Visiting in the Fall
Brilliant reds, sun-catching golds, and fiery oranges, flanked by the deep blue-green complexion of pines, are visible at every turn. Fall in the Berkshires is truly something to behold, whether paddling across a sun-kissed lake encircled by the rich autumn palette or hiking beneath a colorful canopy. But to truly appreciate the splendor of the foliage, there is nothing better than a Berkshires road trip. Spend an afternoon driving our winding, rural roadways, and treat yourself to freshly picked apples and locally pressed cider. Find the unique historic tales told by the 30 towns and 2 cities within the County, each with its own unique shops and flavorful eateries, where the past is valued and the future is embraced.
Awe-inspiring Color
In the Berkshires, there are several routes that are especially dramatic and well worth the trip. Start on the Mohawk Trail along Route 2 near Clarksburg, a route that includes the famous Hairpin Turn and magnificent view of extraordinarily vibrant foliage. Drive through Williamstown (a quintessential New England college town, with historic brick buildings and classic white churches) and turn south on Route 7 for views of farms and orchards nestled along a picturesque valley. Cloud formations cast moving shadows on the soft hills that rise to the right and left of the road, and there are several places to pull over, stop the car, and drink in the quiet beauty.
Choose to motor south on Route 8, from North Adams to Mount Greylock, at 3,491 feet, the highest peak in Massachusetts. From Lanesborough, take the winding road to the top of Greylock for a spectacular display of foliage, golden yellow to blazing orange to vivid scarlet. Bascom Lodge offers delicious family-style dining and comfortable lodging in the rustic structure at Greylock’s peak, and there are options for hikes (including a section of the Georgia-to-Maine Appalachian Trail) and walks as well through the end of October.
Continuing south and west, Route 41 winds through Richmond and West Stockbridge, past open fields and pastures, wooded lots and family farms. Or choose Route 183 between Lenox and Stockbridge, meandering between stately trees shading the road, and then coming around a bend to a spectacular view of the Stockbridge Bowl, also called Lake Mahkeenac.
- September 65°F
- October 54°F
- November 44°F
A road trip through the Berkshires is an ideal opportunity to indulge a fascination with history. A visit to the Bidwell House in Monterey is an excellent place to begin. The circa 1760 home was built for Reverend Adonijah Bidwell, the first minister of what was originally known as Housatonic Township No.1. A bit further north, land once home to the Mohican people and settled by early Europeans around 1745 is the site of a homestead originally built for Captain David Bush. Eventually sold to author Herman Melvile, it was renamed Arrowhead due to the wealth of the artifacts on the site. This is where Melville penned Moby Dick, among other works. In 1902, author Edith Wharton built her expansive home and gardens, The Mount, in Lenox, overlooking Laurel Lake, where she lived and wrote for many years. Suffragist, abolitionist, and women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony was born in Adams; her home now stands as a museum celebrating her life and career. These historic sites, and many others, are open to visitors seeking to step into the compelling experiences of the past throughout the Berkshires.
Delight in browsing at one of the several fine independent booksellers in the county, or be enchanted by the shelves of enticing playthings at one of the area’s independent toy shops. For the dedicated antique collectors, there are many fine dealers, with clusters of shops in Sheffield, Great Barrington, Lenox, Lee, Pittsfield, and Williamstown. Savvy collectors will find exquisite china and crystal, either a single perfect piece of an array of gleaming place settings; handcrafted weathervanes with a whimsical air, rescued from New England barns; or beautifully built Shaker furniture, still to be found in the region where it was originally crafted. Discover a first-edition of a great American novel or an elegant Queen Anne highboy while engaged in a fascinating conversation with one of the many knowledgeable dealers in the Berkshires.