Ossining town and village are virtually one diverse community built on rolling hills overlooking the Hudson River-even most residents are unable to distinguish the boundary between the two. It was named Ossining in 1901 after a boycott of prison-made goods hurt businesses in the town.

Still the site of Sing Sing Prison, Ossining boasts a Crescent on Main Street (unfortunately partially destroyed by fire) that has been a business center since right after the Revolutionary War. A stroll through the center of town, which includes four magnificent churches, several former grand banks and the remarkable Squire House, is a travel back in time, with glimpses of the Hudson and its beautiful western banks.

Nature lovers should not miss Teatown Lake Reservation, with its miles of hiking trails, Wildflower Island, exhibitions and educational programs. Skating on the lake in winter is a favorite past time.

The Old Croton Aqueduct is a strong feature in the community, allowing hikers to traverse the entire municipality, catching views of remarkable old houses, the famed "double arch," or pause for a great meal at one of the outstanding restaurants - or visit the Farmers' Market on Summer and Fall Saturday mornings.

Only in Ossining can visitors enter the Aqueduct itself, through the Weir Chamber, on one of the occasional guided tours to inspect the brick conduit which carried water to New York City.

Nearby, at the Ossining Visitor's Center is a life-size replica of the Aqueduct as well as replicas of Sing Sing Prison cells and the old electric chair.

Further exploration will provide visitors with discoveries such as Sparta Cemetery, the Jug Tavern, Maryknoll, the Brandreth Pill Factory, some splendid architectural examples of times gone by, and historic milestones. They may even hear memories of John Cheever, Peter Falk's childhood, Howard da Silva, a visit from Alexis de Tocqueville, and U.S. President Chester Arthur's summer home.

Ossining Historical Society Museum - Listed on the National Register as "The Richard Austin House," the museum contains 19th and 20th century decorative arts, costumes and Native American artifacts, plus a Victorian dollhouse. An oil painting of "View of Croton Point," by former Ossining resident Robert Havell, engraver for James Audubon, is, alone, worth the trip. Often, another Ossining treasure, Historian Roberta Arminio can be found at work upstairs. The museum features both permanent and rotating exhibits and often sponsors appropriate lectures at the Ossining Library. Open 2 - 4 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, and by appointment. 196 Croton Avenue. (914) 941-0001. http://home.att.net/~ohsm/index.htm

Jug Tavern and Sparta - An even earlier community than Ossining, and now included in its boundaries, Sparta is a National Register Historic District. The Jug Tavern is often considered the oldest building in the area, and is the headquarters for monthly walking tours of the distinctive hamlet. Revolutionary Road. (914) 941-2877 or (914) 762-0295. http://www.jugtavern.org

Sparta Cemetery - An easy walk from Jug Tavern, Sparta Cemetery is ideal for browsing with its quaint headstones and opportunities for fantasizing about legends. With only a little familiarity with Ossining history one can recognize the ghosts of newspaper publishers, former slaves, Union soldiers and the legendary "Leatherman." Revolutionary Road and Route 9.

Maryknoll Center - world headquarters for the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America since the 1920s. Almost a community, with its own zip code, in itself. Maryknoll is considered the largest structure with an oriental-motif in the country - one of the building's distinctive towers, with its Chinese pagoda-style roof, has become a familiar image to millions of people throughout the world. Through the years, thousands of the Missionary Society's supporters have visited the Ossining center. An exhibition of missionaries' memorabilia was opened in June, 2000. Somerstown Road. (914) 941-7590.

Sing Sing Correctional Facility - In 1825 construction of the prison was initiated. It was considered an ideal location because local stone, or "Sing Sing marble" could be quarried and used in the building; it was close to water transportation and accessible to New York City. Plans are being made to open an interpretive center, near the prison, for visitors.

Old Croton Aqueduct State Park - Ossining is the only place where visitors may actually enter the aqueduct, through the Weir Chamber, used to spill off waste water during floods. Tours are arranged occasionally -- watch the Calendar of Events. There is access to the Aqueduct off Main Street, at Nelson and Gerlach Parks, and a small parking area just south-west of Dominican Sisters of Hope on North Highland Avenue. When the Aqueduct crosses Beach Road hikers may detour to the west to the Crawbuckie Nature Preserve, a 12-acre loop down to the railroad tracks. The Aqueduct is owned and managed by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and offers a scenic walk from northern Westchester County to New York City. The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct have published an award-winning map detailing the route of the trail and attractions along the way. It is available, for $4.50, in Ossining from the Ossining Heritage Center, or by calling 693-4117. http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/nysparks/parks.cgi?p+80

"Crossining" - The pedestrian bridge which parallels the automobile bridge over Route 9 between Ossining and Croton, was whimsically named "Crossining" by Ossining's Supervisor during the opening celebration in 1999. It provides wonderful views of the brackish Croton River as it flows through marshlands to the Hudson, with a few interpretive signs posted along the way.

Louis Engel Waterfront Park - The 3.5 acre park, just south of the Ossining train station offers beautiful views of the river, Croton Point and some glimpses of Sing Sing prison. A plaque recalls Alexis de Tocqueville's visit in the 1800s. A number of festivals and concerts are held in the park and nearby during the warmer months - watch the Calendar of Events. (914) 941-3189.

Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway - A 12-mile hiking trail that runs from Maryknoll in Ossining to the Blue Mountain Reservation in Peekskill. There are several recreational areas along the way, and recent improvements have made it a popular destination. (914) 593-PARK.

Shopping
* The Art Barn, 211 N. Highland Ave., (914) 762-5300
* Bob's Army & Navy Sports Center, 159 Main St., (914) 762-8900
* Corpo Bello, 125 Main St., (914) 923-0200
* Creazzi! Upholstery, 125 Main St., (914) 923-1938
* Laur-Lee Sports, 175 Main St., (914) 941-4018
* Melita's Home Furnishings, 125 Main St., (914) 923-0351
* New York Sports, Main St., (914) 944-3100
* Trio's Jewelry Store, 125 Main St., (914) 762-8470