Whether you are a history buff, love sculpture, interesting cemetery symbolism, or just want to enjoy the pretty scenery, a visit to historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery’s 90-acre grounds is a treat. Make the most of your time here by taking one of our guided tours to unlock some of the secrets behind the stones!
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All tour proceeds go directly towards preservation and restoration of the grounds. Donations to the Historic Fund are always welcome.
October tours sell out quickly. Buy tickets in advance on-line. There is a $2 per ticket surcharge on orders placed over the phone.
Daytime Guided Tours
The Original Knickerbocker: Washington Irving & The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Trace the footsteps of Washington Irving’s most famous character Ichabod Crane in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” as we walk to the author’s final resting place during this one-hour walking tour. Learn more about the talented Mr. Irving and his influence on popular culture today.
Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon in September. In October every Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon, as well as 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. On Columbus Day Monday from 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon only. The meeting point is our South Gate, 430 North Broadway.
The Classic Day Tour
Our two-hour afternoon walking tour offers a great overview of what makes this 168-year old place so special. The first stop is none other than the illustrious Washington Irving, author of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. After that it’s on to the Receiving Vault – a favorite especially among Dark Shadows fans – and some of the most lovely plots in the south end before making our way north to Andrew Carnegie’s final resting place, William Rockefeller’s family mausoleum and much more along the way.
Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in September, October (plus Columbus Day Monday) and November. The meeting point is our South Gate, 430 North Broadway.
Classic Evening Lantern Tours
Enjoy our two-hour walking tour by the light of kerosene lanterns! This tour follows the same route as the Classic daytime tour, but the atmosphere is completely different in the dark.
Dates: Every Friday and Saturday night in September from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. In October and November every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., and also 10:00 p.m. to 12 midnight, including Halloween night (the 10 p.m. tour stops after 11/11). Every weekday night October 16 – 31st from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Please note that the meeting point for this tour in the North Gate, 540 North Broadway.
Murder and Mayhem Evening Lantern Tours
Looking to meet some of the more infamous people buried here? Meet fallen angels and helpless victims on this two-hour walking tour. Hear about the flamboyant businesswoman branded “the wickedest woman in New York,” a debonair counterfeiter, victims of “the Mad Murderer of Sleepy Hollow,” a brotherly murder-suicide, and the celebrated opera singer who was alleged to have assaulted, extorted, and killed various of her seven husbands, and more. Subject matter is not suitable for children.
Dates: Every Saturday night in September, October and November from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m., and also Thursday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. in October and November. October 30 and 31 from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m., and on Halloween Night also 10:00 p.m. to 12 midnight.
The Good, the Bad and the Unusual Evening Lantern Tours
Join Sara Mascia and Tara Van Tassell from our local Historical Society as they dish about colorful local residents and some of our world famous inhabitants. You can guess who will be good, bad, or unusual!
Among the many locals are self-styled frontiersman Alfred Weed, poet and eccentric Minna Irving, and wealthy industrialists William Rockefeller and John Archbold. They will also bring guests to visit some of the individuals who became locals by making Sleepy Hollow their final resting place, such as labor leader Samuel Gompers, and many others all by the light of kerosene lanterns. Yes, Tara is a real Van Tassell!
Dates: September 23, 29 and 30 and October 6, 7 and 13 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Schedule a tour
Tour operators, corporate and civic groups, email us at tours@sleepyhollowcemetery.org for information about scheduling your group. Please note that ALL public and private organized group tours MUST be conducted by Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. External organizations and parties are expressly prohibited from using the Cemetery for personal profit or private activities not authorized in advance by the Cemetery. Private tours can be arranged at any time of year for a minimum of six people.
On your own
Walk or drive our 90 acre grounds during visiting hours, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm daily. Entrance is free to individual members of the public. Please note that tour buses and other large vehicles are not permitted without advance arrangements; access fees apply for all groups. Commercial photography is only permitted with prior authorization of the cemetery superintendent and site fees would apply.
- Our full-color, 17” x 20” map is an indispensable guide to more than 50 special features of the cemetery. Purchase at the cemetery office during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm, closed major holidays) or at the Philipsburg Manor museum shop across the street from the cemetery’s south gate. Purchase now through www.sleepyhollowgiftsonline.com.
- We offer free legal-sized maps of our 90 acres—perfect for a short, self-guided tour to 8 major figures in the cemetery. Pick up a copy at the cemetery office or at the cemetery’s south gate, adjacent to the Old Dutch Church.
