We spent the afternoon of the 4th of July at a town along the Hudson River called Tarrytown. It is a stones throw from the Bronx but a mile away in comparison to the hustle and bustle of the big city and concrete jungle. The is a vast amount of land and green spaces everywhere. We came along some great historic moments while we were there and got a chance to visit the homes of some of the men who made American History and New York City what it is today. We toured “Sunnyside”, the home of Washington Irving. The author who wrote “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. We learned on the tour that he also coined the terms, “Gotham” and “Knickerbockers” to refer to New York and New Yorkers. The grounds are well kept to this day and the museum homes are pristine. We then took a short drive, less than 5 minutes, to the Lyndhurst Castle. It was built by Jay Gould, a Wall Street magnate. The castle is used for weddings and events today. There is a beautiful Rose Garden and Conservatory that is the complement to any great photos or backdrop for unforgettable events. I recommend the short, 1 1/2 hours from Brooklyn, or hop on the Metro North from New York City.
If time permits, you can also visit the home of the Rockefeller family while in Tarrytown. Kykuit is the Rockefeller Estate and you can also tour the home and estate. It is in Sleepy Hollow, which is a 10 to 15 minute drive from Sunnyside. These are just a few of the historic sites that the Hudson Valley has to offer. If you are looking for a quick getaway or a day trip then this is a “must do”.
www.hudsonvalley.org/historic-sites
Photos: John Ricard
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