- MOST POPULAR
- 1hr
- 7+
Join us for this seasonal tour of The Octagon House and its surrounding landscape! Take in the spectacular blooms of the restored 19th-century gardens alongside the whimsical architecture of The Octagon House.
Quick Details
Celebrate the holiday season in Victorian splendor at The Armour-Stiner Octagon House in Irvington, New York. Join us for an opportunity to experience this lyrical, eight-sided home surrounded by the sights of Christmas in 1872. The restored National Landmark will be filled with elaborate holiday décor featuring wreaths, garlands, and the sparkle of ornaments on a grand Christmas Tree inside the salon.
Created as a whimsical summer retreat in 1872 by tea-importer Joseph Stiner, this National Historic Landmark’s shape was based on the theories of Orson Squire Fowler, a phrenologist, who believed octagonal houses enclosed more space, allowed the sun in at all times, and permitted more views into the landscape. The Armour-Stiner Octagon House retains its magnificent ornamentation and furnishings and includes the only remaining Egyptian Revival Room in America with its original decoration and furniture.
The Octagon House is very much a private family home. Access to the house and grounds is available ONLY to ticket holders during the time and date assigned.
—The 1-hour tour is conducted by highly trained docents and includes an interior viewing of the house.
— While a ticket is required for all guests- including those under the age of 18, this experience is best suited for ages 12 and up. Babies and toddlers (although delightful) are not appropriate to bring along for the tour.
Parking is free but limited. Please park on-site in the circle in front of the Octagon House and along the driveway. Please do not park on the street (West Clinton Avenue).
—Tours begin promptly on time, please arrive no more than 15 minutes before your tour time, and please leave immediately after the tour is over, to allow for parking for the next tour.
—The tour is physically demanding and not recommended for individuals with difficulty walking up and down the stairs. Not suitable for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.
—Picnicking is not allowed.
—Pets are also not allowed inside the house or on the grounds whatsoever. Please make note of this when planning your visit.
Non flash photography is allowed inside the house, and we encourage sharing your tour experience on social media. The Armour-Stiner Octagon House can be found on Facebook and Instagram
Because the Octagon House is a private home, we ask that you refrain from touching walls, finishes, furniture & objects. Please leave all large belongings at home or in a vehicle. This includes luggage, large bags, tripods, and other similar items. While touring, please do not linger – stay with the group while viewing the interior.
A discount is available for members of The National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Join us for this seasonal tour of The Octagon House and its surrounding landscape! Take in the spectacular blooms of the restored 19th-century gardens alongside the whimsical architecture of The Octagon House.
Join us for this special tour offering a behind-the-scenes look at the restoration of The Armour-Stiner Octagon House! Like a massive puzzle, saving this unique home was a task so overwhelming that many people considered it impossible.
Join us for a look inside this one-of-a-kind National Historic Landmark! Perfect for first time visitors or those returning to see The Octagon House again, the one-hour Classic Tour provides a foundational understanding of this iconic house.
The Octagon House is a short horse ride away from The Legendary town of Sleepy Hollow, and for this reason, Fall/Halloween is our most popular season. Tours during this time of the year concentrate on themes that intersect the season, the house, and the surrounding area during the 19th Century.
As the weather warms up, we move indoors to this 1872 domed, octagonal, (air-conditioned!) house once referred to as “The Taj Mahal of The Hudson Valley”.
Her ship went down in flames, but the Lady in White returned to the Octagon House and still waits for her lover to find her there.