Love and Other Ways of Living

Quirky Romance in the Berkshires

Romance in the Berkshires doesn’t have to look like rose petals and room service, although there’s nothing wrong with those. Sometimes it looks like rifling through vinyl bins for hours, nerding out with board games, warming up with hot chocolate that ruins you for all others, or sweating it out together in a sauna before a cold plunge. If you and your person bond over shared obsessions, curious aesthetics, and experiences that feel a little off the beaten path, this one’s for you.

For the Collectors

Mana Crypt | Pittsfield
A haven for gamers of all stripes, Mana Crypt offers a welcoming playspace for wargamers, role-playing games, and trading card enthusiasts. Expect a packed weekly events schedule featuring Lorcana and Pokémon leagues, Magic: The Gathering nights, board-game rentals, Bandai model kits, and plenty of opportunities to nerd out together.

Berkshirecat Records | Dalton
They mean it when they say “old school record shop.” Tucked inside the Stationery Factory in Dalton, Berkshirecat Records is a vinyl lover’s dream, where couples can lose entire afternoons flipping through crates that span Syd Barrett to Peter Tosh, Johnny Cash to Amy Winehouse—and everything in between.

Shaker Mercantile | Hancock
Set on the grounds of Hancock Shaker Village, Shaker Mercantile is the place to indulge your inner minimalist. Shop for classic oval boxes, beeswax candles, custom jams, and basket-weaving kits—all very Shaker chic. Film buffs may recognize the village as a partial filming location for The Testament of Ann Lee. Plan a visit around The Big Chill (February 14 & 15), a cozy weekend of tours, talks, crafts, and more.

Lucca House | Made in the Berkshires
For design-minded couples, Lucca House’s self-assembly grid shelving systems are both practical and playful. Available in a range of shapes, sizes, and colors—and proudly made in the Berkshires—these shelves are perfect for housing records, games, and shared collections. Online shopping is recommended.

Norman Rockwell Museum

A Feast for the Eyes

For those already deeply in love with the arts, the Berkshires delivers visual romance in spades.

The Clark Art Institute | Williamstown
With free admission through March 2026, The Clark offers both indoor and outdoor exhibitions to suit every taste. Inside, explore Shadow Visionaries, a striking display of dark-subject art by French artists from 1840–1870. Outside, snowshoes welcome, wander Ground/Work, the Clark’s outdoor sculpture experience featuring six monumental works that can be visited by day or night.

Norman Rockwell Museum | Stockbridge
For sweeping glamour and visual storytelling, Jazz Age Illustration at the Norman Rockwell Museum is a must-see. This multi-gallery exhibition explores the cultural impact of illustration during the interwar years, capturing the energy, social change, and Gatsby-era glitz of art made for the masses.

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center | Great Barrington
No romantic escape is complete without music and theater. The Mahaiwe offers something for every audible enthusiast, from Met Opera Live in HD screenings to live music on the mainstage and in the newly minted Indigo Room next door, plus thoughtfully curated film screenings.

Eat, Drink, and Be (Delighted)

Exploring works up an appetite, and the Berkshires excel at keeping the hangry at bay.

Woodlife Farm Market | New Lebanon, NY
Just over the border, Woodlife Farm Market pairs 150 acres of wintery charm with deeply satisfying food. Think fried chicken sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, handcrafted drinks, and a well-curated selection of specialty groceries and gifts.

Steeple City Social | North Adams
Very close to MASS MoCA, Steeple City Social serves retro soda-counter vibes with a grown-up twist. Here, you truly can have your cake and eat it too, thanks to slices of cake and pie, classic cocktails, cordials, espresso drinks, evening snacks like deviled eggs and cheese plates, and brasserie-style brunch options including congee and classic French ham sandwiches (yes, they have cornichons).

Chocolate Springs Café | Lenox
Romance and chocolate go way back. Chocolate Springs offers handcrafted chocolates in every flavor imaginable—marzipan, coconut rum, Earl Grey, and more. Do not skip the hot chocolate. It’s a once-you-know, you-know experience.

Miraval Berkshires

Wellness for Two

Slow things down and reconnect with indulgent, restorative experiences designed for sharing.

The Glow Lounge at Allendale Underground | Pittsfield
This not-so-secret spot is quickly earning cult status. The Glow Lounge offers luxurious facial and body treatments that feel delightfully decadent. Seasonal offerings like the Chocolate Glow Getter facial and the Honey Hand Mask are sensory standouts. Couples are always welcome, and the Duo Glow Experience will leave you both blissed out and ready to call it an early night.

HUHT Sauna Village | Bousquet Mountain
Plan a Scandinavian-inspired day of self-care with a sauna and cold plunge session at HUHT Sauna Village, located at the base of Bousquet Mountain. No skiing required. HUHT offers private rentals as well as rotating sauna pop-ups around the region—perfect for couples who like their romance a little bracing.

In the Berkshires, romance lives in shared curiosities, long conversations, and experiences that linger well after you’ve gone home. Whatever your love language, you’ll find room to explore it here.

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