Beacon NY is a quiet yet bold town in the Hudson River Valley filled with art, culture, and music. Just about 60 miles north from home in New York City, I can’t believe I’ve never heard about this place until recently. A work friend raved about its scenic view: mountains, lakes, trees, and ahh…fresh air. I had to go. Over Labor Day weekend, I went for a 32-hour trip there.
The getaway may have been quick, but I came home with a refreshed mindset inspired by the sights and sounds of Beacon. Read on for the best of Beacon, NY and my five surprising takeaways.
Why Is Beacon NY so popular?
Beacon NY is a short trip from Manhattan and is filled with fun things to do. This spot in the Hudson River Valley has the best of contemporary art (more on Dia:Beacon in a sec), restaurants that serve comfort food, unique boutiques that sell vintage clothing and furniture, live music, and an old world charm that makes you feel like you’ve rewinded back in time.
The Best of Beacon NY: 5 Surprising Takeaways
1. The Value of Time
As a New Yorker, it feels like time is constantly slipping away because of how fast-paced life is here. It still shocks me how the days just fly by during the week and suddenly, another month, season, and year has come and gone. Although there’s technically no way to slow down time, you can savor every moment.
Beacon reminded me to spend time with intention. I left on a Saturday morning and caught an 8:45am train on the Metro-North from Grand Central to Beacon.
It took just 97 minutes to get there and I was amazed by how the trip felt like three or four days (when it was a day and a half). There’s just so much to explore there.
2. At Dia:Beacon, Art Knows No Bounds
Dia:Beacon is a contemporary art museum featuring works from the 1960s to present day. The nearly 300,000-square-foot space which was once a Nabisco box printing factory features pieces from cardboard sculptures by Charlotte Posenenske (Work in Progress) and canvases by Andy Warhol (Shadows).
Then, there are light installations by Dan Flavin (Untitled, monument, and more) and literally a Map of Broken Glass (Atlantis) by Robert Smithson.
From a glance, many of these works look like simple objects. Something that may appear easy to make. But was it, really? Looking closely, each imperfect edge of the shattered piece of said glass or fluorescent tube of light offers a thought-provoking metaphor to a meaning greater than its physical appearance.
3. The Pros of a Digital Detox
My phone wasn’t completely off, but for the most part, it was securely tucked away in the pocket of my bag. My screen time was significantly less than usual because the scenery was just too beautiful not to pay attention to.
Also, the service was pretty bad (which didn’t help with getting rides on Uber or Lyft!). Good thing Beacon is pretty walkable, and I had comfy mules on.
My phone was mostly used just to look up how far one place was to another around Beacon. I brought an extra battery pack with me and surprisingly didn’t need to take it out at all. It felt nice to disconnect for a bit. A digital detox is a good exercise to try. It can start with small steps, like setting a limit to your iPhone use with the Screen Time setting.
4. The Blues Aren’t So Bad
On Saturday night, I came across the Towne Crier Cafe while looking up restaurants on Main Street. The place sounded interesting since there was a live performance that night, so why not?
I don’t usually listen to the blues, but really enjoyed the music. Each singer performed with so much passion and genuinely seemed like they were having the time of their lives on stage. The diversity of each band member’s age, ethnicity, and expertise in instruments (harmonica, bass, piano, guitar, and drums) brought the performance to life.
They had a music stand with pages of sheet music but none of them looked at the written notes. The chords, the lyrics, pretty much the whole thing seemed to be memorized. It made me wonder about how many hours of practice was put into each song.
I imagine after playing it over and over it again, it’s only then that they could trust themselves to let go, be free, sing, and fully play from the heart.
5. The view from Mount Beacon
The best of Beacon wouldn’t be complete without mentioning its hiking trails. You’ll see tourists dressed in workout wear, sneakers, and wooden sticks in hand, ready to hit the dirt road ahead. Among the most well-known attractions in the area is Mount Beacon.
At first, it was a breeze taking a stroll amongst the trees with the sun shining and the birds chirping. I was surrounded by other hikers, walking and talking casually, so it lessened my fear and distracted me of the possibility of falling off a cliff (I’ve heard stories 😱).
A few minutes in, the road was increasingly rocky and the climb was steep. Finally, after trekking through and taking a few breaks in-between, I made it to the top of the mountain.
The rich blues and greens of the sky and trees looked like an oil painting. The houses and even the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge was minuscule from where I stood.
Sometimes, a change of scenery is all you need to reinvigorate your appreciation for things, like the simplicity of nature.
Is Beacon NY Worth Visiting?
In my opinion, yes! Beacon NY is such a unique place with plenty to do. Whether you’re visiting for a day trip or longer, this quaint spot is worth visiting. From the arts, food, sightseeing, and shopping, there’s so much opportunity for your next adventure.
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