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Beacon
Maybe the funkiest of the communities along the Hudson River, Beacon is home to innovative galleries, edgy shops, and eclectic eateries. And then, of course, there’s Dia Beacon, a sprawling modern art museum that’s among the best in the world.
Beacon
A city transformed by art
Two decades ago, the opening of a massive contemporary art museum called Dia Beacon helped this formerly downtrodden community get its groove back. Beacon reinvented itself as an artistic community complete with innovative galleries, funky shops, and excellent eateries. The evolution continues today, with several development projects already underway. The focus on art remains in full effect with the monthly Second Saturdays celebration.
Many creative folks call Beacon home, including a lot of newcomers who decamped from New York City. The housing stock here is surprisingly diverse, from suburban-looking ranches to gingerbread-trimmed Victorians. There are also new apartment complexes, several of which offer below-market-rate rentals for artists.
To experience and explore Beacon, spend a weekend here. There are a handful of boutique hotels, but the Roundhouse Beacon was the first on the scene and remains among the best.
Where to Get Your Bearings
There are numerous cafes where you can get acquainted with Beacon, and one of my personal favorites is Beacon Pantry. It not only has excellent food, but also a gourmet market and occasional cooking classes.
What Locals Recommend
If you like outdoor activities, the waterfalls at Madam Brett Park are a popular in-town destination. There are numerous other spots within an easy drive. The closest is Mount Beacon Park. When you reach the summit, you have a 360-degree view of the area that stretches from the Hudson Highlands to the Catskill Mountains.
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Honest Answers to Your
Beacon
FAQs
1. Find your favorite art gallery. Sure, Dia Beacon gets all the press, but there are so many galleries scattered across the village that locals treasure. Beacon Artists Union — most people call it the BAU — is a favorite. 2. Take in Mount Beacon. The six-mile loop trail up Mount Beacon is a rite of passage for many newcomers. Starting out is easy, as the trailhead for the challenging hike is right in the village. 3. Homes that fit your style. There’s an unusually wide range of single-family houses here, ranging from ornate Victorians to stately Colonials. There’s also plenty of ranch-style homes built much more recently.
Not surprisingly, art galleries are a big part of the social scene in Beacon. This is especially true for Second Saturday, when pretty much everyone in town wanders down to see what’s on display. But Beacon is hopping pretty much all the time, whether it’s people taking in live performances at spots like Quinn’s or sampling craft beers at Draught Industries or Hudson Valley Brewery. All these nighttime activities don’t seem to keep locals from climbing Mount Beacon the next morning.
The friendly folks behind the counter at Brett’s Hardware know what you need — sometimes even before you do. They will talk you through any home improvement project and let you know exactly what’s necessary to get the job done. With an excellent selection of locally brewed kombucha, Beacon Natural Market also has a bountiful selection of organic produce. We also like Barb’s Butchery (pasture-raised meats from local farms) and Beacon Pantry (cheese and charcuterie, including many sourced from the area). Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital is just across the river in Newburgh.
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