Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where is Beacon NY?

A: Beacon is in Dutchess County, upstate New York. It resides in the Hudson River Valley.

Q: I heard that Beacon NY was big on art. What art museums or galleries are there?

A: Dia: Beacon Riggio Galleries is the place that really turned things around in Beacon. Previously, it had been a run-down factory town. But when Dia put their faith in Beacon, the city responded with a miraculous quickness to produce a vibrant arts community.

Q: Any fun historical facts about Beacon NY?

A: Sure. Beacon became a city in 1913, having previously comprised two adjacent villages, Matteawan and Fishkill Landing. The name Beacon was chosen to commemorate the fires lit atop Mt. Fishkill during the Revolutionary War. These were lit to signal British troop movement to the Continental army.

Q: How long is the train ride from NYC to Beacon?

A: The train ride takes roughly 80 minutes. That's 80 minutes of beautiful scenery, compliments of the natural majesty of the Hudson Valley!

Q: What can I expect in Beacon NY?

A: You can expect a spirit of cultural renaissance, a sense that things are constantly changing for the better, and a feeling that learning about and enjoying the world is a process that never ends.

Q: What is the weather like in Beacon NY?

A: The weather in Beacon NY is typical of the Northeastern United States. Cold in the winter, hot in the summer and moderate in the spring and fall. Beacon sees lovely white blankets of snow, verdant springs, lazy, hazy summers, and autumns of such beauty that they have been immortalized in oil on canvas by a number of famous Hudson River School painters.