If wandering through amazing art displays, exploring friendly farmers markets, and admiring fantastic foliage sound like your ideal day, this wheelchair-accessible trip to Beacon needs to be on your bucket list. Sip matcha while you meander down a main street lined with restaurants, boutique shops, art galleries, and cafes, hunt for hidden gems at the Beacon Flea Market, and so much more just an hour and a half train ride from New York City. Photo credit: Kenzie King.

Follow along with model, writer, and creator Bri Scalesse as she spends a day in the charming Hudson Valley city of Beacon, and get inspired to start planning your own New York State escape.

Getting There: Take Metro-North from Grand Central to Beacon

Get ready for a scenic train ride on Metro-North Railroad from Grand Central to Beacon Station.

What to Know Before You Go:

• Disability/medicare rate tickets can be bought ahead of time using the Traintime app and include 1 free personal care aide. 

• For wheelchair users, you can call 511 up to 15 minutes before your trip to let the train crew know you’ll be using the bridge plate, or you can arrive 15-20 minutes prior to departure and let the crew know you’ll be using the bridge plate. 

• Be sure to also let them know you’ll be getting off at Beacon Station. 

• Once you’re on the train, the accessible bathroom will have some grab bars, but can be tight on space. It’s recommended to use the restrooms in Grand Central Terminal before boarding. 

Once you find a spot, admire beautiful fall colors as you travel north along the Hudson River. At the stop before Beacon (Cold Spring), you may want to remind the conductor to put down the bridge plate at the next stop. When you arrive, the elevator is located at the end of the platform. There is a long ramp that will allow you to exit the station. Note that there is no bathroom at Beacon Station.

Credit: Kenzie King

From the Beacon Train Station, you can take the Beacon Free Loop bus directly to the Dia Beacon museum. The driver will deploy a ramp at the front of the bus for you to board, and be sure to let them know you are going to Dia Beacon. The museum is also .4-mile from the train station, and there are sidewalks with curb cuts. Note that some parts of the route do involve steep, hilly areas.

Found in a 300,000 square-foot restored factory, Dia Beacon is home to a renowned collection of art from the 1960s to present, as well as special exhibitions and new commissions. Large-scale sculptures and installations wait to be explored throughout the fully accessible indoor and outdoor space featuring artists like Richard Serra, Joseph Beuys, Donald Judd, On Kawara, and Andy Warhol. Dia Beacon is fully accessible including restrooms, and is spacious and flat.

Credit: Kenzie King

From Dia Beacon, get back on the Beacon Free Loop Bus to the Main Street & Cliff Street stop  and head towards the Dutchess County Beacon Government Center for the popular Beacon Farmers Market. Taking place every Sunday from 10am-2pm, explore a rotating lineup of welcoming vendors like Wright’s Farm or Hao Bao Now, selling everything from local produce and homemade cider donuts to fresh steamy bao and artisan crafts. This market is also spacious with flat pavement and large vendor stalls that make it easy to move around. Note: if you’re looking for an accessible restroom there is one nearby at the Hudson Valley Food Hall.

Credit: Kenzie King

Antique furniture, vintage designer clothing, hand-made jewelry, and other hidden treasures await at the Beacon Flea Market. Held just behind the Main Street Post Office on Sundays from 8am-3pm (April-November), check out a variety of vendors selling an ever-changing lineup of affordable items from colorful glassware to retro vinyl to local antiquities.

Stop 4: Explore Beacon’s Downtown

Credit: Kenzie King

Meander down Beacon’s vibrant downtown with fall mountain views as your backdrop. An array of art galleries, boutiques, and antique shops line Main Street like Elixxir Cafe with organic adaptogenic matcha lattes and other wellness beverages, and Two Sparrows Homestead with crystals and handcrafted journals. Elixxir Cafe is wheelchair accessible with a permanent ramp up to the door and flat interior. Two Sparrows is wheelchair accessible with a flat entrance and interior. 

Stop 5: Grab Dinner at Oui Oui

Say “oui” to dinner and make a stop at Oui Oui, a charming French and European-inspired eatery. Family-owned and operated, this warm and welcoming restaurant features bright pops of colors and whimsy alongside delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with dishes like truffle potatoes, Croque Monsieur, homemade Poutine, and chicken Cordon Bleu. Oui Oui is wheelchair accessible with a flat entrance and interior, as well as an accessible bathroom. 

Catch the Train Back into the City

When you’re ready to head back into the city, find the nearest bus stop and catch the Beacon Free Loop back to the train station. If you’re on Main Street, the nearest stop will be the Main Street & Route 52 stop. 

Discover even more accessible places to explore and experiences to enjoy on our Accessible Adventures in New York hub!