Not-So-Local-Loves: Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Try as I might to enjoy and savor the season I’m currently in- I am, of course, an Autumnal Princess- having been born, raised and presently residing in New England- which is without question the best place to be during the Fall. As much as I enjoy the Summer and have been trying to make the most out of this year’s rainy, windy, and sometimes smoky and hazy days/weeks throughout June and leading up to the end of this month- the urge to jump headfirst into all things pumpkin, cozy and spooky is becoming stronger and stronger.

My cravings for the Fall was never more apparent than they were earlier this week while Troy and I were in Sleepy Hollow, New York- and took a good portion of an afternoon to stroll the sprawling, historic, and absolutely breathtaking Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

Founded in 1849 and spread across 90 acres behind the famous Old Dutch Church, there are quite a few notable burials here, most famous of course being Washington Irving (the author of ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’,) along with Elizabeth Arden, William Rockefeller and Brooke Astor. There’s also countless other unique headstones and mausoleums- some dating back hundreds of years.

And much to our surprise- there are a couple of living residents in the cemetery, too. Troy and I came across two fawns lounging in the grass and grazing, completely unbothered, as we were passing through one section. I may or may not have started crying over what a beautiful moment it was (I did. I totally did.)

The cemetery is open daily and offers guided tours to visitors, most popular of course around Halloween when, much like Salem, the town comes to life with tourists- but we opted to walk around on our own since it was such a beautiful day. I easily could have spent another few hours in there if we didn’t have such a long drive home that we had to start.

Now is the time to visit Sleepy Hollow to beat the crowds and get a good look at everything- especially this cemetery! And if you’re feeling the cool, Autumn breeze in your mind like I am- you’ll love it!