Dia Beacon Reviews

What a wonderful experience to be in so large a refurbished manufacturing plant. The Nabisco Co. used the facility to make the carboard boxes. So much brick and hugh space leaving the imagination open as to what is must have been like to work there. The large scale of the installations work with the building. The Dia organization works to display large art and scultures. The art really possess you to imagine not just the meaning, but the material and how the artist created the work, as it is also a experience in magnitude

I traveled from Manhattan to visit the Dia Beacon Museum in the old Nabisco cardboard box factory. The exhibits were interesting in that many of them left me wondering if I in fact knew what art was. I really thought I did, but this museum pushed the limits.

If you're looking for something outside of the ordinary, then go for it. Draw you're own conclusions.

I was chastised for not letting the art breath, I was at least a foot away from the light sculpture, and felt the attendant was being a little too protective.

I agree with other contributors who stated the Emperor's New Clothes analogy. After viewing the NY Met and Frick collection on our holiday, this gallery really mocks truly talented artists who have produced marvellous work over the centuries.
But we had the most amazing laughs,with tears pouring down our cheeks over some of the exhibits.I can dig a hole, pile up the mud and pop a bit of glass in it. I can stretch some string from wall to wall, I can put 3 light bulbs at the top of a blank white wall.The list goes on....
I am now an artist!! Thanks so much for the laughs, it ended up being a great day, as the train ride up was great, we walked around town and saw some awesome houses and had a nice lunch. And took a photo of a convenience store saying that senior citizens over 55 (YES! 55) get a discount on Wednesdays .BRILLIANT!

I am really surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did-I generally lean toward the more traditional--but i really enjoyed the afternoon I spent here!

Went to Dia yesterday.
It was a beautiful day.....sunny in the 60's in Mid January!!
I have been to Dia before.
It is a fantastic venue to view art.
And they do a great job of displaying the work.
I honestly am not a huge fan of contemporary art, but I always find some interesting things to look at when I come here.
It is definitely worth visiting.

Beautiful grounds and a wonderful place to spend a rainy day! Grab a bite for lunch, roam around the grounds and enjoy the unique art!

Room after room the work is jaw-dropping. From the neon light display in the basement to the monumental Richard Serra pieces on the ground floor, it's an interactive experience which charges the mind and the senses.

Call me a simpleton, but I don't consider a canvas painted completely white as art. Really was disappointed with this one. There was 1 or 2 things that caught my attention, but even at the low price of $15/pp I felt ripped off.

This art gallery has many different works in it. Being a photography major I understood most of the art. This place is such a cool area to put art in. I would go back again.

This gallery has a broad collection of artwork (both large and small.) The setting allows for very large exhibits, including those best experienced from a "hands-on" point of view. One can spend an afternoon here, depending on your appreciation of the exhibits currently on display. I recommend checking to see what is being shown, before going.

We spend a couple of hours enjoying the varied contemporary art work housed in this beautifully restored former Nabisco factory.
We especially enjoyed the large Serra pieces and the Flavin display of fluorescent lights.

The converted print factory is a spectacular space to display the large collection of minimalist art. A lovely setting on the grounds with a good cafe

If you find you only have time to do one thing in the town of Beacon, put this at the top of the list. On a weekend away in the Catskills, my boyfriend and I passed through Beacon on the way home. Parking is pretty limited. On a busy day expect to stalk people to their cars for a spot. Luckily we were able to find parking in the museum lot, but several people were told (by museum staff working the lot) that the Beacon MTA station nearby offered parking (not sure if it was paid / unpaid). Because the train station is walking distance to the museum expect spurts of large parties at admission due to incoming trains from Manhattan. There is a small cafe that offers light breakfast / lunch options and coffee / tea, has a decent amount of seating. The exhibits in the museum are mostly installation art on a grand scale. A few exhibits were interactive with the viewer which proved to be a unique experience. This is a great day activity, along with exploring the dining options in the town of Beacon and neighboring town Newburgh. This is an activity for everyone to enjoy, during our visit we saw other couples, as well as families with small children, and people going solo.

I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Dia:Beacon. I did the metronorth trip package which was great. Once you're off the train there are signs everywhere pointing you towards the museum.

When I first walked into the museum, I was slightly disappointed because I was very unimpressed with the works, and this is coming from a big Robert Ryman fan. That being said, I was delighted to discover a good selection of his work on display. Once I got past the initial exhibits, I was very pleased.

I did enjoy my trip, but I don't think that I'd go back unless they had a special exhibition.

What a stupid pointless waste of time. The so-called art was a joke. Part of a guardrail painted blue took up most of a huge room. My family and I laughed he whole way through. I’m not unaccustomed to modern art and have been in many contemporary art museums and enjoyed them. But whoever curates Dia Beacon should take up another profession.

The museum is laid out to present you with many different experiences from faint lines on a wall (Sol leWitt) to broken glass to the back room of a frame shop. Amazing Stella steel pieces beggar description. Just beautifully done.

Visited the Dia:Beacon Galleries on the banks of the Hudson River in a former Nabisco box-printing factory built in 1929. It’s expansive spaces (34,000 square feet) are well suited for large scale sculptures. The grounds include an entrance court and parking lot with a grove of flowering fruit trees and a formal garden. Also walked through the Main Street in this quaint town. Senior pricing $12.00.

my wife loves art. This museum had quite a few unusual exhibits and we easily spent 2.5 hours there. The experience was very good even for a non artist such as myself.

One of the most modern museums. The museum has been built around natural lighting, which is unusual and inviting. And the museum understands that not everyone appreciates modern art and offers the best tours to make one feel comfortable and knowledgeable. The space is beautiful and spacious. There is more than adequate room to appreciate the art and move round it. I look forward to many more visits.

ok....so let’s start with the positives. It’s a tremendous building creating a first class space to exhibit sculptural pieces...especially larger scale. This it does very well.....an eclectic range of works from the challenging to the mundane with everything in between (including the just plain daft). It’s impossible not to be impressed and intrigued by some of these pieces. I’ve been in galleries all over the world (and collected art for over 40 years) and this space leaves a marked impression. But the curation is pretentious to say the least. The way the works are organised seems almost deliberately intended to refuse engagement and set the viewer at odds with the work. The gallery is heavily policed by grim attendants in black who follow people around or shadily supervise to make sure you don’t actually enjoy yourself or the work. There are rules a-plenty pursued by the staff with Orwellian dourness. All of this serves to create a gallery which surpasses itself in elitism and snobbishness. Not at all a place for you to learn to be comfortable with art but somewhere you will be reminded of your place......as a plebeian who is there on the clear understanding that you won’t “get it” and have no business relating to what’s on offer. What a shame.....I longed to be impressed but was only reminded that it isn’t art that alienates...it’s the galleries and those who run them.

I don't pretend to know a lot about serious art , but honestly the artwork at the Dia left me wondering ....am I that far out of the loop that I'm totally missing the worthiness of this art?I left feeling confused and dismayed because I expected so much more from the hype that this place receives. The building itself and the surrounding area of beautiful Beacon of course gets a lot more kudos then the art content!

Dia was interesting for about an hour, but after a while it was just tiresome. White canvases, pile of dirt, broken glass pile. Really?

Definitely recommend! Some great new modern pieces, loved the downstairs experience! A few too many color field works, but overall great space! Easy to find, easy parking and reasonable price.

Visited the "Squares" exhibit. I think $12/ adult is a bit high for what you see. Not impressed with pile of broken glass in the middle of the floor- hope no school groups visit!

A fantastic collection in a great environment. The Steve McQueen installation downstairs is fantastic. We did the tour and the guide, an artist herself, was very informative.

You will notice that there is no limits in art, imagination and space as you walk around Dia: Beacon. Even if you’re not a big fan of contemporary art like me, you can relax and feel free here. The lushly green garden is also amazing with beautiful sunlight. So many photo spots!

Installations and creations, hands-on and hands-off ... marvelous place to get all your senses in motion... you may or may not agree "is this art" but you won't be left indifferent (apathetic) ... The place is just one of the most "fun - fulfilling and exciting' museum I have visited in many a year! If you're planning a vacation in New York area .. take the time for a drive - beautiful scenery on the way and enjoy the museum and then the lovely small town of Beacon

I really enjoy visiting the DIA Beacon for the afternoon. It really gives you the opportunity to explore larger pieces of contemporary art that can’t be displayed at the smaller museums. I saw works by artists that took up whole rooms. The museum was a former factory so it offers the space to display these large works of art.

The DIA displays very cutting edge works so you not see old masters here but a more natural and sometimes interactive pieces of work with lights and sounds. The use of woods, barbed wire, glass and twigs shows in some of the artists works from using nature and industrial items as part of the art.

You have to keep an open mind and walk the galleries with a perspective of what the artist is trying to convey.

After roaming the halls, they also have a nice gift shop to explore and a restaurant to have lunch.

Incredible contemporary Art Museum

Dia beacon is an amazing contemporary Art Museum located right on the Hudson river and what was once a manufacturing town. It is housed in a former box factory which is an incredible showcase for always interesting rotating exhibitions.

The food is catered by Homespun which is fantastic..,separate review also five star.

Good gift shop which we use for interesting gifts

For art lovers of all ages. Excellent docents. Kid friendly. My youngest first went at age 5.

If you are looking for a good laugh, this is the place.

From the uninterested and aloof employees to the bathrooms that smelled of sewage. How about the metal guardrail painted blue on the wall or the empty white room with the empty white canvas.

The best part of Dia Beacon is the building itself.

DIA: Beacon, located in a former Nabisco box factory, is a great family destination and a fabulous way to sneak some art into the diet of children and bored teenagers. The space is magnificent, with acres of gleaming hardwood floors, and the art is organized in smaller rooms that allow for more intimate viewing and contemplation. Although not all of the art will be to everyone's taste (and some -- like the Louise Bourgeois spider sculpture, may be downright scary for kids), it's a great tour of late 20th century artistic thinking.

I suppose you would describe this gallery as "modern," but I would describe it as a waste of money. After seeing many high-rating reviews and heading to Beacon from out of state, we decided to check out Dia and were very disappointed. Many of the pieces looked more like a blank canvas, pieces of rope, random lights, or a pile of sand/broken glass/metal garbage from cars/boats. There were even holes on display. I get that art is subjective, but most of what I saw there is a far cry from art and I feel that the $12 entrance fee was a huge rip-off.

I felt embarrassed to laugh out loud in front of the staff but couldn’t help it- what a farce! You can read the other reviews under the “terrible” category- all true. Presumptuous piles of garbage for the most part, maybe I just don’t understand but I could recommend the Whitney museum for beautiful and interesting modern art instead.

This is one of those places that is great when you are looking where to take people from out of town. I'd been "meaning to go" for years, so the visitors were a good excuse and we all had a great time. It's a good place to go on your own as well because the exhibits do change, but it's an added incentive to take visitors because the art itself is often a great conversation piece.

DIA is fabulous. WE have visited several times. We are always amazed at the size and extent of the various works of art. It is modern art at its best. If you like modern art, be sure to visit.

Dia Beacon is a great place to visit.The fee to enterwould be $20.00 and less.if you are interested in art you will love this place.The art is contemporary art so if you visit multiple times you will see lots more art!!!Go to Dia Beacon.

Going to the Dia:Beacon from Manhattan is a lovely day trip. Trains leave from Grand Central Station and travel time is about 90 mins. The museum advertises free admission with a round trip ticket, but I admit, I didn't figure out how to obtain this ticket from the ticket machines. Maybe it's something to stand in line for?

The art on exhibit ranges from fantastic to notable. You'll find wonderful pieces from top contemporary artists, such as Serra, Le Witt, De Maria, Irwin, and Flavia. Take time to experience the large scale pieces. The converted Nabisco factory space offers wonderful light and room to roam. It's easy to see all the pieces in an afternoon.

Minus one star for the less-than-stellar management of the museum. It reeks of an "insider" museum. The signage listing artist, work title, date, etc. is non-existent. You might find a card with the artist name around the corner; or you might not. Is this to adhere to an ideal of minimalism? The docents cop an attitude and barked at the patrons on numerous occasions to step away from the works. Maybe have a marker on the floor to prevent these intrusions?

Good museums educate and inspire. Dia:Beacon makes no attempt on the former and often hinders the latter.

Simply such a beautiful building soaked in natural light and beautiful space. Not your usual art museum with paintings hanging up but rather massive, unique & structure type of art! As a photographer, this place was visual eye candy. The building itself is beautiful with the art installs thoughtfully placed.

We visited on a Sunday afternoon & spent almost 2 hours soaking in the beauty here. The place felt quiet & relaxing. Loved that you can get up close to each piece.

Things to note:
- SMALL parking lot. It was full when we arrived but after circling around for a few minutes, we got a spot!
- bring your camera! This place offers so many cool photo opps. The art pieces itself make great photos but the building itself is an architectural beauty! The building alone is worth exploring & seeing!
- check out their small gift shop that has lots of cool books on art
- they have a cafe which offered some vegan choices
- pre order your tickets!
- no bags allowed inside

The most interesting aspect of this museum is that it concentrates on significant displays of relatively few artists, rather than trying to be encyclopaedic. On this visit, the brochure listed 22 artists on display. Clearly, some of the installations must be semi-permanent. They have the largest set of Serra works I have ever seen in one place - one can't move those very often - and a work by Michael Heizer consisting of a series of "holes in the floor" would be difficult to recreate. They have done a great job of converting a former printing plant into an art space that allows for expansive works to be displayed.

