Beacon's sites can keep you occupied

By Maeleeke Lavan
Poughkeepsie Journal

Since the revitalization of Main Street has stepped up in the past few years, the city has made a new name for itself on the map of up-and-coming places to visit and in which to live in the Hudson Valley.

Loaded with antique stores, boutiques, restaurants and art galleries, Main Street seems to come alive and attract even more visitors and local residents each year.

Places such as The Howland Cultural Center, which features art exhibitions, concerts and open mike nights, and the Mount Gulian Historic Site, an 18th-century Dutch Homestead, remind visitors of the historic nature the city holds.

Riverfront and Memorial parks offer the chance to relax near the Hudson River or on plush grass near playground equipment and ball fields.

Resident Ella Medley said her busy schedule has only let her take a peek at the improvements to Main Street, but every year her church has its annual picnic at Memorial Park.

''I've been to the stores on the east end (of Main Street),'' she said. ''I like looking at the antiques. Everything's so beautiful.''

Historically quaint buildings are everywhere, helping to maintain the area's character in the midst of new and changing developments.

Even after a full day in Beacon, you may not have seen it all, and in fact, may be too tired to take advantage of all there is to do.