The Perfect Beacon Day Trip- The Adventuring Millennial

Sometimes it’s nice to get out of NYC and Beacon is the perfect place for a small-town escape.

Beacon is located 60 miles north of NYC and is a charming historic town. This city played an interesting role in the American Revolution and was named for the signal fires that were placed on top of the nearby Mount Beacon. At one point Beacon was even known as the “Hat Making Capital of the US” since it was home to more than 50 hat making factories.

Today, Beacon offers the perfect blend of activities for a day trip. You can enjoy some time in nature with a hike on Mount Beacon, get cultured at the city’s art museum, and spend the afternoon eating and drinking along the charming Main Street.

I visited Beacon for the first time over Memorial Day Weekend and I already know I will be back soon. If you are looking for the perfect getaway from NYC, keep reading for my Beacon Day Trip guide. My itinerary covers the town’s highlights + gives some tips on how to enjoy your limited time here!

Getting There

Getting to Beacon from NYC couldn’t be easier, which is why it makes such a great day trip. If you have a car (or want to rent one) you can drive the 60 miles north to Beacon. Parking in Beacon isn’t a problem, so you don’t have to worry about struggling to find a spot.

I suggest taking the Metro-North Railroad from NYC to Beacon. From NYC, you can catch the train at Grand Central or the 125th Street Station. Beacon sits on the Hudson line and tickets cost about $46 for round-trip peak times (or $35 off-peak). You can easily purchase your ticket from a kiosk at the station or through the MTA eTix app.

If you are planning to visit the Dia:Beacon art museum, consider purchasing a Getaway package. Metro-North offers discounted tickets if you combine your train fare with the art museum. The round-trip getaway ticket + Dia:Beacon tickets cost $40 for adults. (Dia:Beacon tickets alone cost $15 for adults). To buy these tickets, select getaways at the ticket kiosk at the train station. After you purchase, you will be given two tickets, one for the train and one for the museum.

Transportation in the City

The public transportation in Beacon obviously doesn’t compare to the options in New York City. But, it is very easy to get to the town’s major destinations. There are plenty of sidewalks so you can easily walk. Or, consider taking an Uber or Lyft, since these fares are reasonable.

You can also take the Beacon Free Loop bus to some of the main sites. The bus runs Monday-Saturday from 6:00 am- 9:00 pm. It stops at the Metro-North station, Dia:Beacon, Main Street, and the Mount Beacon trailhead.

Good to Know

Trains only depart and arrive in Beacon every hour. So, these can quickly fill up especially on the weekends. Arrive to the station early to grab a seat. When I visited, I noticed that a few people had to stand on the 1.5 hour train trip because there were not enough open seats.

Ready to go? Let’s get started on our perfect Beacon day trip!

Breakfast in Grand Central

If you are leaving from NYC, I recommend starting your Beacon day trip from Grand Central. This is such an iconic and beautiful building, so spend some time admiring the architecture. Get to the station early to purchase your tickets. Give yourself enough time to grab breakfast from the Grand Central dining concourse. Here you can find some NYC classics, like Shake Shack (yes, they serve breakfast), Joe Coffee Company, Doughnut Plant, and Zaro’s Family Bakery.

As I mentioned earlier, be sure to board your train well before it is scheduled to leave. The seats fill up and you don’t want to stand or be separated from your group during the 1.5 hour trip.

Hike

Once you get to Beacon, start your day with a hike. The Mount Beacon trailhead starts at Mount Beacon Park, which is only a few miles from the train station. You can easily take an Uber or Lyft or wait for the Beacon Free Loop bus.

Once you get to the hike, you need to decide which trail to take. You have a few options. I opted for the Casino Trail which is about 2-miles round trip. This trail follows the path of a historic incline railway, so be prepared for a steep hike. The views from the overlook are great. You can see the Hudson River, Beacon’s Main Street, and the surrounding mountains. The ruins from the historic casino and incline railway are also found at the top of the hike.

From here, you can continue back down to the parking lot. Or, extend your hike to the Fire Tower. If you add this, you will now take a 4-mile round trip hike.

Lunch on Main Street

After finishing your hike, you are probably ready for lunch. Take an Uber/Lyft or the Beacon Free Loop bus to Main Street. This is the town’s main thoroughfare which is lined with historic buildings housing restaurants, cafes, and shops.

