When I think of the Berkshires, my first thought is for Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. I in my post about North Conway that I was a band geek who worked at one of the best music camps, Camp Encore/Coda. If my life had been slightly different, I would’ve been a music teacher. Alas, I was an awful teacher. Like, REALLY awful. But I was a halfway decent bassoonist. Good enough I made All-State every year of high school and that I was part of the New England Conservatory Youth Symphony Orchestra, Massachusetts Wind Ensemble, and the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. Oh, and also honors level band and orchestra in my high school. So Tanglewood feels like my home away from home. I’ve seen Tanglewood from all sides – on stage in Seiji Ozawa hall and The Shed, and also from the seats and the lawn.
But that’s not all there is to see in the Berkshires, the last time I was out there, my college besties and I rented a house with our significant others and spent the weekend wandering around. We made a point of finding some new places we hadn’t been before. And we also went to some old favorites, too.
One standout for us? Gould Farm, a local farm with an on-site sandwich shop (the Roadside Cafe) we went to near our B&B in Monterey. What made this place even more special was that the farm works with those in need of mental health support. Because everyone needs help sometimes. They let you wander the farm (Philip and I made good friends with a baby cow!), and the cafe had some of the best quiche I’ve ever had.
I’m also a fan of wandering around the shops of Great Barrington. I’ve found summer tourist towns have the best mix of kitsch and fancy. And nearby is the Barrington Brewery and Restaurant. I love a good pub burger, and theirs definitely hit the spot.
Also in the Berkshites is the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (aka MASS MoCA), one of the best places for contemporary art. They always have a few really fascinating installations. It’s in an old printworks factory, and it’s always got something new to find. They also partner with the Solid Sound Festival, and host the gamut of other performing arts – it’s not just about the visual art. If you can’t make it to a performance piece, it’s still worth a wander – I love that every wall in the space seems to have a different feeling.
And last, but certainly not least, Six Flags New England is just a hop skip and a jump away from the Berkshires. It’s about an hour away, but if you’re driving from the east it’s worth it. Especially if you’re a fan of coasters.
Places to Stay:
* The Red Lion Inn (we had the best ice cider at their restaurant!)
* East Rock Inn
* The Black Swan
Places to Eat:
* Champney’s Restaurant at the Deerfield Inn
* The Lion’s Den at the Red Lion Inn
* The Proprietor’s Lodge
Happy Travels!
Leave a Reply