THINGS TO DO

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Metro-North lets passengers off at the railroad station on Beekman Street, along the Hudson River. Taxis are available at the train station, on the east (northbound) side of tracks—and you'll probably want one to whisk you into town, as it's a bit of a walk. On Saturdays, there is a shuttle trolley from the train station to Main Street that costs $1 and runs from about 11AM to 6PM. Exact change is required.

Beacon's flagship attraction, the prestigious Dia:Beacon (pictured, left) is a huge museum (converted from an old Nabisco box-making factory) housing the Dia Art Foundation's renowned collection of large-scale art from the 1960s to the present. Set right above the riverbank, the building's grounds are a beautiful sculpture park in their own right, while indoors visitors who are used to jostling and jockeying for position in Manhattan's museums will exult in the sheer amount of light and space. (The art here has room to breathe, and so do you.) Highlights on the ground floor include Dan Flavin's neon sculptures and John Chamberlain's scrap metal pieces; be sure not to miss Louise Bourgeois's work on the second floor, either, in particular her spectacular, ceiling-high Spider (which kids may enjoy too).

Dia:Beacon's popularity has helped turn Beacon's historic Main Street into an arts destination in its own right. Hudson Beach Glass offers glassblowing demonstrations nearly every day of the week, in addition to its enticing array of glass objets for sale. Just a few doors down, the RiverWinds Gallery shows off work by local artists to good advantage.

These two businesses and others nearby have joined forces to form the Beacon Arts Community Association (BACA), which sponsors the city's monthly "Second Saturday" celebrations, when nearly 30 regional art galleries, stores, and restaurants stay open simultaneously, extending their hours until 9:00 pm. BACA publishes a special "Second Saturday Beacon" map for all visitors, and a free trolley making several stops along Main Street runs from noon to 9 on those days. (So when you do visit Beacon, think seriously about coming up on the second Saturday of the month.)

Main Street is also the place to shop. Enjoy antiques of all kinds, and chat with the friendly shop owners who fill their days catching up on all the local gossip. One of the best shops is 20th Century Fox Antiques, which specializes in Art Deco and Art Nouveau. They have a great collection of hard to find clocks, bookends, pictures, lamps and other examples of this intriguing bygone era. Dickinson's has some amazing old clocks, as well as furniture and other antiques. All along Main Street, shop for antique jewelry, books and housewares; even revisit your childhood with all kinds of collectibles from old board games to dolls.

Also located on Main Street, in the heart of the shopping district, is the Howland Cultural Center, which houses the Beacon Historical Society. This interesting old Victorian building contains the area's historical records, including old maps, deeds and documents. Drop in to get a glimpse of Beacon's past or chart the development of the Hudson River Valley. The building is also home to the Howland Cultural Center's exhibits. Each month, local art is shown in the building's central room, a unique and spacious area with a second-story balcony. The gallery is open to the public Thursdays through Sundays. The Howland Chamber Music Circle puts on concerts and other productions here as well.

The Mount Gulian Historic Site is a reconstructed 18th-century homestead with a unique 1740s Dutch barn. It was the headquarters of General von Steuben during the Revolutionary War. It's open for tours April through December, with varying hours. You'll find the building about a mile north of downtown, off Route 9D on Sterling Street.

Get a bird's eye view of the Hudson River Valley with Blue Sky Balloons. Both morning and afternoon flights are available. Call Bill for reservations and specific launch times/locations (888-999-2461).

Get close to nature along the banks of Riverfront Park. The serene park, on Route 9D about a mile west of downtown, is complemented by the lovely views, adding up to a wonderful place for enjoying peace and quiet. Dennings Point Park, in Hudson Highlands State Park, runs along the Hudson River about two miles south of Beacon proper. The 100-acre park is at the northernmost part of the state park. It's an undeveloped region, but the wilderness is prime for fishing, hiking and camping.

For those who want to experience the river's glories firsthand, Hudson Valley Pack and Paddle is an excellent resource, with canoe and kayak rentals and lessons geared towards every level of experience. The shop is located conveniently close to both the water's edge and the train station, at the foot of Main Street.

Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island, in the Hudson River, is the impressive site of a Scottish castle that is now in ruins. Because of the castle's dangerous condition, the public is not allowed on the island. However, you can take a trip around the island with a Pride of the Hudson cruise, on which you'll hear a lecture on the castle's history and see pictures testifying to its former glory. All boats leave from Newburgh Landing, across the river (in Newburgh, of course) from Beacon. West Side Taxi is your best bet for the quick trip over the Hudson.

Or take a journey on the Woody Guthrie Sloop, a wooden sailboat that is a replica of a Hudson River ferry sloop. Rides are free, but you need to have an appointment. The boat sails from the railroad station, July to October, Monday through Friday.