Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park

Once a vital rail link, now a people-pleasing riverfront destination.

BEACON, Dutchess County (19 acres) — Few traces remain of Long Dock’s hard-working past — this peninsula was created in the 1800s as a terminal for ferrying rail cars across the river. More recently, it was home to an oil terminal, salt-storage facility and junkyard. Thanks to a massive cleanup and reimagining, it’s now a super-popular place to launch kayaks, picnic, stroll through rehabilitated wetlands and meadows, drop a fishing line, explore an intriguing sculpture by renowned artist George Trakas, or just sit and admire the river. The park’s restored 19th-century red barn — the only historic holdover — is now Scenic Hudson’s River Center, which hosts arts and environmental-education activities.

Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available through Mountain Tops Outfitters (845-831-1997) and bicycle rentals (Thursday-Sunday) from Cold Spring Bike Rental & Tours.