What to See & Do: Catskills & Hudson Valley

King House Mansion at the Tarrytown House Estate
Just a short trip from New York City, this historic property, refreshed with a $15 million restoration, hides a ghostly secret. Legend has it that Sybil Harris King, daughter of Benjamin Newtown Duke, met her demise on the mansion's second floor in 1955. Her spectral presence is rumored to linger, with guests reporting mysterious footsteps, apparitions, and other eerie occurrences, especially near Room 293, where she passed away. Stay overnight at this beautifully restored estate or dine at the Goosefeather restaurant and ask staff to share the mansion’s haunted history.

Located in Tarrytown, NY. Explore more of Westchester County along the Craft Beverage Trail. Featuring 25 breweries, taprooms and taverns, you are never far from a great beer when visiting this area. Check the county tourism website for their free, online passport.

The Tarrytown Music Hall
Explore the mystery at this 136-year-old theater, where unexplained phenomena occur. Lights flicker on after closing, eerie vocal scales echo, and artists sense a presence. Book a guided “balcony to backstage” ghost tour to learn the music hall’s history or participate in a small-group paranormal investigation led by the Gotham Paranormal Research Society.

Located in Tarrytown, NY. Just 5-minutes up the road from the music hall, visit the Headless Horseman Statue in Sleepy Hollow, NY. One of the most visited spots in Sleepy Hollow, the 18-foot-tall sculpture of the horseman and Ichabod Crane was created by a local artist to depict a scene from the chilling tale.

Hamlet of Pine Bush: UFO Capital of the East Coast
Since the 1960s, enthusiasts have gathered in the Hamlet of Pine Bush, known as the UFO Capital of the East Coast, to witness strange alien sightings and UFOs. Join the festivities in June at the Pine Bush UFO Fair & Parade, where you'll find novelties, performers, and speakers celebrating all things extraterrestrial. For year-round encounters, don't miss the Pine Bush UFO & Paranormal Museum, offering insights into the area's mysterious phenomena. Family-friendly.

Located in Pine Bush, NY. Less than a 10-minute drive from the museum, visit the Angry Orchard Cider House for sips of the famous hard cider. Visit the orchard where the process of turning apples into cider begins, and plan your visit around events like live music, trivia, a community harvest, and more.

The Borland House Bed & Breakfast
Experience history, grandeur and a sense of spectral warmth and welcome at the Borland House, built in the 1780s. Once home to Charles Borland Jr., and his wife, Isabella, the Inn is said to still house their spirits—walking around the dining area late at night, appearing as shadowy figures, turning TVs on and off, and meeting with psychics drawn to the house. The spirits are happy with the way the home remains and ready to welcome in guests—stay the night, visit for weekend brunch, or join a locally-led investigation and see for yourself. 

Located in Montgomery, NY. One of New York State’s largest attractions, LEGOLAND, can be found within a 25-minute drive of the Borland House B&B. Visit this amusement park full of rides, shows, entertainment, shopping and fun! Plan a trip during spooky season to take advance of events like “Brick-or-Treat,” a family-friendly Halloween experience.

Silvio’s Villa
Experience classic Italian cuisine with a global twist at Silvio's, housed in an elegantly restored 18th-century mansion. Featured on Haunted Collector, the restaurant offers more than just great food—it's also a paranormal hotspot. Guests and staff have reported glowing orbs, mysterious EVPs, and objects moving on their own. Encounter apparitions and unexplained scratches from spirits while enjoying your meal. 

Located in South Warwick, NY. In Goshen, NY, less than a 25-minute drive, visit Falconry Excursions for up-close encounters with eagles, owls, falcons, hawks and vultures.

Burn Brae Mansion
Restored in honor of its 100-year anniversary, the mansion's original servants' quarters and guest rooms bear witness to eerie occurrences reported by overnight guests. These phenomena have sparked curiosity about the mansion's enigmatic past, prompting paranormal investigations and inviting ghost hunting groups to delve into its secrets. With its storied history and spectral whispers, Burn Brae Mansion remains a captivating destination for those drawn to the unknown—including The Exorcist star Linda Blair.

Located in Glen Spey, NY. One of only four Kadampa Temples in the world is located just 5-minutes from the Burn Brae Mansion, known as the Kadampa Meditation Center. The center provides group and individual meditation retreats and Buddhist courses and classes for all levels. A gift shop and café are also open to the public. It’s a great way to find your center and discover inner peace, after a hair-raising night spent at the Burn Brae!

The Shanley Hotel
At the Shanley, renting a room doesn't guarantee a peaceful night's rest. Visitors recount eerie experiences including rocking chairs, mysterious clock chimes, and unexplained sounds of whistling and footsteps. Book one of two overnight packages—a stay for two in the haunted hotel, a public 4-hr ghost hunt, continental breakfast and time to explore on your own; or a private group hunt and overnight for up to seven people. See online for package pricing and offer. 

Located in Napanoch, NY. Just a 30-minute drive from the hotel is the start of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, a 22.5-mile linear park that links up with the Empire State Trail in New Paltz. The trail takes bikers looking for an easy excursion right into the town center, where eateries and small shops await. The trail also runs through pastoral and orchard land, with stops along the way for craft beer at Yard Owl or an ice cream cone and hard cider at Dressel Farms.

Old Dutch Church Cemetery
The Old Dutch Church Cemetery, dating back to 1658, holds the stories of Dutch settlers, Native Americans, slaves, and soldiers. Theatre on the Road hosts haunted history tours each year, guiding participants through the cemetery's tales of Revolutionary Kingstonians and other spectral residents. Private group tours are also available year-round.  

Located in Kingston, NY. Just around the corner from the church in Kingston’s Stockade District, enjoy a sit-down meal at the Hoffman House Restaurant and Tavern. Offering relaxed dining with roaring fires in the winter and an outdoor patio in the summer, you’re sure to remember this National Historic Registered stone house, dating back to 1679.

“This project is supported through the Tourism Matching Funds program, administered by Empire State Development and I Love NY, New York’s Division of Tourism.”

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