Hudson Valley, NY: Jack O'Lantern Blaze

Hudson Valley, NY: Jack O'Lantern Blaze

Trip Duration: 2 Days

 

 

Trip Inclusions:

• Meals: 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

• Tour Director

• Overnight accommodations

• Deluxe motorcoach transportation

• Babbage handling and related gratuities

• Taxes

 

 

Trip Highlights:

 

Sunnyside, Home of Washington Irving

Nestled along the banks of the Hudson River, the landscape of Washington Irving's much-loved Sunnyside has been charming guests for generations. Visitors today hear about Washington Irving's storied past and how he came to be America's first internationally famous author. His characters, from the Headless Horseman to Rip Van Winkle, are global icons, and Irving's legacy lives on at his whimsical estate.

 

Old Dutch Church Graveyard

A 17th-century stone church located in Sleepy Hollow, New York. It and its three-acre churchyard feature prominently in Washington Irving's 1820 short story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". It is the second oldest extant church and the 15th oldest extant building in the state of New York, renovated after an 1837 fire. Some of those renovations were reversed 60 years later, and further work was done in 1960. It was listed on the Register in 1966, among the earliest properties so recognized. It had already been designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

 

Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze

The Hudson Valley's most electrifying fall happening! Meander through an 18th-century landscape and discover a breathtaking display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack o' lanterns—all designed and hand-carved on site by a team of artisans.

 

Kykuit

Kykuit known also as the John D. Rockefeller Estate, is a 40-room historic house museum in Pocantico Hills, New York. The house was built for oil tycoon and Rockefeller family patriarch John D. Rockefeller. Conceived largely by his son, John D. Rockefeller Jr., and enriched by the art collection of the third-generation scion, Governor of New York, and Vice President of the United States, Nelson Rockefeller, it was home to four generations of the family. The house is a National Historic Landmark owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Kykuit means "Lookout", is situated on the highest point in Pocantico Hills, overlooking the Hudson River at Tappan Zee. Located near Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, it has a view of the New York City skyline 25 miles to the south.

 

Stained Glass Windows by Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall at Union Church of Pocantico Hills

Union Church of Pocantico Hills is a small, country church tucked away in the hills above Sleepy Hollow. The non-denominational Protestant congregation was founded in 1915. It's present building was constructed in 1922 on land donated by John D. Rockefeller, Sr. The church's rose window was the last work by Henri Matisse before his death. Nine other stained glass windows were created by Marc Chagall in honor of various members of the Rockefeller family. The themes of the Chagall windows are The Good Samaritan, The Crucifixion, Joel, Elijah, Daniel, Cherubim, Ezekial, Jeremiah, and Isaiah.

 

Tarrytown Music Hall

Built in 1885 by chocolate magnate William L. Wallace, the Music Hall was designed by distinguished architects Theodore De Lemos and August Cordes who also built New York City's Grand Central Palace and the Macy's building at Herald Square. It was opened during Tarrytown's "Millionaire's Colony" era when prominent families like the Rockefellers, Goulds, and Vanderbilts resided in the town and gathered at the Music Hall for its lavish balls, flower shows and concerts. The Music Hall is one of the busiest theaters in the country, offering the best in music, theater, dance, film, comedy, family programming and arts education.

 

 

Need to Know:

Sunnyside, Home of Washington Irving has a narrow staircase inside. Anyone unable to use it would be limited to the first floor. The path from the parking lot to the visitors center includes a significant incline on a paved walkway, with another significant incline from the visitors center to the house on an uneven surface.

 

At Old Dutch Church Graveyard, the graveyard tour involves walking over uneven ground with a slight to significant incline. The Old Dutch Church has no restroom available.

 

 

Accessibility:

Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is handicapped accessible, as there are no stairs to navigate. However, there are some narrow and slightly sloped brick paths and it is a walk-through experience along uneven, unpaved, soft-surface terrain, which may feature gravel or wood chips.

 

Kykuit is accessible by wheelchair. The entire tour consists of walking and standing with only a few place to sit down if absolutely necessary.

 

At Union Church of Pocantico Hills, the interior of the Church is one level and the center aisle cannot accommodate a wheelchair. The restrooms are not handicapped accessible.

 

Starr has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Sleepy Hollow Hotel and Conference Center

Sleepy Hollow, NY The hotel features indoor pool and fitness center. Guestrooms included coffee maker, refrigerator,