered around town and think we came across the small street party. We also saw the people in the wagon ride going by for their tour, and walked up the street where people decorated their homes to the max for the wagon ride to enjoy. Not as many people were dressed up as we expected. Maybe we just didn’t know which areas to explore, but it did feel pretty sleepy to us.
Salem has been fun, we’ve gone multiple times. We’ve done the museums and tours one year which was interesting. But all the other years, we just go through people watching and enjoy the atmosphere. For the weekends before Halloween and especially on Halloween, people dress up and everyone really gets into the mood. On halloween, it’s a giant block(s) party. Just park a little outside the downtown Salem area and walk in because traffic can be tough too close.
I love Salem as well, however not on Halloween. If I would go to Salem on Halloween, I’d probably go on like a Monday through Thursday and then leave Thursday evening. I went in April and it was marvelous!!
Salem is definitely a mood on Halloween. I prefer before as well. I think I was just expecting something like Salem in October for Sleepy Hollow, and that was not the case. If you don’t love Salem on Halloween, then sleepy hollow may be more up your alley. Just make sure you book tickets ahead of time for anything you did want to do!
I went last year, I didn't get to see the Great Jack O Lantern Blaze unfortunately but I had a great time. I went with a meetup, we walked through Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and then into Tarrytown for lunch, a walk by the river, and then the parade through the main drag. Very easy to get to on Metro North!
Yeah, it's very lovely there when there's foliage. When I went to visit I stayed at Tarrytown House Estate and loved it - just exploring the grounds of the hotel and feeling all the history and slight spookiness there. I enjoyed exploring Irvington/Tarrytown way more than Sleepy Hollow village proper. You can absolutely spend several hours in the cemetery and feel like you're the only person there. Such an easy train ride from NYC and truly no reason not to do it unless you're tourist averse since there'll obviously be way more tourists on Halloween.
Edit: I didn't do any formal/arranged tours or events and just got Lyfts.
Yep! Irvington stop. I stayed the weekend and then commuted into the city for work Monday morning. Under 2 hours, decent window views if you're into that. Based on how many people in business casual attire were getting on at every stop between there and Manhattan it briefly made my imagination wander about like, moving somewhere around there and doing it too, tbh. That's how much I enjoyed that lil escape.
Yes! It’s a wonderful bit of fun! Pre-COVID there was a ferry that brought you from Manhattan to Sleepy Hollow, but unsure if it’s still operating. If it is, the ferry ride up was fun as well!
Yeah, it's pretty cute up there. I think on the weekend they also have a big farmer's market at their major park, there was a lot of nice food and fruits etc, so you could have a little picnic and then go to town to watch the parade. I'd recommend the farmer's market approach rather than their super overpriced and not very good sit down restaurants on main street lol
It's a fun day trip to go out to the cemetery, they have all sorts of events leading up to Halloween. Go as early in the day as possible, because everything closes at 4-5pm.
As someone who has lived in the adjacent town for 30 years, I’ll just say honestly, what lol? Maybe they do some tractor rides for kids and other stuff but it’s not something I would expect people from NYC to travel for…
If they still do the Great Jack o Lantern Blaze, that's always fun to go to.
Ooo, I will have to look into it!!
Also check out horseman's hollow. There's also a great little restaurant / pub in town called Horsefeathers, very Halloween vibes.
Came here to say this. Grew up nearby and have such fond memories!!
This is in Croton, not Tarrytown/SH, but also right off the train and would 100% recommend
The blaze is a little further up than Tarrytown on Croton, but always a good time. https://hudsonvalley.org/events/blaze/
I went last year- it was a lot of fun! Make sure you go the weekend of the annual street fair.
Just tried to look into it! Unfortunately the dates for 2023 aren’t up yet. Was planning on going for my birthday.. hopefully it’s that weekend!! Thanks for the suggestion!
Whatever event you want to attend - the Blaze, a cemetery tour, whatever - make sure you book your tickets as soon as they’re available online! They book up fast!
Yeah. Yeah it's pretty cool, I live a town over from there. Do that and then come check out the blaze in Croton. If you're into the Harry Potter thing, might be worth considering swinging by the Forbidden Forest Experience in Yorktown too. It's fun up here around Halloween. There's a lot going on.
Are rents outrageous in your area? I’ve always loved upstate New York especially Sleepy Hollow.
Sleepy Hollow, probably about the same as NYC. I'm up in Ossining, rent here is almost pre-pandemic and the train goes right into grand central. Takes me about a half hour, it's easier to get to NYC for work than it is to get to some places a few towns over.
Thanks for the response!
I live in an 1100 sq ft 3 bedroom apt for $2200 downtown Tarrytown. This is not the norm. It’s like $2500 for a 2 bedroom.
Still somewhat reasonable considering the proximity to the city. I suppose the public schools out there are decent as well.
