Explore the romantic riverside cottage and landscape designed by America’s “Founding Father of Literature.”
Nestled along the banks of the Hudson River, the landscape of Washington Irving’s much-loved Sunnyside has been charming guests for generations. Visitors today hear about Washington Irving’s storied past and how he came to be America’s first internationally famous author. His characters, from the Headless Horseman to Rip Van Winkle, are global icons, and Irving’s legacy lives on at his whimsical estate.
May – December
Friday-Sunday: May 2 – September 28; Nov 7 – Nov 30
Wednesday-Monday: Oct 1 – Nov 2
Saturday-Sunday: Dec 6 – Dec 21
Plus Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day
September 12-November 9: Legendary Tours of Washington Irving’s Sunnyside
Special ‘Legend’-themed tours of the estate.
Plan ahead and save! Prices are $2 more for same day admission.
Standard Tours (Through September 8)
Adult: $18
Senior (65+): $15
Young Adult (18-25): $15
Child (3-17): $13
Members + Children under 3: FREE
Legendary Tours of Washington Irving’s Sunnyside (September 12-November 9)
Adult: $20
Senior (65+): $18
Young Adult (18-25): $18
Child (3-17): $16
Children under 3: FREE
Members: 15% off
Timed tickets can be exchanged for another date and time as long as there is availability. All exchange requests must be made by 5pm the day before your visit. There is a $2.50 per ticket exchange fee. Please see Historic Hudson Valley’s Ticket Refund and Exchange Policy for more details.
Phone purchases are subject to a surcharge.
Costumed educators lead 50-minute tours of the cottage; afterward, visitors may explore the grounds at their leisure.
Directions
GPS address:
3 W Sunnyside Lane, Irvington, NY 10533
FAQs
Is photography allowed?
Both indoor and outdoor non-flash photography for personal use is allowed, unless otherwise noted.
Filming of video is not permitted inside any of our historic sites. Filming outdoors with hand-held equipment for personal use is permitted.
Video or audio recording of tour guides is not permitted.
Are there group or school tours available?
We welcome groups of 10 or more at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside. See more information about our group tours.
We also offer school programs in the fall. Learn more.
Are the tours wheelchair accessible?
Visitor Center and Site Access
- Wheelchair accessible parking is available and accessible restrooms are available in the Visitor Center.
- The walk from the parking lot to the Visitor Center is approximately 379 feet down a steep, graded wheelchair accessible ramp.
- The walk from the Visitor Center to the Cottage is approximately 570 feet on a graded decline, much of which is on a wide pebble path. From the courtyard of the Cottage back to the Visitor’s Center is approximately 380 feet on a graded incline.
Historic Core and Irving’s Cottage
- The grounds and the first floor of the Cottage are wheelchair accessible.
- There is a narrow, steep flight of stairs (12-15 steps) to the second floor of the house and another steep and winding flight of stairs from the second floor to the kitchen.
Are service dogs permitted?
Yes, service dogs are welcome.
What assistive devices are available at Washington Irving's Sunnyside?
Sensory backpacks, including noise reducing headphones, fidget items, printed picture communication system cards, and social narratives, are available at the Visitor Services desk.
Are there nearby dining options?
There are many excellent options in the area. Find a restaurant now.
Legendary Tours
Offered seasonally, Legendary tours of Washington Irving’s Sunnyside are the perfect fall activity. In addition to touring Irving’s home and the grounds of Sunnyside, there are lots of fun and spooky fall activities for all ages.
- Watch our shadow puppet short film of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
- Participate in a ‘Legend’ themed scavenger hunt,
- Make your own shadow puppets or thaumtropes
- Play lawn games that have a Halloween twist
- Learn about Irving’s inspiration for writing the ‘Legend’ and how it has inspired other artists
- Try on clothes and accessories with traditional Halloween flair (and snap a picture with Sunnyside as your background)!
