All visitors to Kykuit see the property as part of a tour, with itineraries ranging from 1.5 hours to three hours. The shortest option, the Timesaver Tour, covers the main floor, the Inner Gardens, and the West Terrace. At three hours, the Grand Tour adds the second floor of the home, with extra time in the gardens and art galleries. Another magnificent way to see Kykuit is from the air; some helicopter tours of the Hudson Valley fly over the estate, along with landmarks such as the United States Military Academy and the Tarrytown Lighthouse.
The Visitor Center is located at 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, New York, with free parking available onsite. To reach the estate by train from New York City, take the Hudson Line to Tarrytown, then continue to the visitor center by taxi. Hold on to your receipt for train tickets, as they can be used for discounted admission to Kykuit.
Garden lovers should make a trip in spring, when blooming flowers showcase the outdoor areas at their very best. With plenty of trees that change color in the fall, this is also a great destination in autumn—views along the Hudson River Valley are a highlight. Tours are held rain or shine, so bring along an umbrella if the weather is iffy.
Some of the top sites in Tarrytown and the surrounding area are mansions built by wealthy New Yorkers. One popular stop is the Gothic Revival Lyndhurst mansion, an impressive landmark on a 67-acre estate. Slightly more modest is Washington Irving’s Sunnyside House, where the author lived with big views of the Hudson River. At Philipsburg Manor, visitors find living history on an 18th-century property that explores colonial-era life with help from actors.