Things To Do
Beacon
Walking down Main Street in Beacon, NY truly feels like being part of a Hallmark movie. We stayed in Beacon during our first trip to check out Brotherhood Winery (as we knew we shouldn’t book it sight unseen despite having it be the first venue to come to mind for both of us). We’ve included a list of some of our favorite Beacon spots below but we also highly encourage you to explore this charming town on your own when you’re in the Hudson Valley for our wedding! Rest assured, there are a few options for things to do outside of Beacon, too.
Wonder Bar Beacon
We are obsessed with Wonder Bar - it's located right next to the The Beacon Movie Theater if you happen to have time for a meal + a movie. The ambiance is on point, the staff is incredible, the cocktails are top notch and they have the best pork chop our tastebuds have ever experienced!
Lyonshare Public House
Lyonshare Public House pays tribute to the spirit of the Hudson Valley and the legacy of its communities with a particular hat tip to Captain John Lyon who provided safe passage across the Hudson for all his passengers including Babe Ruth and Teddy Roosevelt. We went to Lyonshare for brunch during our first visit to Beacon and had such a delightful experience. They are also open for lunch and dinner and have a great cocktail list!
Hudson Valley Food Hall
The Hudson Valley Food Hall is a fun spot with a chill vibe that offers a variety of food & drink choices. You'll find handmade pasta, homemade BBQ, authentic Mexican food with vegetarian & vegan options and more! Oh and they have ice cream, of course.
Bank Square Coffeehouse
This was the first coffee shop we visited in Beacon and it immediately became our favorite. They serve up the most delicious chai lattes and have a great space to sip, chat and relax in.
Denning's Point Distillery
Denning's Point has won "Best Hudson Valley Distillery" for three years in a row. We stumbled upon the tasting room on our second visit to Beacon and were impressed with their unique spirits and creative cocktails. They have "pup cups" too! Certainly worth a visit.
Hudson Valley Brewery
Much like the ever changing Hudson Valley, beers from the Hudson Valley Brewery are a blend of the traditional and the modern. The brewery has a spacious tasting room and a lovely outdoor space. In addition to beer, they have a nice food menu and cocktail list. When we visited, we each ordered an Aperol Spritz, naturally.
Happy Valley Arcade Bar
Arcade. Drink called Rosemary's Baby. Need we say more?
Beacon Farmers' Market
Not sure about you, but we adore visiting local Farmers' Markets when we travel, so we were excited to stumble across this one during our first visit to Beacon. The Beacon Farmer's Market is open every Sunday, 10am-2pm, year-round, rain or shine, so if you want to check it out before our wedding, we encourage you to do so!
Catskill Mountains
If you build in extra time on your trip, definitely add the Catskills to your list. We went to stay in a Getaway Cabin (now called Postcard Cabins) and had such a wonderful experience. Tons of great hiking, of course, but it's also close to some other cute little towns (yes, there's more to explore beyond Beacon in upstate NY). When we were staying there, we took a day trip to Woodstock.
Shawangunk Wine Trail
Nestled between the majestic Shawangunk Mountains and the rolling hills of the Hudson River, the Shawangunk Wine Trail offers an unforgettable wine-tasting experience just 90 minutes from NYC. As one of the oldest winemaking regions in the country, this trail is home to 13 award-winning wineries, each crafting unique wines that capture the essence of this historic and scenic region.
More Hudson Valley Fun!
If you like outdoor fun, you’ll absolutely love the Hudson Valley. The famous Appalachian Trail (that was started here) is just one of the thousands of miles of trails enjoyed by hikers. The outdoor adventure options include destination ski resorts, executive golf courses, white water rafting, world-renowned rock climbing and more.