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 during these challenging and unprecedented times. 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.
COVID-19 POLICY: In accordance with updated New York State and CDC guidance, masks will be optional for fully vaccinated individuals. Patrons not yet vaccinated for COVID-19 continue to be responsible for wearing masks, in accordance with federal CDC guidance.
Advance tickets are required. Tickets can be scanned off your mobile phone if you are unable to print them out.
The Original Knickerbocker: Washington Irving & “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
Did you know Washington Irving lived through a viral epidemic, too? And why is he called the Original Knickerbocker anyway? Come on this one-hour walking tour and find out! Learn more about the talented Mr. Irving, his enormous impact on American Literature and the enduring appeal of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”, which recently celebrated its Bicentennial. It’s a fun way to spend an hour exploring the south end of the cemetery!
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and also 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. through through November and also weekdays in October.
https://www.showclix.com/event/the-original-knickerbocker-2021
Evening Lantern Tour
Soak up the history of this famous cemetery by the light of kerosene lanterns! It’s like stepping back in time as we visit some of the most impressive residents, including William Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, John Dustin Archbold and others resting in peace in the north end. As this is only a one-hour tour, you’ll need to visit during the day to see Washington Irving’s grave.
Dates: Every evening in October. Weekends and select weekday nights in November. Time slots vary.
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-2021
Looking to hear some darker - but all true! - stories?
Meet fallen angels and helpless victims on this TWO-HOUR walking tour through Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Join us as we visit by lantern light the flamboyant businesswoman branded “the wickedest woman in New York,” a debonair counterfeiter, the scene of a grave robbery, 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 under 18. For the enjoyment of all tour goers, please respect this policy.
Dates: Thursdays, October 7th - November 11th from 7:30 – 9:30 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/murder-mayhem-2021
The Good, the Bad and the Unusual!
Join Sara Mascia and Tara Van Tassell from our local historical society as they dish about several intriguing locals as well as some of our world- famous inhabitants. You can guess who will be good, bad, or unusual! Among the many locals are poet and eccentric Minna Irving, chocolatier William Wallace, and popular neighbor “Uncle” Washington Irving. They will also bring guests to visit some of the individuals who became locals by making Sleepy Hollow their final resting place, such as wealthy industrialist Andrew Carnegie, labor leader Samuel Gompers, a crop of Alexander Hamiltons, and many others all by the light of kerosene lanterns.
Dates & Time: Friday, October 1; Saturday, Oct. 2; Friday, Oct. 8; Saturday, Oct. 9; Friday, Oct. 15 from 7:00 - 8:30 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/the-good-the-bad-and-the-unusual-2021
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.