I didn't really read much about the museum prior to the visit but I imagined it to be huge because it was Nabisco factory before. It is really huge and all space such that all the minimal style of art you can imagine looks fantastic there. Imagine giant Richard Serra's sculptures for example. And they feel great to explore. This is a must-visit museum if you happened to find yourself around or near the area.

Okay, what passes for art for some is not what others would call art. The building is wonderful and the cafe is also okay. Worth a trip but the art here varies. Unless you're really a connoisseur of very contemporary art, the gallery is mostly a nice walk through some great industrial housing. There are some classic contemporary pieces (Dan Flavin's work for example.) Other work is questionable (piles of felt floor tiles topped with a metal piece, sand with a mirror wedged in). If you like that sort of work, this is the place for you. Not sure this is worth the trip up to Beacon but to each his own.

I was somewhat skeptical about spending any time here based on some of the previous reviews o TA. But we went and spent a most enjoyable three hours here! Some of the exhibits were not my cup of taste but isn't that what art is all about? I guess you have to see for yourself whether or not it is your thing - my advice. . . GO!

Firstly, I will start by saying I am not generally a gallery or museum person. I visited Dia: Beacon with friends on a weekend trip so its not something I would normally do.
Saying this, i really enjoyed the time we spent here. This gallery is like nothing I have seen before and the experience was made more enjoyable by the guided tour that is offered. This really opened my mind to the exhibitions and helped me understand them more. This guided tour was also enjoyed by my travel companions who are far more into art then I am so I would recommend timing your visit to meet up with one of these tours.

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that certainly applies to the art installations here. Dia: Beacon is home to some very impressive works which are too large for a standard art gallery. You may not like every piece, but some are truly remarkable. Beacon and Dutchess County are blessed to have an art gallery of this caliber here.

This museum is a modern art lover's dream: a beautiful repurposed space with beautiful, natural light.

Today my wife and I, along with another couple, visited this 300,000 square foot former printing factory which houses some of the most atrocious "art" I have ever seen. I'm really sorry to have to say that, because the buildings are sturdy and architecturally pleasing. It is true that I dislike most modern art, but this stuff is really over the top. Intricate colors and patterns are presented, but to what end? Just a mathematical exercise by the "artists" to prove they can do it, in my opinion. I'm sorry, but a pile of dirt on the floor is not art to me. Neither is a thousand shards of broken glass in a pile on the floor. You can skip this place and I wish we had.

Went since it was free. I am not a real modern art nut. Grounds are beautiful and parking was easy. Don't understand all the art

This museum- that helped beleaguered Beacon return to charm - is not for everyone. Very edgy, walls covered with numbers, a room featuring a pile of dirt, a forest made of gauze stretched on 2x4’s.

Beautiful space and grounds, spectacular vistas of the Hudson River and Hudson Valley, easy walking distance to Metro North station and to Beacon’s charming Main St and rainbow of restaurants.

I was saddened to read some of the poor reviews and what was said. This place is amazing! And, because it is “different” some might not truly appreciate what it is.
This is an amazing venue for large installation art. These are pieces that often cannot fit in traditional art settings.
The staff is knowledgeable and quite courteous (unless you’re not). The outside space is just as spectacular as the inside, with amazing Hudson River views. And, other than the periodic train that brings visitors up from NYC, it’s really peaceful, serene and quiet.
This is a great way to spend a few hours.and, if you’re a newbie to such venues, they have free guided tours. Time your arrival to match the tour times.

It has been said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
That being said, Dia Beacon is not for everyone BUT everyone should take a little time to visit this museum, if only to get some appreciation for what the other side calls art.
The building has been converted from an old Nabisco factory and in some places the stark walls of the factory have been preserved.
A place to return to if only to see the varying displays.
Our last visit was approximately 10 years ago and I can see myself returning in the future.

A great place to spend half a day with your family. While appreciating some of the art works, my family had a great discussion on how creatively people express their thoughts and philosophy in various artistic ways. If there is a senior, a teenager, or a college student in your family, make sure they bring their ID to get a discount.

Huge building filled with really interesting very minimalistic art. Always something new around every corner. Some pieces I liked more than others but a lovely day trip out of New York City. We took the train from Grand Central. It's walking distance to the train station. Had a delightful lunch in their Cafe.

I don't normally enjoy modern art, but it was different here because we took a group tour with a volunteer who walked us through the exhibits showing us how to use all the senses to experience the art, rather than just look. It was well worth the effort. I would recommend to anyone who has the time and really doesn't understand modern art.

Having just come from the Whitney and MOMA we felt many of the exhibits at the Dia were weak. Highlights were the metal sculptures and the maze. The building itself is an architectural wonder with high beamed ceilings, exposed brick wall and gigantic support pillars on the lower level. The grounds are nice and the cafe had decent food. The staff was questionable. The place was filled with hipsters who either gave come up for the day or escaped Brooklyn.

Huge space in a tranquil setting. The art pieces are very large and lend themselves to the large space. Easy to walk around. Loved the brick walls nd wooden floors. There is a cafe and bookstore. Order timed tickets in advance. Due to the spaciousness, it did not feel crowded.

Dia:Beacon is located in the Hudson-Valley about a 30min drive from Manhattan. The artwork, mainly contemporary art, is of highest quality and is exhibited in the large spaces of a former factory. Be sure to go outside in the little courtyard to listen to the (artificial) birds, and don't miss the large Serra-installations in the basement.

DIA has become my favorite contemporary art museum, surpassing even Berlin's in its creativity. Visit and be astounded.

can't say enough about this magical place...fuel for the soul and bracing inspiration. DIA is a fantastic organization, and invariably nearly everything they do is right up my alley. The installations and pieces they preserve all around the country and particularly in New York City are a huge cultural asset. An afternoon wandering around these grounds is a gift. If you are in the area and you bypass this place, you miss one of the most important places for art on the East Coast. Destination outing for sure. Clearly I'm a fan LOL...Thank you!

Great place for a day visit, it offers a relaxed place for enjoying modern art and great landscapes. The train ride from NYC offers a wonderful experience of the Hudson River.

Wear comfortable shoes; this place is huge. If you are an aficionado of contemporary art, you cannot miss the Dia Beacon. It's easy to get to from NYC on Metro-North with a shuttle bus from the train station. Nice little garden outside.

This former Nabisco plant, now modern art museum is really not to be missed! The variety of work was diverse and thought provoking. But being a bit arrogant, I did say,"I really could do that." The installation art was amazing.

At the end of our day at DIA: Beacon, I could not decide on what was more impressive: the expansive installations of major artworks or the building itself. This former Nabisco box printing factory, with its concrete, steel and remarkable natural light, was constructed in 1929. It now serves as the backdrop for what was the first facility of its kind in the United States to house large contemporary and late 20c artworks of scale. Even the parking lot is remarkably rendered, and the DIA café serves a terrific mix of libations and small plates. The coffee and tea selections were uncommon, and the facility itself is a few hundred yards from the Hudson line Metro North train station. It all adds up to a fine day long excursion.

DIA’s excellent and comprehensive collection of Minimal and Conceptual art is housed in an enormous 1920s industrial building, where the use of space and light is as close to perfect as any art space could hope to achieve. The stellar collection of sculpture and installations rivals, or even surpasses, those of MoMA, the Hamburger Bahnhof or Tate Modern, none of which devote quite such an awe-inspiring setting for this kind of artwork. The train trip from Manhattan to Beacon is also enjoyable, following a beautiful stretch of the Hudson River, making the entire experience very worthwhile.

DIA Art Foundation did a great jog on this project, I had no idea what to expect but was totally amazed by the scale and thought provoking nature of the art work. I'm not sure this place should be duplicated anywhere in the US, on the Hudson is the best place. Don't drive, take the train and enjoy the conversation back.

PS, someone needs to get some of the NYC kids to visit the museum, it will give them a different experience and perspective other than their 4 walls and concrete existence. Who knows, one of those kids may become an artist!

A con show of art. I wish I could get my money back.

My girlfriend and I wasted $20 apiece on this awful museum of what is supposed to be modern art.

And, listen, I know art is subjective. I enjoy some modern art. My girlfriend is an art teacher. We both shook our heads in disgust as we walked out of the museum.

Rooms filled with blank canvases or string hanging from the ceiling. A few strips of fluorescent light stacked obscurely. This is the kind of disappointment that awaits you.

If you like contemporary art and great repurposing of industrial buildings, you'll love Dia: Beacon. (You probably already know that.) A delightful surprise for us was the staff: The young man at the entrance and the people who would ordinarily be called guards were all super-knowledgeable about the art and the building. This wasn't only in a rote way; they clearly had done reading on their own and loved what they were finding out. I'm glad I overcame my desire to be left alone and listened to what they had to say!

A couple of years ago we happily discovered the incredible factory re-use in North Adams, Massachusetts for the overwhelming MASS MoCA museum, incredible displays and space. Equally so is Dia: Beacon, a 300,000SF ex-Nabisco factory on the edge of the Hudson River in New York.

Not knowing what to expect, we wandered in and were knocked-out. A lot of what seemed like permanent and non-permanent displays seemingly un-ending. You had the classics, Richard Serra, Sol Lewitt, with others that I'm familiar with who get major installations like Michael Heizer's gigantic geometric holes in the floor. Amazing and beautiful.

Difficult to see everything there is so much to see, so many floors and spaces to get to. The museum bookstore is very rich and fascinating in itself, and the cafe a nice relief. Also in the mix are the gardens, proximity to the Hudson River, and the nearby river side art installation that draws tidal river water into it.

Cool.

Uninspiring and quite dull. Lots of empty space. Nothing very special. Worth seeing if you’re here, but not worth travelling.

Curate Artistic Works versus filling a space with mindless works that instill no thought, emotion, or feeling.

We were so looking forward to the visit to Dia based upon recommendations from others, but as others have said. “A waste of time and money” 



Calling many of these exhibits works of art might be a stretch. From white canvas squares in a row to fluorescent light bulbs standing in a corner vertically to colored squares in a very large room this “museum left much to be desired.



At 20.00 per person for adults we expected sculptures, paintings, and modern art that might have taken more than a day to create.



Definitely don’t waste your time or money,

Dia: Beacon is like going home for The Brand Fam... we just bask in the rays of the historical relevance, the insane art and the beautiful architecture. This museum is so incredibly special.

This is the place that drew us first to Beacon where we lived for a year and a half and birthed our first child, Iza Ruby. Iza's first 6 months of her life were nearly entirely spent at the Dia: Beacon walking the hallways and enjoying the quiet ambiance. She loves the Birdcalls outside in the West Garden in the exhibition created by Louise Lawler. She would chase after the light changes in Louise Bourgeois' upstairs exhibit and now as a running toddler she loves to run through and scream inside the 4 voluminous Richard Serra sculptures.

I would nurse while sitting in Ian Wilson's exhibit to get privacy and relish the gluten free pignoli cookies at the cafe. This place is pure and simple fabulous. It is only an hour from the city via train and it is a direct shot. Beacon as a town is great and has lots to offer. It is also not that far from the Storm King which is a very worthwhile trip.

We think of the Dia:Beacon every single day.

Really enjoyed my visit here. Large, sprawling pieces of artwork and very interesting. I spent more than a few hours exploring this awesome museum.

We stopped by during a visit to Beacon to get out of the rain and, well, I just didn’t get it. Most of the art is well beyond my simple grasp and it seems like they could have done a lot more with such an awesome space. The only exhibits I enjoyed were the humongous spider (my wife hates spiders), the antique pickup trucks and the large metal cylinders that you could walk inside. But the place was packed and many people seemed to be enjoying the absurdity of it all. Go in to avoid the weather and maintain a sense of humor. Like, was that a panel falling off the wall, or is that art?

A former factory, DIA is a larger satellite of the Chelsea NYC Dia.. A Major collection. Varying quality, but the Warhol and Lousie Bourgeois are worth the admission.

I purchased one of those combo train&museum tickets at Grand Central, walked from the Beacon train station to the museum, easy, short walk. The museum space itself is beautiful, comfortable, airy architecture. Not too crowded, went on a weekday. The art collection was excellent, cute book shop and very pretty garden out front.

Took the MTA North out of Harlem, along the Hudson River all the way up. Short walk to the museum. What a treasure trove of Warhol, Bourgeois and Serra! Then a shuttle to the Main Street for shopping & lunch. Perfect day trip!

This space is mind boggling. The art on display is world class and you will see creations like those you have never seen before. The space is perfectly suited to the unbelievable creativity of the artists whose work is shown. The Dia Beacon is a visit you will remember for a lifetime. Do not miss this!

