What to do and see in Kinderhook, United States: The Best Places and Tips

More than 40 pieces cover the 90 acres of this free, outdoor sculpture garden, part of the Art Omi International Arts Center.

The estate and home of Martin Van Buren, the eight president of the United States, is spread over 38.5 scenic acres, many of which retain a high degree of integrity to the period of the former president's residence.

All Musicals, All Summer! Acclaimed professional theatre, presenting classic and contemporary musicals in a charming, unique theatre-in-the-round setting since 1969. Talented professional performers, wonderful singing, dazzling dancing, lots of laughs = exciting fun for all ages in standard favorite and delightful new musicals. Youngsters and parents alike giggle and gasp at original musicals for ‘children of all ages’. The audience says: "Wonderful entertainment", "Fabulous job!", "Love your shows", "…truly outstanding…Kudos!". Mid May through mid September.

Our little distillery is a special place where the "lucky" apples go to become immortal, preserved forever in the form of our award-winning vodka, applejack and brandy. We established Harvest Spirits in 2007 in order to make the best use of our surplus apples, and in turn support our farming heritage and preserve agriculture in the Hudson Valley. Today, our thriving little distillery attracts visitors from far and wide with our acclaimed spirits, distilling over 600,000 lbs. of fruit per year. We buy locally grown fruit from farms across New York to produce many of our products as well.

The Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse is a 19th-century building that served as a local single-room public school into the 1940s. Recently awarded a 'Legends & Lore' marker by the New York Folklore Society & William G. Pomeroy Foundation honoring Washington Irving's "Sleepy Hollow" character 'Ichabod Crane', who was patterned after the original Kinderhook Schoolteacher, Jesse Merwin--hence the schoolhouse name. Washington Irving was a friend of President Martin Van Buren and boarded at the Van Ness home in Kinderhook for about eight weeks in 1809 after the death of his fiancée. Schoolteacher, Jesse Merwin, was also a boarder at the Van Ness home, and the two twenty-something bachelors went fishing and otherwise socialized with the small colony of intellectuals in the otherwise agrarian community. Known as a "classic of American literature", Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow's greatest character was conceived right here.

National Historic Landmark, the Luykas Van Alen house is a restored house museum representing 18th century rural Dutch farm life in the Hudson River Valley. The "Van Alen House" and its farm are believed to have served as the inspiration for Washington Irving's short story 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' as the homestead of the Van Tassel family. Irving was a close friend of Kinderhook native (and U.S. President) Martin Van Buren, a neighbor of the "Van Alen House" and a frequent guest in the town. This property (interior and exterior) was also a location scene in the 1993 Martin Scorsese film, "The Age of Innocence" starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Daniel Day-Lewis. Open seasonally-all summer and fall-along with the Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse. Admissions for the Van Alen House & Ichabod Crane are combined. Open Hours: July 1st through Columbus Day weekend: Tuesday, Saturday & Sunday Noon - 4pm