General
Stretching over gently rolling hills and valleys, and roughly
50 miles from north to south and 25 miles from east to west,
the Berkshires is the westernmost county in Massachusetts. It
borders Vermont to the north, New York to the west and Connecticut
to the south. The region stands out for many reasons, but in
particular for the incredible breadth, depth and quality of
cultural attractions and events that can be found throughout
this scenic country location.
Arts & Culture
The Berkshires is a cultural mecca, with more than 60 museums,
historic sites, music, dance, art and performance festivals,
many of which are known worldwide. The area is ethnically diverse
and includes four colleges that attract students from all over
the world. Historically, the Berkshires has exuded a particular
attraction on those who are gifted creatively. Painters, sculptors,
artists, authors, actors, musicians, dancers and photographers,
inspired by the Berkshires’ tranquility and natural beauty,
are drawn to the large community here that shares their passion.
Where to stay
Berkshire County is ideally located, just 2,5 hours from both
Boston and New York City. The region offers a wealth of fine
dining and lodging facilities, including a variety of upscale
hotels, historic B&Bs, charming inns and restaurants of
every description, from hearty New England fare to Latin and
Thai. Check out www.berkshires.org
for the latest accommodations and restaurants.
What to do
In addition to arts and cultural venues and the coming season
of Dutch Arts, the Berkshire region offers outstanding opportunities
for golfing, hiking, backpacking, mountain and road biking,
fishing, whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking. Wintertime
sports include alpine and cross country skiing, snowboarding
and snowshoeing. All of these activities take place amid spectacularly
scenic rural hills, dotted with mountain streams and lakes.
Visitors are also pleased to discover the Berkshires’
incredible range of retail establishments, from dozens of antiques
dealers to outlets to myriad specialty shops. |
