While Marist has a beautiful campus and can be a great place to hang out and socialize, one can go to the Palace Diner and Poughkeepsie Galleria only so many times before feeling that they need to break free from the Poughkeepsie Bubble. For Marist students, with freshmen in particular, it is extremely difficult to find places to travel that are easy to get to, but also relatively inexpensive. My friends and I felt trapped within this bubble until we decided to explore along the Hudson Line, and a Beacon of light was shed upon us.

Here are just a few of the reasons why you should explore Beacon the next time you want to escape Poughkeepsie.

1. It's accessible.

For many college students, traveling off campus is nearly impossible without a car. However, Beacon is just a short, affordable train ride away via the Metro-North Hudson Line. On Monday through Saturday, the Dutchess County loop buses, routes C or H, can pick you up at Marist's Fulton Street stop and are free for students. Once at the train station, a round-trip Metro-North ticket can be purchased for only seven dollars, and the trains run at least once every hour. Once in Beacon, nearly every point of interest is within reasonable walking distance, and public transportation, such as the Dutchess County buses, is available for those that are not. Transportation to and from Beacon is reliable and affordable, so you can save your time and money for planning fun things to do once you get there.

2. It's unique.

While many small towns and villages may seem the same, with shops and restaurants as the only real sources of entertainment, Beacon is bursting with its own cultural identity that makes it distinctly unique. From individually owned boutiques filled with trinkets and oddities, to pop-up art galleries showcasing the works of local artists, the vibe of Beacon is any hipster's dream. Make sure to visit Hudson Beach Glass, located in a historic firehouse on Beacon's bustling Main Street, to check out art created in-house out of hand-spun glass.

3. The art and music scene.

Going along with its cultural uniqueness, the arts are an important presence within Beacon's identity. While pop-up galleries line the streets, the town of Beacon is also home to the large Dia museum, an art gallery that occupies the warehouse space previously used as a Nabisco factory. The Dia: Beacon showcases a rotating collection of contemporary pieces from famous artists, and has a student discount, which makes it the perfect place for college kids looking to get a little culture. Back on Main Street, several trendy cafes showcase live music nightly, including open mic nights, which allow those with a passion for performance to become a part of the cultural scene that is uniquely Beacon.

4. Your exploration doesn't have to stop there.

Given its central location, Beacon becomes the perfect gateway for other travels. Around the area and its neighboring towns, there are great places to hike and explore the outdoors, making for a lovely autumn afternoon. Beacon is a wonderful town to stop for a few hours and admire the stunning views and unique culture of the Hudson Valley. Be sure to stop in Beacon's tourist center to pick up pamphlets about other great places in the area before hopping back on Metro North, and exploring the endless opportunities along the Hudson Line.

Happy Adventuring, Marist Students!