5 Historic Houses Shimmering With Holiday Decor to Visit This Season

If a relaxing holiday escape is in the cards, you can step back in time and get some seasonal inspiration at one of New York’s many historic sites.

We’ve rounded up five houses outside of Brooklyn that have festively decked their period rooms and are offering special tours and programs.

Holiday House Tours at Boscobel House and Gardens
Garrison, N.Y.
Saturdays and Sundays through December 17, times vary

Built between 1804 and 1808, Boscobel is one of the country’s premier examples of Federal architecture. It’s beautifully restored and furnished with outstanding pieces from the leading furniture makers of the early 19th century. The architectural jewel is set within more than 60 acres of land with dramatic views of the Hudson River, woodland trails and garden paths.

The house is adorned for a 19th century holiday and viewable via guided daytime tours at specific time slots. There are also twilight tours available on Fridays and Saturdays if you want an atmospheric evening experience.

Holiday Classic Mansion Tour at Lyndhurst
Tarrytown, N.Y.
Thursdays through Mondays through December 30, times vary
Constructed in 1838, Lyndhurst is a dramatic Gothic Revival estate designed by Alexander Jackson Davis, a giant of early 19th century American architecture. The house was purchased by railroad magnate Jay Gould in the 1880s and is decked out with dozens of trees, elaborate table settings and other decorations during the holiday season. It’s also when the curators pull out some rarely viewed objects belonging to the Goulds.

The timed tickets for the holiday tours do sell out, so buying tickets in advance is necessary. There are also special events throughout the season, check out the event calendar for full details. Visitors are required to follow the Covid protocols for the historic site, including mask wearing.

Holiday Tours at Wilderstein
Rhinebeck, N.Y.
Fridays through Sundays through December 18, 12 – 4 p.m.

An elaborate Queen Anne-style mansion, Wilderstein was home to three generations of the Suckley family. The last family member to live in the house, Daisy Suckley, a cousin and close friend of FDR, left behind furniture, photos, books, letters and artwork, allowing the museum to tell the full tale of one family.

This year the guided tours through the festively accented rooms includes access to the newly restored second floor. Tickets are required and advance registration is encouraged.

Glenview Holiday Tour
Yonkers N.Y.
Through December 31, times and days vary

A riverside home built in 1877 for the Wall Street banker John Bond Trevor and his family, the house is now part of the Hudson River Museum of Yonkers. For fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age, the house made an appearance in the series as the residence of Mrs. Astor.

During the holiday season, the house is exuberantly decorated, with trees and ornaments in every room, down to miniature seasonal trimming in the historic dollhouse. Capacity for each tour is limited and tickets are required so advance purchase is recommended.

A Victorian Christmas at the Armour-Stiner Octagon House
Irvington, N.Y.
Through December 30, times and days vary
It’s an architectural standout and for the holidays you can get a look inside the unusual 1870s manse. The restored interior, already a decorative wonder, is decked out for “A Victorian Christmas” event with elaborate holiday decor including garlands, wreaths and a Christmas tree in the impressive salon.

Tickets for the guided, hour-long tour of the private home are required and should be purchased in advance online.

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