Travel Tips

One-Tank Trips from New York, Chicago & More

Locations in this article:  Chicago, IL New York City, NY Tampa, FL

Manhattan to Beacon, NY

60 miles
US-9 N

The quick way to Beacon from Manhattan is Palisades Parkway, but what you want to do is take the scenic route from Saw Mill Parkway to US-9 N.

Along the way…

Just about 25 miles north of Manhattan in Pocantico Hills is Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, a year-round working farm and educational center. Save your appetite for lunch at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, where celebrity chef and sustainable food activist Dan Barber serves only what’s entirely local and seasonal…in fact, there are no menus, just a list of what’s in season at the moment.

Across the river is the quiet little village of Nyack. Walk along the Hudson River and have coffee and dessert at the local favorite, Didier Dumas Patisserie. There are several antique shops in town, and you can spend an entire afternoon viewing the works of local artists at the Edward Hopper House Art Center, inside the former home of the renowned painter.

Keep going north and just about 17 miles south of Beacon is the famed West Point military academy. The grounds are open for tours, including the West Point Museum, which has an impressive collection of military items.

Beacon

The big draw in Beacon is Dia: Beacon, Riggio Galleries, the incredible contemporary art gallery housed in a former Nabisco box factory on the Hudson River. This isn’t just any art collection; we’re talking massive installations located on stunning grounds.

Feeling inspired? Head across the street for a glassblowing workshop at Hudson Beach Glass. There’s more than just art in this historic Hudson Valley town. The Incline Railway to the top of Mount Beacon, part of the National Register of Historic Place, is still being restored. But if you’re up for the challenge, hike along the rails to ascend the steep mountain―you’ll be rewarded with  unforgettable views from the observation platform.

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