Berkshires Vacation Ideas

A Berkshires vacation is the perfect setting for culture and recreation in the northeast. Berkshire Massachusetts is just chock full of places to go and things to do. With it's rolling hills and numerous historical spots the Berkshires is a great place for a road trip any season. Here are a few ideas for your Berkshires vacation.

The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, in North Berkshire County, runs from Lanesboro to Adams. You can use this trail all year round for many outdoor family activities like walking, biking, running, snowshoeing, rollerblading or roller skiing.

The Clark Institute, in Williamstown is free for adults from November through May and children under 18 are always free admission. They have an extraordinary collection of French Impressionist paintings. They also specialize in family gallery tours, outdoor family festivals, outdoor band concerts and film exhibitions.

Stockbridge was the inspiration for Norman Rockwell’s famous painting Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas . Every December 4 – 6 the town celebrates Main Street at Christmas by decorating Main Street with holiday wreaths and sparkling lights. The town is transformed into a magical New England village. This is a great way to enjoy a winter Berkshires vacation.

Hancock Shaker Village is a beautifully restored historic former Shaker village located in Pittsfield. Called "The City of Peace." by the Shakers, this is a “living museum” where you can feel like you are stepping back 200 years in time. The village comes to life with tours, exhibitions and hands-on activities.

Natural Bridge State Park, in North Adams, is a 48 acre geologic wonder. The park is free so this will help with keeping your Berkshires vacation budget under control. The parks best known for the 550 million year old naturally formed white marble arch over a steep 60-foot deep gorge. You can enjoy the scenic views and have a picnic, walking trails, fishing and various interpretive programs.

Kidspace, sponsored by the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is a contemporary art museum for children and adults. It offers a hands-on experience for children. Aside from their extraordinary collection of French Impressionist paintings you will also find outdoor family festivals, music concerts and other activities. they are located in North Adams.

The Howden Farm, in Ashley Falls Mass., sets the standard for pumpkins with its 20 pound Howden Pumpkin and the 40 pound Howden Biggie. This makes a great Berkshires vacation spot in the fall where they open the doors to visitors. Load up the wagons for a fun hayride. Find your way through the hay maze. Check out the chickens or pick some berries. Thump the pumpkins and then buy one for carving. It’s all great family fun.

Berkshire Botanical Garden is a 15 acre peaceful refuge of natural beauty in Stockton, Mass. There are beautiful display gardens with over 3,000 variety of plants including the popular Children’s Garden. The woodland trail will take you through the Rock Garden, the Herb Garden, the Ornamental Vegetable Garden, the Rice Greenhouse and more.

Every Fall since 1997, Hancock Shaker Village has held its family fun-filled County Fair. Hancock Shaker Village is in Berkshire County Massachusetts and part of the beautiful and famous Berkshires tourist area. The County Fair is a huge event with all the family orientated fall events you could ask for. Everything from farming demonstrations and a timber frame building workshop to garden tours and pie baking contests. And it is all in the historic setting of the village with its restored site and buildings and dedication to bringing the Shaker story to life.

The Stockbridge Bowl is a beautiful lake nestled in the Berkshire Hills near Lenox, Mass. This is a quiet and scenic spot for a Berkshires vacation, perfect for relaxing in a peaceful natural environment. The lake is great for fishing and boating. Nearby Lenox and Stockbridge are full of interesting sites including historic houses such as the Chesterwood, the estate of the American sculpter Daniel Chester French. Tours of the studio are available.

Staying in the Stockbridge Bowl area is great for a Berkshires golf and spa vacation. Six miles north of Stockbridge is Blantyre, a highly recognized and popular country-house hotel with a wonderful "Potting Shed Spa". Directly across the street from the Blantyre is the eighteen-hole golf course, Cranwell. This well maintained course was built in 1926 with the traditional short and narrow new England desgin layout.