7 Fall activities you won’t want to miss
Red maple trees at Scenic Hudson’s Long Dock Park.
Is there a more spectacular season than Fall in Beacon, NY? There’s a chill in the morning air, and the evenings are full of resplendent sunsets and epic, inky blue skies. We especially love this time of year, for all these reasons and more.
Here’s a few thoughts on how you might want to spend these early weeks of Fall in Beacon, NY.
Take a hike (literally!)
Trail markers lead the way at Mount Beacon.
Fall’s a joyful time of year to hike Mount Beacon. The cooler temperatures make for a comfortable climb and often offer the reward of crisp clear views from the mountaintop.
Mount Beacon (1610 feet), located on the eastern edge of town, is best known as a prime hiking destination. Whether you take the trail off Wolcott Avenue or the one from Pocket Road, you’ll instantly be immersed in the deep, rich colors of the Fall forest, sprinkled with glacial rocks and cool, flowing streams. Bonus tip: follow @treesofbeaconny on Instagram for dates of their Fall guided walks and hikes and impress friends and family afterwards with your new-found knowledge of the natural world.
Enjoy a Fall-themed cocktail, craft beer, or meal
When you live in a charming, artsy city like Beacon, it’s no surprise that its restaurants and bars get creative with their food and drinks menus. Check out Wonderbar (449 Main Street) for its delicious cocktails and mocktails, Carters Restaurant (424 Main Street) for Carrot Cake Martini and Pumpkin Cheesecake, Melzingah Tap House (554 Main Street) for the last week of its Oktoberfest special craft beer flights, and The Roundhouse (2 East Main Street) for the return of its Great Pumpkin Martini and new fall menu items including a Brisket Andouille Sausage Mac n’ Cheese.
Don’t forget to shop seasonally
Kaight’s always ready for every season.
Whether it’s cozy sweaters from Kaight (512 Main Street), Vintage Beacon (478 Main Street), or NFP New Form Perspective (457 Main Street), or beautiful placemats from home goods destination, Sybil (504 Main Street), it’s essential to walk Main Street from beginning to end to enjoy all the Fall offerings. Check out Beacon Farmers’ Market (223 Main Street) every Sunday come rain or shine (10AM to 2PM) for seasonal fruits, veggies, and more.
Blow your own glass pumpkin
Glass-blowing classes at Hudson Beach Glass sell out fast, so book early.
For the adventurous and creative amongst us, why not sign up for Blow Your Own Glass Pumpkin Class at Hudson Beach Glass (162 Main Street). While sessions are currently fully booked, they do get cancellations. Keep checking here to snag a lucky spot.
Hudson Beach Glass’s Make Your Own Holiday Ornament schedule goes live on October 1. Set yourself a reminder as these super-popular classes often fill up quickly. If all else fails, this is always an incredible destination for beautiful and unique holiday ornaments and gifts. We met someone once who told us they’ve bought themselves a glass ornament there every year for the past 20 years. Now that’s a Christmas tree we’d like to see!
City-Wide Yard Sale
Back by popular demand, the second City-Wide Yard Sale of the year is happening on Saturday, October 12th from 9:00AM to 3:00PM. Locals can list their yard sale for $10.00 or join with neighbors and list 3 for $20.00. Sellers just need to register by the deadline of Monday, October 7. If you’re in the market for a bargain, just turn up on the day ready to wander the streets and find the lava lamp, rare vinyl, or vintage glassware of your dreams.
Beacon Sloop Club Pumpkin Festival
You can never have enough pumpkins.
Don’t miss the Beacon Sloop Club Pumpkin Festival on Sunday, October 20th between 12pm to 5pm at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park (2 Red Flynn Drive). It goes without saying, there’ll be pumpkins aplenty, fresh baked pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, chili and baked potatoes with vendors and handmade crafts. The Arm of the Sea theater will perform Estuary Tales, and there’ll be live music and activities for all ages. For those with sea legs, the Beacon Sloop Club’s boat, the Woodie Guthrie, will be offering free sails from the Beacon Harbor (weather permitting). In-person sign up will begin at noon.
Embrace the Halloween vibe
It’s time to get weird, Beacon! Here’s what we know so far:
Compass Arts Creativity Project is hosting its annual Night of the Living Dead Dance Party at University Settlement Camp, the perfect after dark spooky spot to dance your zombie heart out on Saturday, October 26th. You’ll find tickets here.
Meanwhile The Yard (4 Hanna Lane) has a whole month of good times themed to Fall and Halloween with highlights including a night market hosted by Hudson Valley Cirque Du Creep (costumes highly encouraged!) on Friday, October 11th. Entrance is $10 with a portion going to Hudson Valley Animal Rescue & Sanctuary. On Friday 19th and Saturday 20th Roll Out, a Hudson Valley collective of printmakers and community activists, are hosting a printmaking festival in collaboration with Open Studios, Beacon.
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Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon, NY 🧡