Lisa’s guidebook
Nature Trails
Mass Audubon's Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
472 W Mountain RdNice trails and close by
Nice wooded trails with a gazebo on the hill, easy, wide trail network. Trailhead on Rt. 7/20 in the Acadia Shop parking lot.
Kennedy Park - Access
91 Pittsfield RdNice wooded trails with a gazebo on the hill, easy, wide trail network. Trailhead on Rt. 7/20 in the Acadia Shop parking lot.
Nice looped trails, mostly flat and wooded, some through wetland areas. Beautiful large pines and a nice meadow view at the start of the hike. It's very close and makes a good quick walk.
21 locals recommend
Mass Audubon Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary
309 Holmes RdNice looped trails, mostly flat and wooded, some through wetland areas. Beautiful large pines and a nice meadow view at the start of the hike. It's very close and makes a good quick walk.
We enjoy this walking/biking trail a lot as a great option when we don't feel like more buggy woodsy nature trails.
Almost zero tick exposure since this is a paved trail. It has water views along it - the farther north you go, the trail is right on a large lake with beautiful expansive views.
74 locals recommend
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
Rail TrailWe enjoy this walking/biking trail a lot as a great option when we don't feel like more buggy woodsy nature trails.
Almost zero tick exposure since this is a paved trail. It has water views along it - the farther north you go, the trail is right on a large lake with beautiful expansive views.
Herman Melville's residence where Moby Dick was written. Fantastic tours by the docents. Nice nature trails.
46 locals recommend
Arrowhead Museum
780 Holmes RdHerman Melville's residence where Moby Dick was written. Fantastic tours by the docents. Nice nature trails.
October Mountain State Forest
317 Woodland RoadNice trails
Monument Mountain Reservation
Views!!!
Lots of hiking options, nice visitor center, nice lodge and tower at the top.
39 locals recommend
Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitor Center
30 Rockwell RdLots of hiking options, nice visitor center, nice lodge and tower at the top.
Art Museums
Huge modern art complex, makes a great day trip. About 40 minutes north.
382 locals recommend
MASS MoCA
1040 Mass MoCA WayHuge modern art complex, makes a great day trip. About 40 minutes north.
Local color, including Nathaniel Hawthorne's writing desk where he wrote "The House of Seven Gables". Nice add on to a trip going downtown. About 8 minutes or less from the house.
102 locals recommend
Berkshire Museum
39 South StLocal color, including Nathaniel Hawthorne's writing desk where he wrote "The House of Seven Gables". Nice add on to a trip going downtown. About 8 minutes or less from the house.
Norman Rockwell Museum
9 Glendale RdClassic New England artist's place
Sightseeing
Pilgrims come from all over the world to visit the grounds and shrine and attend Mass.
Grand home and gardens, designed by Edith Wharton. Great place to walk and take in the ambience.
167 locals recommend
The Mount, Edith Wharton's Home
2 Plunkett StGrand home and gardens, designed by Edith Wharton. Great place to walk and take in the ambience.
Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick here. Great views, and great tours of his home by knowlegable docents.
46 locals recommend
Arrowhead Museum
780 Holmes RdHerman Melville wrote Moby Dick here. Great views, and great tours of his home by knowlegable docents.
The National Shrine of The Divine Mercy
2 Prospect Hill RdGuilded Age mansion open for tours in the summer/fall. 12 minutes away in Lenox.
19 locals recommend
Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum
104 Walker StGuilded Age mansion open for tours in the summer/fall. 12 minutes away in Lenox.
The Melville Archive Room has a great collection of material, worth visiting if you are interested in Melville and have visited his Arrowhead home.
6 locals recommend
Berkshire Athenaeum, Pittsfield's Public Library
1 Wendell AveThe Melville Archive Room has a great collection of material, worth visiting if you are interested in Melville and have visited his Arrowhead home.
Great add on to a trip to Mass MoCa - stunning views, funky atmosphere, great coffee and snacks. Historical place that's been re-furbished. We think it's a must do.
6 locals recommend
Wigwam Western Summit
Mohawk TrailGreat add on to a trip to Mass MoCa - stunning views, funky atmosphere, great coffee and snacks. Historical place that's been re-furbished. We think it's a must do.
Beautiful artist's home, extensive art collection
12 locals recommend
Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio
92 Hawthorne StBeautiful artist's home, extensive art collection
Nice add on to a trip to W. Stockbridge. Outdoor walk through property, art installations along walk
10 locals recommend
Turn Park Art Space
2 Moscow RdNice add on to a trip to W. Stockbridge. Outdoor walk through property, art installations along walk
Sports
Ramblewild Adventure Park
110 Brodie Mountain RdAdventure in the trees, for the wild at heart.
Jiminy Peak
37 Corey RdMany trails and lifts, nice challenges
Ski Butternut
380 State RdNice family cross country ski center
10 minutes away, small local ski area, great for inexperienced skiers or your first time out in a while.
115 locals recommend
Bousquet Ski Area
101 Dan Fox Dr10 minutes away, small local ski area, great for inexperienced skiers or your first time out in a while.
Food scene
These are places we enjoy and recommend in our local area.
Best burgers around, great food, upscale atmosphere, close by and no reservations needed unless large party.