Great spot to visit large installations of conceptual/minimalist modern art. Kids basically ran around enjoying the open spaces. Amazing light for taking photos. Worth the stop if you like modern art/large installations. The grounds and architecture (refurbished factory) are stunning, along the side of the river. Great cafe with hot food. Beacon itself is a treat.

We've been to museums all over the world but the Dia Beacon is top of our list. Hard to describe but the works are unusual, well curated and extremely worth visiting. See the photos.

This museum is incredible, the space is all lit with natural light in the most beautiful way. The work is placed and hung with perfection. The importance of space, light and a superb way to hung or show this amazing art. Impressive. The cafeteria offers fantastic food and really good books to discover at the shop

Even contemporary art has it's limits to the viewer so I feel bad not liking the artist highlighted. Art is very objective. My sister and I felt we did our part for the arts with the admission fee. We did laugh like we hadn't since we where kinds and had a great meal up the hill. My advise is to research the arts before going,you may think its great. It is a nice platform for known and unknown artist and to be fair I think I would have questioned a Campbell's soup can as well. We had been there last year and had the same experience but had the wrong info this year, we thought it was string art,which we very much enjoyed. Not for everyone.

Bring great shoes and lots of stamina -- it is a big place and you don't want to run out of time or energy before you get to the multi-level section -- it is the best (and most surprising).

Incredibly rude staff. Uncaring and cannot answer questions or provide any information. Waste of time.

There is no "no" to what kind of piece of art will be there. I can't imagine how the huge works of Serra got inside. I must whenever I can. The cafe now makes easier to have a picnic outside making the staying longer and more enjoyable!
Save a few hours to fully enjoy this hidden gem

My friend and I spent a few hours in DIA Beacone museum and just loved it.
We started with a guided tour that was really nice and touched all the main interest points in the museum, and then we looked around by ourselves.
The museum is bigger then a first impression might suggest and the clean, minimalistic works that we saw were beautiful and well displayed in the museum galleries.
Very recommended for those who wish the leave the crowded NYC for a day :)

Likely you will find works in this museum that you hate as well as installations that will touch you deeply. On my first visit to Dia: Beacon shortly after it opened over 10 years ago I discovered the work of Richard Serra and have been a fan ever since. This visit introduced me to Robert Irwin's excursus: Homage to the square, which I couldn't get enough of. If the large installations don't impress you the architecture and abundant natural light will. My greatest discovery this visit was that the "security guards" milling about each installation were actually knowledgeable guides that were available to answer questions and enhance the visitor experience. Take the opportunity to engage in conversation with these young, knowledgeable art lovers. Their passion for art is contagious!

Recommend trip b/c you can see the beautiful views of the Hudson River, Palisades and West Point. Nice break from the rush of NYC.
And then you arrive at an amazing place.
Old industrial building at a scale that can house industrial sized art.
Serra, Judd, DeWitt, Bourgeois, Heizer.... awesome stuff.

Easy train ride from Grand Central. Short walk to museum.

Big empty building waste of time and money not worth a trip from anywhere sorry I went it would have been better to go to the mall

We spent an afternoon in a former Nabisco box factory being impressed with the collection at Dia. We were looking at art thru the lens of the artist and being thoroughly enthralled. The installations are not oil or watercolors in picture frames. There is some found art but mostly the art is constructed from fluorescent light bulbs or neon or smashed picked from car wrecks.
The maple hardwood floors of the building are scarred from the machinery that sat on it but it is a work of art in itself. Stretch your sensebilities and walk through this interesting exhibition.

I think it's something everyone needs to see once. Some of the exhibits are modern and seem bizarre. Others are profound. A young child could go there and be amused. So it could be a good family experience

If you like modern contemporary you will enjoy the Dia:Beacon Museum. If you do not like modern art, pass. Unsure or would like to learn more about art, then give it a try.

When you enter the parking lot of Dia:Beacon you will see modern art in the way the parking area is landscaped in specific style and color. The outside area has some seating for lunch and just enjoying the grounds. The fee was $15 a person. There is also a gift shop with art books, and a snack bar for lunch before or after your tour.

The Museum is huge, with three separate levels. Make sure you go to the basement to see the large iron sculptures by Serra. Serra's work can also be seen on the west coast at Stanford Universities Art Collection, as well as other installations in through the country. We really liked the large graphic line designs that were amazing. The amount of patience to do the graphic line designs is mind boggling.

There are young artist docents that keep watch over the art, and you can ask them questions about some of the art and best way to get to the upper and lower floors. Other than that the docents keep pretty much to themselves. Recommend, as the museum is very different, and we felt the best art piece was actually the building with it's brick walls, and wooden floors. Building once was a factory for making printed cardboard packaging.

Beacon, NY is an easy train up the Hudson Line (Grand Central Terminal) from Manhattan. My girlfriend booked a spontaneous getaway to Beacon where we stayed in a B&B and took in the local sites on Main street in mid October. Dia, Beacon is a beautifully restored Nabisco warehouse converted into a modern art gallery. The artists are varied in medium and approach. I thought it was going to be a small town, small building, small ideas kind of place - but it was a welcome surprise. The walk to the gallery is about 10 minutes from the train station. Gorgeous property, grounds, staff, etc. Even the food and wine were perfect. Did not take them up on the 1pm free public tour, but plenty of people did.

This place is very large and has space for some of the largest art installations. It also has smaller rooms for somewhat more intimate works. The variety was noteworthy. I saw "old" pop art and "new" conceptual art. I especially appreciated seeing part of the museum's collection of photographs by Bernd & Hilla Becher; you don't often get to see so many of them at once. Take your time and experience this place.

There is a small eatery at the entrance. The food selection is limited, but fine for a light lunch. They also have an excellent bookstore.

There are more then one Dia locations promoted by the non-profit foundation to support mostly living artists. This Dia at Beacon is one of the most unique museums in the United States. It is housed in the former Nabisco box printing factory on the east bluff of the Hudson River just above the RR track. Its 300,000 sq.feet of display space includes a vast collection of contemporary art often dedicated to a single artists or an installation or an out-sized sculptural pieces like the SPIDER. The landscaping is also a tribute to minimalism. Plenty of parking; beautiful river views and an outstanding cafe and shop to supplement your artistic experiences. So much to comprehend.

Spectacular modern contemporary & unique space. Go for the building aesthetic ; brick, concrete, huge windows letting in gorgeous light. The art is very modern & minimalist but the space itself is worth the trip. The on site cafe offered limited but delicious options. Staff could not have been nicer or more accommodating; they let me in earlier than my timed ticket & offered a refund for my partner who couldn’t make it. I met friends there; one of whom utilized their onsite wheelchair because the venue is so large & they let us take the chair directly to the car because of the pouring rain & we didn’t want her to slip ( so thoughtful; thank you again)! Don’t miss this unique spot!

Dia is set in the hill near the Hudson River and the museum is in a former factory space. It is huge and really is a spectacular setting for the art on exhibit there.

They don't do a lot to advertise themselves but this museum is great fun to visit, with an excellent cafe, beautiful grounds, and terrific exhibits.

Dia:Beacon was the absolute highlight of our time in New York. If you are in NYC you can get the train from Grand Central which is really very beautiful, the train line follows the Hudson taking in dreamy hills and woodlands. Dia:Beacon is a short walk from Beacon station and is very easy to find.

The building and grounds are amazing and house lots of great and very important art works and installations. We had a really fun day exploring the museum and grabbed some very tasty food in the café before we left. All in all a really special experience and a ‘must visit’ for any art-lover in New York.

Even though the collection does not rotate very much, I come to this museum at least once a year. It's my most favorite. I live in the city, and this is a wonderful day trip/part of a weekend excursion. The wide open space of this museum, with natural light that changes depending on the season, is refreshing and awe inspiring. The Sol Lewitt wall drawings are one of my favorite art installations ever. The Robert Irwin installation is also quite delightful. At this point I'm going to just start listing my favorite installations, which is pointless, because it is most of them. Just go!

Contemporary art I enjoy, modern at times, give me an easel, some black paint and I'll make the $4000 painting for you! BUT having said that, there was some modern art at this exhibit that I did find fascinating and thought provoking. Walk through the "fake" mirrors. Scarry when you see someone else do that for the first time. Better to go when the sun is shining since view change due to the admitted light

Art of course is subjective, quite a few pieces here left me scratching my head, dirt on the floor with rags, broken glass? Some interesting pieces but truly not my style. Worth going to though if you want to expand your horizons in art. Bring comfortable shoes it's quite a large place.

I had heard of Dia: Beacon since it opened about 15 years ago, but it was only very recently that I was able to visit it. The visit made me rue all the years that I had not made an effort to come here, for it is a truly one of the great museums of the country. To be quite blunt, it is New York's answer to Mass Moca of Massachusetts. Located in an old factory which has been imaginatively and beautifully refurbished, it offers ample space for the exhibition of gigantic creations which could not normally be housed in most museums, while a large number of smaller rooms offer appropriate settings for the installation of smaller, though equally imaginative and skillfully constructed art. While there are a few paintings, most of the art works in the museum are made out of non-traditional materials: cloth, steel, fluorescent lights, sand, glass, felt and fiber.
Several of the artists represented here are well known, and some have been practicing their art for many decades. I must admit to my shame that I was not familiar either with their work or with their names, and so this visit proved to be educational as well as a delightful aesthetic experience. I was particularly struck by Walter De Maria's work, spread out over two long halls, of rods arranged on red cloth in sets of ten, with very imaginative use of broken or half rods being juxtaposed with full ones, the arrangement in each set being varied, and the spaces between them carefully measured. Da Maria also had a room in which a number of Chevrolet pickup trucks from the 1950s were arranged, each laden with vertical metal rods. In smaller rooms Steven Flavin had a number of colored fluorescent lamps imaginatively arranged against the stark white walls. What was striking was the subtlety of the colors and the use that Flavin was able to make of the museum's walls as a cooperating medium in his constructions. In yet other rooms the works of Serra and several other artists were exhibited.
One of the things that impressed me about the museum was the light it provides, the way in which its spaces become an integral part of the art which is housed there, and the interesting angles of vision which the doors offer to the viewer. In a setting such as that even the visitors can become part of the artistic installation. There were two young women visitors, one dressed in a white top, black pants and white shoes, and the other in a black top, white pants and black shoes. As they stood in front of art works, or moved about and were visible at a distance, they seemed to be works of art themselves, either moving or stationary. This rather surreal effect is a gift of the museum's spaces and light and stark white walls.
We had time for just one section of the museum; the rest will have to await a future visit. But we did spend some time wandering the beautiful lawns that surround the building, and were particularly impressed with the rows of trees which have been carefully manicured to form several perfectly uniform rows. The effect is simultaneously startling and pleasing.
For lunch we went to the cafe that is attached to the museum and catered by Homespun Foods, which I have reviewed elsewhere. Again, it was a perfectly satisfactory lunch. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich and was well pleased.

Wonderful museum! It's just a great collection, great balance of time periods (all modern/post-modern, but that covers a lot of ground), styles, and curation. So many pieces engage your mind, senses, and/or heart.
Side benefit: the cafe is quite good.

The spaces are spectacular, and there is some wonderful art on display, but there's also a lot of ho-hum work made even less impactful by being displayed in huge rooms. Getting around, even with maps, requires that group members stick together -- it's really easy to lose track of people. A must visit for anyone interested in art.

Beacon is a wonderful charming town about an hour south east of Woodstock. This is an arts town, and has many galleries with some good art. Dia is an amazinging venue for cutting edge contemporary art and famous throughout the Hudson Valley. Was there once and enjoyed it very much.

My husband and I decided to visit this museum yesterday since we went up to Beacon for the day. This place is definitely not for everyone it's not that interesting and we weren't inspired at all. We thought it was also pricey for what it is. This should be donation not requiered $15 entrance fee. The staff wasn't too accommodating wasn't available for questions/concerns of the visitors. I definitely recommend going somewhere else when in Beacon.

I think the title artist is given out to easy. I have worked on many school plays ,built sets , made props ,sculptures,combined pieces to create costumes, made costumes, drawings and paintings and do not call myself an artist . I think that as obscure as the crushed metal car parts goes,it was probably the closet thing to art because of the mix of colors. Some so called exhibits looked like junk , I have seen dumped in warehouses in Brooklyn NY.The only time I smiled was when I saw a little girl almost fall into the pile of sand on the floor. Thirty dollars for two people,gone.There is a rule to check in your backpack,God Almighty ,what can you possibly take from there that you would want. At the end my girlfriend checked out her umbrella for dollar tip. The docents (workers monitoring exhibits) are constantly rotated in order to avoid them from going insane..Enough , never again. I miss my $31. Sorry but true.

Make sure you wear your artsy attire, so you blend in.

No, really, this is a cool space. And there's enough artwork inside that hopefully you find a few things impressive. I didn't realize there were several levels, so that was a pleasant surprise, especially because the lower ones contained a few of my favorite pieces.

I had been to Dia:Beacon before, but the experience yesterday was completely different because of the museum's twice-daily (Sat. & Sun. only), 45-60 minute, free tour. Our guide, Jean-Marc, was AMAZING! He brought the museum and several of its works to life, and our time with him flew by. He was also great with everyone in the crowd - fielding questions from two young girls, and soliciting feedback, answers, reactions, etc. from the adults.

Dia:Beacon is a great day trip, whether one is driving from Manhattan or Westchester (or anywhere else nearby), or experiencing "dia" - "passing through" in Greek - by taking the train from Grand Central Terminal.

If you've got time, have a meal at one of the many restaurants on Main Street. (The base of Main Street is about 1/2 mile from the museum, and there's a fairly steep incline on the route.)

What an amazing experience. There is no shortage of very interesting and thought provoking exhibits. I would highly recommend the free tour that they offer. We learned sooo much more then just exploring on our own. The guide was extremely fun and knowledgable. We spent another few hours explore on our own after the tour applying what we learned from the guide. Can't speak highly enough about this place. Can't wait to return.

Enjoy the scenic train ride along the Hudson river and spend a day at this spacious contemporary art gallery. The nearby village has a couple of good and very reasonably priced restaurants.

This art museum is a fantastic place to visit. The exhibits are excellent and some of them are even a little mind blowing. Our 13 year old son enjoyed it as well. A great place to visit and relax on a hot afternoon!

Traveled to Dia Beacon and would travel again, again. It's funny how the experience unfolds in a way that gets one enveloped in awe in such a way in this cavernous museum. Found Richard Serra's torqued ellipses moved us beyond curiosity to respect. Other favorites were Sol Lewitt, Michael Heizer, Blinky Palmero, and On Kawara. That Nabisco warehouse made the experience seem like outdoor art indoor. Some aesthetics there appeals to a wide array of observers not just artsy ones. Started with lunch at the small cafe and all four of us were pleased with the lite-fare. Close by is a small waterfront park to the Hudson.

And they call this art? Some do, obviously, but putting broken glass on a floor is something I can do at home. Or digging a hole in the ground. Or painting the date of the year on piece of wood indicating the date I painted it. We thought the entry area was under construction only to learn that it was an exhibit. Some people will be impressed. We thought it was pretentious junk. The building and the staff were nice.

Dia:Beacon is a must-visit museum with an extraordinary and remarkably well-curated collection of contemporary sculpture, painting, installations. The art is enhanced by the remarkable recycled factory building space (with light only from huge skylights and windows) and the space is enhanced by the art that is contained within the space. The names are well-known, Warhol, Serra, Richter, et als, and lesser-known with comparable voices, On Kawara, Michelle Stuart and Michael Heizer, et als. The experience is remarkable. Back-to-back with Storm King, one is definitely sated!

I have never seen so many large works of art and installations installed in one location before. This is a really awe-inspiring collection. They have numerous pieces from artists that are in the collection at places like the Guggenheim, MoMA, etc. but in a more accessible and less-crowded location where you can really enjoy them up close and at your leisure. Loved this place!

Beautiful building but not my idea of art. I was not impressed with this so called modern art. I am hard pressed to see the talent that it took to create the art that is in the building. Sorry, but this is just my honest opinion.

Lovely grounds to lunch and linger on. The modern art has to really be of interest to you, then you may find the inside fun to see. I must say, the art just not my thing. I would not say it's a place children would enjoy

I had been wanting to come to the DIA for a long time and it is worth the wait to visit. It really is an interesting if you like contemporary art. It is a lot of geometric designs and larger pieces have very simplistic designs. Lots of larger pieces dominate the museum by some very well known artists.

Many of the installations are large pieces like light figures, stone sculptures of stones, crushed cars, large wooden boxes and strangely enough, blank canvases. You really have to look at the works to figure out what the artist was thinking.

Come in with an open mind.

It is well worth a visit if you've had a good crack at Manhattan's museums. Just be aware that the ticket line is long (there is no priority line for online ticket purchases) and then there is another long line for bag check. And anything that looks remotely not like a hand bag must be checked it.

Staff is so rude told us we couldn’t stand even remotely close to the art work and not letting us stay in a area for 3 minutes terrible will not be returning

Had resisted going before, but what a great venue for their art.
Although the space is huge, the scale is very suitable for the art.

Lots of large contemporary art installations (and my favorite: sounds in the garden). Plenty to observe, analyze and talk about, even if modern art is not one of your main interests. An arresting adaptive reuse of a Nabisco box factory, repurposed into a museum. Excellent book store, small cafe. Near the Beacon train station.

I was amazed at the large space and collections. They were mostly child friendly, with your supervision. Great for modern art lovers or anyone with a curiosity of out-of-the box, turning art inside out thinking.
I would definitely return too see new exhibits.

An hour and twenty minutes by train from Grand Central Terminus and then a five minute walk finds you at a 300,000 sq ft former Nabisco plant with hardwood floors and opaque glass skylights. The building is unique and the art work is displayed in these vast rooms Art is admired differently by everyone but this is quirky and modern and interesting. It was worth an hour visit. The restaurant is casual with seating outdoors with what we found was a good selection of reasonably priced food and good coffee which we had before we walked to the station. ( we rented a car and travelled upstate to Woodstock as well. A great 24 hour retreat from NYC

Loved coming here and we recommend early as crowds abound in the afternoon even on weekdays. The museum has a gift store and small restaurant if you need to rest as the place is spread out to
Accommodate the exhibits. Known artists display modern art in many media on unique manners. Love the atmosphere and even youngsters can appreciate this spot. Easily accessible by metro. Birth, or car about 1 1/2 hours birth on nyc.

Complete waste of money. Do not bother. If that is what you call art then I just don’t get it and I have been to most of the major museums all over the country and Europe.

The idea, of this museum is very clever. You MUST be a fan of very modern, very avant-garde art. This art is not my style, so I will not be back.

We could have easily spent the entire day - maybe two full days - at Dia Beacon. It's such an amazing treasure, filled with beautiful contemporary art and installations. Wow!

My partner and I were looking forward to visiting for a while, so he purchased tickets for a specific day and time(Presidents Day at Noon).
-You buy tickets for a specific time yet there's no hope to park in such a small lot. You had to continuously circle and pray for an opening.
-There are no signs as to where to park if the lot is full.
-There is no overflow lot within walking distance.
-We all had to scout around on our own to find somewhere to park.
-We had to park over a bridge, which was quite a distance away to walk.
-When you get there you are told you had to wear a mask, even though in a museum with such a huge space and everyone is at least 10 feet away from each other and the rest of NYC has lightened up on the restrictions.
-There aren't any signs next to the exhibits as to any rules. Some you can touch, some you can get close to, some you can walk through. BE PREPARED TO BE REPRIMANDED WHEN YOU GET TOO CLOSE OR WALK THROUGH THE ONES YOU CANT....... EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NO DIRECTION!!!
-I'm a quiet 57 year old man with my hands in my pockets. I'm not a child and know enough not to touch, lean or sit on the exhibits.
-WHAT A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!!

The architecture of the place is very impressive. Take your time and wonder around. The exhibits are fabulous- if you love modern art. Richard Serra, Sol LeWitt, De Maria, Robert Smithson, Dan Flavin,Robert Irwin....

Dia:Beacon is a beautiful space. An old factory converted into a museum with contemporary and modern art. Not my particular cup of tea art wise but extremely well curated in the genre. It was a bit cold and windy while we visited but the grounds are also quite lovely.

This was my first time at Dia, Beacon: it was a truly memorable, if not wholly transcendent experience. The art on view represents a sampling of the very best conceptual, installation and large sculpture work produced in the 20th/21st C.

For the several hours I was there, I felt joy. The building, the light, the grounds, the knowledgeable, charming attendants - all came together for me.

For the record my friend and I traveled up from Grand Central via Metro North: the views of the Hudson (particularly on the way back) were spectacular in themselves — the perfect backdrop extension to the overall experience: the link between art and the Natural world readily apparent.

Interesting place. A bit too modern for my tastes. Very nice grounds right on the Hudson River if the art is too much.

Spent the afternoon at the museum with my wife. The space is large and the pieces that are been exhibited are large and strategically placed. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and very good. I did not know what to expect but I was duly impressed. I would recommend to any visitor to Beacon that they find time to enjoy this truly memorable and magnificent museum.

I love art but wasn't a minimal art fan and Mr M rarely jumps onboard with me to see contemporary exhibitions but we both LOVE this museum. The curation, the exhibitions, the art works, the space, the grounds, the location. It's wonderful.

I like art museums but sometimes they can be dull or puzzling. The art displayed at this one is astounding in size and impact. Helpful cards are available to explain more about the artist and why the work was done. I would return (all the way from California) just to go again. Took train up from NYC. There are package deals that save a few $ if you buy RT train ticket and museum admission together at the train station. Also, you won't have to wait in the admission line when you get to the museum. Dia and the main part of town are an easy walk from the station. Museum is much larger than it appears when you first arrive so plan for 1-2 hours to see everything. We went in winter so the grounds were not in bloom but even so it looked like a pretty area to enjoy relaxing after touring the museum. Be sure to go all the way to the waterfall at the end of town. The Roundhouse At Beacon is a good place for refreshment with a view of the falls.

An amazing world class modern art museum not in a major city. Amazing collection of Richard Serra and Flavin art. You can get right up close to it. A great day trip followed by dinner in Hudson, NY.

W had no idea what to expect in this museum and the art work was an enjoyable surprise. The setting in a former industrial space, a box manufacturing building, was unique and the art collection was even more so. Although we were definitely the oldest people there, the museum staff could not have been more welcoming and helpful. We really enjoyed the experience

Largest art museum I have ever scene. Interesting, very modern...if you like that....very experimental art, nice guides

From Grand Central Station (at the Metro North ticket desk) you can buy a package ticket for $36.50 to cover a return train journey on the Hudson line to Beacon (route to Poughkeepsie) with entry ticket into the galleries. Check opening days which are dependent on the time of year. The one and a half hour journey along the Hudson river is beautiful and calming after leaving the city, and the tracks follow close to the water's edge. By the time you arrive at Beacon you are relaxed and ready to experience the artworks in Dia's large and tranquil spaces. The galleries are stunning. There is an in-depth collection of major artists from the 1960s: Agnes Martin, Robert Ryman, Sol Le Witt, Richard Serra and many others. Perhaps allow time for around 3-4 hours in the galleries.
The cafe serves good quality food, and is not expensive compared to many of the eating places in the centre of Manhattan. We had fresh soup, only $5. Good selection of cakes and snacks. Book shop has an excellent range of art books.
A chilled day out, away from the busy and noisy city centre. This was my second visit, and I noticed additional works since my visit four years ago.

small and very focused museum. works of Serra and Louise Bourgeois art monument like the spider. very recommended

The museum contains some interesting and unusual Modern art from the 60s and 70s. The place is roomy and great place to visit if you like viewing art without being packed into a crowded environment. The building to me was more interesting than much of the art. I just love old industrial architecture. Much of the art was overly simplistic and for my liking. We arrived by train in the rain and ended up getting wet trying to figure out how to get to the museum. We finally ended up getting an uber car to get there, It was much easier catching a bus to visit the downtown area. However it did require exact change.

Leaving from Grand Central Station it takes about 70 minutes to get to Beacon which sits on the Hudson river. The train journey itself is well worth as it travels alongside the Hudson river. For those of us from Europe, there is a romantic quality to catching a train from GCS. You cna buy admission & train ticket at the station.

The gallery is impressively large with great Richard Serra pieces. Highlights for me also included Agnes Martin (dreamy art), Louise Bourgeois (very spooky organic bronzes plus one of her giant spiders) and Michael Heizer (very affecting floor installation). I think these are all on long term display.

This gallery isn't for everyone but if you like your contemporary art then this is well worth it.

Friends had visited and raved about Dia:Beacon, so we were looking forward to visiting.
It's an amazing setting and a super cool building.
The art is verging toward extreme modern, which is fantastic, but it's a long way from MOMA.
I loved the information cards giving a history of the artists with an understanding of where the work comes from. Very helpful to those of us with no art education, but who love this stuff without understanding why.
We visited on a very quiet weekday, so you had whole, enormous rooms of art to yourself. Quite an experience!
Some pieces left you in awe of the creative process that produced them.
Loved it!

Take a day for a trip up the Hudson Valley to the charming little town of Beacon, which has quite a few good eateries. The main reason to visit would be this wonderful art museum. A former factory building houses a collection of interesting pieces of world class exhibits.

This museum is situated on the banks of the Hudson River in Beacon, New York. We took a train from Grand Central Terminal to this city. You can walk from the station to the museum but it is not a short walk. We did enjoy our walk discovering Beacon city.

The museum occupies a former printing facility so expect a huge space! It is one of the largest exhibition spaces in the country for modern & contemporary art. There were large scales installations, paintings and sculptures to keep us well occupied for a few hours here.

The cherry blossoms here were an icing on the cake!

A stop at Dia:Beacon was suggested when friends heard we'd be in the area for a college visit. I'm glad we took their advice. My daughter is an art lover, and Dia didn't disappoint. We had a nice, leisurely visit and took many pictures. Really interesting setting.

I learned about this place through family. The building itself is like art; wonderful light and feel. The art was great and thought provoking.

