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The hilltop Kykuit estate served as home to four generations of Rockefellers, and is now a historic site that welcomes visitors via guided tours. Photo by Susan Miele

Extended hours at Washington Irving's Sunnyside, Philipsburg Manor, and Union Church at Pocantico Hills begin on Thursday, July 20. Long shuttered because of the pandemic, each site now operates tours Thursdays through Sundays for the remainder of the summer; the expanded hours extend to mid-November at Phillipsburg Manor and Union Church.

Kykuit, meanwhile, is open for guided tours Fridays through Sundays through September. In October, the estate is open daily except for Tuesdays, making it a bucket-list destination to see the stunning fall colors.

Visiting these historic properties takes a little advance planning: Timed-entry tickets are required and can be booked online.

While history buffs appreciate a visit to any of the Historic Hudson Valley sites, Phillipsburg Manor—with its working grist mill and trained educators in period garb—is the most kid-friendly of the bunch.