Part 3: Destination Resort Overlooking the Hudson River — on Priceline

This mini-series explores stellar properties available through Priceline’s opaque bidding process.  

Part 1:  The Carolina Inn – Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Part 2:  Little America – Salt Lake City, Utah

Part 3:  Tarrytown House Estate  & Conference Center, Tarrytown, New York

Tarrytown House Estate
Tarrytown House Estate

My husband grew up in Irvington-on-Hudson, one of those cute little river towns about 20 miles north of New York City.  His family lived in a development of mid-century modern homes just up the hill from Washington Irving’s Sunnyside home.

Irvington and its neighbor Tarrytown make a good base for exploring the Hudson River valley.  Scenic views, historical reenactments, art, and hiking opportunities abound, with attractions that will appeal to children and adults.  Tarrytown is easily accessible by car and by train, making this a great region for a weekend getaway.

Sometimes when we visited family in Irvington, we would get a Priceline room, most often ending up in the 2.5 star Hampton Inn in Elmsford, NY.

Once in 2008, we bid $50 on Priceline and were upgraded to the 3 star Tarrytown House Estate and Conference Center.

This property is a 26-acre full service resort with several historic mansions and cottages, beautifully landscaped grounds, a magnificent view of the Tappan Zee bridge.  There are numerous recreational opportunities on site.  Several low-rise buildings discreetly sited on the property constitute the conference center.

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JFK’s Flying Saucer Terminal Tops List of Most Endangered Historic Sites

The iconic Worldport Terminal at JFK International Airport has been named to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s (NTHP) list of 11 Most Endangered Places.

Worldport Terminal Pictured in Chevy Ad<br />Image courtesy of Paul Stipkovich
Worldport Terminal Pictured in Chevy Ad
Image courtesy of Paul Stipkovich

The terminal, once home to Pan Am, opened in 1960 and symbolizes America’s entry into the Jet Age.  The first commercial flights of the Boeing 707, the first “modern” jetliner, departed from the Worldport Terminal.    The terminal was designed to allow for aircraft to be parked under the partial overhang.

The flying saucer-shaped building  has been featured in several Hollywood films, as well as the Mad Men inspired Pan Am TV series.  A Pan Am Boeing 747 and the Worldport appear in the James Bond film Live and Let Die,  and the terminal is featured in The Family Man starring Nicolas Cage, and That Touch of Mink with Doris Day.

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