Despite the vast space and separate room given to each artist, the exhibits were poorly described and did not inspire us to see, think, feel or act differently. We so looked forward to this, while it was a flatline experience. The bookstore held unusual titles and we did pick up a few books, so it was not a total loss. Otherwise, this was a waste of time and money. We spent less than 45 minutes and left wondering …

We live only twenty or so miles from Dia:Beacon, but it took a guest's visit to finally get us to visit Dia:Beacon. Why did we wait so long? It's an extraordinary collection, from the building-long De Maria installation that greets the visitor when she first enters the galleries to the amazing geometrically arranged "Excursus" by Robert Irwin, to Frank Sandback's intriguingly dislocative string installations, to Dan Flavin's incredible florescent light installations, to the monumental Richard Serra's "Torque Ellipses." This is definitely a "must see" museum, and it's remarkably accessible to anyone visiting the Mid-Hudson region since it's a short distance from the Metro North commuter train that services cities and towns north of Manhattan. The site, a former Nabisco box factory, has natural lighting, and the effect of the shifting (and varying intensification) of the light allows the visitor a perspective that shifts by the minute. An amazing museum in every respect; I only wish we'd discovered it earlier. AND Dia:Beacon can be a jumping off point to explore Beacon itself, which has "come back from the dead" over the last decade or so to offer a wide variety of dining and entertainment opportunities.

...The place itself is phenomenal and is a great example how abandoned industrial spaces can be breathed new life into. Even if the expositions make you smile skeptically or smirk, it's a great place to spend time - both indoors and outdoors. Everything feels so REFINED - even the little cafe and the tiny bookshop.

Its not necessarily the cheapest day out (about $50 each for round trip train/gallery entrance) but not a bad day out. We caught the train right on time out of 125th street. As expected on a weekend there were no ticket sellers so the combo price that is supposed to save a few bucks wasn't available. I'd highly recommend trying to find a seat on the left hand side of the train as you have a gorgeous view of the Hudson heading up as opposed to mainly walls with the odd house on the right hand side. At Beacon turn right and walk about a mile to the gallery. Pay and then wander around. It only takes you about 2 hours to walk around and see everything, meaning you can then walk back and take the 80 minute train back to the city. As for the exhibit itself, your mileage may vary. Some interesting pieces, but art truly is in the eye of the beholder. The one thing that is interesting is the scale and size of some of these pieces, many of which have been around for several decades.

Although I am not a fan of this kind of art, I very much enjoyed visiting here. The pieces are memorable and I find myself thinking about them. Don't hesitate to go. It's a unique experience.

Metro north does a train ticket + museum entry deal. You end up saving a couple of bucks. Short walk to the museum from the Beacon metro north station.
Beautiful space, an old biscuit factory. Many interesting works.
Definitely worth visits!

lovely museum, beautiful area, amazing view of the river. Nice little cafe on premises. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Must go for all who love art: minimal, conceptual, site specific. One of the best art places in the USA located in the beautiful landscape of Hudson Valley

If you have read the reviews, you should understand this is a VERY MODERN ART museum. If you are not into modern art, skip it. There are no landscape painting, nudes or European classics here. One room has all white paintings, and some sculptures look like piles of junk. The museum is HUGE so there is lots of walking, it is an old Nabisco box factory. The lighting is fantastic through skylights and windows, and on a sunny day there is very little artificial light. And when the sun bounces off the wooden floor there is a magical golden glow to many galleries. I went on a Saturday and it was very crowded. So crowded, many people had to park offsite. My favorite exhibit was the Richard Serra round sculptures in the back. You can walk inside the sculpture and they change as you see them from different angles. Photography is allowed, except for the one exhibition with florescent lights and I was stopped there. They had a 1.5” no photography sign at both ends of the exhibit, but the signs are easy to miss. Hint to museum staff, put up a bigger signs please! No one can see your tiny little no photography sign, and mark it on your floor plan. If you like very modern art, DIA Beacon is a wonderful place to visit. If you don’t like modern art, you really won’t enjoy it.

A very entertaining place to visit. The old warehouse is perfectly suited to the exhibits. As with all modern art, what we all like is very subjective, but the explanations given with each piece really help you understand what the artist was getting at. Well worth a visit.

Spent a couple of hours wandering around this exceptional gallery.. Great installations by imaginative artists. Well worth the hour train journey from Grand Central Station, which in itself is a fabulous place to spend a few hours.

The town of Beacon is quaint, but really really cold in winter. The Taco restaurant is also well worth the visit.

Every time I visit, I leave with a giant smile. I love everything about this museum (except perhaps the $ as it’s a $20 pp entry fee with $18 for seniors). They do have fabulous art, great docents who are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the art. It tends to be modern installations/big sculptures. I find it similar to Mass Moca, if you have been there. Giant former factory, and very interesting art. Some is permanently installed and they rotate some of the exhibitions. I expect seeing it live is much better than any photo or description would do. Why not go?

Three floors of what I consider industrial and modern art. All great interesting exhibits that are presented very well.

Spacious inside, and we really appreciated the crowd control and face masks.

My fav is the basement exhibits and the Warhol on the main floor. Fun 1-2 hours, and then there’s the outside gardens.

Extended our trip to NYC with this great art pilgrimage. Good for day trip or overnight. Had been looking forward to visiting for a few years and the place exceeded my expectations. The setting, building, and how works were curated into the huge and unique exhibition spaces was quite amazing. (BTW- I am an artist and visited with another artist family member & artist friend. If I lived closer I would get a membership and spend a lot more time there.)

If you want to have an art experience I would recommend you give Dia a try. The setting is great and the time needed is reasonable. The exhibits are varied.

If you're into Modern Art where you have no idea what the artist is trying to say this is the place for you. If you are interested in understanding what you are seeing stay away. Even the staff couldn't explain what the artworks were about. One artist work was piles on the ground: dirt, glass or gravel. Another worked in string. Literally a lenth of sting that went from ceiling to floor, then across the floor and back to the ceiling. Save your money and check out Morphicism on Main Street in Beacon. A lot more understandable, not to mention enjoyable, than Dia was.

I have been meaning to get to Dia: Beacon for years and I am truly sorry it took me so long. This was one of the most wonderful art museums I have visited. The setting is a maze of rooms where the visitor wanders in no particular order, so that every room is a new discovery- (some are better discoveries than others, but that is true of all art!) Our personal favorites were the enormous Richard Serra scultpures and some of Louise Bourgeois's works. Oh, I cant leave out Dan Flavin... never mind, there are too many wonderful works to choose from- you will have to discover them on your own!

We were so looking forward to the visit to Dia based upon recommendations from others, but as others have said. “A waste of time and money”

Calling many of these exhibits works of art might be a stretch. From white canvas squares in a row to fluorescent light bulbs standing in a corner vertically to colored squares in a very large room this “museum left much to be desired.

At 20.00 per person for adults we expected sculptures, paintings, and modern art that might have taken more than a day to create.

Definitely don’t waste your time or money.

Decided to go to Beacon for the day. Headed to Dia first. Spent almost 2.5 hours. Covered every inch of the place top to bottom. Spectacular space. Even the kids enjoyed going through all the galleries. There is a sign saying children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. There are a few exhibits you want to make sure to keep an eye on little kids, like the shards of jagged glass pile.
After the museum we headed to the park by the train station so the kids could run off some residual energy. Then we hit The Alps candy store. Oh my the choices... Wall to wall Yum! Browsed a few stores then headed for an early dinner at the Vault (but plenty of other restaurants to choose from). Walked over to Hudson Beach Glass to blow some holiday ornaments. Kids begged for ice cream from the Beacon Creamery. Finally headed home. Super fun day! Enjoy!!

Perched on the banks of the Hudson River, DIA Beacon is worth a day trip from Manhattan. Metro North is a short walk from this museum which focuses on large scale installations and a rigorous collection of post Modern sculpture. Filled largely with Conceptual pieces that are often found outdoors, this vast space is intriguing. The art should be considered Contemplative. The artwork makes you think.

DIA Beacon is a great place to view and think. Recommended for all ages.

We love this art museum. It is near by, no trip to NYC necessary. The last Sunday of he month is free for local residents to enjoy classic modern/contemporary art. This time we visited the facility it seemed cold with very low lighting. Maybe it was the season or just to protect the art. Anyway, it was difficult to see some of the details. But over all a good experience.

The facility is top notch - huge and lots of natural light. It was a Nabisco box factory at one time. If you enjoy contemporary art they have a great selection of artists, with a focus on sculpture and sculptural works produced between the 1960s and 2000s. Great place to spend an afternoon.

A must see if you like modern art. Take the brochure and read the explanations. Really helps to understand what you're seeing.

The Dia hosts and is the home for some of the finest contemporary art in the US. Not all of what they show is accessible to all but everything is worth looking at and experiencing - then make your own evaluation. The best is the best.

Dia: Beacon is truly one of the most sublime spaces for the exhibition of contemporary art in the world. The collection is not encyclopedic but specific, with a very definite point of view, showing a number of artists in great depth. However, contemporary art is not for everyone and you should be honest about self-selecting yourself out of a visit that might be a little baffling to you. The ratings for this place should be far better and are brought down, in general, by people who are baffled by what they see once they get there.

So here goes. Here's my rating system for whether you should go.

Is Picasso your idea of contemporary art? If it is, stay away.

Have you ever said that"My kids could do this" when looking at contemporary art? If you have, run in the other direction.

When you go to the new Whitney, is the thing you like the best the amount and mix of things on the walls. This may be a 50/50 as the place is much more tailored than the Whitney.

Do you generally go to museums to see the special exhibition of Impressionist paintings? Don't go as this won't be pretty enough and there isn't a big enough gift shop.

Do you like minimal industrial architecture? Hop the next train. This is as much about the reuse of the factory space as it is about the art.

Do you know such artists as Richard Serra, Donald Judd and Dan Flavin. If these names ring a positive bell, then you'll love this place.

So, if you get my drift, this place is serious and for the serious devotee of contemporary art. It's one of those stops like Art Basel Miami, Lightning Field, the Menil Collection and Marfa. If you've never heard of the places in the last sentence, you might not like it that much. If you know what I'm talking about, you'll be in heaven.

So, here are a few logistics. You can take the Metro North train and the museum is a shortish walk south. There's a nice cafe with gigantic sandwiches for two. You can also bring a picnic and eat on the landscaped grounds. The bookshop is serious with rare books, artist editions and no postcards.

If you drive, you can do Dia, drive the river road and stop at the Scenic Hudson hiking spot and continue to Cold Spring, which was the quant antiques town that existed long before Dia came to Beacon.

You know who you are! This is really worth it. You won't be disappointed.

The art here was very unique - much of it needing the huge space that the Dia has. Much of it was new to me but I enjoyed the uniqueness and the whole experience.

If you love art, especially unusual art you will LOVE this. It was a very different experience. Wish we could have tried their cafe, the food looked incredible. I also wish there were some guided tours, because the price is a bit steep for just having to walk around by yourself.

This enormous museum is worth at least a half day during a visit to Beacon. The artworks - all modern/contemporary - are thought provoking and the space itself is an installation.

We weren't sure what to expect - it certainly is not the typical art museum! We were most impressed with the size of the artistic work and its presentation. The amount of work done in decorating walls with geometric patterns and lines is mind-boggling. It's hard to describe - this is not the typical "oil on canvas" pictures hanging on walls - it's a collection of sculptures, some in rock, some form crushed automobiles, some from sheets of steel arranged in patterns; fluorescent light displays; cast bronze and cast iron shapes, and the like.

If you're into geometry, study some of the explanations written on the walls by the artists on the location of various shapes and intersecting lines. Study some of the graphite line patterns (and imagine how long it took to get thousands of lines at various angles on those walls).

We've never seen anything like it, and glad we saw it. Easy to get to, good parking, and very pleasant people.

At each display there is a laminated sheet to read about the artist and his/her work. This is a site not to be missed.

This place is a lot of fun. Whatever you do, don't miss the Serra. I've seen several of his humongous steel shapes elsewhere, and this one is a delight. Also don't miss the negative space exhibit! Especially the square on the end of the row of negative space shapes. Makes my heart soar. I can take or leave the old pickups by de Maria. Not so the Dan Flavin light sculptures. They keep on giving. My favorite is built into a corner and juts out into your space. A lovely place to spend 3 hours. My second time. Lots of looking, some of which makes you feel very nice.

Dia: Beacon is in walking distance from train station. It takes less than an hour to get there by train from Grand Central. A lot to explore inside with a very nice garden outside.
They do have an amazing modern art book store there. The only weird thing about this place in that you are not allowed to take pictures in a room with red carpet... But i believe that is exactly what every single one is trying to do eventually:)))

An interesting museum of modern art installations. Museum is set on beautiful grounds within walking distance of the village of Beacon (with its many restaurants and coffee shops). The installations are unusual - highly recommend a tour to get the backstory on the pieces. Our tour guide, Sarah (a poet) was excellent. Really made one think and experience the exhibits.

best use of a day. I have only been here twice but it happened both times... I found when I left the museum my mind had been reconfigured in a much more spacious way. Because of this it's one of my favorite places in the entire world. I consider it sacred. Next time I will come in the spring so I can see the cherry trees with blossoms. A perfect home for Louise's spider and the canyon lands of Richard Serra.

