BEACON

Beacon is considered a favorite for a getaway by New Yorkers and Big Apple tourists alike. On its two-kilometer-long Main Street, art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, delicatessens, antique and book stores are lined up, only interrupted by street cafes and ice cream parlors — a small-scale contrast to the consumer world of Fifth Avenue.
— Hannah Glaser, Die Welt (Germany)

DAY 1 (arrival mid-day)

Arrive via the Metro-North train station in Beacon. There is always a steady stream of taxis at the station, and it is a popular spot for rideshare dropoffs and pickups. Of course, Main Street is a very short walk away. 

Long Dock Park offers great views of the Hudson River and the distant Hudson Highlands. Kayak rentals are available through Hudson River Expeditions if you’d like to explore the river by watercraft. It also connects to the Dennings Point trail for travelers that like to get their trips started with a little fresh air. 

The largest jewel in the Dutchess County art crown is Dia Beacon, a sprawling former Nabisco box-printing plant, one of the largest exhibition spaces in the U.S. for contemporary art. Its permanent collection contains works by Richard Serra, Sol Lewitt, Dan Flavin, Louise Bourgeois and others. Bask in the natural light from 34,000 square feet of skylights illuminating the galleries and wander through the gardens on the banks of the Hudson River. It’s also just a 10-minute walk from the Beacon Metro-North station and the Hudson River waterfront. 

Heading up to Main Street from the train station, visitors are greeted by a giant work of art from Ron English dubbing Beacon “Heaven on the Hudson”. This piece adorns the exterior of Bank Sq. Coffeehouse, a Beacon institution that serves a host of caffeinated concoctions plus Hudson Valley craft beer and cider on tap. Grab your drink of choice for a moment on the patio before continuing onto Main Street. 

Before dinner, pop into a few shops and galleries lining the west end of Main. PLAY is a great spot for gag gifts and toys for grownups, while Zakka Joy stocks stunning stationery, handbags, plushies and more. Marion Royael Gallery features an immersive outdoor installation as well as plenty of works from local and nationally recognized artists. 

Dine at Kitchen Sink Supper Club for a unique tasting menu experience. Chef Brian Arnoff and his team work with Hudson Valley farms to source fresh, seasonal ingredients for a creative menu that changes entirely every few weeks. Themes pay homage to different cultures and culinary figures, like spring 2024’s tribute to Anthony Bourdain’s favorite dishes.

After your palate has gone on a journey, catch live jazz at Reserva wine bar a few steps away. This atmospheric mid-century modern space features a robust menu of small Brazilian bites and story-driven wines from underrepresented wine-producing regions (think South Africa, Israel, Brazil, etc.). Quinn’s also has plenty in store for fans of jazz, alongside casual Asian-fusion cuisine and an elevated dive-bar aesthetic. If you’re still hungry, the pork bao buns and takoyaki are not to be missed.

For a nightcap, head to Happy Valley Arcade Bar for a charming outdoor space and vintage arcade games like NBA Jam and Dance Dance Revolution.

DAY 2

Start your morning right with artisanal coffee, as local roasters Trax and Big Mouth Coffee Roasters provide seriously good sips. Beacon Coffee Co. & Mercantile is for latte lovers seeking bold flavors; it sports 19 brewing methods and vintage equipment like Italian Victoria Arduino steam-piston lever machines, plus flavors ranging from pistachio and Hidcoda blue to bourbon barrel cortados. 

Pre-hike, you’ll want a breakfast on-the-go. Beacon Daily breakfast sandwiches on house-made English muffins are a local staple and run the gamut from classic egg and cheese to loaded lox, fried chicken and more. It’s also very close to the start of the Mount Beacon trailhead.

Climb Mount Beacon to reach summits of 1,500 feet above sea level. Unlock views of Beacon, the Hudson River and the surrounding Hudson Highlands. Plus, extend the hike to a nearby firetower for even more panoramic vistas and, on really clear days, a view of New York City and Albany. 

*Note, this hike may be steep and rigorous for some visitors. For a beginner-friendly trail, try Madam Brett Park for a beautiful waterfall. Experience the crossroads of stunning natural beauty and history via this short boardwalk trail, which brushes past the historic 1879 Tioranda Hatworks and native wildlife in Beacon.

