Stockbridge is a charming village in the heart of the Berkshires.
A street scene in the Berkshire village of Stockbridge.
These falls, highest in the state, cascade down a series of gorges to a dramatic 80-foot drop. Those looking for a more relaxing outdoor option can spend some time at the Audubon Society’s Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary near Lenox. Seven miles of trails wind through more than 1,000 acres of forests, meadows, wetlands, and along the slopes of Lenox Mountain, providing plenty of opportunities to spot the sanctuary’s prized population of beavers, deer, woodchucks, and a variety of birds. A climb to the top of Lenox Mountain (2,126 feet) is sure to satisfy more energetic hikers. I’ve never visited the Berkshires during the winter, but locals tell me there’s some exceptional skiing and snowboarding to be found at Catamount Ski Area, Bousquet Ski Area, and Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. On the subject of dining, I’ve encountered a number of folks who visit the Berkshires for that reason alone. It’s a foodie haven—and there are a couple of reasons why the region sports so many great restaurants. First is the large number of farms in the area (nearly 100) that concentrate largely on produce for local markets and restaurants. There also are dozens of local producers of meat, dairy products, and baked goods.
Restaurateurs love when they can work with fresh, high quality locally sourced ingredients, and that leads to the second reason. A number of tops chefs—mostly from New York and Boston—have either moved to the Berkshires or have established satellite operations there. There’s simply not enough space left in this article to delve into Berkshire dining in any detail, but I’ll rattle off names of a few exceptional eateries to keep in mind should you visit the region. Stockbridge: main dining room at the Red Lion Inn, Once Upon a Table, and Rogue. Lenox: dining room at the Wheatleigh Inn, Bistro Zinc, Alta Restaurant & Wine Bar, and Haven Café (breakfast/ lunch). Pittsfield: District Kitchen and Eat on North. Great Barrington: Prairie Whale. Williamstown: Mezze Bistro & Bar and Coyote Flaco. North Adams: Gramercy Bistro at MASS MoCA. In closing, let’s delve into some logistics. The Berkshires is definitely a drive-destination. You’ll need wheels to explore the region—either your own or a rental vehicle. Coast to Coast members eager to visit the Berkshires can find two Coast resorts in the area. Bonny Rigg Camping Club is located in Becket, Massachusetts east of Stockbridge, while across the state line is Saratoga Escapes Lodges and RV Park in Greenfield Center,
BERKSHIRES
COAST TO COAST SUMMER MAGAZINE 2018
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