The pastoral beauty of the Berkshire mountains has drawn family-friendly crowds for generations each summer and fall for decades.

Whether you’re planning that first Berkshire getaway, or returning to some of your favorite haunts, we’re here to help you make the most of your precious family time. 

Let’s start with dessert!

Sibling rivalry? Stressed out parents? Most families agree that ice cream makes it better. 

Let the Farmstead Creamery Shop located on the grounds of the Wilde family’s historic High Lawn Farm tickle your tastebuds and refresh your senses with super special flavors like Pineapple Inside-Out Cake and Purple Cow! Speaking of cows, the Wilde family has been raising prize-winning Jersey cows for nearly 100 years. Enjoy the view of these famous “Jersey Girls” as you indulge in a cone (or an artisanal cheese platter!) at one of the Creamery’s picnic tables, then walk off those calories by taking a stroll around the bucolic grounds. 

More in the mood for a hike than a stroll?

A family hike in the Berkshires is a great way to bond and recharge. The Clarksburg State Park has miles of beautiful trails, as well as opportunities to bike, swim, canoe, and fish. You can even reserve a campsite! Check out the Berkshire Natural Resources Council for tips about all the top hiking spots as well as information about how you can help preserve the beauty and ecological integrity of the Berkshires. 

Looking for a big family adventure?

Zip, climb, and create thrilling family memories at Ramblewild’s aerial adventure park, where their recently-added Basecamp Trail allows kids as young as four to spread their wings! Basecamp was designed as a “starter trail” for folks of all ages who aren’t quite ready to tackle the main trails, but it has the same look and feel as Ramblewild’s main aerial park with platforms ranging from 4 feet to 16 feet off the ground and one ending zip line.   

Get your culture on!

Your children will have so much fun visiting Berkshire museums, they won’t even know it’s good for them! Every child should experience the magnificence of Norman Rockwell’s large-scale masterpieces, and the gentle beauty of his American vision at least once. Lucky for them, admission is free for children under 18 at the Norman Rockwell Museum. If your kids have the creative bug, MASS MoCA museum’s Kidspace is a child-centered art gallery, with hands-on creative opportunities and chances to collaborate with leading artists. 

Many Berkshire attractions require reservations, so be sure to call ahead and visit here for other great ideas. Don’t forget to ask for up-to-the-minute COVID-19 protocol information.

Written by Gretchen M. Michelfeld

Back to the Berkshires Blog