'Coolest Small Town In America' In Hudson Valley: Report

BEACON, NY — Trying to find a place for day trip during the summer? How about one of the “10 Coolest Small Towns in America 2018”? And it’s no more than a 1-1/4 hour car ride from anywhere in southern Westchester and Rockland County. Heck, you can even get there via Metro North.

We’re talking about Beacon in southern Dutchess County.

The city on the Hudson River topped the list of small towns with populations under 20,000 chosen by Budget Travel.

“Combining cultural diversity, cutting-edge cuisine, natural beauty and vibrant community spirit, these towns offer visitors a truly authentic experience, and the Coolest Small Town in America 2018, Beacon, in New York’s Hudson River Valley, exemplifies those core values, with an incredible array of artists and artisans, chefs, a world-class museum — DIA:Beacon — and a revitalized downtown,” Budget Travel wrote.

Among the notable things to experience in Beacon, the website said, are Zora Dora’s gourmet handmade popsicles, the Hudson Valley Brewery, Glazed Over Donuts and eateries with food ranging from tacos to upscale comfort food.

If you go on Sundays, there is also a wonderful farmers market on Main Street.

Other small towns that made the list include Sonoma, CA, Jackson Hole, WY, and not-to-far-away Point Pleasant, NJ.

For the complete list of the “10 Coolest Small Towns in America 2018,” go here.

Photo credit: Google Maps.