Beacon: Leave the city for some culture

Once a dying industrial town, Beacon, N.Y., has undergone a cultural rebirth during the past decade. A restored downtown and the world-class Dia:Beacon museum revived this city on the Hudson River as a destination for tourists.

Take a day trip and explore Beacon’s small-town charm — it’s just 60 miles from Manhattan.Dia:Beacon

Housed in a historic printing factory on the Hudson River, this 300,000-square-foot museum is home to one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the world.

The permanent collection includes pieces by some of the most important artists from the 1960s and 1970s, including Andy Warhol’s “Shadows” — an installation of multiple silk-screened and hand-painted canvases — and three of Richard Serra’s enormous “Torqued Ellipse” sculptures.

Nabisco built the factory in 1927 to print biscuit cartons, but Dia director Michael Govan thought the long-abandoned building with vast open spaces and north-facing skylights would be the right venue for showcasing the Manhattan-based Dia Art Foundation’s permanent works.

After a $20 million renovation, Dia:Beacon opened to the public in 2003. The museum is just a five-minute walk from the Metro-North train station (3 Beekman St., 845-440-0100; From Nov. 14-April 13, open Friday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., admission: $10).

More culture and shopping

After a visit to Dia, take a stroll down Beacon’s historic Main Street. Much of its original 1800s architecture has been restored.

The buildings now house galleries, antique stores, boutiques and restaurants.

Hudson Beach Glass

162 Main St.,

845-440-0068

Hudson Beach Glass hosts glass-blowing demonstrations almost daily, and its gallery space showcases bowls, serving platters and other pieces created by the owners.

RiverWinds Gallery

172 Main St.,

845-838-2880

A few doors down, RiverWinds Gallery showcases works by more than 40 artists from the Hudson River Valley.

20th Century Fox Antiques

466 Main St.,

845-831-6059

For great antique shopping, head to 20th Century Fox Antiques (open weekends only).

The shop specializes in pieces from the Art Deco and Art Nouveau movements, boasting an extensive collection of lamps, furniture and more.

Dickinson’s

440 Main St.,

845-838-1643

Dickinson’s is another go-to place that’s perfect for finding old, vintage clocks and furniture of all kinds.

Dine and drink

Alps Sweet Shop

269 Main St.,

845-831-8240

For a quick snack while antiquing, swing by Alps Sweet Shop. The third-generation owners stock specialty chocolates sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

The Piggy Bank

448 Main St.,

845-838-0028

For dinner, The Piggy Bank is known far and wide for its slow-cooked smokehouse barbeque. Ribs are the thing at this down-home joint: try a half-rack dry-rubbed with your choice of two sides ($14.95).

Max’s

246 Main St.,

845-838-6297

Grab a drink afterwards at Max’s on Main, where weekends mean live music from local bands.

Mount Beacon

With more than 32 miles of public trails, Mount Beacon is ideal for city slickers looking to get back to nature.

The 1,500-foot summit is the former home of the Incline Railway, one of the steepest tracks in the world when it was built in 1902.

The railway drew tourists from the city to the restaurant and dance hall at Mount Beacon’s peak.

Today, visitors can still enjoy spectacular views of the Hudson Valley from the top.

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