I first read Washington Irving's stories, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Rip Van Winkle" in the eighth grade, and ever since have loved Irving's description of the "sequestered glen of Sleepy Hollow, whose dreamy influence seems to hang over the land." I'd heard that Sleepy Hollow and the historic Hudson Valley have much to offer, especially during the holidays, and since I'd never been there, I decided to visit one weekend last December.

Where Irving Slept

Washington Irving, a prolific author of fiction, history and biography, also held diplomatic posts in Great Britain and Spain. He bought Tarrytown's Sunnyside in 1835, then enlarged and renovated this beautiful cottage that overlooks the Hudson River.

Nicknamed "The Snuggery," Sunnyside felt warm and inviting to me. Its cheerful English style decorations consisted of decorative green garlands on the mantle but no Christmas tree. Sadly, Irving never got over the death of his fianc