Beacon, a famous city located a few hours north of New York City, has been described as the ‘hippest’ town in Hudson Valley. This bubbling city has grown over the years from an ordinary dull community filled with working-class people to one teeming with businesses, tourists, and weekend getaway seekers. The Beacon landscape is beautiful and scenic with breathtaking views. With its Main Street set at the foot of the monumental Mt. Beacon, there is so much to see, do, and experience in this “hippy” city. From shopping at the highest quality shops to dining on the freshest meals at pristine farm-to-table restaurants, hiking up the mountains, or visiting the fantastic museums here, this city is sure to keep you engaged and entertained all through your stay. So if you are visiting this city, here are a few things to do in Beacon, New York that you must not miss.
1. Check out artworks at Dia: Beacon
One of the most favorite things about this city is the magnificent Dia: Beacon. This unique place is a place for all lovers of art to visit. The Dia Art Foundation in Beacon is housed in a former printing factory and has ample spaces for the exhibition of its art pieces. The lighting here is perfect, and the gallery showcases beautiful and monumental steel sculptures and installations. These amazing massive sculptures are displayed with several impressive collection pieces too. It is a grand art haven for all who visit the city.
Dia: Beacon
Address: 3 Beekman St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Dia: Beacon
Opening hours: Thu - Mon: 11am - 6pm (closed on Tue & Wed)
Price: 15 USD (general admission); 12 USD (discounted)
2. Tour the 18th-century Madam Brett Homestead Museum
Initially built in 1709, this Dutch-style house is a world-class attraction in Beacon. This old home is the most former house in Dutchess County and is kept in a good state by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Madam Brett homestead has now been converted into a museum with its entire 17 rooms well-preserved to be displayed to guests on private or group tours. On a tour of this fantastic building, you get to see original 18th-century architectural features, authentic Georgian and Victorian furnishings, 18th-century silverware and porcelain, textiles, and even original belongings of the first owners of this beautiful homestead.
Madam Brett Homestead Museum
Address: 50 Van Nydeck Ave, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Madam Brett Homestead Museum
3. Enjoy cheap shopping at Beacon Flea Market
Spring in Beacon comes with a shopping frenzy. With the crispy warm air come bright, beautiful flowers and the incredible Beacon Flea Market. This market is one of the best things about the city as spending time here is a fun and affordable way to shop. The market located right in the center of the town is filled with several fantastic stores selling a wide variety of items. You can find items ranging from vintage and antique pieces to beautiful handcrafted items, and ready-to-reuse items. The market is seasonal and usually opens in April, running weekly till around October. All the items on sale at the Beacon flea market are at unbeatable and affordable prices.
Beacon Flea Market
Address: 6 Henry St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Beacon Flea Market
Opening hours: Sun: 8am - 3pm
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Check out the Doctor Who-themed The Pandorica
Ordinary restaurants are good, but themed restaurants are much more fun. And located in downtown Beacon is the only Doctor Who-themed restaurant in all of Hudson Valley. You do not need a special occasion to mark your love for the TV series, Doctor Who. Just visit the Pandorica and enjoy a fantastic time dining while surrounded by decorations that reference your favorite show. From the Pandorica’s theme colors to its menu and even its food servings, you are turned into a “Whovian” at this attractive restaurant. With delicious cuisines on its list, you should give this fantastic restaurant a try on your visit to the city.
The Pandorica
Address: 165 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: The Pandorica
Opening hours: Sun - Mon: 12pm - 5:30pm; Wed - Sat: 12pm - 8:30pm (closed on Tue)
5. Visit the scenic Long Dock Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
One of the most famous landmark places in Beacon is the Scenic Long Dock Park. This former industrial and storage junkyard has been expertly converted into a fantastic waterfront park used for several fun-filled and commercial activities in the city. The Long Dock Park is home to some wildlife, attracting meadows, a plaza for exquisite waterfront dining, areas for having picnics, river gazing, dog walking and even a kayak pavilion for launching boats and kayaks. The beautiful and scenic River Hudson has a breathtaking view from this park, and the park also hosts educational activities and art exhibitions.
