1. Tanglewood Offers World Class Music All Summer Long
Tanglewood in Lenox is home of the famous Boston Symphony Orchestra and hosts a number of classical, popular and jazz concerts from June to Labor Day, with regular appearances by James Taylor and John Williams. Tanglewood is also home to two music schools, the Tanglewood Music Center and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.
2. There’s No Better Place To Embark On An Antique Treasure Hunt
It’s no surprise that a region so steeped in early American history would have such a strong foothold in the antique trade. Sheffield and Great Barrington have the greatest concentration of antique shops, but it’s hard to go wrong in any town in the Berkshires.
3. All The Norman Rockwell Geeks Flock To Stockbridge
The Berkshires is home to many fantastic museums, but the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge takes the cake. It houses more than just his famed paintings of American life and culture–there are over 100,000 photographs, letters, and other Rockwell miscellanea for fans to geek out on.
4. The Berkshires Is The Essence Of Small-Town New England
Seeing as Rockwell painted the quintessential New England experience, it’s no surprise he lived most of his life in Stockbridge. Untainted by large-scale corporate development, the town has retained the simple charms of New England life.
5. Booze Gets A Festival Of Its Own
The Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail is a new event, but that doesn’t make it any less of an important visit. With handcrafted, award-winning wines, beers and spirits along the trail, the surrounding nature won’t be the only thing to give you a solid buzz.
6. The Berkshires Have Their Own Winter Olympics
Berkshire County has hosted the annual Bay State Winter Games since 1985 and today about 1,000 athletes compete in the three day competition. Events include hockey, figure skating, alpine skiing and more.
7. Mind-Blowing Skiing Is Everywhere
Ski Butternut attracts skiers from all over the Northeast, but for people from the Berkshires, its right in their backyard in Great Barrington. Berkshire East Ski Resort in Charlemont and Catamount Ski Area in South Egremont are two more gems, and by no means the only ones.
8. Arts And Crafts Are Serious Business
Now running for its 41st year, the Berkshire Crafts Fair showcases some 80+ artisans that are selected for their masterful quality. From stuff as big as bookshelves to as small as rings, you’re sure to walk away with some handcrafted beauty.
9. Guido’s Fresh Marketplace Lives Up To Its Name
Guido’s Fresh Marketplace was founded by two brothers more than thirty years ago with the goal of providing quality produce to Berkshire County. Now they have meat, fish, flowers, and prepared foods to boot, but the quality remains the same.
10. The Bridge Of Flowers Is As Awesome As It Sounds
Once a worn-down railroad bridge, the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls became infested by the best possible people–gardeners. Now the bridge is loaded with flowers, trees, and shrubs that bloom from spring to fall.
11. Look No Further Than The Lakeview Orchard For Fresh Fruit And Incredible Cider Donuts
Apples, peaches, and plums, oh my! The Lakeview Orchard has that and more, ripe for the picking for any and all who come. They also serve cider donuts that are undeniably amazing.
12. A Sausage Fest Can Be A Good Thing
Recently showcased on the Food Network, The Meat Market of Great Barrington is a culinary gem of the region. With locally sourced meat from local farms, the term plow-to-plate certainly applies here.
13. You Can Be Tarzan For A Day
Berkshire East is New England’s largest zip line destination, featuring over three canopy tours of varying difficulties for people with various fears of heights. Deerfield Valley Canopy Tours offers much the same in tree bridges and zip lining, so there’s no shortage of treetop excitement here.
14. MTV Could Film A Whole Season Of Cribs Here
And I’m talking about your old-school, size of a small-college-campus mansion. From novelist Edith Wharton’s 42-room “The Mount” to Sarah Morgan’s Ventfort Hall, to Stockbridge’s Naumkeag, there’s plenty of architectural eye-candy.
15. Dance ‘Til Your Head Hits The Pillow
Jacob’s Pillow Dance in Becket, Mass. is America’s longest-running dance festival and could be described as the mecca of dancing. But it isn’t just about watching the pros get their groove on–visitors can watch films, see exhibits, and, of course, dance yourself!
