– WELCOME TO THE SCENIC HUDSON VALLEY –
BEACON, New York
Beacon is a true escape from the norm. Industrial, 19th century surroundings fill those first steps in town with awe, but as you explore the city’s every nook and cranny its beauty blossoms more and more.
A buzzing hub for New Yorkers all over, this small city has earned its reputation as America’s “Coolest Small Town,” according to Budget Travel. Beacon boasts a long history of manufacturing and artistry, a history that continues to echo in locations like Dia:Beacon and The Roundhouse, a fine dining restaurant housed in a former factory and machine shop.
These days, the area feels both inviting and hip. On weekends, visitors flock to the shops, eateries, and museums in town, packing the streets to see why the city thrives as a dining destination and art lover’s paradise.
Beacon is ever changing, always exciting and a truly cool place to see. At River Ridge, this is all at your doorstep.
Life in Beacon
It’s a beautiful day to stroll through Beacon’s Main Street, with its small-town shops and eateries clustered along for quick stops and window shopping. Be sure to catch the local farmers’ market and bring home a harvest of fresh produce and artisanal wares. Rejuvenate with a yoga class or stop at an independent bookstore for leisurely reading. Take the kids on a stroll through Dennings Point Trail. Enjoy the contemporary art housed at Dia:Beacon. Here in Beacon, life is what you choose to make it.
Fine & Casual Dining
Citydwellers make pilgrimages to Beacon for a number of reasons, and food is right at the top of that list. Beacon is praised for its community of makers and foodie artisans like Zora Dora’s Microbatch Ice Cream, Hudson Valley Brewery, and the irresistible Glazed Over Donuts. A wide range of flavors is represented on Main Street, from the Mediterranean offerings of Ziatun to the farm-to-table fare of Kitchen Sink and more. Wine bars, pubs, and cocktail aficionados sit at almost every corner, so a night out in town is never dull.
But what is a dining destination without its finest establishments? The Roundhouse, flaunting a jaw-dropping waterfall view from its dining room, is a crown jewel of the city. Or grab a seat at The Vault, a stylish but more relaxed atmosphere housed in a historical bank building.
Photo by Marjori Tarter
Art & Culture
Dia:Beacon, near the waterfront, has earned national fame as a contemporary arts museum. It’s name is well known to New Yorkers from far and wide, and is almost always included on an itinerary for first-time visitors. Numerous indie art galleries are spread across Beacon’s Main Street for quick stops as you stroll through town. And Storm King Art Center, a breathtaking outdoor sculpture park, is within driving distance of town. Beacon also boasts a thriving music scene. From Quinn’s to the Town Crier Café, you can catch live shows from local artists across a variety of genres, typically folk, punk, bluegrass, and rock.
The Beautiful Outdoors
As is essential for any Hudson Valley hotspot, Beacon is rife with opportunities to take in the natural beauty of New York. Whether you’re hiking Mount Beacon or picnicking at the riverfront, fresh air and bathing sunlight abound around town.
Aside from Mount Beacon, head a short drive south toward Cold Spring for even more hiking trails of varying difficulties. Or, spend your summer days kayaking on the Hudson River from Beacon’s Long Dock Park.
Photos by Hector Diaz