Greater Springfield
Relive the history of basketball at the Basketball Hall of Fame, where
three levels of exhibits and fun celebrate inventor Dr. James
Naismith and his game. Lose your breath at Six Flags New England, the
largest theme amusement park in the area. Or visit museums that pay
tribute to the legends behind children's books - the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book
Art and the Dr. Seuss
Memorial Sculpture Garden. Stroll along Main Street in
Northampton, a laid-back college town with a vibrant arts community
and an eclectic selection of restaurants, boutiques, and cafes.
Science, history, art, and the starry sky are all on view at the
Quadrangle Museums,
located adjacent to each other and making it easy to enjoy all four
in a day.
Franklin County
Hike the 25 miles of trails in the Northfield Mountain Recreation
Area or, by whitewater, raft the Deerfield River. Later, unwind
with a stroll through 330-year-old Historic Deerfield or a visit to
Poets' Seat Tower in
Greenfield for spectacular nature trails and views. Get up close to
nature at the butterfly pavilion at Magic Wings. Enjoy an afternoon
at the flagship Yankee
Candle store, where the fudge is homemade and the candles are
hand-dipped…by you!
The Berkshires
Meander through the grounds and see the largest collection of
original Norman Rockwell illustrations at the
Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge. See the avant garde at
MASS MoCA, which houses the largest contemporary arts center in
the country and then be sure to go to
The Clark in Williamstown, home to Sterling and Francine
Clark’s extensive art collection. Let nature embellish the
sounds of
Tanglewood in Lenox, summer home of the Boston Symphony
Orchestra. To get your fill of dance, the
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, the oldest if its kind
in the country, showcases modern, ballet, and jazz dancing in a
charming New England setting. It's all drama all summer long at the
Berkshires Theater Festival and Williamstown Theater Festival,
where actors of renown return every year. Other performing arts
venues you should not miss are
Barrington Stage and
The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield and the Mahaiwe in Great
Barrington. If it is Shakespeare you are after be sure to get
tickets for
Shakespeare & Company.
To enjoy some of the area’s heritage be sure to visit Hancock
Shaker Village fascinatingly recreates a Shaker community, replete
with buildings, furniture simple furnishings. Beauty knows no
bounds at the
Mount Estate & Gardens in Lenox, the house and classical
gardens designed by author Edith Wharton. For more exploration, the
11.5-mile
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail runs through the Hoosic River Valley,
providing picture-perfect views of Mt. Greylock, Massachusetts
highest peak and if you visit in the winter be sure to take some
time to Ski the
Berkshires, it is a great way to get outside with the entire
family. No trip is complete without a bit of shopping so before you
hop on the MA Pike in Lee be sure to take some time to enjoy
Premium Outlets.
Mohawk Trail
Now State Route 2, the Mohawk Trail was the first
scenic automobile route in America. Its 63 miles of quaint
specialty shops and attractions still make it quite a destination.
See the Hail to the Sunrise
Monument, which commemorates the origins of the trail, or cross
the Bridge of Flowers, a
flower-covered old trolley bridge, on your way to the trail's
highest point, Whitcomb
Summit.
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