You have a few options for lunch. Here are the main places that stand out to me:

Beacon Bread Company– Scratch-made kitchen serving grilled cheese, salads, soups, and classic sandwiches
Max’s on Main– Beacon’s oldest bar serving American pub favorites
Tito Santana Taqueria– Tacos, burrito bowls, and guac + a selection of beer and ciders with outdoor seating
Beacon Pantry– Part grocery store part cafe with a menu of sandwiches, salads, and charcuterie boards
Homespun– Comfort food, including sandwiches and soups, served alongside Middle Eastern-inspired platters

Dia:Beacon

Now that you’ve had lunch, are you ready for some culture? Make your way to the Dia:Beacon museum. You can easily walk from Main Street or take the Beacon Free Loop bus.

This modern art museum opened in 2003 in a former Nabisco box-printing factory. This museum showcases large scale instillations and the galleries were specifically designed with each art piece in mind.

I’m going to be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of modern art. But I really enjoyed the Dia:Beacon. This museum is the perfect size- it’s large enough to feel like it was worth the ticket price but not a place where you will feel like you need hours to see everything. 1 hour is plenty to get a good feel for the museum.

Opening Hours:

*The museum is closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays year-round + Thursdays January-March*

January–March: Friday–Monday, 11 am–4 pm
April–October: Thursday–Monday, 11 am–6 pm
November–December: Thursday–Monday, 11 am–4 pm

Shopping + Strolling on Main Street

After exploring the Dia:Beacon, head back to Main Street. There are plenty of boutiques and speciality shops to visit along this street. Plus, most of the shops are housed in historic buildings so it is an enjoyable place to take a leisurely stroll even if you don’t feel like shopping.

Drinks

Once you are ready for Happy Hour, check out one of these bars:

Denning’s Point Distillery– This small-batch distillery opened in 2014 and was awarded the Best Hudson Valley Distillery in 2015, 2016, and 2017. You can enjoy a selection of cocktails for $7 or try a tasting flight for $5. Concerts are often held in the main room.
2 Way Brewing Company– This micro craft brewery also opened in 2014 and features beer + BBQ. Events are held here regularly.
Baja328– Southwest grill offer 130+ tequilas
Dogwood– Bar with a variety of beers and a menu of American comfort classics that often features live music.
Chill Wine Bar– Cozy wine and cheese bar located in a 1895-era building

Dinner

I made the mistake of filling up at lunch so I skipped dinner in Beacon. (P.S. the portions at Tito Santana Taqueria are delicious but huge so be warned if you also go here for lunch).

If you want dinner in Beacon before heading back, you have plenty of great options. Many of the restaurants I mentioned above for lunch are also open for dinner. Or, check out these great choices:

Yankee Clipper Diner– Stop here if you want a no-frills family-run diner experience. Burgers, milkshakes, and fries sit alongside Greek food on this menu.
Ziatun– Intimate Middle Eastern restaurant with indoor or outdoor seating and a moderately-priced menu.
The Pandorica– Doctor Who themed restaurant serving British fare

Doughnuts, Ice Cream, or BOTH

Yes, I skipped dinner in Beacon, but of course I saved room for dessert. There are two great options for dessert along Main Street: Glazed Over Donuts and the Beacon Creamery.

Glazed Over Donuts is a custom donut shop that allows you to create your own treat. You can pick your glaze, toppings, and drizzle for each donut. Then, head to the glass window and watch as your donut is created. You may need to stop here earlier in the day if you are having a late dinner since they close at 5 pm (6 pm on Fridays and Saturdays).

Beacon Creamery stays open until 7 pm (6 pm on Sundays) and serves some of the best ice cream I’ve had in a long time. You can tell the scoops are homemade and created with care. I had the Killer Chocolate which really lived up to its name.

After your treat(s) make your way back to the train. Be sure to check the schedule since the trains only stop in Beacon once an hour.

I hope you enjoyed this Beacon day trip itinerary. Have you been to this town? Let me know in the comments!

If you are looking for more in New York City, check out these posts:

30 Famous NYC Desserts You Need to Try

Your Complete Summer 2019 Guide to NYC’s Brant Park

What to do on Governors Island