Dark Tourism from Literature: Sleepy Hollow, New York, USA
The story of Ichabod Crane has been a Halloween staple since 1820. Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is a chilling tale of a love rivalry, an eerie ride through the woods, and a headless horseman set in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Once a Dutch colonial settlement, Sleepy Hollow is a modern riverfront city.
Despite its modern amenities, the community embraces its spooky history and proudly connects itself to Irving’s classic story. The Headless Horseman features in the city’s logo. While the tale is legend, dark tourism opportunities are very real. The community offers ghost tours, cemetery tours, and Halloween events that draw visitors to see the world of Ichabod Crane.