We drove up to Beacon with our 18 year old. The building itself was worth the price of admission. Housed in the former Nabisco packaging printing facility, Dia: Beacon is just interesting to see. The Bonus- a very cool exhibit on symmetry.

The museum was built in the old Nabisco factory keeping the original wood flooring.
The place is expansive, with room after room of tastefully arranged art.
Museum employees are stationed throughout and are helpful in providing answers and information about the current exhibits.
There are different levels to the museum and a lovely outdoor space. So, allow yourself four or five hours and have lunch in their cafe.

We really enjoyed this museum -- a good coffee shop, an extraordinary book store with several hundred art books, interesting modern art, and very knowledgeable staff.

The grounds are very beautiful and an easy trail leads down to the Long Dock Park and an interesting installation by George Trakas.

Thoughtful, innovative and inspiring museum. Don't miss this museum if you're a visitor in the greater NYC metro area/Hudson valley.

Tranquil, spacious, delicious snacks....
Very easy to get there either by train or car; approx. 1hour from Manhattan. I often go there with my kids, yet I find it more difficult lately to let them 'explore' as the guards are constantly making remarks not to touch, not to run, not to...yes, we know that, sometimes a little trust is needed though!

Diane far exceeded my expectations. Our original intent was to kill a little time while we were waiting to meet friends for dinner. Three hours later we were rushing to leave Dia for fear of being late. There was so much there that we actually needed to cut time short on some of the exhibits. I also found the building itself to be extremely interesting as it formerly was a factory that made and printed boxes for Nabisco. The wood floor was the original and the stains pointed out where machinery was and the printing machines were (ink stains). I felt that the building itself was also an "art exhibit". I'll need to return in the future so I can finish viewing the exhibits that we needed to rush through.

Understand that this is installation art and not appropriate for children. The space is truly amazing and so wonderful that the building was saved. There is minimal outdoor space but enough parking. I visited in February so I'm certain the landscaping looks better at other times of the year. The indoor space is so vast that you will be walking or standing for very long periods of time...plan accordingly. My knowledge of modern art, especially this type, is limited. I found the placards at each artists section very helpful to understand what I was seeing. Really opened my horizons and my mind to accepting art that I was not accustomed to seeing. Definitely a nice visit. Also less than a mile away there is a wonderful small park with walking trails. There is an entrance fee of $15 per.

Old factory converted to an art museum multiple levels large Open Spaces.

Interesting exhibits good food family friendly.

The trip by train from New York tot Beacon in itself is already worth the trip, along the Hudson river. The old factory building is the habitat for very interesting modern art. Mostly conceptual art. So you have to be an art lover to go there. You don't need to appreciate al artist, but the trigger you and lead to reflection.

This is a one of a kind museum of epic proportions. The art is eclectic and large. It is housed in an old Nabisco packaging plant. If you are in the area don’t miss this

Spacious exhibition area with stunning art work. Museum close at 4pm during the autumn and winter. Allow at least 2.5 hours for complete tour.

This is an excellent art museum located close to the heart of Beacon.(It is roughly a 15 minute walk from Main Street)

The spaces are massive, and like a lot of contemporary art, the exhibits are very hit and miss. Nonetheless, this is a first rate museum and well worth a visit.

One tip: Make sure to visit the small upstairs area. It houses a terrific collection of Louise Bourgeois sculptures.

This place was not a great place. Hardly even a good place. I don't really like museums but this is a new thing. Blinky Palermo and John Chamberlain had good art everything else was average. I walked into a room with screans and the guy screamed at me not to touch it even though I never did. I give this a 'okay'

Such a beautiful space even on a gloomy wintery day. There was a really interesting mix of modern art on display and the Richard Serra sculptures are pretty amazing. I plan on going back in the Spring / Summer with a picnic, the grounds are so lovely overlooking the river and it's such an easy trip from Grand Central.

We enjoyed this enormous museum! The size really allows for some impressively large artworks and sculpture. We had a great time exploring the modern art works. I saw the other comments about rude staff but we did not experience that. Everyone was accommodating and smiled hello. We found it worth the drive for sure.

We have not been here before and are sorry we waited so long to come. It is open and modern. You don’t need lots of time and it is a place your kids will like.

Best tip: call and make a pre-opening (or end-of-day) appointment to see the Michael Heiser work from inside the railings. It takes a little pre-planning, but it is unique. Otherwise, don't miss the Serra work downstairs.

Have been wanting to check this place out for a while, I am glad we did make sure you find the exhibits downstairs and on the third floor we almost missed them!

Contemporary art museum captures the imagination. Massive space. The warehouse itself provides an artistic backdrop. Art was very modern - so may not be for everyone’s taste but I really enjoyed it. Recommend 1-2 hours for a leisurely stroll. Facility is nicely air conditioned with 3 floors although the lower level was not available when I visited. Ample parking.

Incredible building that's a piece of art on it's own. The lighting is stunning and artificial light wasn't even needed in many of the galleries because of the large windows and towering ceilings. Fantastic exhibits and well placed/spaced with plenty of room to breathe. Highly recommend when visiting Beacon.

Totally cool place. Loved the selection of unique modern art. It is housed in an abandoned warehouse and the facility enables ample room for viewing the pieces. We went over the 4th of July and it was not crowded which was so nice! The docents were pleasant and very knowledgeable. There was enough written information provided for each artist so that the viewer could get a good feel for each piece. Be sure to check their hours before heading out to visit. Tasty food at their cafe as well.

The Dia:Beacon is a very interesting museum of modern (mostly) American art. The space is quite generous and the concept of the organization and of the museum offer to modern and contemporary artists opportunities that are not available in many other places. Not everybody will like all the art in the museum, and some may will feel like the heroes in the Yasmina Reza's 'Art' play. I personally liked some of the works here, especially these of Richard Serra and Louise Bourgeois.

One of the greatest assortment of installation pieces I have ever seen. The site specific Richard Serra and Michael Heizer pieces are definitely my favourites pushing the boundaries of perception. I only wish I could have spent more time there.

The building itself, which was a train station previously. We were disappointed with many of the installations. The flow from installation to installation was not easy and in fact, easy to miss. There were some,awesome installations. It really is what each person feels. Some were boring mainly because of repetition of subject.

We loved the museum particularly when we joined the complimentary tour! Hopefully the tours will be added to the week days!

Many years ago as an IBM employee I was told that IBMers get into the Día for free. Well, that’s no longer true as I found out recently when we finally paid it a visit. I guess the “art” is an acquired taste and maybe I’m not sophisticated enough to appreciate it. I saw nothing impressive except the building itself and the flowering trees outside. The grounds are lovely.

Some people love this place; others hate it. I think it's pretty good. We spend all of Saturday at Storm King Arts Center (worth a special trip), spent the night nearby, then visited Dia: Beacon before traveling back to New York City.

The sheer scale of the place is breathtaking, and they did a great job of filling it with art. Some of the art is... of questionable artistic value, but the overall presentation is very good.

One of Beacon's biggest attractions nowadays is Dia, a captivating modern art museum and space. You could spend hours here. We spent longer than we thought we would. Once past the cafe at the entrance, you'll find yourself in what was once a factory, which gives the space lots of windows and natural light.

Our favorite exhibits were the ones with neon lights and giant metal things. There's some wacky exhibits having to do with negative space, video, furniture, broken glass and more traditional paint on canvas. We liked reading the artists' histories as well!

Wide open spaces of museum, focus on shapes/lines, and light/dark kept both 4yr old and 9 yr old engage (fantastic group of Agnes Martin paintings, too). There are also outdoor spaces that helped take edge off when kids needed a break.

Staff was really helpful and friendly--especially so for our 9 yr old who was in a wheelchair. Never felt unwelcome as a family with small children . In fact, seemed like quite a few families doing the same thing on a cold Sunday in January.

The cafe was fine for kids, though we only had drinks. We did eat in sister restaurant in town, which was great. Yelp said 2 hours, but with kids--maybe 1 hour and a half. I imagine this would be longer in the summer with outdoor spaces.

always enjoy browsing both the halls and the exterior of this exquisite space. enjoy the sculptures of John Chamberlain, the Richard Serras and the many other works of art. The building itself is a work of art - massive old rooms that flow from one to the next. sit by the hudson river (even on a cold december day) its a beautiful day trip up from the city

A great place to go to. They have a diverse amount of activities. Had a great time there with a couple of girlfriends. Would love to go back. I think they did go back to kayak. A fun place to be.......

Dia Beacon is the ultimate large scale art experience. If you come early you can be the only visitor in the different galeries. Dan Flavin and Richard Serra are top exhibits. But there is more to enjoy. The shop has an interesting art book collection and the café offers perfect lunches.

I have been going to this museum for years. It's affordable, and it is fun because the exhibits are interactive. All of the art is modern and strange, some of it is even a little creepy. The exhibits don't really change, but they never get boring. The museum also has a gorgeous outdoor area with gardens and areas to relax. It's also worth it to check out the town which has cute cafés, shops, and nature trails.

The exhibit is sad. Nothing we saw today should even remotely be called art. I was disappointed with the inauthentic (and pompous) descriptions of various exhibits. The best part of my trip was the lovely views of the Hudson River from the building. If I have to say one good thing about Dia : Beacon I think it's the windows. The windows are gorgeous because they allow you to see what's truly beautiful - the outside!

Dia: Beacon 's PR machinery is pretty good because they are able to rig the hundreds of 5 star reviews by "local guides" who want people to come visit this otherwise sleepy town.

How wonderful it is to visit a museum in the Hudson River Valley that taps so deeply into world of contemporary art. The monumental works on display offer rich and occasionally unsettling experiences, inviting the viewer to participate in these daring attempts to reframe how we look at--and think about--the world we occupy and the space we walk through. This is not just a cute way to pass time on a rainy day. The Dia Beacon offers a world-class museum experience.

Diaz is absolutely worth a visit. Right on the river. Gorgeous open spaces. The art changes regularly but is wonderfully modern. The space allows for large pieces including some spectacular Richard Serra’s. The bookstore is an art and cultural junkie’s paradise

A worthwhile trip if you enjoy modernist works. Sprawling grounds with the works housed in a former factory. There's also a nice shop to get souvenirs from.

Having been to Dia:Beacon, I now have a far better understanding of conceptual art and acceptance of it. The vast spaces of the halls allow proper scope for the installation and display of work that is longer, taller and broader than most galleries can accommodate. Visiting the large number of these spaces is a physical as well as an aesthetic challenge. Fortunately, I do go to the gym regularly.

The works of Sol LeWitt, Richard Serra and Walter de Maria works were my favourites, but there are many more I'd happily visit again if I they were not 3000+ miles away from where I'm writing.

As usual with so many US galleries I've visited, the cost of admission is very high compared with UK prices.

While some of the exhibits (e.g. dirt on the floor) certainly stretched out artistic boundaries, the Dia was part of an enjoyable afternoon in Beacon. Loved the various fluorescent light exhibits, and large industrial steel installations - both of which played very well with their surroundings, space, and light. Very infant/strolled friendly.

Following many years of visiting art museums one is tempted to babble on and on about the depth of excellence and meaning of the minimalist movement and art appreciation. OK, only a Neanderthal would disparage a room full for of Warhol, (maybe on even numbered days). But even Neanderthals get upset in semi-artistic TV commercials. Huge spaces and some minimalist offerings equal empty. Don’t be overly concerned to admit that “The Emperor’s New Clothes” are exactly as they appear. Sadly, these new clothes are on display for more than 60% of the presentations. If you see art even in blank canvases you will have a fascinating visit. If not, check out the internet photos and decide if you really want to spend the time.

Great museum. Do visit, lovely setting terrific collection. Helpful staff wonderful lunch spot and lunch selections.

This place is huge. It used to be a Nabisco factory and has been transformed into a mammoth art gallery. Well worth the visit.

The building, the atmosphere and pieces of art are worth to come to Dia:Beacon museum of modern art. I am not a big fan of modern art but this place is worth exploring. Fantastic building and interesting experience. Loved it!

We go every 4th of July to Beacon. Whether you understand the artist or not,
the big pieces by Serra are the highlight of the museum. If you can get the private tour, you actually get in to see the North/South/East/West in the floor section. It's awesome!
Highly recommend you pay the museum a visit!

Large-scale modern installations. Not for everyone, but if you are open to new concepts and different expressions of art, this is the place to be. There is so much to take in, I couldn't do it all in one day. Very conceptual. Felt like there was so much to consider, I had to pace myself. Would be interested in their free tour next time. Definitely worth a visit!

This enormous former factory makes a worthy setting for modern art of many types. We were lucky enough to be there for the last days before a major change in the displays. You can easily walk to the museum from the Metro North train station and there is a nice cafe within the museum. Note that they rely on natural lighting and so have restricted hours for visiting. We took the free guided tour and it really make our understanding of what we were seeing much better. Do try to take it. Laura, our guide was excellent. She told us that early arrivals can go behind the gates to experience the Heizer exhibit up close and personal - something that sounded wonderful.

