Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Walking Tours
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!
Thank you so much for your support. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Historic Fund 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.
Advance tickets are required. Tickets can be scanned off your mobile phone if you are unable to print them out.
For our special events, CLICK HERE.
The Original Knickerbocker: Washington Irving & “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
Meet the father of the American short story on this one-hour tour! Learn all about Washington Irving, his impact on American Literature and the enduring appeal of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", which recently celebrated its Bicentennial. Best of all, you'll find out why Irving is called the Original Knickerbocker!
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m.-12 noon and 1:00-2:00 p.m. through November 27th.
https://www.showclix.com/event/the-original-knickerbocker-2022
Soak up the beauty of this 173-year old cemetery while your guide regales you with stories of the fascinating people resting here in peace.
Our two-hour daytime walk is the perfect way "to have a colloquy among the tombs" as Washington Irving, famous author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", did himself back in 1849.
We pay homage to the great author, stop by some of the most interesting monuments in the old section before heading north to visit the final resting places of two-term Chicago Mayor Walter Gurnee, steel titan Andrew Carnegie, oilman William Rockefeller, two people vital to the success of Wells Fargo and American Express, and much more. Admire beautiful art, architecture and cool cemetery symbolism along the way. This tour gives a great overview of why Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is so famous.
Please note that the Classic Daytime Tour is the same route as the Classic Evening Lantern tour. The content is exactly the same - it just starts in a different location.
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays from 2:00-4:00 p.m. through November 27th.
https://www.showclix.com/event/classic-daytime-tour-2022
Short on time? Make the most of it and meet the crème de la crème on this one-hour lantern tour!
The Gilded Age began after the Civil War and ended around 1900. It was a time of tremendous industrialization and rapid economic growth. Railroads were built to connect the East Coast with the West, kerosene replaced whale oil and candles to light people’s homes, and steel production changed city skylines forever.
Meet some of the American Aristocrats who shaped our country with their ambitious visions and amassed sizable fortunes in the process. You’ll visit the beautiful monuments of Henry Villard, William Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and other interesting folks during this one-hour lantern tour in the north end of the cemetery.
Dates: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings in November.
https://www.showclix.com/event/american-aristocrats-2022
Step back in time and explore the cemetery by kerosene lantern light! This two-hour evening tour gives you a great overview of why Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is so famous.
You’ll visit titans of industry like Andrew Carnegie and William Rockefeller, meet Washington Irving whose famous short story gave our village its very name, see the resting place of two-term Chicago Mayor Walter Gurnee, and learn about two people vital to the success of Wells Fargo and American Express, and much more. Along the way, admire beautiful art, architecture and cool cemetery symbolism.
Please note that the Classic Daytime Tour is the same route as the Classic Evening Lantern tour. The content is exactly the same - it just starts in a different location.
Dates: In November Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Please note that if only 1 ticket shows as available during the purchase process that is the only (i.e., last) ticket available.
https://www.showclix.com/event/classic-evening-lantern-tour-2022
The true stories on this two-hour lantern tour are so grim, you just might have nightmares!
Curious to learn about a family that lost 5 children one terrible afternoon, or a horrific murder that led police on a multi-state chase? Maybe you’d like to hear about a son who shot his father before turning the gun on himself, and a daughter who poisoned her mother? If so, then this is the tour for you!
Murder and Mayhem is back and better than ever with a new route - visit a few old favorites and leave with new ones! The truth is always stranger than fiction.
Subject matter is not suitable for children under 18. For the enjoyment of all tour goers, thank you for respecting this policy.
Dates: In November, Thursday and Saturday nights.
https://www.showclix.com/event/murder-and-mayhem-2022
Group visits
All groups must be accompanied by Sleepy Hollow Cemetery staff. Only Cemetery staff members are permitted to conduct tours here. Email us at tours@sleepyhollowcemetery.org for information about scheduling your group and what fees apply. External organizations and parties are expressly prohibited from using the Cemetery for personal profit or private activities not authorized in advance by the Cemetery. It is not possible for groups to wander the grounds on their own. Unauthorized groups on the property will be asked to leave immediately.
Please note that the cemetery is private property, owned by its lot owners, and funerals occur most days of the week.
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. All groups must be accompanied by cemetery staff.
Please note that tour buses and other large vehicles are not permitted without advance arrangements; access fees apply for all groups.
Commercial photography and/or video filming of any sort is only permitted with prior authorization of the Cemetery superintendent and site fees 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 Bella's Boutique at 35 North Broadway, Tarrytown. Purchase now through https://www.headlesshorsemangifts.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.