Issue #1 — Sunday, May 3, 2026
A weekly pick of one family-friendly hike within a 2-hour drive of Hoboken — always with an "aha" worth the gas money.
You climb past the rusted gears of the world's once-steepest funicular railway (1902–1978), pass the brick ruins of an old mountaintop casino, then top out on a renovated 1931 fire tower with a 360° view that on a clear day stretches from Manhattan to Albany. Then you drive five minutes to one of the Hudson Valley's coolest small towns and eat tacos next to Dia:Beacon, a contemporary art museum housed in a former Nabisco box-printing factory.
Three different "wows" in one outing. That's the bar for this newsletter.Park at the Mount Beacon Park lot on Wolcott Ave (Route 9D). The trail starts on a gravel path, then hits a giant metal staircase — that's the kid-favorite first landmark. From there, switchbacks climb steeply for about a mile (this is the hard part — take breaks, snacks help). You'll reach the casino ruins and incline railway powerhouse at ~1.2 miles, with sweeping views over Beacon and the Hudson. This is a great natural turnaround for younger kids.
If everyone still has gas in the tank, follow the red blazes another ~0.7 miles up to the fire tower at the summit of South Beacon Mountain (1,610 ft). The footing turns to exposed rock — sturdy shoes matter. Climb the tower if heights aren't an issue; the platform views are exceptional.
Same way down. The descent is faster but tougher on knees — trekking poles are nice if you have them.
Five minutes down the hill, Main Street Beacon is the chef's kiss on the day. Some easy hits:
Water (1L per person), sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes, layers, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, a small first-aid kit, and a phone with the trail map downloaded offline (cell service is patchy).