We needed a break from busy New York so took the train to Beacon from Grand Central Station. Costing about $20 each way. The roughly hour-long trip runs along the Hudson so gives plenty of pretty views even in the depths of winter. On arrival follow the well signposted 10 minute walk from Beacon Station to the Dia building. The ticket, cloak room and cafe are all just inside the light-filled entrance. We had the delicious homemade soup of the day before exploring the work in these remarkable spaces. Not everything was too my taste or interesting to me but there was enough that did engage to spend an enjoyable hour or two.

Wonderful Modern Contemporary Art Museum. We went there on Day when Ulster County residents could go for free and enjoyed everything we saw. Lots of sculptures and lost of photo opportunities.

The visit of the Dia Beacon Foundation devoted to contemporary art offers, in addition to the site and high-quality works, the opportunity to escape one day from New York City and reconnect with a natural environment. Train travel from Central Station (42nd St) is approximately one and a half hours along the Hudson River.
The Foundation, housed in a former factory, has huge spaces, hosts large-format works by internationally renowned artists and others that are interesting to discover freely.

This truly remarkable and memorable museum Is set in the former Nabisco package production plant. It specializes in large pieces of modern art. Some are just huge. The space is amazing for presenting this type of art. Loved the Richard Serra pieces. The town of Beacon is also great to walk around in after seeing the museum. The museum is within a very quick walk from the train station. No excuses for not making the trip!

Love having Dia in Beacon. Great resource for students living in the community with an interest in Art. Dia Teen program was a big part of my daughter's life for 4years and had a great impact on her plan to continue her studies

The museum is located in a former Nabisco box printing plant. The space is wonderfully recreated, allowing for huge spaces to properly display large sculptures and installations. We enjoyed the very large grouping of Louise Bourgeois works. Superb pieces by Richard Serra, Donald Judd, Michael Heizer, Mary Heilman, Melvin Edwards, Meg Webster and much much more. A must for anyone interested in the art of the last fifty years.

Incredible factory building and beautiful light house largely uninspired, amateurish “contemporary” art. With the exception of Richard Serras work, nothing was thought provoking. Most felt like the work of high school or college students. Think white canvases, string and sand “art.” The cafe has tasty food and coffee!

Dia: Beacon is a wonderful museum. The basement you can skip it is not that great. The art at Dia is amazing. The gardens are wonderful. The light part is very cool. The café is great! The kids Mac and Cheese is very tiny. the fruit pops are very good. Dia Beacon is a wonderful place!

And shows that oil money - the Menils of the Schlumberger fortune - has done good things.

You can drive here or even better take the train which drops you off a short walk away. Go early - it got very busy in the PM; a lot of babies and kids. And on the weekends they have free tours (1 hour) - so if you are not a contemporary art buff - you will find it worthwhile.

From the repurposed industrial plant and its huge spaces - you will be exposed to a number of famous artists. Plan on at least a 2-hour visit.

Cafe next door if you want to catch drinks or a light bite.

You will be impressed.

Admission is $15; $12 for students and seniors.

The imaginative curators change exhibits regularly so each visit will impress you with the artistic vision & craftsmanship of different artists.

Dia Beacon feels less like a typical museum and more like a precise instrument for experiencing space, light, and time, with the former Nabisco factory effectively functioning as the main artwork. The adaptive reuse is masterful and deeply satisfying from an architectural point of view, but the collection it serves remains historically narrow and tightly tied to a specific minimal/conceptual canon, so the whole place reads as both a sublime spatial experience and a tightly controlled, exclusionary worldview.

We had known about Dia:Beacon from before it opened, but only finally managed to visit almost 14 years after it first opened. We won't wait another 14, before we go back. We saved the best for almost last: the Richard Serra "Torqued Ellipses" are just stunning. Most everything in the museum is worth observing, but the Serra is just extraordinary. Great bookshop and coffee, too.

Beautifully curated exhibits that meld perfectly with the sunny, spacious rooms. Innovative and modern with bold colorations, unique materials, snd startling, disruptive installations.

Went here with my wife based on numerous recommendations not knowing what to expect. I can say that this was without a doubt the worst museum experience of my life! While I wouldn't exactly consider myself a modern art aficionado, I try to keep an open mind about what I consider art. I have 2 criteria:

1. Can't be reproduced by someone with no artistic talent.
2. If you were to hit the "art" as hard as you could with a sledge hammer, most people would be able to tell that it was damaged.

Sadly, only about 20% of what was in this museum met those criteria. Let me summarize a visit:

You walk into a giant room sparse room with a few square metal plates on a floor -something that could be produced in any decent fabrication shop in the country. This is followed by a room where someone with off-the-shelf fluorescent light fixtures are attached to the walls in mind numbingly simple vertical patterns that a 3rd grader might have come up with. Then there is a room where someone has written short descriptions of piles of rocks with stenciled letters on a wall. Then there is a room with yarn strung vertically from floor to ceiling (not in any kind of artistic pattern, but like 10 strings of yarn in a line). Then rooms of piles of construction debris -there is a piece of "art" that is literally a giant pile of broken glass on the floor. Then there is a room where someone painted half the wall black with a paint roller. Then there is a room with the dates painted onto the canvas in a simple font. Then there is a room with a variety of SOLID WHITE CANVASES ON A WHITE WALL. Then you leave and say to yourself, "now I understand why they have to sell tickets in a separate building."

I'm not sure which makes me angrier:

-That there are people in the world who smash some glass and sweep in into a pile, and then are able to tell others with a straight face "this is art"
-That those people agree with them to the point that they think they should put it in a museum that is not a Ripley's Believe It or Not.
-That that museum can find enough people to pay $12 to visit it and donate to it that it can stay open.

Great space, focusing on modern art and installation with landscaped gardens outdoors that were lovely. The art is not for everyone but the overall experience was enjoyable. Would probably not revisit for the art.

This was a waste of $40 for the two of us. It just seemed like a wonderful space with a lot of nonsense in it. I do have an art degree so it’s not like I’m completely uneducated in the field. Just nope.

The worst art experience ever! We didn t understand so called "artwork"! Extremly BORING! Do not go there with kids! Do not go there anyway, unless you get paid or is very bad weather and you need shelter for a while.

What an amazing museum! The space is just beautiful, which really serves the art in a respectful way. You need to visit in order to understand the magnitude. There are so many pieces that interact with the museum and with each other that you really cannot imagine seeing them anywhere else. However, keep in mind that this is a modern art which is mostly minimal and you have to come with the right mindset to embrace the experience. We got out with a bunch of new artists to follow. Highly recommended!

Went here Saturday. Luckily free admission for Westchester residents that day, otherwise $12
Beautiful facility and grounds.
The art work.....meh.
I'm not particularly into real modern abstract art.
Some of it was pretty cool though. And we enjoyed just walking around. Not crowded at all.

I visited here at a friend's urging who loves modern art and knows I'm not a "modern art" aficionado, preferring antiques and historical artifacts to paintings and such. The museum is in a huge building that was a Nabisco box factory. The building itself is fascinating. In all honesty I was somewhat mystified by some of the art but I thoroughly enjoyed my visit. My hat is off to them for offering artists a unique area to create and display some very, very, large pieces. I'm very, very glad I visited and would recommend it to anyone. It is one of the most unique museums I have visited. I noticed as we were leaving that there were a few young families with children utilizing the picnic facilities on the grounds. Would be a great day trip from NYC, Metro North RR station is nearby. An eye-opener for me. Thanks Dia:Beacon for a great experience from someone who wasn't sure he'd enjoy as much as he did. Worth the price of admission ($15) and thanks also for the friendly and knowledgeable staff.

We were amazed at the scale of Dia: Beacon. This is the place where the Dia has the truly large art installations by the giants of late 20th century art: Serra, De Maria, Louise Bourgeois, many others. The complex, developed from old industrial buildings in this up and coming city, is really a wonderful place. It was hot (and then rainy), so we missed the outdoor area. I expect that's impressive as well.

Went with friends,who had been there before. My husband and I had never heard of the museum before, but enjoyed our visit. The building is huge and very interesting architecturally. Very modern art on3 levels. Not all the work was to my liking, but we all enjoyed the creativity and unusual artwork. We were there about 2 hours.

This was my second (and third) trip to DIA. The Richard Serra exhibits are incredible. Why I travel here when there are so many good museums in Manhattan: the exhibits here are done at such a large scale, that you're obligated to encounter them and react. It's impossible to have a passive visit because the nature of the art is so confrontational. You encounter installations in a way that is not possible on a different scale.

Previously I've never been a fan of Dan Flavin. I guess I didn't get it. But the new Flavin work, especially the exhibit in the basement, really spoke to me on this visit. A knowledgeable and very gracious curatorial staff also answered some questions for me and helped me see it in a way I could not have found easily on my own.

The single best day trip from NYC.

Do not get too excited. There is a lot of very new art - not sure I would consider everything art. Lots of space. Several interesting pieces.

Anyone visiting or living in Beacon owes themselves a visit. If you are an artist yourself, you will be inspired. The museum is very large and has three stories. What I recommend is to plan four hours to cover the museum and the outdoor installations, as well. Also, I strongly suggest you take a break in the middle at the DIA cafe, powered by Homespun Foods, that has a variety of quality hot and cold foods at a reasonable price. They also have a full service restaurant on Main St., Beacon. I suggest that small children not visit, as many of the installations are made of glass, and some are made of clear glass. Partially sighted people should visit with a fully sighted friend who should offer them their elbow. I found many of the artworks demonstrated different forms of mathematics, which I found fascinating. You won't be disappointed!

Situated in the old Nabisco box factory which has been beautifully turned into a great viewing space. The cafe offers a great selection tion of food. Occasionally a live performance.
Easy access from I84 or the train station.

Not your typical art museum, contemporary or otherwise. The setting is wonderful. Beautiful (but limited) outdoor space overlooking the Hudson. The former Nabisco box factory is an incredible piece of 1920's industrial architecture and needs to be seen to appreciate. The art work - some amazing, some quirky, some, plain silly. Above all else, do not touch anything or else, out of nowhere, a 20 something hipster will swoop down on you and gruffly ask you to refrain from touching the heavy slab of industrial steel.

Don't waste your money，But if you have a lot of spare money! Then you come!！Anyway, I can't understand or see this so-called art!

Perfect size museum to visit for a morning or afternoon. Excellent cafe on site. But the best part is the art both special exhibits and in the permanent collection. Where will you be in a room surrounded by Warhols or be engulfed by towering Serras? Put this on your ‘Don’t miss’ list.

If you like cubism, modern art this is the place for you. The DIA is huge and so of its collection needs a vast canvas.

Great place.

Lots of installations. Some better than others! Irwin and Bourgeois the best for me

Has a great cafe. Or combine it w a visit to beacon/cold springs for lunch from manhattan

Great day out from the city. Great museum

You will not see a better Dan Flavin or Richard Serra presentation than the respective long rooms here. The space is remarkable & a great way to see this art.

A great day escape from NYC on a beautiful train ride. The museum is a short walk from the train station and features mostly minimalist and conceptual art from classic minimalist artists. MTA offers a great packaged deal on the Metro Northern line, which follows the scenic Hudson River from the Manhattan to the quaint town of Beacon. Visit the town of Beacon after for some good food and drinks.

Worth the trip from NYC. Been here twice and loved it both times. Great little town. Can be done by foot if you're a walker. There are cabs and rental cars near the train station.

The art is great, the location in the former Nabisco factory is a unique and wonderful space, and the little cafe is lovely. My one beef is that the guards were very invasive with directives not to walk among the artworks, stating that they are not adhered correctly and would fall down. This was not a proviso against touching, which is of course expected...but against simply walking by and in between objects on pedestals. I'm an artist and frequent museum goer, so I know not to go to close to artworks, however, this was over the top, out of the norm and it took away from the art viewing experience. One piece in particular, in which the artist obviously meant for the viewer to walk in the midst...was prohibited with the same concern. It was a big contrast to an art exhibition I had just been to on Governor's Island that was interactive and accessible. Quite odd. Perhaps they should look into properly securing the art pieces?

Came on a Friday. No crowds and we felt very comfortable walking around this very spacious museum.

Excellent exhibits of contemporary artists.
Great staff. Well worth the visit,

Enter through a small building front. Walk through and be blown away. Old factory that has been re-purposed with wonderful results. Art displayed is amazing, can't imagine it in a better spot. Great place to spend the day! And the surrounding town is worth a visit, too!

DIA is a remarkable 1929 building with natural light that is perfect for large contemporary installations. Much of this art needs to be experienced and understood from multiple perspectives, highly integrative and multi-sensory. This is not your "grandma's" art museum, but among contemporary spaces it is something everyone needs to experience.

This is a must visit. Plan to take your time going through this museum. It's not intended as a quick walk-through. The exhibits will both entertain and challenge you. You will see that art exists around you on a daily basis in some very common and unusual forms. You have to visit to get my full meaning!