Long Dock Park
Address: 23 Long Dock Rd, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Long Dock Park
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
6. Enjoy live music at Towne Crier Café
A remarkable restaurant established in 1972, the Towne Crier Café is a Beacon landmark. This incredible restaurant is a place of live music ranging from blues to rock, Latino, pop, and jazz music. The Town eCrier Café has for years been a favorite destination for those who love to dine on some good quality food while being serenaded by enjoyable live music. It is an excellent place for lovers of live music and a good time-out spot.
Towne Crier Café
Address: 379 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Towne Crier Café
Opening hours: Sat: 10:30am - 10:30pm; Sun: 10:30am - 9:30pm; Wed - Thu: 4:30pm - 9:30pm; Fri: 10:30am - 10:30pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 11 - 30 USD
7. Admire the Bannerman's Castle
Another fantastic thing to do in this part of the country is taking a trip to the magnificent Bannerman’s Castle. The Bannerman’s Castle can be visited through a private tour to the Bannerman Island. This informative and entertaining tour will give you a chance to soak in the sights of the incredible castle from the Hudson River, and then you get to explore the ruins and the beautiful gardens of the castle. The scenery here is vibrant and picturesque; leaving you thoroughly enriched all and entertained after the trip. Check the website for their various tour packages.
Bannerman's Castle
Address: Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Bannerman’s Castle
Price: from 30 USD
8. See the contemporary art at Clutter Gallery
Beacon is an artistic community, and one of the best places to experience contemporary art is at the Clutter Gallery. Located on Beacon’s main street, this art gallery offers the highest quality artworks by experienced and upcoming artists alike. You get to explore, see, and admire impressive works of art in a very calm and serene atmosphere. Examining contemporary art at the Clutter Gallery is a must-do activity in Beacon for art lovers.
Clutter Gallery
Address: 163 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Clutter Gallery
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
9. Tour the exceptional Dennings Point Ruins
A place that once produced the millions of bricks that went into the building of iconic sites like the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center; Dennings Point is now a center of tourist attractions and exploration. This former manufacturing town is blessed with mind-blowing landscape and fantastic scenery. But nothing beats a tour of the exceptional Dennings Point Ruins. Dennings Point’s old buildings are still there, standing in their former glory, an incredible sight for all visitors of the great city.
Dennings Point Ruins
Address:210 Dennings Ave, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
10. Buy vintage clothing at American Gypsy Vintage
Be back open at 3 today! Closed at 7! Come shop ?
Posted by AmericanGypsyVintage on Monday, 17 April 2017
Beacon is home to some fantastic thrift stores where you find the most diverse collection of items. These thrift stores are all found in the American Gypsy vintage. Spend hours here, shopping for the most fabulous vintage clothing and items. This place is a must-visit for lovers of vintage clothing, biker pieces and ageless fashion items. The American Gypsy Vintage is easy to locate as it’s found right on Beacon’s ever-bubbling Main Street.
American Gypsy Vintage
Address: 263 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: American Gypsy Vintage
Opening hours: Thu - Mon: 1pm - 7pm (closed on Tue & Wed)
11. Visit The Abandoned Dutch Reform Church Cemetery
Reformed Church of Beacon Sinners, Hipsters & New Apartments Welcome!
Posted by Catello Somma on Thursday, 21 February 2019
The Dutch Reform Church has been in Beacon since the mid-eighties, and even till today, it is still operating. However, as pleasant as this church is, its main point of attraction lies in ghostly ruins behind it. The Dutch Reform Church has its old graveyard lying abandoned in a state of destruction that would leave you awestruck. These ancient vaults, once reserved for the elite in the society, have fallen apart spectacularly and visiting them can give you an amazing as well as a haunting experience.
