Historic Hudson Valley’s tour season kicks off on Friday, May 2, 2025, offering visitors the chance to explore some of the region’s most iconic National Historic Landmarks. Tickets are now on sale for experiences at Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate; Philipsburg Manor; Washington Irving’s Sunnyside; and Union Church of Pocantico Hills.
Spring 2025 highlights include:
At Philipsburg Manor, visitors can step into the working gristmill, walk through the manor house with period artifacts, and learn about the 23 enslaved individuals of African descent who lived and labored on the provisioning plantation. During tours of Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, visitors explore the author’s cottage and the bucolic grounds, which were designed by Irving himself, and learn about America’s “Founding Father of Literature.” Picnic tables are available at both sites and light snacks, as well as souvenirs and local finds, are available to purchase in the museum shops. Visitors to Union Church of Pocantico Hills view spectacular stained-glass windows by European masters, including the last commissioned work by Henri Matisse and nine windows by Marc Chagall, and learn the inspiration behind each one.
Kykuit, the Rockefeller estate boasts a modern and classical art collection, architecture, and expansive gardens that make it one of the top-rated cultural attractions in the lower Hudson Valley. Visitors to Kykuit learn the story of the Rockefellers, beginning with John D. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil, whose business acumen made him the richest man in America in his day. He later became the country’s first significant philanthropist and by his death in 1937, he had given away more than half his fortune through various philanthropic programs.
Capacity is limited for all of these experiences and advance reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets are available now at hudsonvalley.org. Same-day admission prices are subject to a $2 surcharge.
PHILIPSBURG MANOR
In 1750, Philipsburg Manor was home to 23 enslaved individuals known to have lived and labored there. It is the country’s first living history museum to focus on the history of northern slavery.
The site will be open for tours Friday-Sunday: May 2 – Sep 28 and Nov 2 – Nov 30; Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: Oct 1 – Oct 23; Saturday-Sunday: Dec 6 – Dec 21, plus Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Advance tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and young adults, and $13 for children. Tickets are free for Historic Hudson Valley members.
Philipsburg Manor is at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow
WASHINGTON IRVING’S SUNNYSIDE
America’s “Founding Father of Literature” created a romantic, picturesque estate nestled along the Hudson riverbank. The house and the furnishings, many of which are original to Irving, have been restored to their 1850s character.
The site will be open for tours Friday-Sunday: May 2 – Sept 28 and Nov 7 – Nov 30; Wednesday-Monday: Oct 1 – Nov 2; Saturday-Sunday: Dec 6 – Dec 21. Advance tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and young adults, and $13 for children. Tours are free for Historic Hudson Valley members.
Washington Irving’s Sunnyside is at 3 W Sunnyside Lane, Irvington
UNION CHURCH OF POCANTICO HILLS
Union Church was organized as a non-denominational Protestant church in 1915, with John D. Rockefeller among the founders. Over the years, the Rockefeller family commissioned stained-glass windows by European masters Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall to adorn the unassuming country church.
The site will be open for tours Thursdays-Sundays: May 2 – Nov 30; Saturday: Dec 6-21, plus Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day. Tickets are $10. Tours are free for Historic Hudson Valley members.
Union Church of Pocantico Hills is at 555 Bedford Road, Tarrytown.
KYKUIT, THE ROCKEFELLER ESTATE
Built between 1906 and 1913, Kykuit was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family, beginning with John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil. Later, his grandson Nelson Rockefeller, the former governor of New York and vice president of the United States, lived there with his family.
The site will be open for guided tours Friday-Sunday: May 3 – Sep 30 and Nov 8 – Nov 10 (plus Memorial Day and Labor Day); Wednesday-Monday: Oct 2 – Nov 3.
Kykuit, a historic site of the National Trust, is operated and maintained by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund as a center for its philanthropic programs. Historic Hudson Valley operates the public visitation program.
All visits to Kykuit start at the Kykuit and Philipsburg Manor Visitor Center, located at 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. Tickets start at $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $20 for youth (10-17) young adults (18-25). Westchester County residents receive a $5 discount on the adult ticket price for the Selected Highlights tour. National Trust for Historic Preservation members receive a 50% discount on all tours and Historic Hudson Valley members receive a 15% discount.
THE PINKSTER FESTIVAL
Pinkster has been celebrated in New York since the 1700s and is the region’s oldest African American holiday. Visitors will be able to tour the historic site and take in live performances throughout the afternoon.
Tickets are $14 for adults; $12 for young adults and seniors; and free for children under 17 and Historic Hudson Valley members.
The Pinkster Festival takes place on May 24, 2025 from 1-4pm at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow
MOTHER’S DAY TEA
The Mother’s Day Tea is set in the picturesque Greenhouse overlooking the grounds of Philipsburg Manor. Visitors will enjoy light bites and sweet treats, as well as a selection of teas.
Tickets are $20. Historic Hudson Valley members receive a 15% discount.
The Mother’s Day Tea takes place on Sunday, May 11, 2025, from 12-3pm at Philipsburg Manor, 381 North Broadway (Route 9) in Sleepy Hollow
