Philipse Manor

Attractions

Philipsburg Manor & Upper Mills: This early 17th century farm was once owned by the Philipse family and includes a fully restored and furnished Dutch-style manor house, barn, gristmill, and gardens. It also offers a reception center, cafeteria and gifts hop. Special events are scheduled throughout the year. (914) 631-3992.

Union Church of Pocantico Hills: Famous artists Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse, two modern-day masters, have made their mark on this beautiful country church with their spectacular stained glass windows, which was built by the Rockefeller family in the early 20th century. The building boasts the only cycle of church windows created by Chagall in the United States. (914) 631-8200.

Kykuit: This mansion, complete with formal gardens, art gallery and nine hole golf course was the home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. Tours include the main house, gardens and coach barn. (914) 631-9491.

The 1883 Lighthouse at Sleepy Hollow: A visit to this historic lighthouse begins at Kingsland Point Park. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the lighthouse offers nature and historic heritage programs on a monthly basis and features exhibits of logbooks and chronicles, photographs and furnishings that illustrate what life was like in a lighthouse more than 100 years ago. (914) 631-1440.

Recreation

Rockefeller State Preserve: Located on Route 117 it boasts majestic woodlands, meadows, wetlands and a 24-acre lake. Extensive walking trails offer a wonderful retreat from the city. Come to jog, cross-country ski or simply enjoy nature. Fishing licenses are required and horseback riding is allowed with a permit. Kykuit, former home of the Rockefellers is located adjacent to the preserve. Right in the middle of the preserve there is the Stone Barns Agricultural Center, another Rockefeller project, offering the hungry and thirsty hiker relief with its courtyard bistro. (914) 631-1470.

Old Croton Aqueduct Trail Way: The trail way runs through Headless Horseman country, also known as Sleepy Hollow. Here the trail passes behind the Old Dutch Church cemetery made famous in Washington Irving's stories and crosses the Pocantico River near the spot where the Headless Horseman scared Ichabod Crane. Owned and managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the trail way offers a scenic walk from northern Westchester County into New York City, or vice versa, following the path of the aqueduct that was once used to bring fresh water from the Croton Reservoir to New York City. The trail traverses most of the Historic River Towns, and while mostly a walking path, it does have some sections suitable for horseback riding. No motorized vehicles are permitted anywhere along the trail way. Many points of access make it easy to walk sections of the trail. Train stations and bus stops are within walking distance, or a quick taxi ride, from almost any place along the path. And although much of the path is easy to find, with trails identified by Taconic Region markers, walkers interested in traversing longer sections of the trail way are encouraged to call or write for a map which details the route, offering specific directions for some of the more difficult areas of the trail. The trail begins on the south side of the Croton dam, farthest away from the spillway. Along the way walkers will see old ventilator shafts as well as a weir chamber, used to spill off waste water during floods. Various parts of the trail offer spectacular Hudson River views. (914) 889-4100.

Kingsland Point Park: Located at Palmer Avenue off Route 9 in Sleepy Hollow. A scenic recreation area/park right on the Hudson River shores. Take a walk along the river, enjoy a picnic or play ball.