All Are Welcome

Accessibility is expanding in the Berkshires, making it easier than ever for everyone to enjoy this vibrant destination

The communal spirit of the Berkshires is a hallmark characteristic of our region. Local businesses and residents alike take pride in welcoming guests from across the globe. Many in our community have paid special attention to accessibility to ensure that everyone feels invited and able to experience the unique attributes that make the Berkshires an exciting place to visit and live.

Blue Rider Stables. Photo by Caitlin Von Graf.

One of these unique experiences is centered around horses. In the bucolic town of South Egremont, people of all ages and abilities are invited into a holistic educational environment at Blue Rider Stables where they can safely and meaningfully interact with animals. Year-round programs, including Re-Centering with Horses, Body Work, Adaptive/therapeutic riding, and traditional riding lessons, among many others, are all designed with the individual in mind. Blue Rider focuses on the person, modifying language, skills, and movement to suit the rider’s personalized needs. Some people may enjoy bareback riding, which can enhance the connection between person and horse, both through physical contact and shared mental focus. The stable has a hoyer lift specifically built to suit the barn for wheelchair-bound clients. Visit their site to explore and book an experience.

Opportunities to commune with the outdoors abound in the Berkshires, and many of our hiking trails and natural spaces are accessible. The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is 12.7 miles of wide, paved walkway through woods and along ponds and lakes. Walk or wheel along at a leisurely place and enjoy the scenery. Berkshire Natural Resources Council has three accessible trails: the Old Mill in Hinsdale, Thomas and Palmer Brook in Great Barrington, and Parsons Marsh in Lenox, which is half hard-packed surface and half boardwalk. Make your way along the ⅓-mile long trail, winding through a meadow to a picturesque pond. Rest at the accessible table or bench while you view wildlife. Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is another option with their accessible 1-mile trail and amenities such as restrooms, picnic area, and parking. Pleasant Valley is a great spot to view beaver dams, dens, and lodges, as well as many species of birds. For more ideas, visit BerkshiresOutside.org – the site’s filters will help you search for specific amenities. 

Ashuwillticook Rail Trail

A prime spot for lovers of nature and art is Chesterwood in Stockbridge, the Gilded Age home, studio, and gardens of sculptor Daniel Chester French. You can view models for the Lincoln Memorial as well as see contemporary sculpture by modern artists. All of the main buildings are wheel-chair accessible, and you’ll also find family-friendly activities and a picnic area. The grounds are particularly serene early morning and at dusk.

If your idea of a good time is more indoor than outdoor, or if you’re traveling with children (or adults!) who love Legos, pop into Bottomless Bricks in Pittsfield, which is wheelchair accessible. This unique toy store is located downtown close to the Berkshire Museum and Berkshire Theater Group’s historic Colonial Theater, so you can make a day of it. Attend an event like Minifigure Trading Night or shop for collectible new and preowned Lego sets.

After a long day, settle into an ADA guest room at TOURISTS in North Adams. This riverside retreat was inspired by the classic American motor lodge and is a favorite spot for visitors and residents who often dine at the hotel’s hip restaurant The Airport Rooms. Just down the road, for tomorrow’s adventure, is MASS MoCA, a not-to-miss contemporary arts museum and campus to more than 25 creative businesses. In addition to all galleries and facilities being wheel-chair accessible, the exhibitions offer larger-print signage and you’ll find QR codes for mobile access of brochures and attendants to suggest the most accessible routes.

Also Accessible…

• Community Access to the Arts – Dedicated to nurturing and celebrating the creativity of people with disabilities.
• Barrington Stage Company – Offers assistive hearing devices and admits service animals.
• DEI Outdoors – Provides DEI services for the outdoor industry.

No matter how you spend your time in the Berkshires, we hope you feel welcome and comfortable, that you have a wonderful exploration balanced by relaxation, and that you’re inspired to visit again. For more itinerary ideas of all kinds, visit the Berkshires Blog. 

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