Welcome to the Berkshires! Below, find numerous destinations for
whatever interests you in our beautiful Berkshire towns. Or discover
Berkshire real estate
here.
Cultural Destinations:
297 West Street
Lenox, MA 01240
(617) 266-1492
Tanglewood was founded in 1936, when the Boston Symphony Orchestra
gave its first concerts in the Berkshires. Since then, Tanglewood has
steadily grown into a defining Berkshires phenomenon frequented by
James Taylor, John Williams and the Boston Pops. If you haven't
enjoyed a concert on the lawn at Tanglewood you haven't really visited
the Berkshires.
70 Kemble Street
Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-1199
Shakespeare & Company is a theater group that performs like the
Elizabethans did -- in love with poetry, physical intensity, and
mystery. Though they specialize in the works of Shakespeare, they also
put on locally produced originals. For the young Shakespearian, they
offer acting camps for various age groups and experience levels.
9 Route 183
Stockbridge, MA, 01262
(413) 298-4100
The Norman Rockwell Museum is the world's largest collection of Norman
Rockwell artwork. In 2008, it received the National Humanities Medal
from the National Endowment for the Humanities. If you enjoy the work
of Norman Rockwell or just want to learn more about him, this is the
museum for you!
358 George Carter Road
Becket, MA 01223
(413) 243-0745
Originally settled in 1790, the Jacob's Pillow property is itself a
historical landmark. When it was purchased in 1931 by modern dance
pioneer Ted Shawn, it became much more than that. Jacob's Pillow is
the oldest internationally acclaimed Summer dance festival in the
United States and offers a professional school, extensive archives and
year-round community programs.
30 Union Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(413) 236-8888
Located in the former Berkshire Music Hall in downtown Pittsfield, the
Barrington Stage Company adds a contemporary, musical-centered flair
to the Berkshires theater scene. On top of developing top-notch
current plays and musicals, Barrington Stage offers several theater
programs for the young and old to hone their skills.
6 East Street
Stockbridge, MA 01262
(413) 298-5576
One of the oldest professional performing arts venues in the
Berkshires, the Berkshire Theatre Festival celebrated its 80th
anniversary season in 2008. Over the course of its 550 productions
Berkshire Theatre Festival has run the theatrical gamut from classics
and revivals to original premieres. When you go to a Berkshire Theatre
Festival performance you can sense the rich history of the group.
14 Castle Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413) 528-0100
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center offers something for everyone. At
The Mahaiwe you can expect world-class dance, music, theater, opera,
films and HD broadcasts depending on the day. Keep an eye on their
event calendar because you never know what they'll be showing next!
Historical Destinations:
1843 West Housatonic Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
(617) 266-1492
Unlike most historical destinations, Hancock Shaker Village is still
very much alive despite being over 230 years old. Learn how the
Shakers lived in the "City of Peace" by observing costumed reenactors
amidst expertly crafted Shaker architecture. Free admission for
children 12 and under!
4 Williamsville Road
Stockbridge, MA 01262
(413) 298-3579
Previously the Marshall Werner farm, Chesterwood became the summer
estate of famed sculptor Daniel Chester French in 1896. Each May,
French moved to Chesterwood from New York with his family to drink in
the natural beauty of the Berkshires. In 1965, Chesterwood became a
museum and National Trust Historic site.
Great Barrington, MA 01230
W.E.B. Dubois was an African-American sociologist, historian,
civil-rights activist and author at the turn of the 20th century. He
co-founded the NAACP, wrote the seminal collection of essays, The
Souls of Black Folk, and advanced civil-rights in countless other
ways. Come to Great Barrington to see the town he grew up in!
Art School Road
Monterey, MA 01245
(413) 528-6888
The Bidwell House is an elegant Georgian saltbox built in 1760.
Authentically restored and filled with period antiques, The Bidwell
House Museum offers a personal encounter with the history of early
American home life as well as a beautiful Berkshires landscape.
19 Main Street
Stockbridge, MA 01262
(413) 298-3239
This National Historic Landmark was home to the first missionary to
the Mohican Indians. In the mid-1730s, the Mohicans living in western
Massachusetts gave permission for Rev. John Sergeant to live among
them, thus the Mission House was built. The Mission House not only
provides a glimpse into Colonial history, but also the Native American
tribe that preceded the Colonists.
2 Plunkett Street
Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-3366
Built in 1902, The Mount was the country estate of Edith Wharton, a
Pulitzer Price-winning novelist. In addition to The Mounts historical
significance, it is also a truly magnificent estate and a frequent
wedding location. The house exterior is "a striking white stucco,
strongly set off by dark green shutters, and rises from a quasi-rustic
foundation of coarse field stone".
5 Prospect Hill Road
Stockbridge, MA 01262
(413) 298-3239
Naumkeag is a National Historic Landmark and an architectural
masterpiece exemplifying Gilded-Age style. In 1958, it was bequeathed
in its entirety "from furniture to garden tools to its intact dairy
barn". The 44-room "cottage" is surrounded and complemented by
beautiful gardens and breathtaking, panoramic Berkshires views.
