The Area
Go to: Museums and Historical Sites | Dining | Shopping | Outdoor Recreations
Museums and Historical Sites
Starting in the late 1990s, with the opening of one of the world’s largest contemporary art museums Dia: Beacon, Beacon began an artistic and commercial rebirth. Below are just a few museums and historical sites in the city of Beacon and its neighboring cities:
Dia:Beacon
With the opening of Dia:Beacon, one of the world’s largest contemporary art museums in 2003, Beacon began an artistic and commercial rebirth. Dia:Beacon not only houses Dia Art Foundation’s renowned collection of art from the 1960s to the present, it also sponsors a variety of dance, music and education events and programs all year round. This museum attracts visitors from all over the world. Call (845) 440-0100 for more information or check their website.
The Beacon Institute of Rivers and Estuaries
A major river and estuary research institute, its mission is to create and maintain a global center for scientific and technological innovation that advances research, education and public policy regarding rivers and estuaries. For more information call (845) 838-1600 or check their website.
Madam Brett Homestead
Built in 1709 and located at 50 Van Nydeck Ave., Beacon, it is the oldest standing building in its part of Dutchess County and has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1976.
Lower Main Street Historic District
The first several blocks of Beacon’s Main Street east of its junction with South Avenue feature many small businesses located in vintage Italianate–style buildings.
Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site, Newburgh
This Dutch-style stone farmhouse is General George Washington’s longest stay at a Revolutionary War headquarters (1782-83). This is also the nation’s first publicly owned historic site and features the rooms where American history was made. It was here that Washington rejected the idea that he should be king after the war; ended the Newburgh conspiracy, preventing military control of the government; created and awarded the Badge of Military Merit, forerunner of the Purple Heart; and circulated a letter to State Governors that influenced the writing of the Constitution. Adjacent museum features orientation video and galleries on the Continental Army’s activities in the Hudson Valley. For more information call (845) 561-1195, or check their website.
New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site, New Windsor
This is where the Continental Army under General George Washington spent the last winter and spring of the Revolutionary War from October 1782. From late spring through early fall enjoy talking with a soldier or soldier’s wife along with occasional demonstrations of musket firing or blacksmithing. With summer the site is alive with costumed soldiers and civilians demonstrating period skills like 18th century medicine, drilling with muskets or cannon, cooking over an open fire, laundering clothing, or hewing timbers for log huts. Call (845)561-1765 for more information on tours, or check their website.
Kykuit Rockefeller Mansion, Tarrytown
Kykuit was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family. It commands a breathtaking view of the Hudson River and occupies a landscape of extensive stone terraces, formal gardens, and glorious fountains. For more information call (914) 631-8200, or check the website www.hudsonvalley.org. Back to top
Dining
Beacon offers a number of fine restaurants and wine bar. Please check out the following few:
ISAMU Japanese and Chinese Restaurant
Designed by the owner of the Chrystie House, this elegant restaurant features fine Japanese and Chinese food. Please call (845) 440-0002 for reservation, or check their website.
Homespun Foods
This is a specialty food store/cafe with patio garden serving fresh, hearty sandwiches, creative salads, homemade soups, generous platters, imported cheeses, and beautiful homemade desserts. Please call (845) 831-5096 for reservation, or check their website.
Sukhothai Restaurant
This restaurant offers authentic Thai cuisine. Please call (845) 790-5375 for reservation, or check their website.
Brother’s Trattoria
This restaurant offers Northern Italian Cuisine. Please call (845) 838-3300 for reservation, or check their website.
Max’s on Main
Max offers inventive American comfort food. Please call (845)838-6297 for reservations, or check their website.
Café Amarcord
This restaurant serves food of expanded Italian concept. Please call (845)440-0050 for reservation, or check their website
Chill Wine Bar
This venue also serves food and has Jazz night on Saturday. Please call (845) 765-0885 for information or reservation.
In addition, the Newburgh Waterfront across the river is now home to a number of trendy restaurants.
Shopping
There are many galleries, antique and other interesting shops in the city of Beacon and its neighborhood.
If you are into high fashion and designer’s luxury, the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets located in Central Valley, with the Hudson Highlands serving as the compound’s beautiful backdrop, can keep any keen shopper busy for days. With 220 stores, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is the world’s largest collection of upscale designer and name-brand outlets offering everyday savings of 25% to 65% at Adidas, Balenciaga, Banana Republic, Burberry, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Chanel, Dior, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, J.Crew, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Tod’s, Ugg and many more. Woodbury is only 20 minutes from Beacon. For further information please call (845) 928-4000 or visit their website.
In addition, New Paltz, Rosendale, High Falls, Stone Ridge, Kingston and Woodstock are all within an hour’s drive.
Outdoor Recreations
Within walking distance of the House, you can enjoy the former Wodenethe garden, walks to local parks and waterfalls, Riverfront Park, and various hiking trails. If you are an early riser, you may see the herds of short-tail deers that routinely visit the ground and woods surrounding the House. In addition, below are a few examples of what you may find interesting:
Hikes From Main Street and Train Station, Beacon
Check out the link to four nearby hikes, two at the waterfront and two up Mt. Beacon: http://www.cityofbeacon.org/factsheets/great-hikes. The City’s riverfront park, which is located on a peninsula jutting out into the Hudson River. A very active park that hosts numerous events.
Hudson Highland State Park
This very large state park located behind and just south of the city covers Mount Beacon and beyond, is perfect for hiking and other outdoor activities. A number of its trails offer panoramic views of the Hudson River and surrounding mountains. For additional information check their website or Wikipedia entry.
Bear Mountain State Park
This park, located on the west side of the Hudson River in Orange and Rockland counties, offers biking, hiking, boating, picnicking, swimming, cross-country skiing, cross-country running, sledding and ice skating as well as a zoo. For additional information check their website or Wikipedia entry.
Other Hudson Highlands State Parks
In addition to the above two parks, there are a number of other state parks in the Hudson Highlands that provide a variety of outdoor adventures. For additional information please check their website or Wikipedia entry.
The River Rose Cruises
The River Rose is an original New Orleans Stern Wheeler, departs from the Newburgh Landing and has two decks, can accommodate 150 guests plus crew, and is handicap accessible. She is available for weddings, wedding rehearsal dinners, brunches, dinner cruises, special events, sight-seeing cruises. Please call (845) 562-1067 for reservations, or check their website.
Hudson River Adventures Cruises
The cruise begins at the Newburgh Landing, cruises through history and the majestic beauty of the Hudson River on a two-hour narrated sight-seeing cruise, including Mt. Beacon, Bannerman Island, Storm King Mountain, Breakneck Mountain, The Catskill Aqueduct, World’s End, Cold Spring, and West Point. The cruise is available from May to October. Call (845)220-2120 for more information or reservation, or check their website.
West Point Academy
Not only a visit to West Point would provide you the history of the Academy’s origins and its role in the Revolutionary War, the trace of the many graduates, from the past to the present, who have shaped the country’s history, but you will enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the academy and its surrounding. For more information check their website.