Exploring Beacon, NY: Art, Nature, and Incredible Vegan Eats

New York State is more than New York City. Over the summer I did a couple of blog posts on this topic. You can check those out here and here. One of my favorite towns nestled in the Hudson Valley region, is Beacon, NY.

I think the first time I visited Beacon was in 2015. I was living in Brooklyn at the time. A co-worker mentioned how it was a great place to visit. So one weekend my husband and I took a day trip to Beacon and had a wonderful time. We would periodically visit, hoping one day we could live closer or even live there one day. Flash forward to September 2023, we moved to an area about 10 minutes away.

Beacon is easily accessible from NYC using the Metro North train or by driving. It takes about 90 minutes to two hours, depending on where in NYC you are traveling from. Taking the Metro North from Grand Central is about 90 minutes and is also a very scenic ride along the Hudson River.

You can see what the train ride is like here.

Main Street is about one mile long with shops and various types of eateries. There is also a scenic park along the river, a water fall, and the Dia Beacon Art Museum. If you are into hiking, you can also check out the scenic views from Mount Beacon. If you are there on a Sunday, you can check out the Beacon Famers' Market, which also has a lot of vegan treats.

On Mount Beacon with my husband and son.

Beacon has a lot of amazing vegan food. Here is a list of my favorite places:

Kitchen & Coffee: This vegetarian spot has a lot of vegan options and is 100% gluten-free. My favorites include the Sweet Potato Burger, Chocolate Dipped Almond Horn, Cheddar Scallion Corn Muffin, and the Cranberry Oatmeal Walnut Cookies.

Peaceful Provisions: I think these are the best vegan donuts on the planet! Everything is vegan!!! They are open Friday-Sunday 10am-3pm or until sold out. There is usually a big line, so get there early if you can.

The Pandorica Restaurant: I am not a Dr. Who fan (I never watched it before so don't know if I would be). I went here with a friend who was visiting who is a fan. I was pleasantly surprised by their vegan offerings.

Momo Valley: This Himalayan restaurant serves up vegan and non-vegan food. They have a separate vegan menu that is absolutely amazing!!! Reservations are recommended because they fill up fast.

Butterhead Salad Company: The salads here are my favorite! This place has vegan and non-vegan options and clearly labels what dressings are vegan. My favorite is the fig balsamic.

Also worth mentioning is Trixies Pizza. This place all vegan pizza place opened up earlier this year. I haven't been there yet, because they have limited hours and I have read they sell out fast. I look forward to trying them out one of these days.

Watch this reel I made about Peaceful Provisions.

What is a town that you like to visit? /what do you like to do there? Have you ever been to Beacon before? Let me know in the comments.

---

Jennifer Shlomovich is a recovering people-pleaser turned confidence coach. As the only vegan in her household, she knows firsthand how challenging it can be to stay true to your values when the people around you aren’t on the same path. For years, she put everyone else’s needs ahead of her own, but through her journey, she discovered the power of setting boundaries, living by her values, and confidently prioritizing her well-being. Now, she helps busy women simplify plant-based living so they can improve their health, save time, and feel supported—even if their family isn’t on board. On her YouTube channel, The Confident Vegan, she shares inspiring interviews, practical tips, and empowering conversations about what it really means to live in alignment with your values. She is also the co-host of That Vegan Morning Show with Kimberly Winters of the Did You Bring The Hummus podcast—where they help you start your day the vegan way, live every Monday at 7 AM ET on YouTube.