54 locals recommend
District Kitchen & Bar
40 West StBest burgers around, great food, upscale atmosphere, close by and no reservations needed unless large party.
Vong's Thai Cuisine
157 Seymour StNice local Thai food, close by, nice atmosphere
The Lantern Bar and Grill
455 North StreetUpscale edition of a beloved local diner. Local color.
Tito's
34 Depot StSimple Mexican food, busy local place, avoid the Margaritas though
Thrive Diner LLC
145 Wahconah StLocal Vegan Diner. Good food.
Upscale fine dining at the landmark "Hotel on North" in downtown Pittsfield.
7 locals recommend
Eat on North
297 North StUpscale fine dining at the landmark "Hotel on North" in downtown Pittsfield.
Decent Indian food with lake views. Weekend buffet lunch is good.
MINT - Lakeside Indian Dining & Bar
435 Laurel StreetDecent Indian food with lake views. Weekend buffet lunch is good.
Aroma Bar and Grill
485 Main StIndian food, nice Sunday brunch buffet
Tangier Cafe
286 Main StNice Middle Eastern food in hip Great Barrington
Local favorite pizza place in downtown Great Barrington.
121 locals recommend
Baba Louie's Sourdough Pizza
42/44 Railroad StLocal favorite pizza place in downtown Great Barrington.
Xicohtencatl Restaurant
50 Stockbridge RdNicer Mexican food, funky atmosphere, good Margaritas
Bakery/cafe - homemade breads and light fare. Nice outdoor tables.
64 locals recommend
Berkshire Mountain Bakery Inc
367 Park StBakery/cafe - homemade breads and light fare. Nice outdoor tables.
Upscale breakfast/lunch cafe. Local favorite, great food. Can be noisy. Great baked goods.
67 locals recommend
Haven
8 Franklin StUpscale breakfast/lunch cafe. Local favorite, great food. Can be noisy. Great baked goods.
Nice local place for burgers and simple food; blues music on the weekends.
30 locals recommend
Firefly Gastropub & Catering Co.
71 Church StNice local place for burgers and simple food; blues music on the weekends.
The Prairie Whale
178 Main StGood food!! Local favorite.
Local favorite with a nice atmosphere and menu. Breakfast and Lunch. Sweet potato/black bean hash quite yummy.
9 locals recommend
On A Roll Cafe And Catering
55 Pittsfield RdLocal favorite with a nice atmosphere and menu. Breakfast and Lunch. Sweet potato/black bean hash quite yummy.
casual dining, lots of variety, many types of burgers, nice fish tacos.
23 locals recommend
51 Park Restaurant & Tavern
51 Park Stcasual dining, lots of variety, many types of burgers, nice fish tacos.
Nudel Restaurant
37 Church StreetConsistently good food. Local favorite
Frankie's
80 Main StReally nice upscale neighborhood Italian place. Never disappoints.
Mezze Bistro + Bar
777 Cold Spring RdGreat food near the Clark, dinner only
Seeds Market Café
1843 W Housatonic StNice farm to table cafe at the Hancock Shaker Village
Nice prix fixe family style dinner during summers available by reservation.
10 locals recommend
Bascom Lodge
3 N Adams RdNice prix fixe family style dinner during summers available by reservation.
A-OK Berkshire Barbeque
2601 Mass MoCA Waygreat local BBQ right at the MASS MOCA entrance
Fuel Bistro/ Coffee Shop
293 Main StHip coffee and food in Downtown Great Barrington
Bizen Gourmet Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar
17 Railroad StreetGood food, nice atmosphere
Buffet style lunches and dinners, vegan and vegetarian options, ayurvedic buddha bar, meat also, all homemade and largely organic. Lunch 12-1:30 Dinner 5:30-7 Dining inside and out, quiet room, lake room or main dining hall. Buy tickets at front desk.
122 locals recommend
Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health
57 Interlaken RdBuffet style lunches and dinners, vegan and vegetarian options, ayurvedic buddha bar, meat also, all homemade and largely organic. Lunch 12-1:30 Dinner 5:30-7 Dining inside and out, quiet room, lake room or main dining hall. Buy tickets at front desk.
Popular bistro bringing together classic French dishes, a global tapas menu & a bustling bar scene all in scenic West Stockbridge.
33 locals recommend
Rouge Restaurant
3 Center StPopular bistro bringing together classic French dishes, a global tapas menu & a bustling bar scene all in scenic West Stockbridge.
Upscale option for a knockout Anniversary or Birthday dinner. One of the fancier dining options in the area at Blantyre, the a former Guilded Age Mansion now a boutique hotel. Top notch dining, prix fixe menu $135. Excellent upscale atmosphere.
Conservatory at Blantyre
16 Blantyre RdUpscale option for a knockout Anniversary or Birthday dinner. One of the fancier dining options in the area at Blantyre, the a former Guilded Age Mansion now a boutique hotel. Top notch dining, prix fixe menu $135. Excellent upscale atmosphere.
Bistro at Blantyre
16 Blantyre RdAtmosphere
Local favorite, often have live music. Casual dining, Italian food. Very large portions
Rainbow Restaurant
109 1st StLocal favorite, often have live music. Casual dining, Italian food. Very large portions
Elizabeth's
1264 East StLocal Italian favorite
Alta
34 Church Streliably good food. nice lunches. nice ambience
Otto's Kitchen & Comfort
95 East StLocal color, nice diner style food and plenty of it
Mid Century Furniture and Stuff
Circa
436 North StGreat mix of furniture, specializing in MidCentury