Most tourists visiting New York City tend to overlook its suburban treasures when planning their itineraries in The Big Apple. One of the more notable jewels of suburban New York is Sleepy Hollow, a charming village located in the Hudson River Valley just 25 miles north of Manhattan. Among its many attractions are its historic mansions, such as the renowned Rockefeller Estate, Kykuit (pronounced KY-cut), and the Hudson River daytrip cruise that sails to this famous site from Manhattan.

Too often, Sleepy Hollow evokes eerie images of the infamous Headless Horseman from Washington Irving’s chilling tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This is particularly true for those unaware of the town’s existence outside of folklore. Yet, Sleepy Hollow is not a mythical setting, but a real place with firm historical roots.

Interesting Historical Facts

Once inhabited by the Weckquaesgeck Indians, Sleepy Hollow became part of the colony of New Netherlands after the Dutch settled in the area in the 1620’s. When the British seized the Dutch colony in 1664, Sleepy Hollow then became a part of the Colony of New York.

In ensuing centuries, prominent folks such as writer Washington Irving and railroad mogul Jay Gould built homes in the region, but the Rockefeller’s mansion remains one the most popular attractions for tourists and locals alike.

Built by the famous patriarch, John D. Rockefeller, in the early twentieth century, Kykuit, which housed four generations of Rockefellers, is now a historic site of The National Trust. It offers something for everyone, including gardeners, historians, art aficionados, antique car buffs, nature lovers, or those who are downright curious about the lives of the super-rich.