The Berkshires is a hilly region in the western-most part of Massachusetts,
stretching north to the Vermont border and south to Connecticut.
To the west is New York State, and to the east a ridge of hills over
which runs the Appalachian Trail. Settled in the late 1700s and early
1800s, the region is, in many ways, classic New England. It embraces
30 mainly rural towns and two small cities, Pittsfield, the Berkshire
County seat, and North Adams. The region is equidistant from Boston — about
120 miles east — and New York City — about 120 miles southwest, or
a two to two-and-a-half-hour drive.
 The
history of the area boasts a tradition of arts and letters from
the 19th century, with famous American authors such as Herman Melville
and Nathaniel Hawthorne, who resided in the area, and Henry David
Thoreau, whose visits to the Berkshires are well-documented. In
the early 20th century, this was home to Edith Wharton, who built
a summer estate called, simply, The Mount. This was also the summer
getaway for the rich and powerful during the Gilded Age, when many
of the luxurious Berkshire “Cottages” were built. These summer
homes were, in fact, grand homes for residents of metropolitan
New York who summered here at the turn of the 20th century.
 Autumn
has arrived in the Berkshires, meaning harvest time is upon us.
The scent of fresh baked pies is in the air; pumpkins and apples
are ready for the picking. The Berkshires are bountifully blessed
with luscious, locally grown produce.
Though farmers offer a colorful array of fruits and vegetables
from May through the holiday season, it's the cool autumn months
that give a hearty robust flavor to fresh pumpkins and apples.
A scenic drive along a backcountry road will most likely lead to
a farm where you and your family can pick your own.
 The
Berkshires are full of charming accommodations done in period architecture.
The Charlemont Inn, which has been offering "repast and rest" to
guests since its founder, Ephraim Brown, began providing room and
board to weary travelers during the American Revolution, is also
popular with visitors from the spiritual realm. Linda guesses they
have at least six ghosts, one of which, whom they have named Elizabeth
("She doesn't seem to mind the name"), is very busy.
 The
innkeepers of the Wainwright Inn report hearing people singing
and seeing lights turn on and off. Alarms in the hallways sometimes
go off for no reason, and they've also heard unexplained footsteps
in the attic above their living space.
 Augusta
House is a charming, pet friendly, 1863 Colonial conveniently located
on a quiet street in the beautiful hill section of Great Barrington.
We are surrounded by other elegant historic homes, only a few minutes
walk to downtown Great Barrington, one of the wonderful towns nestled
in the Berkshires. A day or evening stroll will bring you to shops,
restaurants, and entertainment. Great Barrington was incorporated
in 1761 and is a quaint town with enough activity to keep you interested.
 During
autumn in the Berkshires our already stunning vistas become even
more spectacular, as gold, yellow, and scarlet hues blanket the
landscape. Mountains glimmer in the sun. Spend your days outdoors
in the golden kaleidoscope-hiking, biking, picking apples and pumpkins-or
embrace the views as you drive to museums, antique shops and cultural
events.
In the Berkshires, wintertime means playtime. In other parts of
the world people hibernate during the cold weather, but in the
Berkshires, the fun is just beginning. You can ski or snowboard
at one of our many ski resorts, explore miles of cross-country
trails, visit historic downtowns illuminated by twinkling holiday
lights and hike through still, serene forests. Of course, there
are plenty of tempting indoor pursuits as well: Take a leisurely
stroll through your choice of museums, indulge yourself with a
luxurious health spa visit or have a shopping spree at any of the
Berkshires many different merchants. And when the winter day is
done, warm your soul with a sumptuous dinner out, then snuggle
into a cozy bed in one of our host of legendary lodging facilities.
 During
springtime, the Berkshires burst with new life. Snow dissolves
into mountain streams, and the scent of springtime-of fresh flowers
and rich soil-fills the air. A host of new activities in the Berkshires
come to life as well. You can golf, bike, stroll through botanical
gardens or budding forests, ride horses or llamas, visit antique
shops, historical homes and museums, and much, much more.
The Berkshires truly come alive in the summer. Tanglewood brings
classical concerts to music lovers beneath the stars. Museums feature
new shows and world-class artists-both time-honored and cutting-edge.
Spectacular mountains, beautiful forests, pristine ponds and rushing
streams beckon lovers of the outdoors to camp, hike, bike, raft,
fish, swim, boat and golf. Theatre festivals offer traditional
and contemporary performances, from Shakespeare to Sam Shepard.
Picturesque downtown villages host community parades and festivals.
Visit the Berkshires on a summer day, and you'll agree: the Berkshires
are, indeed, America's premier cultural resort.
For more information visit: http://www.berkshires.org/ and http://www.berkshires.org. Pictures
and text courtesy of www.berkshires.org and www.berkshires.com. |
