“As a well-spent day brings happy sleep” – Leonardo da Vinci
I guess I’m one of those people who likes to have a general idea where I’m going and what I’m doing with the option of being flexible (OK I lied: I have my itinerary minute-by-minute and would have a slight panic attack if things didn’t go as planned).
Either way: it’s easy to have a perfectly enjoyable day away from the city and taking a train Upstate to Beacon, NY without having to book a hotel.
I love it because it’s a straight shot. You won’t need to transfer or take an Uber somewhere or anything crazy (the town is less than a 10 minute walk from the train station).
First I would suggest downloading the TrainTime app to see all of the timetables; I like to try and beat the crowd so you will always catch me on the 7-8am ride so I get there just in time for a morning coffee at Bank Square Coffeehouse, where if you’re like me and need a moment of quiet before the chaos ensues, this is definitely the place to start your day.
After a slow morning coffee and thinking about how you’re so hip Upstate, my next stop would be Beacon Quality Eats which has one of the most decadent and rich breakfast sandwiches I’ve ever experienced.
You can sit on the patio in the sun and hope you can get a seat, as this ranks one of the best on Main St. so expect it to be busy.
To walk off the calories, take a stroll to explore the shops with local artists, record shops, and vibes.
Then inch your way up to the foot of the Breakneck Ridge Trail, where I’m not going to lie: is the start of a pretty difficult hike if you’re a newbie (I consider myself in shape and this was maybe 7/10 difficulty for me).
Make sure to wear hiking shoes and avoid any tennis shoes for this one. But don’t worry, the view will be totally worth it in the end (BONUS: that sandwich you ate for breakfast will cease to exist).
After the hike (the way down is a breeze), there is conveniently Hudson Valley Brewery where you can sit and sip on your Prosecco to recap the day before getting back on the train.
