Ringing in the New year
A December afternoon in Beacon, NY.
And just like that, it’s almost 2025.
First, let’s talk about New Year’s Eve. If you haven’t yet planned where to celebrate—but you want to go out and about—why not take a peek at our Festive Eats & Drinks feature to see what’s happening in and around Main Street to welcome in the new year. From fine-dining and celebrations at Lyonshare, the Roundhouse, and Café Amacord to dance parties at Happy Valley Arcade and TVR (The Vinyl Room), there’s something for everyone (as we like to say).
But it’s also a time of year with more than just a night out to contemplate. A new year is an opportunity to reset and to embrace new habits. And once the celebrations and parties are over, there’ll be time to get serious about those new (highly satisfying) behaviors.
Here’s four New Year’s Resolutions to consider:
Get (more) involved in the community
The ARF 5K Run & Walk With the Dogs celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025.
In case you hadn’t noticed, there’s a deep-rooted sense of community in Beacon. It’s one of the many aspects that makes the city such a special place to live. From craft clubs and book clubs, to volunteering with any number of our amazing community organizations, boredom simply isn’t a viable option here.
Whether you care about food insecurity, the environment, animals, social justice, or the arts, there are multiple ways to give back and to get involved. Want to cook for neighbors in need? Contact Beacon Community Kitchen. Interested in walking pups awaiting their forever homes? Connect with the Animal Rescue Foundation. If literacy and literature are important to you, volunteer or support the Beacon Prison Books Project. And so, the opportunities go on. For a comprehensive list of Beacon non-profit organizations to volunteer for see our Community Directory, for events check our Events Listings, and our Instagram Stories for daily updates.
Plus, there’s still time for end of year donations to help these non-profits survive and thrive.
Walk the trails
Start the New Year with a First Day Hike from Long Dock Park to Madam Brett Park.
Living in a river town has many benefits. A 2023 feature in TheTravel.com called Beacon “arguably one of the most beautiful small towns in Upstate New York.” We can argue about whether Beacon is technically “upstate,” but few of us would deny the city’s iconic industrial-meets-art-meets-nature-meets-historic architectural beauty.
Wherever you live in Beacon, you’re just a stone’s throw from a stunning waterfront park or trail inviting you to switch off (cell phones included) and become one with nature. Your mental health will thank you. Choose from Scenic Hudson’s Long Dock Park, Madam Brett Park, Dennings Point (from mid-March to mid-December), Pete & Toshi Seeger Park, or the Fishkill Creek Trail.
One of our favorite walks begins at Long Dock Park, follows the trail to Madam Brett Park, and stops to take in the stunning waterfalls there before heading along Tioronda Avenue and across 9D to connect with the Fishkill Creek Trail which tracks behind Hudson Valley Brewery at 7 East Main Street. From there you can join the east end of Main Street and hit the shops or stop off for a well-deserved coffee or snack. All-in-all, it amounts to a scenic, uplifting five-mile or more walk.
Those feeling more adventurous can plan a hike up Mount Beacon, the highest peak of the Hudson Highlands. Some of our neighbors do this regularly, often several times a week. Mount Beacon (1611 feet) is located on the eastern edge of town. Whether you take the trail off Wolcott Avenue or the one from Pocket Road, you’ll instantly be immersed in deep forest sprinkled with glacial rocks and cool, flowing streams. That’s not to mention the views of the Hudson River and the Highlands from the top are just breathtaking.
To explore more ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Beacon year round, take a peek here.
Shop local
Last Outpost at 314 Main Street, voted Best Men’s Shop in Best of Hudson Valley.
With more than 80 shops and more than 90+ eateries and coffee or tea houses at every price point, there’s a multitude of reasons to shop or eat locally whenever possible. Main Street needs to remain a viable proposition for our independent business owners. Loyal and plentiful customers are the bedrock of any small business, as, of course, are tourists.
And with almost no chain stores (something we confess to being grateful for), Beacon offers a super-satisfying shopping experience for those looking to gift, self-gift, and even pick up everyday items. Each shop represents an opportunity to find something unique or made and curated with love. The eateries, coffee and tea houses each offer a different experience for everyone from artists, authors, moms, and yoga instructors to workers-from-home, workers-on-the-go, and retirees. Personally, we love them all.
In 2025, why not do yourself and our small business owners a favor and commit to shopping locally twice as much as you already do. And remember, incremental visits generate more sales tax which supports the local community. That’s what we call a win-win.
Help spread the word
The Beacon Beacon: Shining a light on all good things in the city.
It’s been just nine months since we launched The Beacon Beacon’s social media platforms, and four short months since we launched the website. Community is at the heart of what we do, and our goal is to shine a light on everything good that exists here in the city. We do this by creating inclusive (up-to-date) comprehensive guides to shopping, eating, drinking, arts & culture, and community organizations and activities that are helpful for anyone living here and for day trippers and weekend visitors.
If you’re enjoying The Beacon Beacon, please help us spread the word and tell a friend who might also like to follow us on Instagram, Threads, or Facebook, and subscribe to the weekly newsletter. And if you have suggestions on the kind of content you’d like to see from us, just drop us an email at hello@thebeaconbeaconny.com. We’re all ears.
All that’s left for us to say in 2024 is Happy New Year! We hope whatever you wish for yourself and for those you love comes to pass.
We’re so grateful for everyone who follows us on social media, reads our features, and subscribes to our weekly newsletter. May 2025 be a good year for us all.
Until next time…
The Beacon Beacon🧡