Top Things to do in Berkshires
Top Hotels in Berkshires
- 1. LakeHouse Inn
- 2. Cornell Inn Lenox
- 3. Vacation Village in the Berkshires
- 4. Fairfield Inn & Suites Great Barrington Lenox/Berkshires
- 5. MAPLE TERRACE MOTEL
- 6. Hampton Inn & Suites Berkshires Lenox
- 7. Cornell Inn Lenox
- 8. Yankee Inn
- 9. The Black Swan Inn Lee - Lenox, Ascend Hotel Collection
- 10. Seven Hills Inn
Things to do in Berkshires, Berkshires: The Best History Museums
The Berkshires are home to an impressive collection of cultural and historic sights. Get your fill of music, art and theater at Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony's summer home, MASS MoCA, the country's largest contemporary art center, the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Recreational opportunities also abound, including snowshoeing, snowboarding, skiing, rafting, kayaking, fishing and golf. The Berkshires are an easy drive, just two and a half hours from Boston and New York.
Restaurants in Berkshires
1. The Mount, Edith Wharton's Home
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 917 reviews
The Mount, Edith Wharton's Home is an historic house museum and vibrant cultural center located in the heart of the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. A day at The Mount is an opportunity to experience the beauty and splendor of Wharton’s beloved country estate. Take a tour of the mansion Edith Wharton designed and where she wrote The House of Mirth and Ethan Frome. Explore the extensive grounds and gardens and view this year’s outdoor sculpture show. Enjoy drinks and seasonal fare at the outdoor café and shop for the perfect gift or a new Wharton title in the bookstore. Advance registration required. Please book at EdithWharton.org Please practice safe social distancing while you are here and follow our Safety Guidelines, posted on our website.
Reviewed By bbright1 - New York City, United States
On a roadtrip through the Berkshires decided to stop here for a few minutes. Ended up spending at least a couple of hours. The grounds are stunning and there is so much to explore from the formal gardens, trails through the woods and pet cemetery. I didn't even have time to tour the inside of the house, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Mount.
2. Hancock Shaker Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 740 reviews
Hancock Shaker Village is a living history museum committed to bringing the Shaker story to life and preserving it for future generations. Called the "City of Peace" by the Shakers who lived here for 179 years until 1960, this community was the third of 19 major Shaker Villages located in New York, New England, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. There are 20 historic buildings on this site. The values that the Shakers embraced -- equality, pacifism, community, sustainability, responsible land stewardship, innovation, simplicity and quality in work -- still resonate here. The working farm is the oldest in the Berkshires. Visit the gardens and animals, meet the interpreters, see demonstrations, hike the trails, immerse yourself in unique art exhibitions, and explore. A farm-to-table cafe is on site.
Reviewed By BeachcomberT - Daytona Beach, United States
This collection of 17 buildings, including a unique round barn and spread over hundreds of acres, provides a glimpse of what life was like on a Shaker farm about 70 years ago. Now just a tourist attraction, the property once housed up to 300 Shakers at its peak. A few costumed characters cordially interact with visitors and are child-friendly. I especially enjoyed the demonstration of Shaker singing and sacred dancing, which allowed audience participation. The buildings give an appreciation of the craftsmanship and ingenuity of this religious sect, which is all but extinct. (A few still live communally in Maine,) For enthusiastic students of Shaker culture, this is a must-stop, along with the nearby Mount Lebanon colony across the NY line, about 5 miles away, and the Shaker South Family settlement near the Albany NY airport, about 30 miles to the northwest.. Beware, the village is about the size of two football fields and many of the buildings have staircases, so handicapped people may be able to see only some of the features. Children will especially enjoy the cattle, sheep, chickens and other farm animals, available for petting.
3. Stockbridge Library, Museum & Archives
4. Thom Reed - UFO Monument Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 9 reviews
As Seen On: Ancient Aliens & Unsolved Mysteries. On February 6, 2015, The Historical Society inducted Reed into the state's official archives with the following words: "The Historical Society in Massachusetts has formerly and officially inducted the first off-world UFO case in US history. The historical society confirms that the Reed off-world incident is historically true and warrants induction." In November, the governor also issued two citations to Thomas Reed. One could argue that the induction into official state records by the Great Barrington MA historical society and subsequently Massachusetts Governor Charles D Baker of the "off-world incident" of the Reed family in Sheffield Massachusetts on the evening of September 1, 1969, marks the beginning of this long-awaited official recognition. These formal statements by sitting government officials about the Thom Reed off-world incident represent the first official step in disclosure.
Reviewed By 507DavidN507 - Darlington, United Kingdom
My wife and I were on a road trip around New England and just entering the outskirts of Sheffield on Route 7. As I drove I was compelled to glance to my left and saw a covered bridge down a side road. We decided to turn round and visit the covered bridge. We love seeing covered bridges. We parked up and we were taking in the scenery and taking photographs when I noticed the plaque mounted on a pole on the other side of the bridge. It had been dedicated by the History Channel and was to commemorate the first UFO siting by Thomas Reed and his family on 1 September 1969. The small park near the river is a beautiful place to visit. On researching the site on the Internet after reaching our hotel I discovered that the original concrete block and large metal plaque had been torn down and removed by the local council on 4 June 2019 because of a planning/boundary dispute. Anyway we really enjoyed looking at the parkland, the river and the covered bridge. We were both really interested in reading the plaque and experiencing the location of the first UFO siting. We then drove to our destination in Connecticut. During that evening in our hotel room we decided to watch the History Channel on the TV and there was a program about Thomas Reed and his experience with aliens! How spooky is that! In addition the date of the UFO incident of 1 September 1969 was the date that I started my first job and stayed with the company for 42 years. Coincidence or spooky?
5. Herman Melville Memorial Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
