Small-town retreat north of NYC’s city bustle
Set 73 miles north of New York City in Dutchess County, Beekman is a picturesque town known for its tranquil woodlands, charming local restaurants and rich historical heritage. Established in 1788, Beekman was originally a farming and mill town but has since evolved into a quiet residential area. “It’s a suburban community with a rural setting convenient to Taconic State Parkway and Interstate 84 for anybody commuting,” says Blake Michaud, a Realtor with Serhant LLC who has over 42 years of experience. “They’re people-friendly neighborhoods; you won’t see graffiti or anything like that.” Residents are mindful of preserving the town’s character, so shopping and dining are limited, and homes date as far back as the late 18th century. “It’s a great place to live,” Michaud says.
Parks, trails and bodies of water
Beekman Recreation Park is the town’s main greenspace, offering picnic areas with BBQ grills, an 18-hole mini-golf course and sports like sand volleyball and horseshoe. There’s also a chlorinated swimming lake with sandy shores, and during the summer, there are daily sandcastle contests. At the Beekman Recreation Center, residents can play pickleball and tennis or sign up for yoga classes. Nearby, fishing enthusiasts may cast their lines for smallmouth bass in Fishkill Creek, and Beekman Golf Course offers 27 holes set with scenic mountain views.
Town Center Park is another local option for a picnic or playground trip, and youth sporting events, including baseball and soccer games, are held here too. Beekman is also packed with nature trails; hikers and bikers can explore the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail, which runs through the town. About 15 miles away, the 301-acre Bowdoin Park includes a splash pad, 5 miles of dirt-packed trails and sports like soccer, softball and sand volleyball.
One-of-a-kind, secluded farmhouse homes with acreage
Set along meandering roads generally without sidewalks, Beekman’s single-family homes are diverse, often varying in color, style and size from door to door and dating anywhere from the late 18th century through today. These three- to six-bedroom homes are typically farmhouse-style with colonial features, like multi-pane windows, exposed wooden beams and steeply pitched roofs. Home layouts range from about 1,700 to 7,000 square feet, often including covered porches or patios and long, paved driveways leading to attached or detached garages; lots are typically between 1 to 5 acres but can range up to 40 acres of farmland or forest area. “It’s a combination of hills and wooded areas,” Michaud says. “From some of the higher elevations, you can see the Catskill Mountains.”
Michaud says there aren’t typically HOAs here, but new construction or renovations must abide by the town’s building codes. Many properties include on-site wells and rely on heating oil. The median price here is $459,000, compared to $790,000 in New York City. Single-family home prices range from about $300,000 to $1.2 million, depending on a home’s size and features.
There are also a handful of manufactured homes around Chelsea Cove. These late 20th-century two-bedroom homes are typically minimal, with vinyl siding, layouts between 700 and 1,700 square feet and uncovered off-street parking. Manufactured home prices range from about $50,000 to $200,000.
Outdoor events for Beekman residents
Community events are often held at Beekman Recreation Park, including town traditions like the annual Easter egg hunt and Fall into Fun Community Day, where residents peruse the pumpkin patch while enjoying live music, arts and games. In the summer, kids can attend Beekman Day Camp to play sports, learn leadership skills and explore nature in camp counselor-led activities. There’s also a summer Concerts in the Park series at Town Center Park, featuring local bands and food trucks.
Dining at locally owned eateries
“There are grocery stores and a limited number of restaurants,” Michaud says. Around State Route 55, there are groceries and home goods at Stop & Shop and Dollar General, but most other stores and restaurants here are small businesses. Beekman Square Diner is a favorite for homestyle breakfast fare, like banana nut pancakes or a Monte Cristo with home fries. Nearby, Las Adelitas serves up Mexican cuisine and margaritas, while Brother's Trattoria is the spot for a moonlit Northern Italian dinner on the patio. Hopewell Junction, a hamlet, is about 5 miles away with over a dozen restaurants, chain stores and beauty services like barbershops and nail salons.
Arlington Central District schools receive high marks from Niche
Beekman is part of the Arlington Central School District, rated B-plus overall by Niche. Local kids may start at Beekman Elementary or Vail Farm Elementary, before moving on to Union Vale Middle — all rated B-plus. At the A-minus-rated Arlington High, teens can take concurrent enrollment courses for college credit at Dutchess Community College.
Getting around car-dependent Beekman
The Taconic State Parkway crosses through Beekman for easy access to New York City, 73 miles away—a 90- to 120-minute drive during rush hour. Locals are car-dependent; residential streets are without sidewalks or bike lanes, and there isn’t any public transportation. Nuvance Health Vassar Brothers Medical Center is 17 miles away, and New York Stewart International Airport is 30 miles away.
