Just an 80-minute train ride from Grand Central Terminal, Beacon, N.Y., home to the largest museum of contemporary art, Dia:Beacon, is a great option for a spring break getaway. This Hudson Valley town has become a renowned destination for New York City art lovers with dozens of art galleries that sprung up after Dia:Beacon’s opening 10 years ago.
The sprawling museum of almost 300,000 square-feet houses a vast collection of contemporary art dating back to the 1960s, with installations from highly celebrated artists such as Andy Warhol and Richard Serra. The museum is open Friday through Monday and, because of the need for natural lighting in most of their galleries, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Imi Knoebel’s “24 Colors-—for Blinky” is on display, featuring a cycle of 21 differently shaped works of art. Other must-see exhibits are Warhol’s “Shadows,” a metaphysical approach to using shadows as a subject, and Michael Heizer’s “North, East, South, West,” comprising works that incorporate geometry, architecture and voids.
Aside from exploring the expansive museum, the town of Beacon has many dining, entertainment and art options just a half-mile walk from the museum. If you still have not had your fill of art, check out Beacon’s mile-long Main Street, featuring dozens of notable galleries like Fovea Exhibitions and Hudson Beach Glass on its western end. All along Main Street are quaint cafes, coffee shops and restaurants like Homespun Foods, the Piggy Bank Restaurant and Cafe Amarcord. Or, for a quick bite to take on your train ride home, Yogo Waffle or Chill Wine Bar are both excellent choices.
To start your trip to Beacon, N.Y., Metro-North Railroad offers a $35.25 package deal for a round-trip rail ticket from Grand Central to Beacon Station as well as a ticket for Dia:Beacon as a part of their one-day getaway offers.
A version of this article appeared in the Thursday, March 13 print edition. Helen Owolabi is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].
