Hudson Valleyites know that Beacon is a pretty cool place. The bustling riverside town is a hub for some of the region’s top attractions, from artsy Dia:Beacon and hoppy Hudson Valley Brewery to colorful Main Street and picturesque Mount Beacon. Artists flock to it, restaurateurs compete for real estate space in it, and independent business owners carve out niche spaces for themselves along its many charming streets.
With such an abundance of to-dos in town, it’s no wonder that Beacon earned the top spot on Budget Travel’s list of “America’s Coolest Small Towns.” The publication, which has been compiling the list for the past 13 years, aims to highlight the most inspiring, innovative small towns across the nation.
Related: How to Spend a Saturday on the Beacon Riverfront
In 2018, Beacon beat out cities like Sonoma, CA (#2), Jackson Hole, WY (#6), and Point Pleasant, NJ (#10) to take home the coveted title.
Budget Travel praises Beacon for its community of makers and foodie artisans like Zora Dora, Hudson Valley Brewery, and Glazed Over Donuts.
“Long before the word maker came into fashion, Beacon was making things,” it declares in the article.
The statement is a truthful one. Beacon boasts a long history of manufacturing and artistry, a history that continues to echo in locations like Dia: Beacon and The Roundhouse, which lives in a former factory and machine shop. These days, the area feels both inviting and hip. On weekends, New York City visitors flock to the shops and museums in town, while the Hudson Valley community from near and far packs the streets on Second Saturdays.
Beacon is ever changing, always exciting, and, yes, a truly cool place to see.