Pack the Perfect Picnic

Wanderlust has brought you to the Berkshires!

So much to see! So much to do! Your curiosity knows no bounds – but when it’s time to eat, you prefer to ditch the crowds for a quieter, more personal experience. A picnic is the perfect way to fill your tummy and find solace in your busy Berkshire day!

Preparation makes for the perfect picnic, and the Berkshires offers plenty of places where you can stop to fill your basket. At the Marketplace Cafe in Pittsfield, grab a Shay’s Rebellion (a wrap packed with house-roasted beef, sweet peppers, cheddar, and caramelized onions) and a Stockbridge Bowl (arugula, kale, quinoa, edamame, pickled vegetables, and EVOO). Perhaps an afternoon bite of fresh baked goods calls to you. At the Southfield Store in New Marlborough, you can fill your basket with decadent scratch-made desserts, cakes, cookies, and Viennoiserie. Looking for Grab & Go? The Spring Street Market in Williamstown has you covered. Or wrap up a grilled Breaking Dawn sammy (apples, goat cheese and honey on rosemary ciabatta) to enjoy picnic-style later on. And don’t forget Shire Donuts, where you can watch your donuts being made right in front of you!

There is no shortage of scenic settings where you can unfurl your favorite picnic blanket. At the Clark Art Institute, let art inspire you, followed by a hike at your own pace and a picnic right on the grounds. At The Mount, tour Edith Wharton’s historic home, take in an enlightening talk, then stroll the gorgeous grounds to find your perfect picnic location. You can walk, bike, or rollerblade on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, and stop along the way to picnic with views of serene Cheshire Lake. Hike the Mass Audubon’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, where the name says it all. Well-marked walking trails will lead you to that perfect picnic spot, sweetened by the songs of local birds. 

If you need further inspiration to plan your own, unique day of Berkshire picnicking, there are plentiful ideas! Look right here for wonderful places to eat, exciting things to do, inviting places to stay, and myriad special events certain to make your day memorable!

Photos: Norman Rockwell Museum, The Southfield Store