Cool down with a short stroll to lunch on Main Street. Kitchen + Coffee has light vegan fare sure to satisfy: their BBQ pulled jackfruit bowl is a must-try. Hudson Valley Food Hall gives diners multiple spots to choose from spanning culinary traditions, while Meyer's Olde Dutch brings the classic burger joint into the 21st Century.

Bringing something home from a getaway makes that vacation feeling last just a little bit longer. Beacon is perfect for a day of browsing — you’ll find everything from artisan wearables at Hyperbole to outdoor supplies at Mountain Top Outfitters, women’s and men’s fashion at KAIGHT, hand-made products at Solstad House and imported kitchenwares at Little King. At Hudson Beach Glass, beautiful artisan glassware is made and sold in a renovated, historic firehouse-turned-shop. Music fans rejoice! Gather vinyl records at Hudson Valley Vinyl, Jake’s Main Street Music and The Vinyl Room—which doubles as a cocktail bar and nighttime hotspot with live DJ sets. For a sweet souvenir, head to Hudson Valley Marshmallow Co., HÅKAN Chocolatier or Alps Sweet Shop.

Try a beer made right in town. Beacon boasts FOUR breweries of its own:  Two Way Brewing Co., Industrial Arts Brewing Company, Pillow and Oats and Hudson Valley Brewery, which recently debuted a stunning renovated space to match their vibrantly colored sour IPAs.

Dinner options represent a diverse community of culinarians: authentic Nepalese staples at Momo Valley, modern Thai dishes at Sukhothai, Old-World Italian eats at Amacord, crowdpleasing tacos and empanadas at Tito Santana Taqueria, Japanese specialties at Asahi Poke & Tea, Mediterranean mezze and more at Ziatun, Nicaraguan food at El Nica, creative twists at Tara’s Indian Fusion and the list goes on. You can even get a full English breakfast for dinner at Moreish.

Check the Howland Cultural Center’s calendar for a slew of special events in music, theater, dance, poetry, fine arts and more. From blues, folk and jazz to rock and bluegrass musicians, there’s no telling who’ll take the stage at the legendary Towne Crier Café. Carter's becomes a lively spot for music and dancing after hours, while travelers looking for a lower-key evening may opt for a cocktail at Wonderbar before a screening at The Beacon, a refurbished historic movie theater.

DAY 3

A major Sunday tradition in Beacon is donuts. Design your own colorful confection at Glazed Over Donuts or try one of the many standouts at the all-vegan Peaceful Provisions. Beacon Bread Co. provides visitors with a beautiful bevy of brunch options.

Another Sunday staple is the markets. Don’t miss The Beacon Farmers Market for a massive assortment of local produce and specialties like baked goods, canned cocktails, cured meats and much more. Explore a variety of vendors selling old, antique and vintage merchandise at the Beacon Flea Market, also open on fairweather Sundays. 

Matcha Thomas makes masterful matcha lattes, boba teas and hojicha. Elixxr Cafe similarly stuns with adaptogenic wellness beverages that come in all sorts of colors (think bright purple lavender lattes and blue spirulina-infused drinks). Sample a tasting of artisanal spirits from locally sourced grains and fruits at Denning’s Point Distillery, whose products make for amazing gifts.

Get your daily dose of history. Step back in time to the earliest days of the Hudson Valley at Mount Gulian Historic Site. The site served as Revolutionary War headquarters of Major General Friedrich Von Steuben, whose European training methods were vital to George Washington’s inexperienced soldiers. Von Steuben helped form America’s first fraternal veterans’ organization, the Society of the Cincinnati, in 1783. Read excerpts of the journal kept by James F. Brown, who was born into slavery in Maryland, escaped to freedom and worked as a free man for the Verplancks as Mount Gulian’s head gardener and property manager.

Take a ride out to Bannerman Castle in the middle of the Hudson River. Discover the ruins of this Scottish-style castle on the Hudson River which was built in the early 1900s by Francis “Frank” Bannerman VI to store military surplus items. Only accessible by boat or kayak from Beacon, Pollepel Island and the castle, residence and restored gardens on it can be explored by reserving your spot on limited guided walking tours. Special events and exhibits, movie nights, lectures and performances both musical and theatrical offer a unique and memorable experience with amazing views of the Hudson Highlands. 

Enjoy a handmade cone of ice cream at Beacon Creamery or a frozen paleta from Zora Dora before heading back on the next MTA train.