Things to do in Tarrytown: Fall favorites, historic tours, Halloween happenings and more
There's nothing like fall in Tarrytown. From seasonal spookiness in Sleepy Hollow to the crisp fall air at the Riverwalk, Tarrytown is one of the best places to celebrate autumn.
Read on for a list of things to do in Tarrytown this September. If you don't see an event that you feel should be on this list, please email arivera@lohud.com or afontones@lohud.com.
Add your event to our community calendar, and view more area things to do by clicking here.
Take a lantern-lit tour through Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
If you've ever been tempted to enter a cemetery after dark, but never had the moxie to do so, this tour may be for you.
Tour the grounds that are the final resting place of famous New Yorkers such as Washington Irving, Andrew Carnegie and William Rockefeller — after sunset.
If you're looking for a bit more thrills this fall, check out the Murder and Mayhem tour. According to the cemetery website, "The true stories on this two-hour lantern tour are so grim, you just might have nightmares!"
Subject matter may not be appropriate for visitors under the age of 18.
Advance tickets are required for both two-hour tours through the historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
If a graveyard at night just gives you the heebie jeebies, daytime tours are also available.
Classic Lantern tour: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays in September. October and November dates to be announced.
Murder and Mayhem tour: 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday; 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 14, 21, 26; 8:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. Sept. 28. October and November dates to be announced.
Where: Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, 540 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow
Cost: $45 plus fees
More info:sleepyhollowcemetery.org/walking-tours
Swim the Hudson from Nyack to Sleepy Hollow for a great cause
The Lighthouse Swim, a three-mile swim across the river from Nyack to Sleepy Hollow, will challenge swimmers while supporting local charities such as Feeding Westchester. Advance registration is required. Registration includes bus transport to Nyack, a T-shirt, breakfast and a buoy (safety buoys are required).
When: Check in starts at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 at Kingsland Point Park.
Where: Kingsland Point Park, 299 Palmer Ave., Sleepy Hollow
Cost: $300 ($200 of this fee goes toward fundraising for local charities)
More info:runsignup.com/Race/NY/SleepyHollow/TheLighthouseSwimsleepyhollow or thelighthouseswim.org.
Opening night for Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is Friday the 13th
The 20th anniversary celebration of the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze kicks off spooky season in Lower Hudson Valley on Friday the 13th. Check out glowing displays made up of thousands of lit jack-o'-lanterns and enjoy new additions including the Sleepy Hollow Twilight Village and the Gourd & Goblet Tavern.
When: Starts Sept. 13 and runs through November. See admission times and dates available online.
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S. Riverside Ave., Croton-On-Hudson
Cost: Standard admission online tickets start at $20 for adults and $20 for children (ages 3-17), free for children 2 and under. Blaze plus Gourd & Goblet combo tickets start at $55 for adults. Historic Hudson Valley members can attend for free.
More info: hudsonvalley.org
Read more: Here's how carvers prep thousands of pumpkins every year for Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze
Architectural history in Irvington: Tour the Armour-Stiner Octagon House
Tour the historic Armour-Stiner Octagon House in Irvington. Learn more about this local landmark with your choice of the Decorative Arts tour, Classic tour or River Ramble tour.
When: Select dates in September and October
Where: 45 West Clinton Avenue, Irvington
Cost: Advance purchase required. Tickets from $29.
More info:armourstiner.com
Dining: 10 Westchester, Rockland restaurants that make you feel like you're on vacation
Enjoy a fall coffee at any of the Tarrytown area's indie cafes
From a coffee shop in Sleepy Hollow that employs and empowers those with special needs, to expertly brewed coffee in a Moka pot with a Dominican twist, there are so many options for your caffeine fix that don't come from a chain.
Check out these cafes in Tarrytown and nearby:
Muddy Water Coffee & Cafe: Sweet treats, light lunches, local art and music. Located at 52 Main St., Tarrytown, muddywatercoffeehouse.com.
Coffee Lab Roasters: Sustainably sourced espresso in a relaxed atmosphere. Located at 7 Main St., Tarrytown, coffeelabs.com.
The Bakehouse: Customers love the chill vibe and wide selection. Located at 2 Depot Plaza, Tarrytown, bakehouse.us.
Sleepy Coffee Too, Sleepy Hollow: Making a difference in the community by empowering others. Located at 110 Beekman Ave., Sleepy Hollow, sleepycoffeetoo.org.
Don Carvajal Café: Moka-pot cafecito, Dominican style. Located at 75 Main St., Irvington, doncarvajalcafe.com.
Ludy Coffee: Dedicated to the craft of coffee with every cup served. Located at 7 N. Astor St., Irvington, ludycafe.com.
Black Cat Café: Coffee, juice, pastries and breakfasts that will have you meowing for more. Located at 45 Main Street, Irvington, black-cat-cafe.com.
For a longer list of new shops to score a cafecito in Westchester, check out this story from lohud food writer Jeanne Muchnick.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Tarrytown NY fall things to do, from Halloween tours to coffee spots