16. There’s No Shortage Of Drama (The Good Kind)
The Williamstown Theatre Festival at Williams College is in its 60th year running and continues to draw world-class directors, producers, and actors. Berkshire Theatre Festival in Stockbridge has been running even longer, but who’s counting? With modern productions and classics, these events are not to be missed by any theater buff.
17. Cheese Might As Well Be A Currency
…At least at Rubiner’s Cheesemongers and Grocers in Great Barrington, where the store resides in an old bank (with a vault and everything). With all manner of fancy cheeses and meats, this place is a must see for foodies.
18. The Greatest View Is From Greylock
Standing at nearly 3,500 feet, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. With breathtaking views of up to 90 miles distant, the hike is worth the effort.
19. Literary Giants Roamed Here Once, And The Bookstore Won’t Let You Forget It
For a region with such literary giants as Herman Melville and Edith Wharton, it’s easy to see how literature is kept well and alive. The Lenox has a place named simply The Bookstore, one of the last remaining independent bookstores in the area which is quaint in size, but not in selection.
20. But The Literary Community Is Still Popping
The annual Berkshire Festival of Women Writers is a month long string of events held throughout Berkshire County where women writers perform, workshop and hear lectures on their literature. You don’t have to be a woman to attend though–events are open to the public and most are free!
21. Herman Melville's Arrowhead Is A Must See For Any American Lit. Buff
The guide may not be able to help you understand “Moby Dick,” but you’ll still learn a thing or two about the iconic American author.
22. The People Of The Berkshires Are Agricultural Pioneers
Indian Line Farm in South Egremont became one of the first CSA’s (community supported agriculture) in the country in 1985. What does that mean? That you can purchase a share of the upcoming harvest and get fresh produce every other week–sweet deal!
23. Good Health Is Contagious
In need of a pampering? Canyon Ranch in Lenox is an all-inclusive health getaway that can be filled with activities or spent on the massage table. If you’re looking strictly for yoga, Kripalu Yoga Center in Stockbridge is the place to be.
24. The Berkshires Spawned A Load Of Rights Leaders
In 1781, Great Barrington became the first place in America to free a slave under due process. It was also the birthplace of W.E.B. DuBois, the civil rights leader and author. Adams is also the birthplace of Susan B. Anthony, one of the earliest icons of the women’s rights movement.
25. People From The Berkshires Remember Their Roots
High art might be a staple the Berkshires, but that hasn’t clouded residents love for their natural world. Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock is a great place to pick your own pumpkins or cut your Christmas Tree, and the Hancock Shaker Village is an idyllic spot where demonstrations on blacksmithing, woodworking and other trades are available.
26. The Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow Is One Massive Party
The annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow in Adams, Mass. celebrates Native American dance, song, and–you guessed it–drums is as much a cultural event as it is a massive party. So jam out around a fire and watch the Aztec Dancers put you to shame.
27. Cooperation Is In Their Blood
The Berkshire Co-op Market works to provide affordable, healthy food to its members. With no GMOs, artificial sweeteners or any other dietary no-no’s, joining this co-op is a good way to ensure your kitchen is clean and your body is happy.
28. Even Nature Is Artistic Here
At the Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, you can examine the only naturally formed white marble arch and man-made white marble dam in North America. It’s truly a geological spectacle to behold.
29. The Berkshires’ Gardens Are No Secret
The wilderness in the Berkshires is gorgeous enough, but that doesn’t stop Berkshirians from cultivating their own beauty in the land. Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge is a sprawling 15 acres of incredible designs and flora, while Ashintully Gardens in Tyringham intersperses gardens within the natural 120 acre grounds.
30. Every Month’s October
The October Mountain State Forest is the largest in Massachusetts, and so named by writer Herman Melville who was thoroughly impressed with the autumn view from his Pittsfield home. Some trails are a part of the Appalachian Trail, though the 47 campsites at the base are a much less strenuous way to enjoy the land.
What do you love about living in the Berkshires? Tell us in the comments below!
