Tarrytown, NY Area Guide

The area’s first residents were the Weckquaesgeeks Indians; Dutch farmers, fur trappers, and fishermen began settling there in 1645. The village played a role during the Revolutionary War, seeing fighting for the entire seven years.

Culture thrives in Tarrytown. The 843-seat Tarrytown Music Hall, built in 1885, attracts over 85,000 patrons each year and plays the best in music, theater, dance, and film. The historic homes in Tarrytown act as another draw to the village. Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, designed by the author himself, has been charming visitors for generations. Kykuit, the six-story estate of John D. Rockefeller includes an impressive sculpture garden.

Tarrytown has numerous annual events and parades, many tied to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The third Friday of every month, Tarrytown’s business district turns into a street festival with live music, community presentations, and specials from local shops and restaurants.

The village of Tarrytown has a number of outstanding dining options, no matter the budget or cuisine. At the top end of the spectrum, Equus houses Westchester’s most expensive à la carte menu. Located in the plush Castle on the Hudson hotel, the Zagat-rated, award-winning Equus presents creative Auberge-style French cuisine based on locally sourced ingredients. The unique and innovative seasonal menus feature dishes that include langoustine tempura with porcini and chestnut risotto, Long Island duck breast drizzled with cocoa-flavored balsamic vinegar, and grilled marinated beef tenderloin accompanied by squash purée, polenta, and figs.

A classic tavern with a contemporary twist, Cellar 49 can be found on the grounds of the Tarrytown House Estate. The cozy and intimate setting in what was the cellar in the historic Biddle mansion, Cellar 49 has original granite columns, distressed wooden beams, and key-stoned brick archways accented by a rich mahogany bar and a crackling fireplace. The main room seats only 36; the wine cellar, which features an extensive collection of unique vinos, has seating for an additional 10. The seasonal menu puts a modern spin on favorites that include a peach-glazed smoked pork chop, beef short ribs over mashed potatoes, and scallops served with red lentils. Save room for the fun and innovative desserts, such as homemade potato doughnuts rolled in cinnamon sugar and chocolate-dipped cheesecake lollipops.

Huge portions and a friendly staff stand as just two of the reasons Lefteris Gyro shines as a neighborhood favorite, serving authentic Greek cuisine. The small space on North Broadway gets crowded often, but the restaurant has outdoor seating for the warmer months. Regulars rave about the moussaka, the tzatziki sauce, and the gyros. Sweet and flaky, the baklava puts the finishing touch on a great meal.

As its name implies, finding a bar or pub in Tarrytown can be a snap. Quite a few popular options exist to choose from, such as the Set Back Inn. An institution on Main Street since 1959, the Set Back Inn, reputed to be among the oldest bars in Westchester, has even been featured in a couple of major motion pictures, including Mona Lisa Smile with Julia Roberts. The “no-frills” feel of the place, complete with a pool table, dart board, jukebox, and plenty of dark wood, makes it the perfect spot to hang out with friends while enjoying a domestic, imported, or craft brew. The Set Back Inn does not serve food and does not take credit cards, but does have live music on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, with no cover charge.

Other Tarrytown hot spots include The Tapp, with 10 craft beers on tap, rotating weekly, Demeter’s Sports Bar, which has 16 large screens to watch your favorite team, and Horsefeathers, with an impressive beer menu and a mural depicting literary geniuses.

The Tappan Zee Bridge, completed in 1955, was a great turning point for the village. The bridge crosses the Hudson River at Tarrytown, connecting Westchester to Rockland County and north to Albany. Interstate 87, which runs from the bridge south to New York City, and Interstate 287, which links up the Saw Mill River, Taconic, Sprain Brook, and Merritt/Hutchinson River Parkways, as well as Interstate 95, can all be easily accessed from Tarrytown.

A major stop on the Hudson line of the Metro North Railroad, the commute to Manhattan typically takes 35 to 45 minutes, depending on whether or not the train runs express. The Bee-Line Bus Service has routes that run south from Tarrytown, finishing in the Bronx.

Extremely walkable, residents can get almost anywhere on foot, day or night. Several taxis service the area and are always on call, ready to take you where you need to go.

The village owns and leases several parking lots in the business district and at the train station, providing parking to residents and visitors alike.

Bicyclists can take advantage of the bike trails that run through Tarrytown. A shared bike route runs along Route 9, but as a busy main road, Broadway may be more suitable for experienced cyclists.

The Village of Tarrytown operates a number of parks with a wide variety of recreational activities for adults and children. Some cost depending on the activity. Among the parks, Pierson Park awaits on West Main Street, housing has tennis, basketball and bocce courts in addition to a playground and picnic pavilion. Losee Park on Green Street at the Hudson River has two baseball/softball fields.

Once an industrial site, the scenic Hudson RiverWalk spans 5.2 acres along the Hudson River. This waterfront park affords magnificent views that stretch from the Manhattan skyline to the Tappan Zee Bridge along the 0.6-mile esplanade. A series of grass terraces, lawns and an eco-corridor filled with native plants, make it the perfect destination for nature lovers and bird watchers. Leashed dogs can come, too.

Rockefeller State Park Preserve allows for an idyllic spot for walking, horseback riding, cross country skiing and more. Designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society, the preserve has 180 recorded species of birds. In season, licensed fisherman can angle for bass in the 22-acre Swan Lake and for brown trout in the Pocantico River. Built on the property by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., carriage roads stand out as the most notable feature in the preserve, and allow visitors to experience and enjoy the natural wonders of the area.

Tarrytown has a thriving downtown area, which includes Main Street and Broadway. Once just known for antique stores, the streets now have small specialty shops, gourmet food shops, galleries and more. Shay Lu La landed on Main Street in 2011, restoring the tin ceiling and hardwood floors that hark back to the past. Fresh and funky with a Soho vibe, Shay Lu La showcases top jewelry designers and undiscovered local talent with an assortment of fine diamonds, estate and vintage classics, fashion jewelry, and designer accessories to covet.

Opening its doors on the third Friday in November 2008, A Nu Toy Store became the first one in the area in 25 years. The shop stocks toys from popular companies, including Lego, Melissa & Doug, and Klutz, and markets them at a 10 to 20 percent discount. Owner Angela Rafter also scours tag and church sales looking for new, unopened, hard-to-find toys. The store's inventory rounds out with a vintage selection of pre-loved toys and games in excellent condition, such as collectable Barbie dolls and original Smurf toys.

Originally opened in Dobbs Ferry by former soccer coach Danny D'Angelo, The Village Soccer Shop was designed to break the mold of the typical soccer store. This unique store appeals to soccer lovers, players, coaches, and referees, stocking everything from Calle Street soccer gear to Copa retro jerseys to a vast selection of cleats. The store even has turf carpet and wooden park benches.

For food shopping, Tarrytown residents can hit the large Super Stop & Shop or the somewhat smaller, but still well-stocked C-Town. Mrs. Green's Natural Market, a neighborhood store dedicated to health and sustainability, maintains a commitment to providing the best organic produce, groceries, and baked goods available. The new Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow Farmers Market, also known as the TaSH, is held in Patriots Park on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from May 23 to November 21.