Home of Famous Writer and Diplomat

As the home of Washington Irving, Sunnyside is located on the banks of the Hudson River. This designer, writer, intellectual, and diplomat was celebrity in America and in Europe, and he made his home in this peaceful, romantic retreat, away from the city. Visitors to Sunnyside can experience the well cared for landscape, and the charming interior of the home. Visitors get to hear the story of Washington, as well as learn about his greatest work of all, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Visitors to Sunnyside can stroll the grounds along the Hudson River where they will understand why Irving made his home here. Guided tours are available and they include information about the location as well as information about Irving. Having bought the small cottage in 1836, Irving continued to expand the building until it grew into what the website calls "... a three dimensional autobiography.'' The grounds are a tribute to Irving's romanticism and love of nature, history, and art. Garden paths lead past shrubs, trees, and water features, as well as wisteria vine enveloping the house.

Tours are led by costumed guides dressed in period clothing. The tours last approximately 45 minutes and leave every half hour. Families can borrow the Traveling Totes for the tour which include children's games, 19th century dominoes, a scavenger hunt, and a picture book of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This adds a special hands on touch to the tour, making it fun for children and adults of all ages.

School visits are popular and educational programs are a specialty at Sunnyside. Programs include From a Child's Perspective, Tales of a Traveler: Creating Sunnyside, Legend Days, Holiday Life in the 19th Century, At Home with Washington Irving, and A Cottage on the Hudson. Each program is designed to appeal to a specific grade range. Pre and post visit lesson plans can be downloaded from Sunnyside's website.

Nearby are a variety of restaurants. Visitors to "Sleepy Hollow can dine in Tarrytown at one of many fine or casual dining establishments. The Justin Thyme Cafy is located at nearby Croton-on-Hudson, New York and serves American cafy cuisine with an international flair. The restaurant is located on a historical site and they serve salads, burgers, pasta, steaks, and seafood. During the fall diners can enjoy apple cider martinis and pumpkin ale that is locally brewed. Horsefeathers, another casual dining establishment, is a cozy restaurant that features great burgers and comfortable outdoor dining. If you want something more refined, try Lago di Como Restaurant, a small, family-owned establishment that serves Northern Italian cuisine.

There are numerous accommodations nearby including The Tarrytown House Estate and Castle-on-the-Hudson, both located in Tarrytown. Numerous chain hotels and two B&B's are a just a short drive away. When visiting Sunnyside, be sure to tour The Sleepy Hollow cemetery, The Old Dutch Church of Sleepy Hollow, and The Rye Playland Amusement Park National Historic Landmark. If you are a fan of the macabre, you remember The Headless Horseman from childhood stories, or you have an appreciation for American literature and literary artists, a visit to Washington Irving's Sunnyside should be in your future.