Beacon is one of those Hudson Valley towns that totally transformed itself inside of a decade. It's hard to imagine that any town overlooking the Hudson, with a metro north stop and gorgeous retro-industrial architecture, was ever anything other than chic. But it was pretty dodgy until artists recognized it's potential for affordable live/work loft space in the late 90's, and started opening galleries in the early 00's. Now it's adorned with antique shops, coffee houses, restaurants and all sorts of handmade crafteries!
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See
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| 3 Beekman Street |
Dia Museum Beacon
3 Beekman Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Most emblematic of Beacon today - The Dia. Opened in 2003, it occupies 300,000 square feet of what was once a Nabisco factory. The exhibitions tend to be severely modern, so go with an open mind.
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| 477 Main Street |
Howland Cultural Center
477 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
The Howland cultural center, on the far end of town, hosts live music, dance, art, and everything in between. Day to day, Howland functions much like a community center. They have a bridge club, open jam sessions for fiddlers, and storytelling for kids. Open to the public Thursday-Sunday 1-5pm.
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| 183 Main Street |
School of Jellyfish
183 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Rather then dishonor them with my own words, here is what School of Jellyfish says about themselves! "Center for the advancement of sustainable living and renewable energy through: architecture, design, performing arts and chocolate" They have first saturday and first sunday workshops, second saturday events and a cafe serving free trade coffee and chocolate.
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| 510 Main Street |
Open Space
510 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
This studio/gallery focuses on "subculture contemporary art" so expect to see lots of graffiti influenced/urban, comic book and pop art. Mondays, tuesdays, thursdays and the 2nd saturday of every month you can browse through from noon -5pm. Weekends are by appointment.
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| 8 Long Dock Road |
Long Dock Park
8 Long Dock Rd.
Beacon, NY 12508
Even the parks in Beacon are works of art! The kayak pavilion (above) belongs on the cover of Architectural Digest. The tip of the dock is actually an instillation piece, semi-submerged depending on the tide, called "Beacon Point". Locals bring their dogs, tourists bring their cameras. You can launch a boat, eat your lunch, or check out the Red Barn which serves as the arts and environmental education hub for Scenic Hudson.
Bannerman's Castle
Hudson River Adventures
Beacon Landing
Beacon, NY 12508
When the weather inspires, skip the Dia and go on Hudson River Adventure's tour of Bannerman's Castle. For $30 you get a boat ride, a substantial tour of the island plus some of the Castle, and a history lesson your wont forget. Start to finish, it takes over two hours. Use the loo before you board, wear comfy shoes and charge your cameras.
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Eat
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| 2 E. Main Street |
Swift Restaurant at The Roundhouse
2 E. Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
The perfect brunch spot, serving everything from pancakes to steak tartar. Located inside the Roundhouse, a boutique hotel and event space overlooking the falls. You're going to want to sit and savor, not eat and run.
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| 448 Main Street |
Dim Sum Vault
448 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
The Vault serves up legitimate dim sum, alongside a classic Chinese menu. Go for the chicken lettuce wraps and build your own noodle soups.
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| 516 Main Street |
Sukothai
516 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Cozy, neighborhood Thai place, located at the bottom of Main Street. Serves lunch and dinner.
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| 232 Main Street |
Homespun Foods
232 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Foodtopia! Homespun serves an inventive and delicious breakfast/lunch menu, in addition to selling cheese and other specialty foods (olives, peppers, granola), and an array of in-house baked goods. Breakfast burritos, baked french toast, tempeh banh mi, and brisket on a biscuit. This place ticks all my boxes.
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| 128 Main Street |
Bank Sq.
128 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Bank Sq. is an old school, pre-starbucksian style coffee house, with a lengthy hot beverage menu and living room style decor. Expect to see a sea of Macbooks and hear Jeff Buckley on the stereo.
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| 184 Main Street |
Poppy's Burger Joint
184 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12498
A farm to table burger joint, serving local grass fed beef, homemade veggie burgers and hand-cut fries. Wash it all down with a mirco brew.
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| 2 Beekman Street |
River Terrace Restaurant
2 Beekman Street
Beacon, NY 12508
A swell way to end the day or wait for your train. Enjoy a drink or three from the deck. Stay for the sunset, not for the food.
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| 458 Main Street |
The Hop
458 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Should you choose to stick around, after a sight filled day in Beacon, go claim your prize at The Hop. A craft beer tasting room with growlers to go and delicious, locally honed food, just near the end of Main Street.
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Shop
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| 25 East Main Street |
Vintage Beacon
25 East Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Super sweet vintage boutique, on the other side of the falls.
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| 442 Main Street |
Blackbird Attic
442 Main Street
Beacon, NY
A healthy mix of vintage and modern, another boutique worth your attention.
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| 440 Main Street |
Dickinson's Antiques
440 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Dickinson's has some great finds, especially if you are looking for larger pieces and not tchotchkes.
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| 444 Main Street |
Morphicism
444 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Morphicism is a photography supermarket.
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| 155 Main Street |
Global Home
155 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
An emporium of imported goodies for the home. The owners blend their two passions - travel and interior design. If nothing else, go for the inspiration.
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| 133 Main Street |
Clay Cotton and Wood
133 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Try to imagine a world made of yarn.
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| 412 Main Street |
Alms and Terra
412 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
Quirky, mid century, vanguard, oh my.
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| 162 Main Street |
Hudson Beach Glass
162 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508
This sui generis little shop sells hand blown glass everything, from practical to pretty. For $30 and an appointment, you can blow your own holiday ornament.
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