Best of the Berkshires

When you’re embraced by the seemingly ever-sprawling foothills of the Berkshires, it’s easy to spend most of your time ogling the natural beauty that surrounds you. But there’s actually a lot more the Berkshires has to offer! From a renowned farm-to-table food scene to travel-worthy ski mountains, quintessential town centers, and so much more, a day spent in the Berkshires is a day well spent.

 

The Berkshires Food Scene

Typically spaced out and in modest locations, some of the Berkshires’ best restaurants can seem like finding a diamond in the rough, but rest assured, they’re out there. Here are a couple of our favorites throughout the county.

Steam Noodle Cafe

It’s easy to walk past Steam Noodle Cafe’s modest storefront on your stroll through downtown Great Barrington, but once you find yourself inside the narrow walls of STEAM Noodle, you will be ready to stay a while longer. Offering a tantalizing Asian-fusion menu, you’ll be well suited to start off your meal with their steamed buns and then choose between one of their ramen options, soups, or several other noodle dishes. 

Great Barrington Bagel

Long a mainstay in the area, Great Barrington Bagel stays busy for a reason. More than reasonably priced and made every morning right in the back, Great Barrington Bagel gives you a plethora of homemade bagel options, with more cream cheese and toppings options than you know what to do with. But they don’t stop there. At lunchtime, they operate more like a deli, making mouth-watering sandwiches from their homemade bagels.

Bluebird & Co.

Located within walking distance of Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Bluebird & Co.’s globally inspired menu pairs with a versatile atmosphere, offering cozy indoor seating with a bar or active outside seating right next to Bentley Brook. Not to mention the several lawn games outside to fill your time while you wait for your next course.

Other Restaurants in the Berkshires

There are so many good restaurants, so little time! No Comply’s changing menu of local, fresh ingredients makes it a more unique and always-satisfying experience. Marketplace Kitchen Table & Café stays busy serving delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner at both Sheffield and Great Barrington locations. Steakhouse lovers will enjoy No. 10’s re-imagined steakhouse vibe with a unique space that houses a mahogany bar and cozy booths reclaimed from church pews. Looking for something upscale? Cafe Adam will satiate your extravagant taste with incredible dishes and wine.

Skiing in the Berkshires

The Berkshires is a ski destination for those coming in from the city and a weekly stop for those of us looking to spend the winter doing something active. With a few different mountains in the region, ski tourism is a vital part of keeping our area lively throughout the cold months.

Photo Source: Catamount Mountain Resort

Catamount

The closest mountain to The Pass, Catamount straddles the NY and MA border and showcases some of the best terrain Southern New England has to offer. Catamount offers trails for every level of skier and snowboarder and is only a few miles down the road from downtown Great Barrington. Catamount also hosts many summer activities, including its adventure park and the longest zipline in North America!

Butternut

Not too far up the road from downtown Great Barrington, Butternut remains another popular option for skiers and snowboarders to shred some powder. It is also a popular spot for tubing for those of us who can’t master the sticks!

Jiminy Peak

Just up the road from our previous food recommendation, Bluebird & Co., Jiminy Peak is a popular ski resort up toward the northern part of the county. With lodging and dining options available, Jiminy Peak offers an incredible all-around experience for those traveling to hit the mountain.

Art & Culture and Shopping in the Berkshires

Between some truly iconic museums to some lesser-known music venues, the Berkshires may be spread out geographically, but there’s still so much to offer!

Tanglewood

Certainly, the most notable music venue around, Tanglewood, has hosted many big-name musicians, including James Taylor, who plays his yearly concert here, as well as the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Visiting the large, open Tanglewood grounds to listen to a show and enjoy the warm summer air is almost a rite of passage at this point. 

Mass MoCA

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, better known as Mass MoCA, is another iconic cultural force here in the Berkshires. Filled with inspiring galleries of evocative art, Mass MoCA presents plenty to gaze at. However, they also host many events and exhibitions throughout the year and often have interactive exhibits that allow you to take part in the magic of the establishment.

Norman Rockwell Museum

Showcasing perhaps the state’s most famous artist, The Norman Rockwell Museum displays the artist’s lifetime’s worth of work right in his hometown. If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing a Norman Rockwell exhibit, do yourself a favor and take a trip up the peaceful backroads of Stockbridge.

The Egremont Barn

Voted the second best music venue in the Berkshires (behind Tanglewood), The Egremont Barn, or simply “The Barn” to many, is a popular spot for local bands, karaoke, drinks, and food, and a much more intimate time compared to the vast grounds of Tanglewood. Along with their rustic barn interior, the fun extends outdoors into their string-lit lawn, making this spot especially popular during the summer.

Lodging in the Berkshires

The Red Lion Inn

A truly historic inn, The Red Lion Inn serves as a landmark to the Stockbridge greater area, providing an elegant yet cozy stay in rooms that will make you nostalgic for a time you may not have even been alive. With dining and events, plus the historic beauty of the surrounding towns, there is no wonder The Red Lion Inn has been around for 2 centuries.

Race Brook Lodge

Race Brook Lodge serves as a quintessential Berkshires stay with its spread-out property tucked into a beautiful corner of the woods. Along with its serene lodging, the Race Brook grounds also host the “Big Barn,” where events from live concerts to yoga classes take place. The Stagecoach Tavern is a mere a few steps away, serving incredible meals and a rustic and laid-back bar.

Canyon Ranch

If upscale elegance and all-around pampering is your thing (and in your budget), Canyon Ranch is for you. Recently recognized as one of the most outstanding hotels in the U.S. by the Michelin Guide, Canyon Ranch offers top-of-the-line services, accommodations, and experiences all in a breathtaking setting.

Best Berkshires Cannabis Dispensaries 

The Pass Berkshires 

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Visit the Berkshires

It’s always a good time to visit our neck of the woods. Come experience a serene getaway from your everyday life and see why the Berkshires is one of the most peaceful and fulfilling places in the country. Don’t forget to stop by The Pass on your way through.