Cooper Hill Road
Ashley Falls, MA 01222
(413) 298-3239
The Ashley House, built in 1735, was the site of a significant moment
in the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts. Mum Bett, a slave at
the Ashley House, was among the first to successfully file a "freedom
suit" under the 1780 constitution and win her freedom. At The Ashley
House Museum you can learn more about her inspirational story.
Natural Destinations:
Route 7 South
Great Barrington, MA 01240
(413) 298-3239
Towering above the Housatonic River, Monument Mountain offers a
jaw-dropping vantage point on the Berkshires. From the 1,642-foot
summit of Squaw Peak, you can see as far as Mount Greylock in the
North and the Catskills in the West. Ascending the mountain will
require some sweat, but will be well rewarded with some of the best
views the Berkshires has to offer.
5 Massachusetts 183
Stockbridge, MA 01262
(413) 298-3926
Berkshire Botanical Garden is one part floral paradise, one part
community-centered not-for-profit. The Berkshire Botanical Gardens 15
acres of cultivated land includes both functional and ornamental
gardens. Make sure not to miss the Harvest Festival, an annual
fund-raising event started in 1934, which offers fair-style fun amidst
the beauty of the gardens.
105 Weatogue Road
Southfield, MA 01259
(413) 229-8600
A 329-acre National Natural Landmark, Bartholomew's Cobble is a an
open space bio-reserve harboring the greatest overall biodiversity of
any reserve in Berkshire County. Bartholomew's Cobble is also home to
Massachusetts' highest populations of ground-nesting bobolinks. On top
of its ecological significance, Bartholomew's Cobble offers trails
winding between hayfields, pastures, meadows and an open hilltop with
panoramic views of the Housatonic River Valley.
Umpachene Falls Road
Southfield, MA 01259
The scenic Umpachene Falls bridges the gap between the Umpachene River
and the Konkapot River. This area is not only a beautiful place for a
picnic, it offers several great swimming opportunities! The
slow-flowing Konkapot River and the pools above the Umpachene Falls
are both fun and relaxing places to take a dip.
69 Blue Hill Road
Monterey, MA 01245
(413) 528-0904
Beartown State Forest is a 12,000-acre forest in Monterey. It has it
all: swimming and boating at Benedict Pond; trails for hiking,
horseback riding and motorsports; areas for camping and picnicking;
and even facilities for restricted hunting. Beartown State Forest is a
one-stop summer paradise!
472 West Mountain Road
Lenox, MA 01240
(413) 637-0320
A Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuary, Pleasant Valley consists of over
1,000-acres of protected, Berkshires wilderness. Trails weave through
the preserves forests, meadows and wetlands leading to Lenox Mountain
and Pike's Pond. Animal lovers take note, Pleasant Valley is known for
its thriving beaver population!
Route 23
Monterey, MA 01245
Whether you are looking to cool off after bathing in the sun, or
looking to catch rainbow trout for a summer barbecue, Lake Garfield is
your destination of choice. Located on Route 23 in Monterey, this
scenic swim spot is ideal for off-the-grid relaxing.
Route 57
Monterey, MA 01245
Looking for a longer swim in south county? Bring your flippers to Lake
Buel. Previously known as the “Six Mile Pond,” this local lake was
renamed for Samuel C. Buel in 1812 for saving wayward swimmers.
If boating’s your game, find your way to the Stockbridge bowl (also
known as Lake Mahkeenac), where visitors can indulge in sculling,
canoeing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, waterskiing, and power boating.
This great pond, also known as Lake Mahkeenac, is a key part of the
Berkshires annual triathlon, the Josh Billings Runaground.
Cooper Creek Road
Lee, MA 01238
Goose Pond is a rare geological site in the Berkshires; a mountain
lake. This reservation protects over a quarter-mile of unparalleled
rocky shoreline. Come to Goose Pond to swim in an environment unlike
many others in Berkshire county.
Route 20
Lee, MA 01238
(413) 243-5505
Laurel Lake offers swimming, boating and several prime fishing
locations. The lake is so teeming with fish that it is a popular
fishing spot even in the dead of winter, making it the home of several
local ice fishing competitions. Whatever the season, Laurel Lake is a
great place for some rest and relaxation.
380 State Road
Great Barrington, MA 01230
(413) 528-2000
Butternut Mountain, also known as Butternut Basin, is a ski resort in
Great Barrington. It offers 22 alpine ski trails of varying
difficulty, 6 chair lifts, 2 terrain parks and a tubing area. If
skiing isn't your thing, come to Butternut Mountain in the summer and
enjoy a concert or festival like the annual Berkshires Arts Festival!
17 Nicholson Road South
Egremont, MA 01258
(413) 528-1262
Catamount is a ski area located at the top of Mount Fray in
Egremont. Impressively, Catamount is both one of the only
family-owned ski areas and one of the largest in the Berkshire
Mountains. At Catamount you can expect all the perks of a big ski
area with the friendly attitude of a family-operated business.
297 West Street
Lenox, MA 01240
(617) 266-1492
Dry Hill Ski Area promises fun for the whole family. Skiing,
snowboarding, tubing and a bar in the lodge for mom and dad to relax
after a long day in the snow. They even offer night-skiing for those
who prefer to ski under the lights!