Upcoming Trip to the Berkshires

[Miss Marty]

Hi

We are thinking about going to the Berkshires in Mass.
was wondering what is the best time of year to visit.

Trying to decide on Wyndham or Vacation Village
Would prefer a 2 bedroom unit with washer/dryer
Looking for best travel routes from MD to Mass.

 

[Big Matt]

Marty,
the easiest way to go is to take 83 to 81 through PA and then 84 to Taconic State Parkway. Side roads take about 10 mile more to Lexox.

You can also go up 95, NJ Turnpike through NJ to NY State Throughway (route 287/87) to Mass Pike (90) to Lenox. This way is shorter distance wise, but could run into a lot more traffic.

I'd go the middle of September through the middle October for good weather and leaves.

 

[tonyg]

Summer is better if you want to do Tanglewood.

 

[pcgirl54]

If you want to ski then winter- timeshares are across the street from Jimney Peak

Summer is Tanglewood

There are noted spas in the area

Fall-well you have the gorgeous colors of autumn leaves

There are factory outlets in Lee

Norman Rockwell Museum is a popular spot

Guidos is the gourmet grocer before you get to Jimney Peak-about 10 away

 

[nerodog]

berkshires

Hi Marty... two sites of interest... .www.berkshires.org and www.berkshires.com both have good information for you to plan... I like the summer and the fall the best.. In the summer you have Tanglewood as mentioned , Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival and there are other cultural events and plays etc... in the fall the foliage is very pretty . We like to visit Lenox, Stockbridge and the Red Lion Inn, drive around some of the little roads and pick up pumpkins etc in the fall. We stayed at the Jiminy Peak Bentley Brook TSonce for XMas and enjoyed it, nice accommodations, free movies for the kids, skiing right outside the door. Enjoy !

 

[lprstn]

I prefer the Wyndam...

The location in Winter can't be beat! We stayed there 2 Christmas's in a row and was able to see our kids at snowboarding camp from the balcony. Lots of activities onsite and closest to the ski mountain than Vacation Village. However, this Christmas we did not get a booking at Wyndam so we will be back at Vacation Village (which also allows pets).

We went in the summer, which was ok...as we found things to keep us occupied, but the winter works best for us.

We also live near MD and it takes us about 8hrs driving time in the winter, and the roads are well maintained.

This Winter we are going to Quebec for 4 days then driving to MA for 3 days then home...

 

[decolady424]

Hi Marty,

I have stayed in both, Vacation Village and Wyndham and I prefer the Wyndham. Vacation Village is nice, but too hilly for me. And the beds are so uncomfortable!! Gorgeous fall colors, summer is nice too, but my son didn't like the snowboarding there, prefers the slopes back home in PA to this spot.
If you come up from the NY Thruway, stop at The Triple Nickel in New Lebanon, NY on Route 20 for some great food.

Deb

 

[Miss Marty]

Vacation Village in the Berkshires or Wyndham Resort

We would like to pick up two weeks at Vacation Village but
it looks like Wyndham would be a better choice for us because
of the softer bedding and having a washer and dryer in the unit
We may go this fall (Sept/Oct) if not we want to go June/July
We do not like cold weather so winter and skiing is out.
Can RCI tell you what unit number is available so that we
can check first to see where the unit is location. Thanks

 

[decolady424]

Not sure if RCI will tell you the unit number, I always book my exchanges online which never tells you the unit. Maybe on the phone they will. Wyndham is one big building, I think 3 or 4 floors, the units either face the front overlooking the parking lot or the back overlooking the ski slopes. So ask for a unit facing the back!
Deb

 

[dmuski]

Whitewater rafting

We are looking to whitewater raft. anything like that in the berkshires?

 

[pcgirl54]

We used Crab Apple in Maine but they also have a location in the Berkshires. Deerfield River is where they go.



http://www.crabapplewhitewater.com/?gclid=CMP0nPGH-ZQCFQOeFQodKzW9rA

http://www.crabapplewhitewater.com/massachusetts/index.shtml

Zoar is another rafting company

http://www.zoaroutdoor.com/whitewaterrafting.htm


Here is the link for Guido's grocer. http://www.berkshireweb.com/marketplace/guidos.html

 

[e.bram]

Boring unless you like watching the birds . Always axailable in Flexchange. that tells you something.

 

[nerodog]

try Clarke OUtdoors, W. COrnwall, CT for white water rafting

www. clarkeoutdoors. has white water rafting and is not far from the Berkshires in Mass.

 

[pcgirl54]

We stayed at VV on Labor Day 2 years ago in one side of a lock out. The walls are very thin and we heard kids running above us until late at night and it was very annoying. I would suggest booking the top floor if possible to avoid this. However at check in they told us you get the unit they assign you no exceptions.

 

[Miss Marty]

Wyndham Bentley Brook

When looking at the Wyndham Resort on-line video
I could see an under the window air conditioning unit
in a bedroom with 2 beds.. Can anyone tell me if the 2
Bedroom units have central air with a furnace & vents