The best things to do in Beacon for kids are picnicking in the park, taking short hikes, and trying out the variety of creameries in town.
It is okay to be a little blank while thinking about things to do in Beacon NY, because it isn’t a loud tourist destination with adventure activities. Most activities in Beacon include some good old workouts in nature!
Strolling through Main Street feels like entering a friend’s room for the first time. Because there’s a homely feeling to the town and each of its shots, and they have their uniqueness intact, which is fun to explore.
Get ready to unlock the best way to explore Beacon and the must-try food of this New York town.
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What are the Best Things to Do in Beacon NY?
Some of the best things to do in Beacon NY, include exploring Dia Beacon (an art museum), Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, Fishkill Falls, shopping, Madam Brett Park, and hiking on Mount Beacon.
All the best activities in Beacon NY are leisurely and the best for couples, friend groups on a trip, and even families.
Also Read: 45 Best Family Things to Do Near Me in USA: A Quintessential List
A List of Top 10 Things to Do in Beacon NY
A weekend getaway to Beacon NY is a fun way to add a variety of activities to your New York trip. Here are the top 10 things to do in Beacon NY, for everyone:
- Dia Beacon
- Hudson Valley Vinyl
- Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park
- Brewery Tour
- Mount Beacon
- Fishkill Falls/Beacon Falls
- Hakan Chocolatier
- Shopping Spree!–Witch Hazel, Little King, Miss Tea
- Madam Brett Park
- 2nd Saturdays!
Best 10 Things to Do in Beacon NY – for Couples, Families & Friends
After exploring Midtown New York City, my husband and I aimed to uncover areas around NYC because there’s so much more to it than just Times Square! If you are a New Yorker and still haven’t planned a weekend getaway to Beacon NY, consider this a sign.
Listed below are the best things to do in Beacon NY, that I tried with my family and approve for families with children, friends, and couples on a romantic getaway:
1. Dia Beacon
Dia Beacon is an art gallery showcasing contemporary art forms and techniques. Although it is not a place most kids would enjoy, even for us, it was a little hard to begin to see beyond the abstract.
It isn’t one of your classic art museums with extravagant displays and exhibitions; it is simply about the art and the artists. This can be a refreshing experience for couples and art enthusiasts, and can especially be one of the best things to do in Beacon NY this weekend.
Timings: Friday-Monday, 10 am to 5 pm.
Ticket Price: General – $25
Senior Citizens – $18
Students/Visitors with Disabilities – $12
Children – $5
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2. Hudson Valley Vinyl
Browsing through the store got me so excited that I was convinced about buying a vinyl player. In my opinion, vinyl records have been and will always be an artistic statement, quite like stamps.
Checking out the diverse collection at Hudson Valley Vinyl is one of the best things to do in Beacon NY, and nothing can change my mind about it!
Timings: Thursday–Monday, 12 pm to 5 pm (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
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3. Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park
Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park is one of my two favorite riverfront parks and also one of the best free things to do in Beacon NY. The first one is Joe Riley Waterfront Park, featuring the Pineapple Fountain in Charleston, SC, and the second one is this one in Beacon!
It is so calm and still, perfectly vibrant, ideal for a picnic, and most importantly, not crowded at all. We played badminton until we were out of breath and enjoyed the sunset reflecting its reds and oranges in the ripples of the Hudson River.
Timings: Open daily from 7 am to 7 pm.
Ticket Price: Free entry.
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4. Tour the Rustic Breweries of Beacon
One thing that is common among all the best places to visit in the USA is the breweries. So, my husband and I made it a point to take a tour of one brewery in every city we’d visit thereon. We took a tour of the Hudson Valley Brewery, which has made quite a name for itself in town.
The ambience, the smell of fresh fermented beer, and the rustic interior all seemed intriguing and put together. Those enthusiastic about trying out alcoholic beverages must also give a try to Max’s on Main, Oak Vino Wine Bar, Two Way Brewing Company, and Quinn’s.
Timings: Thursday–Saturday 12 pm to 10 pm; Sunday–Monday 12 pm to 8 pm (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays*).
Ticket Price: $235 per person (includes a tour, three stops, and a meal)
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5. Mount Beacon
Mount Beacon has a trail to hike up as well as a park where you can relax. I climbed the hilltop with my husband, and it was a 40-minute hike. The complete hike takes about 2 hours to cover. We didn’t complete the hike because we already spotted a good sunset viewpoint.
