Visit Dia: Beacon

It is not that I am starved for indoor activities that I thought Dia Beacon was an incredible visit, but more so that it exceeded my expectations far and away. It is worth the hour and half drive for each and every exhibit especially Carl Craig’s Party/After Party. It would be remise not to mention that the museum itself is a site to behold, nearly 300,000 square feet that epitomizes industrial architecture. The natural light that pours in through the skylights of museum is divine. The massive glass pane windows wrapping the building allows the outside foliage to fuse with the exhibits. The shadows that form on the concrete and hardwood flooring is a photographer’s dream. Dia Beacon is open all year-round sans major holidays and I will be closely watching for new exhibits and guided tours. 

John Chamberlain
Mel Bochner
Robert Smithson
Dan Flavin
Lee Ufan
Lee Ufan
Michael Heizer
Dorothea Rockburne
Dorothea Rockburne
Dan Flavin
Carl Craig
Carl Craig

I am not only besotted with the museum, but also with the town of Beacon. Everyone is welcome. As you walk towards the main drag you are meet with homes prominently showcasing Pride and BLM flags. People holding signs facing traffic like “Honk for Justice”. This is 75-minute express train ride from Manhattan, but you could have fooled me into thinking it’s Chelsea/West Village for it’s progressive, yet quaint vibes.

Notable mentions:

Parking for the museum is included with your tickets and parking downtown was hassle free.

Mask wearing was abundant and people were considerate of distancing on the sidewalks.   

The Roadhouse: Incredible meal, great service and a patio that overlooks a waterfall.

Wonderbar Beacon: Tapas and cocktails are worth the wait.

Storm King Art Center: Outdoor Museum

For over fifty years this Art Center has been a welcoming guest from all over the globe. I’ve been to Storm King in the past and in the wake of social distancing norms, this was a must do weekend activity. There are over 100 sculpture installations throughout the property, but the Center’s dramatic landscape of farmed fields, woodlands, lawns, native grasses, wetlands, and water are also a sit to behold. The landscaping is extremely thoughtful and I couldn’t help but be impressed by invitations to enter areas indicated solely by strategic paths, low cut grass or gravel paths, like breadcrumbs. There is something for everyone. If you choose to look at the sculpture from a far you will surely cover more ground, but you can easily walk 20K steps, either way there are fantastic photo opportunities at every turn. There are also designated picnic areas near each parking lot, so you can take a break and enjoy lunch overlooking the scenery.

Currently, tickets are based on timed entry and in turn there wasn’t clustering of people in the parking lots or the lunch areas. This park is opened rain or shine and throughout the fall. I highly recommend reserving your tickets as soon as possible. This is truly a majestic place that beautifully encapsulates the union of art and nature.