Last year we took our first trip to Sleepy Hollow, New York. I have been wanting to explore more of our state and we figured Sleepy Hollow was the perfection Fall season destination. Mini or day trips are easiest and most affordable for our family of five. We explored a great deal of the area and did most of the activities they have to offer. Everyone enjoyed themselves so much that we all want to go back again one day soon.

Here are some useful tips that might help you if you are planning to visit Sleepy Hollow

• You can get a lot of your research done by checking out the website Visit Sleepy Hollow.
• You can take a train to Sleepy Hollow or drive. The drive was easy peasy but parking around the town can be tricky because parking spaces can be very tight.
• The town area is a lot smaller than it looks on videos. Be aware of how hilly and challenging it can be to walk around. 
• There are many food options-best to do your research on the places you want to eat before going.
• Book all your events way before the trip. Especially The Great Pumpkin Blaze.

Here are the places we went to and the things we did that I recommend the most:

Sleepy Hollow Street Fair 

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Tour 

Headless Horseman Bridge 

The Cube Inn 

Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze 

Washington Irving's Sunnyside 

The Taco Project 

The Armour-Stiner Octagon House

Christmas in New York is something special, I cannot lie. The only negative I can think of about the holidays in the city is probably the cold and the crowds. I consider the crowds to be worse than the cold and I cannot bear the cold winter nights. Aside from crowds and freezing temperatures, the city that never sleeps truly becomes extra magical when Christmas comes to town. There are lights everywhere, large holidays figures and statues, beautiful lite up trees, and shop windows that hold mini masterpieces within them. 

The city stops being its usual grey and brown self and it embraces the colors and themes of the holiday season. Add to that the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the iconic Rockettes, a slew of Broadway shows, restaurants decorated to the hilt, holiday music playing everywhere, Macy's Santaland experience, holiday food markets, and the ice skating that happens at Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park. Those are just a few things that shine the brightest in our usually grungy city.

The city comes alive during the holidays in ways that leave even the most jaded New Yorkers in awe. Here is a peak at what New York looked like during the 1960's. There was shopping, the welcoming of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, the decorated windows, the random Santas, and of course The Rockettes. What do you think about New York during the holidays? Have you ever had the chance to visit or would you like to visit one day?

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Film Form

Film at Lincoln Center

IFC Center

Metrograph

Museum of Moving Image 

Quad Cinema (Landmark Theater)

• Coney Island Beach: Was first "discovered" by Henry Hudson in 1609. It is here that so much amusement and fun was built around. The beach itself is about four miles long. The beach was at its most popular during the early portion of the 20th Century but popularity declined after WWII.
• Coney Island Boardwalk: The boardwalk got its slow start after the Coney Island Hotel, a seaside resort, opened in 1829. After that the area became a place for the wealthy Manhattanites to come and frolic. Then in 1870 the area became bonafide day-trippers paradise once the Brooklyn Bridge was finished, connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan. The amusements parks then started rolling in and to accommodate all the hustle and bustle,  the Riegelmann Boardwalk was finally made. It officially rolled out on May 15, 1923. Just recently it has been made into a historical landmark. 
• Nathan's Hot Dog: In 1916 a Polish immigrant named Nathan Handwerker started a nickel hot dog stand with a $300 dollar loan from two friends and his wife's secret spice recipe. This is the original Nathan's hot dog and eating here is must-do for all foodies and history buffs. It is as busy as ever and hosts the National Hot Dog Eating Contest every year. It's super tasty too!
• Luna Park: Luna Park opened in 1903 and was one of three original iconic large parks built on Coney Island, the other two being Steeplechase Park (1897) and Dreamland (1904). The rides are still fun with all the beautiful colors that makes an amusement park a special place to visit.
• Coney Island Cyclone: Made entirely of wood, this rollercoaster started giving it thrills and chills on June 26, 1927.
• NY Aquarium: The NY Aquarium first opened its doors in 1886 but was located in Manhattan until 1957 when it made Coney Island its forever home.
• Williams Candy Shop: Established in 1943 and still delivering delicious treats.