If I were a Beacon resident, I’d at least hike this trail once a week. I’d definitely recommend it to everybody who plans to come here to relax, because this is one of the best things to do in Beacon NY, for free.
Timings: Open 24/7 every day.
Ticket Price: Free entry for all.
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6. Trek to Fishkill Falls/Beacon Falls
Fishkill Falls is more like a stop on the way to several destinations within the city. Between chilling at the Denning’s Point Distillery and taking a ferry to the Bannerman Castle, the overlook waterfall serves as eye candy.
Having a meal with the view of Fishkill is one of the best things to do in Beacon NY, for everyone, because spectacles such as this aren’t found as easily in the middle of the town.
Timings: Open every day from 7 am to 8 pm.
Ticket Price: Free entry for everyone.
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7. Hakan Chocolatier
How much chocolate is too much chocolate? Well, after walking in Hakan, you’ll realize that there’s no right answer to that. Watching chocolate being made is one of the best things to do in Beacon NY, for kids!
Right from the process of tempering the chocolate to making it a part of a yummy dessert designed to melt in your mouth, you can watch it all. These sweet treats just taste 10 times more delicious when you have to wait and watch them being prepared.
Timings: Open from 8:30 am to 5 pm every day.
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8. Shopping Spree!–Witch Hazel, Little King, Miss Tea
Beacon Main Street is the prime spot for strolling through the shops, cafés, and restaurants. I had to physically restrain myself from compulsively buying things from Witch Hazel, which is a beauty and makeup store.
Next, we went to this herbal tea store called Miss Tea, and they’ve got it right. I’d say skip your usual coffee for a day and try a herbal tea for once! We went to Little King after that, and I packed a few things from the homewares store to decorate my house with.
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9. Madam Brett Park
Madam Brett Park is dedicated to Catheryna Brett, who was the first European resident of Beacon and ran a grist mill by the Fishkill Creek. It is one of the oldest standing buildings in the US.
It is very beautiful for an evening walk in the quiet. We just walked here for some time and went home, but you can hike up to the waterfall and enjoy the views of the Hudson River.
Timings: Open on all days from sunrise to sunset (the homestead within the park is open on the second Saturdays of each month).
Ticket Price: No entry fee is charged.
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10. 2nd Saturdays!
Second Saturdays in Beacon are very amusing as the city comes to life during its monthly celebration of its art and culture. The boutiques, shops, restaurants, and art galleries all have extended hours, which becomes the source of the city’s vibrancy.
Unfortunately, our stay in Beacon wasn’t long enough to experience it, as we left town just a few days before the second Saturday. I hope that this will put the inquiry about the best things to do in Beacon NY, this weekend to rest.
Find a few tips about the best way to get around in Beacon in the following section.
Also Read: 30 Fun Things to Do in Nashville: Your Guide to Exploring the Music City!
How to Get in and Around Beacon NY?
To get to Beacon in New York, take the Metro-North Railroad and get off at the Beacon Station. This is the most convenient way to get here if your trip is short-lived. For a longer stay, renting a car will be a better choice.
Here are a few ways to get around Beacon NY:
- MetroNorth Hudson Line: The MetroNorth Hudson Line takes about an hour and a half to cover the distance between NYC and Beacon. This is also the most efficient way to reach Beacon. Download the MTA Train Time App to make your travels easy.
- Rent a car: Renting a car is quite feasible in a town like Beacon; moreover, renting allows you to work according to your schedule. Just turn the navigation on, and the whole path is mapped out in front of you, instead of checking the bus timings repeatedly. Use the Turo App for a smooth car rental process.
- Uber & Lyft: Taking cabs is also an efficient option, but I found it a little expensive. If you’re with family for a day or two, this might be feasible, but for longer stays with the fam, renting a car is still a better option.
- Public Transportation: Quite like the hop on hop off service that connects the main attractions of a city, Beacon has its free loop, which you can use for free. It is accessible from Monday to Saturday, 6 am to 9 pm.
A Culinary Guide to Beacon NY–Ft. Restaurants and Bakeries
Exploration of any city is incomplete without trying out its cuisine. In Fact, I think the best dish of any place is the proper introduction to the city. After having tried out several cafés on the main street, here are my top 3 places to try out for breakfast and meals:
1. Royal Crêpes
The crêpes here are just amazing, so it is impossible to get bored with them. My girls loved them too and had no problem finishing their portions. In my opinion, it is one of the best breakfast places in Beacon NY.