Dutch Reform Church Cemetery
Address: 1113 Wolcott Ave Beacon, New York 12508
Website: Dutch Reform Church Cemetery
12. Check out glass art at Hudson Beach Glass
Located on the Main Street in Beacon, New York, Hudson Beach Glass is a studio of beautiful pieces of glass art. Having spent over 25 years in the industry of casting functional objects and sculptures with glass, this fantastic place also features a large glass blowing studio where visitors can observe how glass art is made. Enjoy checking out the glass artwork in different attractive shapes, colors, and sizes. Creativity at its peak is what is on display at the Hudson Beach Glass.
Hudson Beach Glass
Address: 162 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Hudson Beach Glass
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
13. Head to the Ruins of the Mount Beacon Incline Railway
Back when transportation wasn’t so easy to get, and automobiles were still a marvel to people, the Mount Beacon Incline railway was an impressive phenomenon. It was the steepest passenger funicular in the world and took people to iconic hotels on the very top of the valley. However, this railway is now even less than a shadow of its former self. It now lies in beautiful ruins right on top of the mountain that gives you a fantastic view of the landscape surrounding it.
Mount Beacon Incline Railway
Address: Beacon, New York 12508
Website: Mount Beacon Incline Railway
14. Hike the Mount Beacon
A prominent feature of this incredible city is the monumental Mount Beacon. This astonishing mountain standing at over 1600 feet (487.7 m) above sea level is a popular destination for hikers and lovers of outdoor fun. Climb up the hill using the stairs provided at strategic locations or do it the old school way – by following the trails and climbing the rocks. With so many benchmarks and places to stop, take pictures and enjoy the panoramic view of the landscape, taking a hike up Mt. Beacon is a fun and exciting thing to do when visiting the city.
Mount Beacon
Address: Fishkill, NY 12508, USA
15. Eat comfort food at Homespun Foods
If you are in Beacon on a visit or a time away from home and maybe you are starting to miss home, then you should visit the remarkable Homespun Foods. At Homespun Foods, you are offered several exciting and delicious options for meals made from fresh and high-quality produce. On top of that, all meals served here are homemade so you will feel right at home. You can enjoy the comforts of this top-quality restaurant while dining on the excellently prepared homemade dishes. It’s one of the top things to do in Beacon, New York.
Homespun Foods
Address: 232 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Homespun Foods
Opening hours: Sun - Tue: 8am - 5pm; Wed - Sat: 8am - 8pm
16. Drink and enjoy live music at Max's
What is a getaway or a vacation without good music and drinks? Your visit to the city of Beacon is not complete without indulging in cocktails and music in one of the fantastic bars in the country, Max’s. Max’s On Main is not just Beacon’s best bar, but also the oldest bar in the city. This lively brick-walled pub serves terrific comfort food, beers, and other alcoholic drinks and offers live music to its guests and customers. It is the best place to enjoy good quality live music and some good drinks. They have local and international beers, red wines, white wines, cocktails, and customized mixtures, etc.
Max's
Address: 246 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Max’s
Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 11:30am - 12am; Thu: 11:30am - 1am; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 2am
17. Enjoy organic food at Kitchen Sink Food and Drink
Voted in 2016 as the Best New Restaurant in Hudson Valley, this excellent restaurant is right in the heart of Beacon City. Kitchen Sink Food and Drink offers you an assorted mix of local and intercontinental cuisines made from the best and freshest materials available. The restaurant is an organic farm-to-table style of restaurant with all their ingredients sourced locally internally from their farm in Hyde Park, NY. With its seasonally updated menu and calm, relaxing environment, it is a great place to enjoy unique, organic dishes.
Kitchen Sink Food and Drink
Address: 157 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Kitchen Sink Food and Drink
Opening hours: Sat: 5pm - 10pm; Sun: 5pm - 8:30pm; Mon: 5pm - 9pm; Wed - Fri: 5pm - 9pm (closed on Tue)
18. Have some drinks at Denning’s Point Distillery
The beautiful city of Beacon boasts of being home to the powerhouse of one of the tastiest and most beautiful spirit, the Denning’s Point Distillery. Located in downtown Beacon, this extraordinary distillery showcases how the spirits are made from the highest quality grains while still allowing visitors to taste the delicious liquors produced here. Visitors on tour of this distillery are given complimentary shots of the spirits, while there is a small bar by the side of the main room where mixtures can be made.
