Adobe Stock / Elisa
If you’re going to treat yourself to a weekend getaway in the Hudson Valley, head to Dutchess County’s riverfront city of Beacon.
By Matt Moment and Dave Zucker
As one of Dutchess County’s most popular towns to visit, Beacon is an absolute dream for day trips in the Hudson Valley. While there’s far too much to cram into just one day of fun, consider the following itinerary an exemplary foundation around which to plan your own holiday. If you go, don’t forget to tag us on Instagram so we can follow along with your adventures.
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9:30 a.m. – Breakfast at Glazed Over Donuts
Your first stop of the day is perhaps the most essential. We’ve taken many a detour in our travels around the Hudson Valley to accommodate a stop at Glazed Over Donuts, a custom donut shop “offering fresh made donuts topped with glazes, assorted toppings and drizzles, all made to order.” They’ve earned Best of Hudson Valley recognition six years running, and for good reason: their bites are downright delectable.
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Once you arrive, you’re given a slip of paper with every topping Glazed Over offers. You fill out your order for each individual donut—mixing and matching flavors as you please—and then watch them being made through the window to their kitchen. Good luck trying just one!
10:30 a.m. – Hike the Dennings Point Trail
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Located on a small peninsula at the southwestern edge of Beacon, the Dennings Point Trail is a 1.25-mile circuit of fairly level terrain with gorgeous views of the Hudson River. Park your car in the nearby lot and enjoy a few majestic vistas while working off those donuts—notice, plural—from breakfast.
12 p.m. – Grab a slice at Sal’s Pizzeria
Hudson Valley residents and visitors alike rave about the slices at Sal’s; they’re bigger than your plate and loaded down with flavorful toppings. A solid recommendation: the buffalo chicken, bacon, and ranch pie is heaven-sent. What’s more, when you’ve stuffed your face with a slice or two, you’re just a stone’s throw from your next stop, Dia:Beacon.
2 p.m. – Take in arts and culture at Dia:Beacon
A permanent location in the Dia Art Foundation network, this former box printing factory now houses one of the Hudson Valley’s most prestigious galleries. Grab a beverage at the Dia:Beacon Café and pick up a book from the shop to read in the outdoor seating area.
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Admission runs $15 for adults, $12 for students, and free for seniors, children, and museum members. Pro tip: keep an eye out for free admission days for Hudson Valley residents.
4 p.m. – Get your picture taken at Beacon Tintype
Using a mixture of modern and 19th-century equipment to capture his images, photographer Oren Cohen boasts one of the most interesting storefronts on all of Beacon’s Main Street.
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At his studio, he creates tintype portraits of his clients from the Hudson Valley and beyond. “Tintype” refers to the process by which the photograph is made; Cohen applies his photographic chemistry to a thin sheet of metal which, after a laborious process, eventually bears the image of his subject. The physical images are incredibly archival, meaning that they are meant to last for generations to come. And don’t forget to ask for a high-quality scan of your portrait to share on Instagram!
5 p.m. – Dine with friends at The Pandorica
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Assuming time isn’t being all “wibbly-wobbly,” you’ll probably be ready for dinner at this point. Casual diners and die-hard Whovians alike will enjoy the food and funky décor at one of America’s most well-known Doctor Who-themed venues, and, yes, the bathroom is bigger on the inside. Fare is mostly inexpensive and traditional American, with a few English staples thrown in by owner and expat Brit Shirley Hot. Patrons are welcome to come in costume, so just don’t get irked if a tall, raggedy man offers you some of his fish fingers and custard.
7:30 p.m. – Sip on drinks at Beacon’s 2 Way Brewing Company
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This small craft brewery opened in 2014 in Beacon and sports a rotating assortment of mainstays, seasonal beers, and experimental brews. Grab a Two Way Highlands Haze or one of the other brews made with locally sourced ingredients, and be sure to ask about Two Way Climb High P.A., brewed specifically to showcase the unique flavor of individual hops varieties. For what it’s worth, these beers are quite affordable.
9 p.m. – Overnight at The Roundhouse in Beacon
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If you’re too tired to head home at this point, don’t! The Roundhouse is Beacon’s beauty of a hotel located next to its very own waterfall. It’s right in the heart of town, so choose between a suite or, if you’re really feeling it, a Roundhouse deluxe with a view. The latter comes with a prime vista of the Fishkill Creek, which means it’s cozy, romantic, and just the sort of place you want to stay in forever. Retreat here for the evening, then hit up anything you didn’t get the chance to try in the morning to explore what else Beacon has to offer.
