Last Updated on June 2, 2023 by Natalie
This post is all about what to do on the famous Beacon Main Street.
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Beacon Main Street is one of the most charming streets in Hudson Valley.
When I was searching for the best day trips from New York City, Beacon seemed like it offered exactly what we were looking for in our mother-daughter weekend vacation.
If you’re looking for a getaway from the city, the Beacon Main Street is a perfect balance offering that small-town feel, yet offering lots to do.
Lucky for me, I have friends who live in Beacon, so they gave me a list of personal recommendations of the best things to do on Beacon’s Main Street and the surrounding area.
I’ll be honest, you come to Beacon’s Main Street for two things – to shop and eat! But hey there’s nothing wrong with that, right?
Where to Stay in Beacon NY
There’s no shortage of amazing accommodations in Beacon NY. I personally stayed at this Airbnb and it was perfect for us.
$ – Hilton Garden Inn Poughkeepsie/Fishkill (10-minute drive to Beacon Main Street)
$$ – Luxe Studios Airbnb
$$$ – The Roundhouse or The Dutchess Inn
Beacon Main Street Weekend Guide
Here are the absolute best things to do on the iconic Beacon Main Street.
Don’t forget to print out this FREE Beacon NY Checklist so you don’t miss a thing!
Day 1 – Friday
After you’ve arrived at your hotel, get ready for dinner at Melzingah Tap House. Ideally, try to make dinner reservations in advance. If not, still shoot your shot and try to snag a table or spot at the bar top.
After dinner, head to Wonderbar and have a co*cktail.
After co*cktails, go to Beacon Bread Company for their Friday night-only Karaoke. This local cafe converts from its usual daytime bakery to a crazy dive-style bar on Friday evenings. This was my favorite night out in Beacon… so don’t miss it!
Day 2 – Saturday
After sleeping in (but not too long) from your crazy night of karaoke, head to Yankee Clipper for a classic diner breakfast. Afterward, head to the DIA art museum to marvel at the stunning modern art.
It’s highly recommended to book tickets in advance as they can often be sold out! If you book for certain timeslots, you can also get a free guided tour. We booked the 12 pm Saturday slot and were really happy with our tour guide experience.
Once you’re finished at the DIA, head to the eastern side of Main Street. Start at Roundhouse to take in the spectacular views of the falls. The Roundhouse is also a great spot to have a light lunch or snack before taking on the rest of the day.
After the scenic stop, meander in and out of the shops and galleries on Main Street.
Blackbird Attic, Raven Rose, and Tibet Tree of Life were a few of my favorite shops on the eastern end.
Take a break at Glazed Over Donuts and try one of their famous treats.
For dinner, head to the legendary Max’s on Main for classic comfort food.
To end your Saturday night on Beacon’s Main Street, either stay at Max’s on Main for live music – or check out Towne Crier Cafe to see if they have any live shows going on (they usually do on weekends!)
We opted for a Tom Petty tribute show at Towne Crier and really enjoyed it.
Try one of their cakes during the show. We loved their dessert so much, we came back the next day for round 2!
Day 3 – Sunday
Take some time for your last day in Beacon to explore the areas that you couldn’t quite fit in on Friday or Saturday.
If you didn’t get a chance to explore the western side of Main Street, don’t miss it.
Grab some breakfast at Peaceful Provisions or Beacon Bread Company. If you go to Beacon Bread, be sure to take a photo at the mural located in the parking lot on the side of the building,
Afterward, make your way to Hudson Beach Glass to check out some beautiful pieces. I bought a necklace that I’m obsessed with.
Stop by Blank Square Coffee House for some coffee or hot chocolate.
For lunch, go to Homespun Foods. Their broccoli cheddar soup is life-changing, I swear!
End your final moments in Beacon at Town Crier Cafe for some afternoon dessert, especially if you didn’t get around to it on Saturday.
14 Best Things to do on Beacon’s Main Street
If you’re looking to build your own itinerary, here is a list of the best things to do in Beacon NY.
1. Dinner at Melzingah Tap House
The best dinner I had in Beacon was most definitely at Melzingah Tap house. Their unique spins on comfort food are so dang delicious.
Do yourself a favor and order the brussels sprouts and chicken & dumplings.
2. co*cktails at WonderBar
Sipping a co*cktail inside the gorgeously decorated WonderBar is a must-have Beacon experience.
3. Friday Night Karaoke at Beacon Bread
Did someone say.. Karaoke at a cafe? That’s right, Beacon Bread company opens 1 night a week and turns into a fabulous karaoke bar. Filled with mostly locals and a few tourists, this was no doubt the spot to hit on a Friday night on Beacon’s main street.
4. Breakfast at Yankee Clipper
I can still taste those fluffy buttermilk pancakes! Yankee Clipper does it right with that classic menu that reminds you of your small-town breakfast joint.
5. Tour the DIA Art Museum
You surely can’t visit Beacon without taking a walk through the DIA Art Museum. Get your tickets in advance here.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
On Saturdays and Sundays at 12pm & 1:30pm, free guided tours are offered. I took a tour and learned so much more than I would have if I walked through on my own.
6. See the Beacon Falls near Roundhouse
Stop by the Roundhouse for a bite or simply just go outside in their courtyard for the views of the Beacon falls.
7. See ALL the Shops & Galleries
One of the coolest parts of Beacon’s Main Street is the unique boutiques and art galleries. Believe me, I had to have some serious self-control to not buy anything and everything.
A few of my favorite shops are Blackbird Attic, Raven Rose, and Tibet Tree of Life.
8. Have a Treat at Glazed Over Donuts
People come from all over the east coast just to have a donut at Glazed Over. From classic-style donuts to custom toppings, Glazed Over is a donut lovers’ paradise.
9. Max’s on Main
Craving that classic pub food or just looking for a beer?
Max’s on Main is such a staple of Beacon’s main street. After a few nights of fancy dinners on our trip, we were craving something simple and delicious. Nobody cooks up a burger and Bloody Mary quite as well as Max’s on Main.
Max’s also typically has live music on weekend nights.
10. Live Music at Towne Crier
End your epic weekend night by going to a live show at Towne Crier.
Don’t forget to order one of their delicious homemade desserts and co*cktails while you sit and watch the show.
11. Hudson Beach Glass
One of my favorite souvenirs from my trip to Beacon is a green glass-blown necklace. Even if you don’t plan on buying anything, it’s worth stopping by to marvel at all the beautiful glass treasures.
12. Blank Square Coffee
If you’re a coffee shop enthusiast like myself, you will certainly want to stop by Blank Square and grab a cup of joe or their specialty hot cocoa.
13. Lunch at Homespun
To this day I am STILL thinking about the mouth-watering soup I had at Homespun.
Located right in the middle of Beacon’s main street, it’s a great place to stop for lunch. Expect there to be a bit of a wait, especially on weekends!
14. Take a photo at the Beacon Main Street Mural
Of course, you can’t leave Beacon without snapping a photo of the Beacon mural. The mural is located just on the side of Beacon Bread Co. in the parking lot.
I hope you leave with a full belly, a couple of souvenirs, and wonderful memories!
This post was all about the best things to do on Beacon Main Street.
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