Not only is the site gorgeous, and the museum terrific, the food in their little care is also wonderful. The whole experience is very upscale, interesting, and satisfying. They make a simple thing like a grilled cheese sandwich healthful and off the charts delicious! Everything else on the menu looked sophisticated and yummy, too. Check it out. Plenty of free parking and the price is right.

This is a very unique museum. It's giant and all of the art inside is pretty much also giant. Many of the pieces are things you can walk into or through and they are usually overwhelming or mindblowing in some way. So yeah, it's like no other museum you've seen and I would highly recommend going.

That being said, here's some observations on it. First of all, the museum is so big that even on the busiest day you will not be in a crowded situation. I went on a day that we were the only people there (and it was a weekend so you would think it would be more people) and also on a day where we had to wait in line to get in. However, I can't really say I'm happy about its popularity because I wish I could be there in silence with no distractions by myself, but alas it is good for them at least. If you can be there at a not busy time, it is a surreal experience.

The MTA has a good deal that you can take the metro north and buy a ticket to this place at a discount and I recommend it. The museum has a bus stop so after you are done you can go right outside and catch the bus to town for exact change. It is pretty easy.

Like most museums there are a couple of pieces they don't allow pictures of but most they do. The problem is that there is no clear signage for what isn't allowed to be photographed. The staff is nice about it, but because these pieces of art are literally hundreds of feet long in some cases, the guards literally have to run full across to stop you from taking photos, which is incredibly stupid. We finally saw the "no photos" signage, it is TINY and not only that, but is this faded hard to see thing. Not only that but there is NO TEXT either, it is an icon of a camera with a no symbol on it. Nobody on earth will notice these signs, no one. It makes me angry that they are not protecting the art properly, not protecting the dignity of their guests from embarrassment, and making the jobs of their guards so hard because an art museum of all places can't design a highly visible sign to tell people not to take pictures.

Another thing, I ordered food at their little cafe and they took forever to get my order. Turns out they gave me the wrong number to place on my table and didn't find me. Understandable, so that is not a huge problem. What was a huge problem is the cashier HANDED ME THE NUMBER and then when they finally found me they said, literally, "YOU TOOK THE WRONG NUMBER" essentially blaming me for their mistake.

Honestly these couple of things that happened that visit are enough for me not to go back ever, and I had been telling my friends about how great it is. Yes you all should go, but personally I won't go back.

Dia: Beacon has been on my gotta get there list for quite awhile. It's such a niche museum. A place for huge installations...indoors. It was the Michael Heizer, North, East, South, West that tempted me there. It was the Richard Serra's and the Sol Lewitt's that were the stand outs for me. And above all the discussion of what makes some of these pieces art. The building itself is wonderful as the galleries seamlessly take you wandering. The staff is quite knowledgable and on the ready to answer any questions.

I visited Dia with my husband and adult son. We each had different reactions, ranging from boredom/ lack of interest (me), to mixed feelings about it (my husband), to enjoying the experience and finding it meaningful (my son). Looking at the reviews here, about 75% are positive (4 or 5 stars), and 25% are negative (1-3 stars). Some people will scratch their head and wonder why are these displays even called "art". Others will enjoy the massive spaces and the modern/ contemporary sculptures and art pieces. I walked through it fairly quickly, scratching my head, and then had a lovely bite to eat in their terrific cafe. (vegan brownies, yum!). Meanwhile, my husband and son took their time and got more out of it (I saved them some of the brownie!). My point of writing this is to say, do your homework and decide whether Dia is a worthwhile destination for you, before deciding to go.

The space is phenomenal. It is a converted Nabisco box printing facility. The pieces are lit almost entirely by natural light. A must see.

We spent a couple of hours wandering around the large warehouse space with all the installations. This really is the kind of place that needs you to expand your vision of what art is. It is NOT paintings of houses and fruit, or sculptures of people. It IS a wide variety of ideas that are almost always open to interpretation. And those ideas come in many different forms. I really enjoyed moving my brain around a bit.

Fun to visit this museum. Not my fave kind of art but the space is pretty incredible. And vast. The melted car sculptures were cool. The basement was interesting. The math squares were not for me.

A little north for a rest and see. This is a complete space devoted to art. It is not impressionist or religious or what most museums host. It is a very interesting exhibit of artists creations that you would rarely expect to view. Nice coffee shop. If you arrive shortly before the opening of the doors you can get a behind the scenes view of some work. You will have an escort or two. Ask about it the day before you go. Open up your minds. Determine the message of the artist. Just take it all in. 2 hours is enough time. Great bookstore etc. Take this adventure.

There were a few neat things to look at, but the unfriendly staff made my two (well-behaved) children feel uncomfortable as they got warned quite a few times out of nowhere to not touch the displays. (I went over the rules with them beforehand and they had no intention of touching anything.)
Most of it was pretentious crap anyway so don't waste your money.

Dia:Beacon is fabulous, and well worth making the centerpiece of this gorgeous part of N.Y. along the Hudson. In an old factory building with incredible natural light, they showcase a large range of modern art. My favorites were the Richard Serra iron sculptures and Marion Zazeela works on paper - at opposite ends of the spectrum of scale.

large airy galleries with though provoking modern installations. Needs about an hour. small cafe on site. Parking lot wheelchair accessible. Walking distance from the Beacon train Station from manhattan.

The Dia Beacon museum is interesting if you are a modern art lover. a lot of "spacial" art involving entire rooms. some thought provoking pieces, but a pile of dirt with a mirror stuck in it just doesn't move me, as I would rather go to the Met and gaze at the beauty on the walls there. It is not for everyone, but keeping an open mind and exploring is what Art is all about. so, go and explore and formulate your own opinions. Beacon is a nice little town with some nice restaurants and a good place to spend an autumn afternoon.

We went for free on the last Sunday of the month(for Hudson Valley residents). I did not really understand some of the exhibits but did enjoy many of them. There were plenty of families with young kids but you have to make sure they don’t run around or touch anything. There is enough open space to make this happen if you are vigilant with your kids. Be prepared to explain to them or avoid the exhibit downstairs with a neon lit strangulated hangman that is anatomically excited to see you. I would say it’s a worthy stop on a rainy day if you are in the area for the day definitely so if you are interested in the arts.

Incredible - kicking ourselves that we never visited sooner!!! So many great pieces under one roof and only 90 minutes from Grand Central - GO New Yorkers!

An enchanting museum in a former factory space which is huge. Enjoyed seeing touches throughout of the previous life of this building such as the old flooring with stains and bolt holes. A lovely scenic drive to get here from Forest Hills. Do be advised that cash payment is not accepted here.

We had been recommended to visit this modern art gallery & are very pleased we did so. There were some intriguing ideas, some very modern concepts & some very unusual projects here. I think everyone could find many things they like but I would be surprised if most did not feel that there are some "pieces" which are "not art" but the artist having a laugh at the viewer's expense - taking the mickey! With that said, there is a huge variety to see & everyone can view, decide & walk by quickly to more interesting exhibits. Not a must for art lovers but still worth seeing.

Well yes, it is not to everyone's taste, but in terms of creating an exceptional environment for experiencing modern art, Dia:Beacon has few peers. Set in an old factory building that has been completely renovated, but leaving some of the classic beautiful architectural details of the old, blended in with the new.

The layout allows you to really get involved and feel the work in a way that is very exciting. I found Dia:Beacon to be one of the most fabulous modern art museums I have ever visited.

My husband and I took a day trip up from the city to Dia:Beacon. That train ride up the Hudson line is always worth it, no matter what.

It's a reasonable walk from the train station, and the signage is pretty good.

I'm not much of a modern art person, so I wasn't sure how much I would like this museum. I was pleasantly surprised. We had a great time here. Some of the pieces were really fascinating, and others I could take or leave, but it was definitely worth a visit. I love the building. There's plenty of light, and open, airy galleries. Be sure to check out the other levels or you'll be missing some interesting items. The giant ellipses on the lower level are especially cool – be sure to read how they were created.

Get the Metro-North getaway package for a discount on both the train fare and museum entry. Also, stop by the café. We enjoyed grabbing lunch there.

As a frequent visitor to Dia Beacon over the years I am happy to share my respect for its programming, curatorship, and amenities. My most recent visit was to see the installations of works by Dorothea Rockburne, which were brilliantly places and illuminated in the Riggio Galleries. It was pleasing as well to see Michelle Stuart's "Sayerville Strata" drawings on view. A previous complaint I've had about the museum is the lack of diversity in its founding collection but recent acquisitions show a recognition that great art is being made regardless of gender, racial, or other cultural stereotypes. That said, the aesthetic basis of Dia Beacon remains the collection and display of minimalist and conceptual art. I appreciate that there's been some loosening of criteria for inclusion in that zone of practice, but viewers to Dia Beacon should expect encounters with artwork that can challenging to the eye while stimulating the mind. Beyond the viewing exxperience I recommend saving time for the museum's excellent and comprehensive bookstore.

the museum is set within a repurposed factory, complete with basement galleries. They have featured world-class talent and established artists before, with DIA NY, where Ai Wei Wei, or Richard Sierra were featured.h

Take a picnic down to the grounds - which are also stunning, with lovely views.

The question I refer to is if you think that ultra modern art is really art. I do - but if you are curious to how you feel about it this is the place to test yourself. Everything from giant pieces of iron from ships to broken glass or sand on the floor to endless panels of neon lights. You decide if it's art. For me def worth the visit.

(Family with 4 and 15 year old)

Among the greatest of arts-focused industrial reuse projects, Dia Beacon is a shrine for the work of many of artists of the New York scene who made it big in the 60s and onward. Where else can you see Robert Smithsons? The sheer quantity of Richard Serras.... The special installation by Michael Heizer - which when I realized what it was the first time I saw it blew my mind.... The glowing Dan Flavins always a hit with kids....The vast expanses of Sol LeWitts webs and of course a Louise Bourgeois spider...

Housed in a former factory, this is a perfect place for a day trip from NYC. Beautifully designed space with lots of modern art. Well worth the trip on metro north

This place is great and I loved most (OK, *some*) of the displays but I would only recommend you visit if you're a contemporary art devotee or in the very least appreciator. It is not necessarily everyone's cup of tea and given it's out of the way in upstate NYC (although a pretty and easy train ride from Manhattan) and $15 entry, then I would only suggest you go if you know you won't absolutely HATE plywood, string and piles of stuff presented as culturally valuable artwork! If you're an open minded art lover then it is well worth the trip!

Totally enjoyed Dia:Beacon art installation. Took the train from manhattan round trip.Rail runs very close to the Hudson, so worthy fall journey. Then station to Dia:Beacon by uber/easy. Vast spaces of this old factory held compelling, sometimes odd large scale sculptures in a variety of forms - glass,metal,paintings,rocks,neon etc. The 122 (?) Warhol abstract paintings - something to behold en masse.The natural light from huge skylights highlighted and then subdued the art as the day waned. Worth the journey

Nice facility but I guess I'm not a fan of abstract art. I found it boring and unstimulating. The center is nicely located so that you can hop off of Metro North and walk or you can take a more ambitious stroll to Beacon's downtown and visit the shops and restaurants..

We have been here a few times. Today we got there in time for a tour. It was a very enjoyable tour. Almost all the exhibits were new.

Near the Hudson River, Dia Beacon is a fabulous museum primarily focused on large format work from noteable artists post 1960s. Well worth the drive from Manhattan to wander among the installations by artists including Richard Serra, Donald Judd, Louise Bourgeois and Meg Webster [magnificent!] and brilliant landscape by Robert Irwin.

Walk-able distance from the Beacon train station and town Dia is graced with a beautiful view of the Hudson and the art plays so well with the space this is a great little gem.

We had a very nice time with our family, all the exhibits were interesting. and even the food inside is good

My first visit to this awesome arena was wonderful which I expected it to last for only three hours but due to the kind of preferential treathment I got over there, it lasted more than expected.

Dia Beacon is a unique Art Museum.
You will question “What is Art?” while you’re viewing pieces in the museum and long after.
Located in the cute town of Beacon, NY near the Hudson River.
There is nothing “regular” about this museum:
The building that houses the museum is the old Nabisco Factory - it is enormous!
They’ve designed the interior with massive size rooms. Most rooms dedicated to an individual Artist’s work.
Displayed are contemporary very modern pieces.
It will take approximately 2 hours to see all of the art due the tremendous size of the building. Be prepared to walk!
There are some paintings, most of the works are best described as installations:
Neon Lights, piles of construction material,
a bronze spider (same artist as the spider in front of the Guggenheim Bilbao- loved it!), narrow hallways with tv’s, giant room size cylinders (loved their curves and variances) and much much more.

The museum has several good arts but the information explaining those arts are poor. In order to show the minimalism of the museum and it's display, all the information and explanation is minimal as well. You can only find some explanation on plastic covered pamphlet and the number is limited

If you are a fan of modern art, you must love the exhibition in Dia:Beacon. The artists are creative and attentive to present their ideas of life, reality or imagination.

We also recommend to visit Cold Spring on the same trip which is a great place for hiking.