9 Fun Things to Do in Beacon, NY
We (heart) Beacon, New York. Why? Our HQ is located along Main Street in downtown Beacon! Here are 9 great things to do in Beacon—our lovely backyard.
Looking for more things to do, ways to keep safe, and more? Work with a local to plan your trip. You’ll get all the latest info about life upstate—plus, tips on how to avoid the crowd. Learn more.
#1: Get artsy at Dia: Beacon
Since opening in 2003, Dia: Beacon has become an anchor for Beacon’s art scene. This jaw-dropping 300,000-foot art museum was once a Nabisco factory. Today, it features some of the art world’s biggest names.
Visiting the museum is definitely one of the top things to do in upstate New York. You could spend an entire afternoon wandering from enormous room to enormous room. Psst—locals say you shouldn’t miss out on the basement. Here, you’ll find a fantastic permanent collection of Richard Serra’s gigantic sculptures.
Local tip: Closed during the pandemic, Dia opened to visitors on August 7th, 2020.
#2: Plan an adventure to Bannerman Castle
Locals tell us that you’re more likely to run into ghosts than people at Bannerman Castle. At least, according to local lore! This former military surplus warehouse looms spookily over the Hudson River.
Haunted or not, seeing this unique spot is a cool thing to do in upstate New York. Located on Poppel Island—and just south of Beacon—visiting the Castle is an adventure.
Locals tell us you have a couple of options for how to get there. You can rent a boat or sign up for a tour. Some locals suggest renting a kayak or canoe—it’s a cool way to explore the Hudson River, and Bannerman Castle itself.
#3: Raise a glass of local craft beer
Beacon may be a small town, but it has a thriving craft beer scene. Locals rave about the choices here!
An easy favorite is Hudson Valley Brewing—especially if you like sour beers—but you can take your pick from a couple of different places in town. Industrial Arts and Draught Industry also rank highly among Beacon locals.
Rules and regulations have changed a lot over the last couple of weeks. Some places in Beacon offer curbside pick-up only. For up-to-date information on how to best enjoy Beacon’s beers, connect with someone who lives there! Our locals upstate can help design a trip that includes the latest pandemic policies.
Local tip: Love the sound of craft brews? Many of the coolest things to do in nearby New Paltz involve exploring the town’s great brewery and winery scene.
#4: Hike up to the Mount Beacon Fire Tower
For a simply spectacular view, lace up your hiking boots and head for the hills. Specifically, to the fire tower on Mount Beacon! From here—on a clear day—locals upstate rave that you can see as far south as Manhattan, and as far north as Albany.
As you climb up, don’t miss out on the fascinating ruins of the Mount Beacon funicular. It was once the steepest in the world.
Local tip: You don’t have to hike all the way to the fire tower (although the view is really fantastic). Get some local advice about which trails to hit if you’re looking for a less strenuous hike.
#5: Shop along Main Street
If your perfect weekend getaway from NYC includes shopping, then you’re in luck! Beacon’s beautiful Main Street is packed with cute boutiques and stores.
Locals tell us you’ll find lovely jewelry stores, art galleries, clothing boutiques, and more. Hudson Beach Glass is one local favorite—we love the glass pumpkins—but you could spend an entire afternoon shopping around.
Much has changed in the past few months. Benefit from some local advice when it comes to store hours, outdoor dining possibilities, and new policies like curbside pick-up.
#6: Indulge at Denning’s Point Distillery
Maybe beer is not your thing. Maybe you’re just looking for a unique gift. Maybe you’re looking for whiskey to bring to your cabin rental upstate. No matter what, Denning’s Point Distillery is a fun stop in Beacon.
Voted the Best Hudson Valley Distillery for *three years* in a row, whiskey lovers will delight in Denning’s Point. Locals tell us that the Distillery reopened in June. So, grab a seat in the sunlight and indulge in a weekend whiskey tasting!
#7: Bask in the beautiful Beacon outdoors
Of course, being outdoors is one of the best things to do upstate. And locals reassure us that Beacon offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature.
Where you go depends on your travel style. Locals tell us that 5.2 mile Fishkill Ridge Loop is great for bird-watching or a moderate work-out, whereas Long Dock Park is perfect for chilling out, paddle-boarding, and enjoying stunning Hudson River views.
#8: Grab a delicious local meal
After all that hiking, shopping, and drinking, you’re going to want to grab a meal. Beacon has an incredible food scene!
Locals tell us that you’ll have a wide variety of restaurants to choose from. Looking for whimsey? Hit up the Dr. Who themed Pandorica. Maybe you’d prefer a selection of craft brews. Then Dogwood is a good choice! Locals can help plan a trip that fits your travel style, where to eat—and the latest pandemic policies.
#9: Create your own adventure in Beacon
What you do in Beacon depends on your travel style! Maybe you’ll prioritize art, hiking, breweries—or all of the above.
Benefit from local advice. Our trip planners upstate can help design a custom trip just for you. They’ll offer up-to-date safety information for upstate, as well as local insights about restaurant hours and store policies. With their help, you can have a safe trip to Beacon—and avoid the crowds!
Find a local to plan your trip to Beacon.
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