TARRYTOWN

TARRYTOWN

This was our last stop on the Hudson before NYC and one of our favourites. Originally this place was called “Sleepy Hollow” but hundreds of years ago it was changed to Tarrytown by colonial housewives who complained about their husbands “tarrying” too long at the village tavern. Today it is known by both names. The great American author Washington Irving who wrote about Sleepy Hollow and the “headless horseman” lived here and is buried in the local cemetery.

The streets of Tarrytown wind up a steep hill from the rivers banks. They are lined with lovely old trees that shade quaint shops and outdoor cafes. The place is full of life with friends laughing over lunch and browsing the upscale boutiques. Aside from the beauty of the place, the reason this town is so refreshing is because it’s for real. So many of the villages we stopped at were pleasant—but it was obvious that the pretty painted facades of the buildings were there simply to attract tourists. Here everything is of the very best quality, not for tourism, but simply because the well-heeled people who live here demand it for themselves. Tarrytown is a place where I could easily spend a week without getting bored—a wonderful holiday destination in itself. Lyndhurst, an elegant old mansion is here, as is an old restored colonial farm. The Rockefeller estate is within easy reach and the commuter train can have you into downtown NYC in less than 45 minutes.