Denning’s Point Distillery
Address: 10 N Chestnut St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Denning’s Point Distillery
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 2pm - 8pm; Sun: 2pm - 6pm (closed on Mon - Thu)
19. See a performance at The Beacon Theater
Posted by The Beacon Theatre on Thursday, 8 November 2018
One of the leading entertainment and live concert venues in New York, the Beacon Theater, is a historic place. This fantastic Greek-styled structure has an impressive architectural finish and interior design. With a capacity of almost 3,000 seats, the historic theater has been used for several significant events and concerts for years. It has also been used as a venue for award shows and special programs. With its intimate and reliable setting, the music performances here are naturally incredible. It is one of the great things to do in the city of Beacon.
The Beacon Theater
Address: 2124 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, USA
Website: The Beacon Theater
20. Admire the colonial architecture of Mount Gulian Historic Site
Posted by Mount Gulian Historic Site on Friday, 17 August 2018
Sitting majestically on Mt. Gulian, just a few minutes’ drives from New York, this incredible structure is a National Historic Landmark. The building is an 18th-century Dutch Manor house that has been reconstructed entirely. Come and marvel at the exquisite pre-colonial and colonial architecture on display all over the house. You can visit this historic site on your own or as a group. The tour guides here will always tell you about the history, and even some exciting stories attach to the objects here.
Mount Gulian Historic Site
Address: 145 Sterling St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Mount Gulian Historic Site
Opening hours: Sun, Wed - Fri: 1pm - 5pm
Price: 8 USD (adults); 6 USD (seniors); 4 USD (aged 6 -18); free for members
21. Admire the views from the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge
North by northwest.
Posted by Harry Spector on Tuesday, 25 June 2019
Popularly called the Hamilton Fish Bridge after a famous Icon, this toll bridge covers the Hudson River in New York City. This incredible bridge is a remarkable place to soak in the scenic views of the Hudson Valley. Its strategic location gives tourists on the deck a high vantage point to be treated to panoramic views of the picturesque areas around the bridge, including the magnificent Hudson River.
Newburgh-Beacon Bridge
Address: 4124 Route 84 E, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Newburgh-Beacon Bridge
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: 1.25 USD
22. Sample craft beers at Hudson Valley Brewery
It goes without a saying that Hudson Valley has one of the best brewery industries in the country. And one of its top breweries is none other than the Hudson Valley Brewery. This beautiful brewery is relatively new in the scene (established in 2017), but it has already gained ground as one of the most reliable places for premium craft beers. They create delicious sour beers which contain milk sugar, giving it its creamy taste. However, to get good samples, you might have to go quite early before the brewery even opens to avoid waiting on long queues.
Hudson Valley Brewery
Address: 7 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Hudson Valley Brewery
Opening hours: Sat: 12pm - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 8pm; Thu - Fri: 5pm - 10pm (closed on Mon - Wed)
23. Buy kid's toys at Dream in Plastic
If you have kids, you are not left out on things to do in this city. Dream in Plastic is a marvelous store of collectibles and art toys. The store offers an incredible mix of children, toys, designer art toys, housewares, accessories, vintage items, etc. You can find the most unexpected, modern, and unique gift for that special child here. Shopping for kids toys at Dream in Plastic is a great thing to do in the city. You won’t be disappointed!
Dream in Plastic
Address:177 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508, USA
Website: Dream in Plastic
Opening hours: Sat: 11am - 6pm; Sun - Mon: 11am - 6pm; Tue: 12pm - 6pm; Wed - Thu: 11am - 6pm; Fri: 11am - 7pm
Come and explore amazing Beacon
Beacon, an incredible city north of New York, can only be described as a hidden treasure on the Hudson. The things to do in Beacon, New York are exciting, educational, fun-filled, healthy and just too numerous to list. However, you can begin with any of the things we have listed above and start exploring amazing things in this beautiful city.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to