This New York City Is The Perfect Addition To Your End Of Fall Bucket List

Nothing screams fall getaway like escaping the hustle and bustle and sinking into the more laid-back moments of the season — especially if you're already on the East Coast. The warm drinks, orange and crimson leaves, knit scarves, and the scent of apple cinnamon as it fills the air sound pretty dreamy, right? Meanwhile, staying in the city probably means listening to the rumble of cars as they whizz by, senses overpowered by a lingering scent that's somewhere between rain-soaked concrete and day-old roasted chestnuts hitting your nose as you step outside. Not so dreamy anymore.

Luckily, roughly 79 miles north of New York City and accessible through the Metro North line, Beacon has become the perfect escape to soak up fall in all its glory. Lively and inviting, this quaint city on the Hudson River boasts a buzzing art, entertainment, and dining scene — meaning that it ticks all the right boxes in terms of culture, comfort, and cuisine for a perfect fall getaway.

Throw in a selection of hiking trails, scenic strolls, and viewpoints into the mix and you've got yourself the ideal excuse to ditch the big city in exchange for some much-needed peace and quiet instead.

The heart of Beacon lies on Main Street. Dotted with boutiques, restaurants, galleries, and bars, the street is synonymous with a good time. Ideally, you'll want to kick things off at Dia: Beacon, a contemporary art museum with permanent and rotating collections located in an old Nabisco box-printing factory. Open Friday to Monday, general admission tickets are available online for $20. For something a little different, Clutter Gallery boasts a collection of unique art that's markedly different from the works you'd see at the Louvre, as well as designer toys that can only be described as "out of the ordinary." Exhibition openings happen every second Saturday of the month, so plan accordingly.

From there, local shops like The Last Outpost, Binnacle Books, Beacon Bath & Bubble, and Hudson Beach Glass — part studio, part store — are a great way to connect with the locals and snag some unique pieces to bring back home.

And once all the shopping and cultural sightseeing has worn you out, Beacon's eateries are ready to welcome patrons with open arms. Whether it's lunch and beer at Melzingah Tap House, otherworldly sandwiches at The Beacon Daily, sampling Korean fusion at One More Bite, sinking your teeth into a meal with a view at The Roundhouse, or browsing through the stalls at Beacon's Farmer's Market — on every Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM, rain or shine — the town is bursting with flavor.

If you're itching to get outside and soak up some picture-perfect fall views, look no further than Mount Beacon Park. With trails of varying difficulty leading up to the summit of Mt. Beacon, the most popular choice is the 3.7-mile out-and-back hike that'll take roughly 2.5 hours to complete. Plus, you can also expect to come across various sites like ruins of the Beaconcrest Hotel, the casino, and remnants of Beacon's railway along the way. Once at the top, the views will more than make up for your sore legs. 

Alternatively, Madam Brett Park offers a shorter route — 1.6 miles long to be exact — that traces Fishkill Creek with stops along the Tioronda Hat Works Factory,  marshes, and a waterfall. It doesn't stop there, though. Another must-do while in Beacon is visiting Bannerman's Island. Although not technically a hike, the site is accessible via a short boat ride with tours starting from $45 that typically include a visit to the iconic castle ruins, which once housed a military surplus warehouse.

Before heading back to the city, make sure you round things off nicely with a visit to Fishkill Farms for a fall-themed apple-picking session. Open through November 12, the 270-acre orchard and farm offers "Pick-Your-Own" experiences that range from $48 on weekdays and $52 on the weekends. The fee covers a group of up to five people and gives visitors the opportunity to pick their own bag of in-season apples and pears.