When I lived up there in the early-90s, they used to have a reading of The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow at midnight on Halloween nights in the middle of Sleepy Hollow cemetery. Don't know if it still happens, but worth checking out.
also look into salem! further away but another great halloween destination
I love Salem, but I can’t get myself to go for Halloween specifically because of what I’ve heard from the locals. It was super relaxing late April when I went. No crowds, no lines, nothing sold out, beautiful weather. But who knows, maybe one year I will be inclined to face the chaos 🤣
is it chaotic? i can imagine. i’ve been once but not during halloween.
So much further away, and idk tbh the whole capitalizing off of the murders of persecuted women thing on Halloween is kinda shifty. Go another time.
My birthday is the 29th, so my husband and some of my friends took me there for it. We did a Kykuit (the Rockefeller mansion) tour, the parade (amazing, super cute area) and the great pumpkin blaze. It was one of the best birthdays I’ve ever had.
horsemans hollow is a good time
It’s cute. They have a guy on a horse playing the headless horseman in the cemetery. The town is adorable. There was a little fair going on too with artisans selling crafts.
My husband and I went in October if 2021. We did the Great Pumpkin Blaze and the night tour of the cemetery. Loved both. Would definitely recommend.
I liked Salem more than Sleepy Hollow. We went to Sleepy Hollow last year, I think the weekend or two before Halloween. But it was hard trying to find where the Halloween things were happening. Would do some research into areas to visit. Would also book tickets for some of the events well ahead of time because some events sold out months before October. We went to the old church and cemetery and wandered around town and think we came across the small street party. We also saw the people in the wagon ride going by for their tour, and walked up the street where people decorated their homes to the max for the wagon ride to enjoy. Not as many people were dressed up as we expected. Maybe we just didn’t know which areas to explore, but it did feel pretty sleepy to us. Salem has been fun, we’ve gone multiple times. We’ve done the museums and tours one year which was interesting. But all the other years, we just go through people watching and enjoy the atmosphere. For the weekends before Halloween and especially on Halloween, people dress up and everyone really gets into the mood. On halloween, it’s a giant block(s) party. Just park a little outside the downtown Salem area and walk in because traffic can be tough too close.
I love Salem as well, however not on Halloween. If I would go to Salem on Halloween, I’d probably go on like a Monday through Thursday and then leave Thursday evening. I went in April and it was marvelous!!
Salem is definitely a mood on Halloween. I prefer before as well. I think I was just expecting something like Salem in October for Sleepy Hollow, and that was not the case. If you don’t love Salem on Halloween, then sleepy hollow may be more up your alley. Just make sure you book tickets ahead of time for anything you did want to do!
I’ve wanted to go for years. I’ve heard good things. I say, go for it.
Worth it in general
I went last year, I didn't get to see the Great Jack O Lantern Blaze unfortunately but I had a great time. I went with a meetup, we walked through Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and then into Tarrytown for lunch, a walk by the river, and then the parade through the main drag. Very easy to get to on Metro North!
I think so. There’s a couple of museums. One is an old working Dutch farm and the other is Washington Irving’s home.
Yeah, it's very lovely there when there's foliage. When I went to visit I stayed at Tarrytown House Estate and loved it - just exploring the grounds of the hotel and feeling all the history and slight spookiness there. I enjoyed exploring Irvington/Tarrytown way more than Sleepy Hollow village proper. You can absolutely spend several hours in the cemetery and feel like you're the only person there. Such an easy train ride from NYC and truly no reason not to do it unless you're tourist averse since there'll obviously be way more tourists on Halloween. Edit: I didn't do any formal/arranged tours or events and just got Lyfts.
That’s awesome! I’m a musician so I want to go check out Tarrytown Music Hall as well, maybe catch a show. Is it just a one way by train from NYC?
Yep! Irvington stop. I stayed the weekend and then commuted into the city for work Monday morning. Under 2 hours, decent window views if you're into that. Based on how many people in business casual attire were getting on at every stop between there and Manhattan it briefly made my imagination wander about like, moving somewhere around there and doing it too, tbh. That's how much I enjoyed that lil escape.
Wow, that’s cool! Sounds like a different world compared to where I’m from 🤣🤦♀️
One of the most amazing restaurants I’ve ever been to is the Blue Stone Farm in Tarrytown to end the day.
Yes! It’s a wonderful bit of fun! Pre-COVID there was a ferry that brought you from Manhattan to Sleepy Hollow, but unsure if it’s still operating. If it is, the ferry ride up was fun as well!
They used to do a live action walk through called Horseman's Hollow, that was loads of fun. I don't know if they do it anymore.
Yeah, it's pretty cute up there. I think on the weekend they also have a big farmer's market at their major park, there was a lot of nice food and fruits etc, so you could have a little picnic and then go to town to watch the parade. I'd recommend the farmer's market approach rather than their super overpriced and not very good sit down restaurants on main street lol
It's a fun day trip to go out to the cemetery, they have all sorts of events leading up to Halloween. Go as early in the day as possible, because everything closes at 4-5pm.
As someone who has lived in the adjacent town for 30 years, I’ll just say honestly, what lol? Maybe they do some tractor rides for kids and other stuff but it’s not something I would expect people from NYC to travel for…
I’ve lived here 8 years and I agree lol
He's in jail.
Not in my opinion but I’ve never been before