Berkshires, I need convincing

[RDB]

I was thinking of running US209 and I-87 north from Allentown to Hudson Falls. That's along the east edge of the Catskills. I have a good idea the leaf colors will be gone up that valley and mountain sides by the 17th.

Then we would cut across on south side of White Mountains toward Acadia NP.

We have done plenty of mountain drives, as we like them.

Why should we do the Berkshires instead? What is so great and different? The towns? The eateries? Views?
Someone mentioned Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield, Adams, etc. Which is better to choose, Hwy 7 or 6?

Robert

 

[RDB]

I was thinking of running US209 and I-87 north from Allentown to Hudson Falls. ...leaf colors will be gone...by the 17th.
... should we do the Berkshires instead? What is so great and different? The towns? The eateries? Views?
Someone mentioned Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield, Adams, etc. Which is better to choose, Hwy 7 or 6?

Robert

OK, nobody familiar with this, I guess.

I wonder, if we go on up US-7 from Lenox, how far is as nice as the Berkshires?
Should we just stop going north and head over to the coast as we won't see anymore "pretty" due to the color being gone?

 

[massvacationer]

we ski often at Jiminy Peak ski area, which is in Hancock, MA and usually stay at Wyndham Bentley Brook. We've also spent time in that area during the summer and fall. Lenox, Lee, Stockbridge and Williamstown are all very scenic New England Towns. Lenox and Williamstown have a lot of local-shops and restaurants. Lee has a nice fashion outlet shopping center. Great Barrington is heavy on trendy food as well. Williamstown is a gorgeous college town set in some beautiful mountains.

Many good restaurants - check Tripadvisor for details. The Berkshires was one of the areas where the Farm to table trend started (i.e. places serve locally grown food).

The Berkshires is an area that is scenic and rural nature, but has a great concentration of cultural activities: music, dance, museums, plays, etc.

Museums include Norman Rockwell (Stockbridge), Clark (Willimastown), Williams College Museum, Mass MOMA (North Adams), Shaker (Pittsfield/Hancock), and others that I have missed.

Hopefully others will chime in with more recommendations

 

[RDB]

So the area of Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield, Adams, etc. is noted for places to duck in and look around? That is nice if we are so inclined, Where else?

We'll be looking for a bed by the time we get that far.

 

[ChrisH]

What do YOU like???

you want suggestions but you give no indication of what you like to see, do etc.

If you go from Albany to MA you have a lot of choices. In the Berkshires:

Pittsfield has art, and for genealogy buffs the National Archives.

Stockbridge has Norman Rockwell museum.

There are several vineyards, wineries, orchards.

Lee has outlet mall shopping.

Dalton has the Crane Museum of Papermaking were all paper was/is made for US paper currency.

Deerfield has a fabulous Butterfly Conservatory to sit and relax and be fascinated. And you can pick up Yankee candles at the factory.

There's are tons of roads, mountain drives, scenery. Take the Mohawk Trail and then go to Greenfield, cut accross MA on Rte 2 - ending up on 495 North.

You wanna party, eat, drink til all hours- hit Northhampton or Amherst.

Or take Rte 90 east towards Boston.

Like sports? - go to the Basketball Hall of fame, Springfield area.

Like history - go to Sturbridge Village. lots of shops, food, etc and scenery.

Then stay on 90 east, again to 495 North and head to Maine.

Ever seen a whale - they're traveling south along the coast to their winter grounds. Stop in Gloucester, Cape Ann etc. or wait until you get to the Cape later on.

Stop at LL Bean, Kittery Outlets etc on your way up the coast.

Or just go the way you wanted to go in the first place.

 

[RDB]

ChisH,
That is saying alot. Thanks,

All I was saying is, someone mentioned the area of Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield, Adams is noted for quaint places to duck in and look around?

I was asking, "Where else?" We would most likely poke along in these towns and mosey into a few shops.

I was just wondering where else might we find more quaint towns.

If some of you Tuggers are meeting up in the Berk area, we'll attempt to join ya. :deadhorse: