Public guided tours of the island are available from May through October exclusively accessed by water, opt for either a passenger tour boat or kayak excursion. This fortress oddity is a remnant of the turn-of-the-20th-century business doings of Scotsman Frank Bannerman, who once stored his stock of ammunition and military surplus items in this elaborate 1901 'warehouse,' a replica of a Scottish castle (which partially burned down in a fire in the late ‘60s). Set amid the Hudson River just south of Beacon, Pollepel Island (aka Bannerman Island) comes steeped in history and legend, a site brimming with ancient Indian lore, Revolutionary War tales, and the decaying architecture of the towering Bannerman Castle. Opt to stay a while by booking a room at The Roundhouse hotel, touting an industrial-chic aesthetic in a reimagined former textile factory that looks out over the Fishkill Creek, at the foot of Beacon Falls there’s a restaurant on-site with patio seating overlooking the falls, and a fireplace-anchored lounge, too. Retail therapy awaits at shops like quirky gift and toy store Dream in Plastic, handcrafted body care shop Beacon Bath & Bubble, or vintage clothiers Blackbird Attic or Vintage: Beacon. For quicker grab-and-go bites, try locals’-favorite breakfast haunt Beacon Bagel, lip-smacking gluten-free bakery Ella’s Bellas, or indulgent ice cream joint Beacon Creamery. Refuel at one of Beacon's buzziest eateries like Homespun Foods (for hearty comfort food like vegetarian “meatloaf,” as well as an inviting backyard garden), Kitchen Sink Food & Drink (serving New American farm-to-table fare), Max’s on Main (for pub grub and a lively bar scene), or The Pandorica (a whimsical 'Doctor Who'-themed establishment). Here, we round up the top 12 things to do in Beacon so you can maximize your time in this happening Hudson Valley enclave.Ī stroll along Beacon's main drag-the roughly mile-long stretch of Main Street-reveals a slate of spots well worth dipping into to eat, drink, shop, and sleep. Happily, Beacon's artsy, industrial-chic, urban-grit aesthetic doesn’t forego ties to the superlative nature of the surrounding Hudson Highlands, with ample opportunities for nature enthusiasts, including a well-trafficked hiking trail leading up to the ever-looming Mount Beacon, right from the city enter.

Cultural hubs abound, too, with institutions like the world-class contemporary art museum at Dia: Beacon (oft credited with putting Beacon on the map when it opened back in 2003) and popular live music venue Towne Crier Cafe. Visit Dia: Beacon at 3 Beekman Street, Beacon, NY.This small riverfront town-set on the eastern banks of the Hudson River, just about 60 miles north of New York City-has undergone a significant metamorphosis in recent years, transforming from a down-on-its-luck old mill town into a coveted Hudson Valley address for the hip and artsy set.Ĭonnected to Manhattan by train via Metro-North, much of Beacon's hubbub unfolds along the eclectic eatery-, bar-, and boutique-lined Main Street. Dia is a constellation of sites, from the iconic permanent, site-specific artworks and installations in New York, the American West, and Germany to an exhibition program that has commissioned dozens of breakthrough projects. The museum offers art exhibitions, lectures, and talks, performances and web projects – programs of education and public engagement. To suggest the institution’s role in enabling such ambitions, they selected the name “Dia,” taken from the Greek word meaning “through.” breakthrough projects to the vast galleries of Dia: Beacon. Dia: Beacon is located on the banks of the majestic Hudson River in Beacon, NY in a former Nabisco box-printing factory and has helped to transform the city into a vibrant arts destination for visitors from the region, New York City, and beyond.ĭia was founded in New York City in 1974 by Philippa de Menil, Heiner Friedrich, and Helen Winkler to help artists achieve visionary projects that might not otherwise be realized because of scale or scope.

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