Photo: E+
It’s road trip season! (Truthfully, it always is — but for the sake of the changing seasons, let’s go with it.) As we say goodbye to summer and hello to cooler temps, it’s the perfect time to start planning those fall road trips — or my personal favorite, day trips: a road trip’s less committed cousin.
To kick off my own summer send-off, I hit up my girls with the idea of a quick escape, courtesy of INFINITI, from NYC to upstate New York. They were in right away. We all agreed: we wanted something with chill, granola-like vibes and small-town(ish) energy, but still explorative and rooted in culture. So, like any chronically online millennial, I went straight to TikTok to see if that mix of vibes existed an hour or two outside of Manhattan. As luck would have it, Beacon, New York — and all its small-town glory — kept popping up on my FYP. With a Main Street lined with indie shops, great food, and plenty of art and culture, it felt like the perfect backdrop for a one-day adventure.
With the crew, wheels (the new 2026 INFINITI QX60 sport, to be exact), and destination locked, all that was left was the playlist. Thankfully, a quick search on the iHeartRadio app led me to the “Hip Hop Road Trip” playlist of my dreams.
It was finally time to hit the road. I’ll admit, I was nervous — sitting behind the wheel for nearly two hours isn’t my norm. As a NYC girlie, I’m used to the subway, buses, or the occasional rideshare. Driving has become more of a rare task than a daily habit. But to my surprise, the QX60 sport had me feeling right at home in the driver’s seat. And with my playlist bumping through the pitch-perfect Klipsch® audio system, the trip flew by as smoothly as the ride itself.
Once in Beacon, we were met with an almost immediate embrace. Dozens of shop windows featured inclusive flags and handwritten words of love and encouragement — the kind of small-town details that instantly make you feel at home. With that love pouring from the city, we chose to pour right back into it, starting at the TikTok-suggested, Black-owned matcha tea house, Matcha Thomas. After sipping some of the smoothest, ceremony-grade matcha lattes I’ve ever had, we set off down Main Street to see what else Beacon had in store.
From cozy bookstores to the public library, quirky vintage shops to local art dealers, we wandered and explored it all, soaking in the charm of the town, its businesses, and its inclusive energy.
Eventually, our stomachs reminded us it was time to slow down and eat. We ducked into Ziatun — a local spot that came highly recommended for its comfort eats and good vibes. We filled ourselves up to the brim with hummus, falafel, and shawarma before heading back out for more exploring.
Recharged, we made our way to a vinyl shop to dig through crates of old records. We capped the day at a handmade candle shop that smelled heavenly — woodsy, fall, cozy scents filled the air, so much so that I was ready to spend my entire check on about a dozen candles.
With our cups literally runneth over, we were back in the QX60 sport headed back to the city — rejuvenated, full (still thinking about that shawarma), and already plotting our next upstate adventure.
Consider this my official reminder: road trip season isn’t just for summer, it’s whenever you make the time to hit the road.
INFINITI provided the QX60 for this trip.
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.