Beacon, New York
Serenity on the Hudson
If the eyes are the window to the soul, then Main Street in Beacon is evidence of the greatness or lack of luster of the town. A town's Main Street can lure you to its wonders like a seductive charmer, or it can leave you bored and ready to fill up your gas tank and move on. Beacon is a charmer. From colorful murals on building facades to long and luscious walkways past eateries, bookstores, colorful clothing, and delicious treats, Beacon will lure you into its myriad and wondrous ways. Oh, and Pride is everywhere — from welcoming stickers on commercial windows to gently billowing-in-the-breeze Pride flags.
I first discovered Beacon decades ago when I was invited to a brunch, and I have not stopped visiting since. Rosie and I have gone to Beacon many times. It is one of our favorite day trips. In Beacon, women can hold hands and walk down Main Street without fear of bigotry or prejudice. But what about the stores and the activities, you ask?
Left: The Beacon Farmers Market is open on Sundays year-round from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Right: Pride flags grace stores around town.
Oh my, how do I even begin? A bit beyond Main Street is Dia Beacon, a magnificent modern art museum that one can get easily and happily get lost in. Main Street has a bit of everything for every taste, yet with equal amounts of depth and grace. There are two bookstores in Beacon, with both selling used as well as a new books. There is a vegan donut shop, Peaceful Provisions, that is so profoundly delicious that it will hands down beat any donut shop. The other donut shop, Glazed Over, is excellent, too, and lets you make your own creations. There are restaurants from a Doctor Who-inspired cafe to Middle Eastern and brunch places that all are so phenomenal you could visit every week for a year and still have new culinary experiences.
No cat at home? You can cuddle with a kitty here.
If you like to thrift or vintage, there are many clothing boutiques and other charms for your thrifting yens. I would be completely remiss if I did not mention that there is an arcade. Yes, an old-school arcade where you can play pinball, Ms. Pac-Man, and assorted classics from back in the day when it took a pocketful of quarters for gaming. Beacon is cool, hip, fun, and affordable.
Bring a pocketful of quarters to enjoy old-school video games and pinball at Happy Valley Arcade
Oh Beacon, you are indeed a charming, seductive lover of a town. And you undoubtedly earn five glorious Pride flags. So get thee to Beacon. You will not regret it.
Liz
