Sleepy Hollow folklore. Autumn-enthralling towns. Gilded Age mansions overlooking the Hudson, 25 miles from Manhattan. Programs all at the 26-acre Mary Duke Biddle Estate. Nearby historic landmarks, Washington Irving's homestead, Jay Gould's & the Rockefeller Family's estates. Antiquing treasures. Nature-preserve for hikers, strollers, runners, horseback riders, birders & anglers. Easy drive to FDR's Hyde Park Library, West Point, the renowned Storm King Sculpture Park & Dia:Beacon Contemporary Art Collection. A foodies' odyssey to Blue Hill or other illustrious restaurants.

Renaissance Weekend is comprised of hundreds of programs and shared meals in which participants with in-depth knowledge reflect off-the-record on a wide variety of current issues. Lively discussion by all participants is encouraged, and the tone is decidedly relaxed.

Each afternoon is set aside for recreation, including sports, relaxation, and exploring the Hudson River Valley.  

Program

Participants' program assignments are based on information provided on the Participant Profiles page of their online registration, which should be completed as early as possible. Please email the Renaissance Weekend team if changes have been made to your Participant Profile after your registration is confirmed and before we distribute the Tentative Program. 

In mid-September, the Tentative Program and other materials will be sent to each registered party's lead participant, who is asked to share them with other members of his/her party.

Registration opens on Friday, October 6th at 4:00 P.M. at the Tarrytown House Estate where participants pick up their materials and the Final Program, and check in separately with their hotel. Proctors and Moderators briefings meet between 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. The first program begins at 6:00 P.M. that evening at the Tarrytown House.

Early arrivals are invited to help with Registration and to notify the Renaissance Weekend staff of their availability. 

The program ends by 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 9th.

Meals

Conversation over meals is an important part of the Weekend, and all guests are expected to participate in the Common Meals. Only children under three are not charged for Common Meals.  Meals & Meeting Services Fees may not be reduced for early departures or absences from meals.

Sports & Recreational Activities

Most afternoons — from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. — are set aside for participants' personal and family recreation. 

Participants arriving after 7:00 P.M. on Friday or departing before 9:00 A.M. on Monday are requested to advise Renaissance Weekend staff.  The Tarrytown House Estate concierge can assist with any transportation needs.

Tarrytown is located 15 minutes from Westchester Airport (HPN),  27 miles from LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and 36 miles north of Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Tarrytown Estate is a 35-minute Metro North Railroad ride from New York’s Grand Central Terminal.

Drivers would enjoy the scenic drive along the Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson River.

Steeped in history dating back to the early 1800s, Tarrytown House Estate embodies elegance reminiscent of America’s Gilded Age. On 26 acres overlooking the Hudson, the property blends the old and the new: stately 19th-century mansions and modern meeting facilities.  Rooms starting at $249/night (not inclusive of taxes and fees) can be secured at the group rate by contacting  Jennifer Cancro (jcancro@tarrytownhouseestate.com).

The Sleepy Hollow Hotel is located 1 mile away (a 5 minute drive) from the Tarrytown House Estate.  Renaissance does not have a group block at this hotel, but they do have availability starting at $260/night.  Please note that Renaissance does not provide transportation to/from the principal meeting site (Tarrytown House Estate).

Feel free to secure your own accommodations nearby, but do let us know where you plan to stay during the R/W.

*Camp R/W will not be offered at the Autumn Weekend*

Camp Renaissance, Teens & College Students

Camp Renaissance is an active program tailored for children ages 3-12 — typically includes presentations by fascinating adult participants, hands-on experiments, indoor and outdoor games, nature walks, musical performances, story-telling, and arts-&-crafts projects. These activities are supervised by the Camp Renaissance Counselors, with involvement from adult Renaissance participants whose experiences are of interest to young people. Camp Renaissance runs concurrently with the adult program and does not provide full-time child care. 

Young people are welcome at all functions. Most teens and college students participate in the Weekend's scheduled program. In addition, they often have designated gathering places, assigned programs, and their own activities and discussions. Teens and college students are usually placed on panels related to their interests, as indicated on their Participant Profile.

College students integrate themselves into the scheduled program. Many form strong bonds and even lifetime friendships during evening social events and programs planned specifically for them.

Parents are expected to oversee their sons' and daughters’ comings and goings throughout the Weekend. Renaissance Institute and Renaissance Weekend, and its staff, assume no liability regarding children or teens.

There is no organized program or child care provided for children under the age of three. Younger children are welcome at Camp Renaissance programs when accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Participants should make arrangements for babysitters at least three weeks prior to arrival at the Weekend by phoning the Tarrytown House Estate Concierge for assistance. To maximize their enjoyment of the program, families with very young children are encouraged to bring a baby-sitter or au pair. Although there is no Registration Fee for babysitters/au pairs, they must register for meals at the children's rate, attend solely for child care, and, if practical, may assist periodically with Camp Renaissance. Baby-sitters/au pairs are free to attend programs and panel discussions designed specifically for Camp Renaissance participants.

Camp & Teens Programs are organized at all New Year's and most of the other Weekends.  On the rare occasions when there are few registrants in these age groups at the smaller Weekends, no such specific programs may be organized; and such young people, as always, are welcome at all sessions. Confirmation of Camp and Teens Programs, available six weeks before any Weekend, may be secured through info@RenWkd.org. 

Autumn is a spectacular time to be in the Hudson Valley. During this time, temperatures vary widely.  Check weather reports shortly in advance of the Weekend.

Dress is informal, resort casual, during the Weekend. Jeans are acceptable for day-time programs. Men typically wear jackets for dinners.

CANCELLATION POLICY

All Registration and Meals & Meeting Services Fees will be refunded — less a $250/party processing fee — for cancellations received by Renaissance Weekend in writing via e-mail, fax, or mail, sixty days in advance of the first night of the Weekend. No refund is available for cancellations communicated less than fourteen days in advance. Cancellations received in the intervening period are eligible for 50% refunds. For a one-time transfer of fees, however, payments can be applied towards any of the three immediately following Renaissance Weekends, subject to a $100/party transfer fee, if space remains and such notice is received.  No refund is available after a payment has been transferred and applied to a new Weekend.

Meals & Meeting Services Fees may not be reduced for absences from meals.

Lodging cancellations are handled directly by your hotel subject to its specific policies. Be sure also to advise Renaissance Weekend of cancellation.

Registration Fee

(Youth Registration Fee applies only to children or guests, ages 3-21, of invited adults.)

Meeting Services, Meals & Special Events Fee