Ratings: ★★★★⯪ (4.5)
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2. Roundhouse Beacon
Roundhouse in Beacon is one of the two finest dining experiences we had here. The first one I’d suggest is the meal we had at the Hudson Valley Brewery, and the second one is Roundhouse. Although it is tilted towards the high-end, the food and the experience are worth it.
Ratings: ★★★★☆(4.1)
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3. Beacon Bread Company
Beacon Bread Company makes the best French bread I had during my entire trip to the US. They are one of the oldest players in the business and maintain a trademark for being authentic. This is where I had a few of the most satiating meals in town.
Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.0)
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4. Five Pennies Creamery
Five Pennies has one of the best ice creams in unique flavors, but most importantly, it has that mom-pop café vibe similar to Pop Tate’s, which was very enjoyable.
Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (4.8)
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5. Glazed Over Donuts
Just like most local cafés and bakeries, the glazes for the donuts are homemade and thus guarantee a good quality of food. Back home, I have a limit for the amount of sweets my daughters eat, but on trips, I let them purge, and this was the best place to do so!
Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (4.8)
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6. The Beacon Creamery
I am a fan of the Beacon Creamery! The ambience, the small town cutesy corner shop vibe, and the flavorful ice creams were all amazing. It reminded me of the Gelato by Pinolo in Portland. It is one of the best things to do in Beacon NY, for kids and all my sweet-toothed people out there.
Ratings: ★★★★⯪ (4.5)
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Well, this was an overview of all the amazing things to do in Beacon NY, for adults, kids, and couples, along with must-try food items. Cover the last leg of hacking your trip to Beacon by exploring places to stay.
Also Read: 10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Denver in 2025: An All-Round Guide to Exploring Colorado
Best Places to Stay in Beacon NY?
Boutique hotels and Airbnbs in Beacon NY are abundant. Since we were here for a short period, Airbnb didn’t seem like the most economical deal. If you arrive during the shoulder seasons, you can book hotel rooms at a discounted rate.
The shops, boutiques, and restaurants of Beacon not only have a neighborhood vibe to them but also provide services in line with it, like early check-ins for a minimal fee of $20–$25.
Here are the top three places to stay in Beacon NY:
- The Dutchess Inn & Spa: The Dutchess Inn has rooms available at rates that match its hospitality and location in one of the best neighborhoods in town. The average cost of the rooms hovers between $370 and $400 per night.
Ratings: ★★★★⯪ (4.5)
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- Beacon Bed & Breakfast: If you don’t have a lot of time to ponder the stay, trust me, and just book Beacon Bed & Breakfast. It has the best breakfast and seamless check-ins and check-outs, with the advantage of its location. The price is more reasonable for this one, with rooms starting at $150-$180 per night.
Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (4.9)
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- Comfort Suites Fishkill: For a cozy stay in Beacon with family, at a slightly peaceful location, stay at Comfort Suites Fishkill. The prices here are reasonable as well, considering it is a hotel in New York with $110 per night.
Ratings: ★★★★⯪ (4.4)
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With that, it is now time to part ways by heading to the summary.
Beacon NY in a Nutshell
What you must’ve gathered from all the best things to do in Beacon NY is that it is the type of location ideal for a relaxing vacation or a weekend getaway.
Activities in Beacon keep you entertained but also away from sensory overload. It might be even safe to call it the Florence of New York. The infrastructure and grounded lifestyle of the people stand in total contrast with the typical New Yorker lifestyle.
My advice to everyone would be to spend the last 2-3 days of your trip to NYC in Beacon.
FAQs
What are the best things to do in Beacon NY, today?
What are the best things to do in Beacon NY, at night?
Touring the breweries, exploring the live music shows, and trying the evening fine dining experience are a few fun things to do in Beacon at night.
Which activities are the free things to do in Beacon NY?
Most parks, like the Madam Brett Park, hiking the Mount Beacon, and picnicking on the Pete and Toshi Riverfront Park are among a few free things to do in Beacon NY.
What movie was filmed at Beacon Hills?
The Thomas Crown Affair, Boondock Saints, The Departed, MTV’s Real World, and Blown Away are a few movies filmed on Beacon Hill.
