I often marvel at children sitting very calmly in their highchairs while their parents discuss very adult topics over a lengthy meal. If you are parent of one of these mythical unicorn children, you can take them anywhere. Enjoy! Keep doing what you are doing! If you have a firecracker, energy ball of a child, you might want to have a better plan. And a plan B. And a plan C. Here’s a list of our favorite spots to take our toddler out to eat nearby.
A great burger joint with a very laid back atmosphere. If you sit inside, try to snag the window seat. There’s a very deep window sill allowing for safe keeping of the big kids’ beers/any drink without a lid for that matter, knives, salt shakers, etc. The patio outside is small, but very lovely in warmer weather. One of our favorite details is the at-the- counter ordering and pay-before-eating service. When you need to ghost due to a melting toddler, there’s no waiting around for the bill.
2. Dogwood
47 E Main St, Beacon, NY 12508
This place feels like home. The staff always treat you like family and the food is always delicious. There is an extensive offering of fantastic local beers and ciders. The decor lends itself well to treasure hunting with a toddler. Lots of illuminated objects and artwork are sprinkled throughout. In the wintertime there is usually a large crackling fire projected onto a big screen, that not only feels warm, but also mesmerizes babies and toddlers. This is an almost weekly destination for our family.
3. Stock Up
29 Teller Ave, Beacon, NY 12508
Absolutely mouth-watering food. The music is always on point as well. Order chicken digits for the kids and any of the Bird chicken sandwiches. YUMMY. They also have some very healthy and tasty menu items if you aren’t feeling the fried chicken vibe. In the warmer seasons, you can dine outside on the deck, almost always stocked with a bucket of bubbles and water guns.
Greasy and delicious.
5. Quinn’s
Yummy, yummy ramen. Despite the inherent dangers of consuming giant bowls of steaming hot liquid near your toddler, I would still highly recommend.
They’re only open for dinner, but if you come on the early side of the evening you’ll be all set. The service is super fast and everyone is so nice. All of the seats are booths, which are even more fabulous at containing children than high chairs!
Wonderful salads, sandwiches, pastries and more. The indoor seating is a bit tight, but it’s all about the fantastic patio. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a magical, secret garden. Some of your dropped crumbs might even feed the birdies.
Gluten free everything! You might not even know it if you weren’t seeking it out, as everything just tastes scrumptious. Great treats and coffee can be enjoyed on the sunny patio.
Quite exquisite assortments of meat and cheese. Lovely sandwiches and salads. Patios on the entrance and exit sides of the experience!
Lovely tacos with some nice vegetarian and vegan options as well. In the warmer months, there are open park benches and tables sprinkled among lush, open grass.
A bit of a drive from Beacon, but if you have the time, make the trip! There is a wonderful kids’ playroom where you can play with your kiddos before or after your lunch. If you’re like us, we are also still without our own washer/dryer and have to make trips to our local laundromat. Lucky for you, there is a laundromat downstairs. Bring your laundry and stay a while. All of the food is fantastic.
11. Ms. Fairfax
105 Liberty St, Newburgh, NY 12550
We love our neighbors across the water in Newburgh! Take the ferry over if you are really adventurous and make a day of it. There is a very nice patio in the back for roaming around. If you find yourself needing to escape, yet again, walk on over to Washington’s Headquarters and take a tour or just enjoy the grounds.
26 Front St, Newburgh, NY 12550
This is a bit of a cheesy spot and the portion sizes are out of this world, but the Hudson River views are breathtaking. The outdoor seating area is so large that you can really roam about freely without disturbing anyone for a good chunk of your time there.
13. Trax Espresso Bar & Coffee
Great coffee and pastries. Roam around the old train tracks along Fishkill Creek while you load up on your 3rd cup of coffee of the day. There also happen to be a lot of busy, active construction sites within walking distance. If your toddler is into trucks, diggers, or cranes, a stroll nearby will be way more exciting than watching another episode of Bob the Builder.
Welcome to Beacon! If you are in town to visit Dia: Beacon and you’ve made the hike up to main street, grab a cup of coffee or a beer and enjoy the great patio. Make the trek from Bank Square to Trax and you’ve just made yourself a great walking tour of Beacon.
Quite fancy inside, but acceptable for your crew in the summer on the fantastic patio. Enjoy the wonderful views of the falls at Fishkill Creek. The sound of the rushing water is sure to put your toddler to sleep at naptime. Real white noise!
43 Chestnut St, Cold Spring, NY 10516
Drive on over to Cold Spring and enjoy some delicious pizza. If you have time, check out the waterfront and take in the beautiful scenery. If you’re an ex Brooklynite and are jonesing for Roberta’s this will taste almost as good.
738 U.S. 9, Fishkill, NY 12524
Okay. This is a bar. In a strip mall. But, they have an impressive list of local beer and wine and some great pub food. If your toddler is melting and screaming “Home, home home. Go, go go!!!!!” take a walk to the pet shop next door. This will buy you some time and maybe even a goldfish or guinea pig. If the dance floor is not in use for a live music session, start your own dance party!
18. Iron Chef
101 N Plank Rd, Newburgh, NY 12550
Flames, flames, flames! Also the people who work there actually endorse the throwing of food. Perfect.
19. Ron’s Ice Cream
298 Fishkill Ave, Beacon, NY 12508
The ice cream is absolutely delicious. There is also a wide array of unhealthy, but yummy fair type food on the menu. Chicken fingers! Tack this on either or both ends of a trip to the Tot Park and you are winning at parenting.
2 Churchill St, Beacon, NY 12508
A great local brewery! They often host local food vendors as well, so you can grab a snack with your pint. In the summertime, the patio is great and a hot spot for dog owners. Have a beer and pet a puppy!
Want to know more about exciting events happening in Beacon? Check out this great blog!