January 25, 2022

Here are 9 great things to do in Beacon — our lovely backyard.

#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. .

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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.

#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. 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!

#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.