5 plus things to do in the Berkshires Western MA 2024

March 2, 2021 admin

The Berkshires are great place to visit from the South Shore! The region stretches along Route 7 up the length of Western Massachusetts. It has so many activities for families to do on a road trip, weekend getaway or week long vacation.

Here are some fun ideas to do while visiting Berkshires

Norman Rockwell Museum

9 Glendale Rd / Rte 183
Stockbridge , MA 01262

A warm welcome awaits you at Norman Rockwell Museum. Be surprised and delighted at the magnificence of Rockwell’s large scale original paintings and discover the highly relatable world of American Illustration – the art that tells our stories. There’s always something new to enjoy with ten galleries of ever-changing special exhibitions, engaging programs, a scenic 36- acre campus, and more. There’s also a kids’ art room with drop-in activities.

The Norman Rockwell Museum is proud to offer free admission programs to active military and their family.

Active U.S. Military welcomed with free admission to the museum year-round. Valid military I.D. required.
Active U.S. military and immediate family receive complimentary free admission to the museum between May 18 and Labor Day. Valid military I.D. required.

NaumKeag Historic Home and Gardens

5 Prospect Hill Road
Stockbridge, MA 01262

Naumkeag is a public garden and historic home in the heart of the Berkshires, Massachusetts.

This 48-acre architectural masterpiece is, at its heart, a family home. In 1884, Joseph Choate, a prominent New York attorney and U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain, and his wife, Caroline, hired the famous architectural firm of McKim, Mead & White to design a summer retreat. The result was a 44-room shingle-style home, where several generations of the Choate family lived until daughter Mabel Choate bequeathed it to The Trustees in 1958. Each summer they offer unique, usually family and kid friendly activities that make the most of the lawns and gardens.

Jiminy Peak

37 Corey Rd,

Hancock, MA 01237

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort is the largest ski and snowboard resort in southern New England, summer home to Mountain Adventure Park Jiminy Peak has evolved to become a 4 season resort, offering something for everyone.
Winter time fun includes skiing!

In summer, it’s transformed into a full-scale outdoor playground, with mountain biking trails, hiking, and an array of kid-friendly only-in-summer activities. Jiminy Peak’s Mountain Adventure Park includes:

a mountain coaster
an alpine slide
the Soarin’ Eagle ‘roller coaster’
a giant swing
bouncy houses
a climbing wall
a bungee trampoline
a kids’ climb

Tanglewood

297 West Street

Lenox, MA 01240

Every summer, the Boston Symphony Orchestra takes up residence in Lenox, Massachusetts, for Tanglewood performances, and one of the great traditions of the Berkshires is packing up a picnic and enjoying amazing music on the lawn in front of Ozawa Hall.

Hancock Shaker Village

1843 West Housatonic St.
Pittsfield MA, 01201

Celebrating the simple design and agricultural advancements of the religious sect that populated the area in the 19th century, Hancock Shaker Village will teach kids about a simpler way of life. Check out the blacksmithing, house building, and dancing demonstrations held daily across the grounds, as well as interactive exhibits that allow visitors to spin wool or milk a cow.

Farming was at the heart of all Shaker communities. Through agricultural experimentation and wise use of technology, the Shakers made their farms into models of efficiency and innovation. Hancock Shaker Village is still a working farm today, with vegetables, herbs and a barn full of livestock.

In spring, the herb and vegetable gardens come to life, first with strawberry and asparagus, then with thyme, sage and the other distinctive plants grown by the Shakers. In fall, our gardeners collect seeds from these heirloom varieties as part of our ongoing conservation efforts.

Share your love of history, agriculture and design with your children or grandchildren as our costumed interpreters engage them in a variety of activities. The Village’s 750 acres provide a delightful outdoor classroom and lots of fresh air!

The Discovery Barn in the 1910 Barn is our hands-on center where children can spin wool, construct a Shaker chair, or weave on a loom that’s sized just for them.

Farm activities include watching baby chicks hatch or milking Mary Jane, a life-size replica of a Holstein cow.

Berkshire East Mountain Resort

66 Thunder Mountain Rd,

Charlemont, MA 01339

Run by the Schaefer family for almost 45 years. Berkshire East is an old-school gem but with modern facilities, a great snow making system, first class grooming, and all operated by awesome people. Our community is made up of long time locals, first timers, and folks looking to escape the overcrowded mess of northern mountains, but don’t want to skimp on terrain. Berkshire East is the only ski area in the world to produce 100% of its energy from onsite renewable energy.

3 tubing lanes, 500′ long. Groomed to perfection, a fast tube, and a Magic Carpet to carry you back up for another lap. There is no better way to spend a winter weekend. Open winter weekends and holidays, the Berkshire East Snow Tubing Park is fun for all ages.

With our world-class whitewater rafting, best-on-the-East Coast downhill mountain bike park, three zip line tours, one of the longest mountain coasters in the world, a great adventure park, beautiful farm-style lodging, and a rustic wedding venue, Berkshire Mountain Resort is one the coolest facilities in New England.

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