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
What to do and see in Berkshires, Berkshires: The Best Things to do
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. Tanglewood
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,150 reviews
The summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra features performances by world-renowned conductors, soloists and musicians.
Reviewed By Curious782318
A must see while in Berkshires! Amazing house, beautiful grounds, and interesting educational experience learning about Edith Wharton. Tour guides were informative and engaging!
2. The Clark Art Institute
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,378 reviews
The Clark Art Institute is best known for its French Impressionist paintings by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and especially Pierre-Auguste Renoir, with more than thirty paintings by the artist. The collection is also rich in American paintings by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, George Inness, Frederic Remington, and Mary Cassatt; Italian and Northern Renaissance masterpieces; portraits and landscapes by European masters; and an extraordinary collection of silver, porcelain, and furniture. An active program of special exhibitions brings great works of art from around the world to the museum. Designed by renowned Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando, the recently opened Clark Center is the centerpiece of the Clark's campus. The center includes special exhibition galleries as well as retail and dining spaces. It overlooks a dramatic three-tiered reflecting pool, integrating indoor and outdoor spaces and creating a stunning visual connection to the woodland surroundings and other buildings located on the campus. This sweeping new landscape design transforms the Clark's 140-acre campus and underscores new sustainability initiatives. In 1950 the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute was founded as a permanent home for the private art collection of Sterling and Francine Clark. In 1955 Sterling-who was an avid horseman with strong family ties to Williamstown and Cooperstown, New York-and his wife Francine presided at the official opening of the museum, sharing their magnificent yet little-known collection with the world for the first time. Since the founding, the museum has gained international stature for the quality of its collection, innovative special exhibitions, and Research and Academic Program.
Reviewed By ogerkan - New York City, United States
The Clark is a pretty special place. The building itself and the grounds are amazing. The story of the Clark's and their passion for collecting fine art is inspiring. The Renoirs (20 or so) are amazing and are mostly presented superbly in a large hall. There are Monets, Pissaros, a Van Gogh, Degas and Rodins scattered around as well. Nice cafe and gift shop on the premises round it out.
3. 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.
4. MASS MoCA
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 921 reviews
Housed on a restored 19th century factory campus, MASS MoCA is the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the country. Open year round with full schedule of live events, changing exhibitions and Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing Retrospective.
Reviewed By I3787BHstephaniel - Huntington, United States
Conceptual and interactive art is exhibited in a series of old mill buildings.We have seen things ranging from a wonderful 150 ft dragon made of car parts that looked as light as a darning needle to Nick Cave's room filling anti violence creation.. Videos, textile art, holograms, interactive sound producing devices. Never boring in Mass Moca. We visit about once a year, sometimes more.It is a huge series of interconnected buildings and easy to get lost in but still user friendly.Kids space is great. This is a museum to introduce children to modern art.Good cafe as well
5. Norman Rockwell Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,422 reviews
Founded in 1969, this museum has the world's largest and most significant collection of Rockwell drawings and paintings. *The Museum now requires the purchase of timed-tickets in advance of your arrival. Reserve your tickets on our website (nrm.org).
Reviewed By NotesOnNashville - Nashville, United States
It’s no wonder that Steven Spielberg and George Lucas are collectors of Rockwell. He’s more than a painter; he’s a storyteller. A passing glance is not enough to gain the richness of his creations. Notice the details in the paintings; there are clues that enrich the stories. The museum is is a mixture of original paintings, sketches, high-quality prints, photos, notes and brief videos. I’ll only hit the most striking parts to me. A guide pointed out some “hidden in plain view” details in his painting "Moving Day" that intrigued me. Look closely. You’ll see three different types of baseball gloves held by the children with Rockwell hinting they might someday be on the same team. The children are perhaps a bit uncertain as the racial lines come down. The black girl holds a white cat; the white kids have a black dog. It’s only the animals who seem to have a problem with each other. Another revelation was the painter’s friendship with noted psychotherapist Erik Eriksen (the man who introduced the term “identity crisis.”) It’s suggested that Eriksen affirmed Rockwell’s recurring theme of tolerance. In addition to the museum, a short walk takes you to his studio which was formerly in downtown Stockbridge. Here again, a wonderful guide told fascinating stories that led to a greater appreciation of his work. The view from the light-filled studio is stunning.
6. Monument Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 281 reviews
Ascend this popular peak, which once drew 19th-century literary giants, and from its summit gaze across the spectacular landscapes of the Housatonic River Valley.
Reviewed By scarymary73 - North Andover, United States
Great hike, did the loop starting with the steep part in the beginning then did the summit connector in the middle and ended with the Indian head trail. A little over 3 miles total. Started early to beat the crowds and glad we did because the parking lot was overflowing by the time we finished. The views from the summit were very nice! Trail was very clean, a little rocky so watch your step.
7. 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.
8. Ioka Valley Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Reviewed By MWeinblatt2
We always stop off at Ioka Valley Farms when we're in the Berkshires. We particularly enjoy the Maple Cream, which we don't typically see anywhere else. Pre-pandemic, we were able to take a tour of the sugar house, although it wasn't in operation at the time. Best time to go is early spring, just as the snow is melting, because that's when they tap the trees.
9. Lee Premium Outlets
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 273 reviews
Find impressive savings at 60 stores,including Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, BCBG Max Azria, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Cole Haan, Gap Outlet, J.Crew, Lacoste, Michael Kors, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Talbots and more.
Reviewed By 535kayc
Lee Outlets is a very pleasant place to shop Nice variety of stores, very pleasant walking environment, excellent parking and food court. Stores are careful about safety during COVID times, everyone is very welcoming, so it's a great stop when you're visiting, less than mile from the MassPike exit and convenient to Stockbridge and Lenox
10. Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 581 reviews
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort is the premier four season resort in Berkshire County, MA. A resort where ease of the guest experience is paramount, Jiminy Peak has a thoughtfully designed village center with all of its amenities conveniently located on the way to the lifts and a trail system where all trails funnel back to the base area. In addition, three lodges, two restaurants on property, and separate facilities for both its children’s and first-timer programs (each complete with their own rental shops) help guests make the most of their experience. In the winter, Jiminy Peak offers skiing and snowboarding on 45 trails accessed by 9 lifts, with 96% snowmaking coverage. With 21 lit trails, Jiminy Peak offers night skiing and snowboarding until 10pm. Jiminy Peak offers 4 and 8 hour passes that begin at the time of purchase in order to accommodate skiers arriving throughout the day.Summertime means Mountain Adventure at Jiminy Peak. Climb through the levels of Jiminy’s Aerial Adventure Park, a harnessed, self-guided experience that brings participants up into the canopy for an exhilarating physical and mental challenge as they navigate elements such as ziplines, tight ropes, suspended bridges and many others. Or for a completely different set of thrills, head to Mountain Adventure Park to weave through trees on the Alpine Slide, traverse the mountainside on the Mountain Coaster, reach for the sky on the Giant Swing or experience one of the many other attractions featured in the park. Also offered in the summer are hiking, lift-access downhill mountain biking, great dining options and retail locations.During the spring summer and fall months Jiminy Peak becomes a full conference resort using its multitude of spaces to host weddings, business conferences and corporate outings of all sizes, and has an on-site staff of experienced conference sales managers to help plan your perfect event.
Reviewed By cookiew28
Had a fun, covid safe, outdoor experience with my extended family. My family group ranged in age from 11 to 62 years old. Some of the non skiers/snowboarders were able to experience outdoor fun too. They rode the mountain coaster!
