Kathryn & Michele
Things To Do
Fishkill Overlook Falls
Fishkill Overlook Falls, right in town along Fishkill Creek which runs through town.
Dia Beacon
Quirky but fun industrial art space highlighting contemporary art from the 60’s and 70’s; housed in an old Nabisco box factory, basked in natural light from skylights, with gardens along the banks of the Hudson- right in town. 3 Beekman Street.
Hudson Beach Glass Inc
This is a glass blowing studio, gallery and casting functional and sculptural glass works. See the studio, often times actual glass blowing can be observed.
Main Street
Stroll Main street and adjoining side streets. Boutiques, vintage clothing stores, ice cream, toy stores, antiques, book stores, you name it, the classic Beacon movie theater. There are a few Breweries in town (Hudson Valley Brewery, Two Way Brewing) as well as a wide choice of eating and drinking establishments (The Wonder Bar, the Vinyl Room, Round Up Texas BBQ, Glazed over Donuts, Bank Sq Coffeehouse, Melzingah Tap House, and much more.) There is live music at night at the Town Crier, and Dogwood Bar- check their websites for performers.
Beacon Flea Market
Beacon Flea Market and Farmers Market - if you are not hung over Sunday- stroll over after breakfast.
Bannerman Castle
This should be open by late April, check the website. It is a Scottish Style Castle on an island in the Hudson in semi-ruin, accessible only by boats which depart from Beacon. There are guided tours! Check the website for times.
Mount Beacon Trailhead
This is a great spot for a hike! About a 2-3 Mile trail that leads you up Mount Beacon with summit views of the Hudson, the Newburgh- Beacon Bridge, and the town of Beacon itself. Check the website for the parking lot and the trailhead. This is definitely doable for all!
Hudson Long Dock Park
For those less ambitious hikers, this is a lovely stroll along the Hudson, some wetland and meadows with the Hudson River Scenic Center which hosts arts and environmental education activities.
Cold Spring
Charming town right on the Hudson about a 15 minute drive South of Beacon. Shops, restaurants, Old Railroad depot, and Antiques galleries. Walk down to the dockside park at the Rivers edge, have a great breakfast at the Hudson hill Café, ice cream at Moo Moo’s, visit the Maggazzino ltalian art Gallery. You can fill up a whole morning to early afternoon.
Walkway Over the Hudson
30 minutes north in Poughkeepsie, this is a spectacular walk/ hike on an old RR bridge that takes you clear across the Hudson River. At midpoint, you are standing right over the middle of the wide portion of the Hudson! It’s a flat 1.28 mile hike with some stairs to climb to get up- mild but exhilarating for sure!
The Culinary Institute of America
Book a lunch at the Culinary Institute of America. The future chefs will try their stuff on you - see website to book for reservations!
Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
An American institution, steeped in history of WWII, the New Deal, and some of the most pivotal points in American History. Well worth an afternoon or a morning.
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
Practically right up the road from FDR’s house, the Vanderbilts built one of their Summer mansions here—fabulous walkthrough with a real view of the Golden Age and lots of objects d’arte and artwork.
United States Military Academy
The US military academy offers bus tours booked through the campus visitor center - absolutely gorgeous campus at a strategic point on the Hudson River.
Boscobel House and Gardens
Garrison NY, 21 minutes south of Beacon. Federal style mansion from 1804 with premier furnishings and decorative arts of the Federal period. Magnificent views of the Hudson, and grounds to stroll with beautiful gardens. Although, late April may not have the full garden of the late spring/early summer period, it’s still worth a look for the mansion and grounds alone.
Storm King Art Center
About a 20 minute drive from Beacon. It’s a 500-acre outdoor art museum housing large scale sculpture under the open sky. Stroll the acreage while viewing the sculptures amid meadows, lawns, woodlands, and wetlands.
Olana State Historic Site
About 1 hour north of Beacon, an easy and scenic drive. This is the mansion and estate of the artist Thomas Cole, one of the founders of the famous Hudson River School of Painting. Known worldwide as one of the premier landscape painters, the mansion is open for tours with his paintings displayed throughout, along with some of those by his contemporaries. Tours led by docents, and beautiful grounds to walk.
Hudson
Just 5 minutes north of Olana, this is staple Hudson Valley town is replete with antique stores and foodie places to browse an afternoon away. Katie is having her bachelorette party here, I'm sure she's got some great recommendations!
Fisher Center at Bard
About 40 minutes north of Beacon, the performance center was designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, which is worth a look in and of itself. Check the schedule to see if any performances available while you are in town. Your bride-to-be Katie often performs there!