A Staycation in Rockland County, New York, Including a Visit to Nyack and Sleepy Hollow

Those who read this blog know that when I am not traveling far and wide, I enjoy staycations.  These staycations are a fun, and often inexpensive way, to escape city life and explore destinations closer to home.

This weekend, Won’t Run and I ventured to Rockland County, New York.  Although it’s only an hour away from Manhattan, I’ve never been here – I’ve only driven through Rockland County on my way to somewhere else. The idea of a stay in Rockland County began after seeing that the Crowne Plaza Suffern-Mahwah was listed as an IHG Pointbreaks hotel this quarter – so a stay would be a steal at 5,000 points per night.

We actually didn’t do very much planning, as Won’t Run and I each expect the other to do the research, and we each get a little stubborn about this. We arrived at the hotel, and Won’t Run didn’t feel like driving more that night, so we chose a restaurant that was close to the hotel for dinner.  First, we stopped for a drink at a local watering hole (i.e., dive bar) called Sutter’s Mill.

We then proceeded, practically next door to Bado Sushi. I really liked this restaurant.  The sushi was excellent and the price was reasonable compared to New York City prices.  I would happily return here.

The next morning, I dragged Won’t Run along for a run.  He ran a little but mostly made phone calls or checked his Facebook, while I ran. Such beautiful scenery – gorgeous houses and landscape!  The weather was perfect too – temperatures in the high 50’s. Casual runs like this make me happy!

I even found a high school track and ran a mile or two on it (while Won’t Run rested).

It was only a few miles, but it was fun.

We rewarded ourselves with some Starbucks.

Sunday afternoon, we took a ride to Nyack, New York.  I’ve never been there, but heard it was a charming, but vibrant town, right on the Hudson River.  As luck would have it, there was a huge street fair going on.

Sunday night, we went back to Sutter’s Mill. One of us had a half rack of ribs, the other a full rack of ribs.

Monday, I went out for a short run, and then we packed up and checked out.  I kid you not, Won’t Run had some leftover ribs for breakfast (I’ll spare you the photo).

We decided to visit the historic village of Sleepy Hollow – yes the town featured in the classic story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow written by Washington Irving – on our drive back to Manhattan.  Some say the town is haunted.  Some of the many sites here include Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (where Washington Irving, Andrew Carnegie, Walter Chrysler, Samuel Gompers, Elizabeth Arden, Leona Helmsley, Brooke Astor, and William Rockefeller, among others, are buried), the Old Dutch Church, Philipsburg Manor and Kykuit (the Rockefeller Estate).

And so ended a lovely Columbus weekend!  I hope your’s was great too.