The Berkshires are in Berkshire County at the western end of Massachusetts. They are actually three separate mountain ranges, separated by the valleys of the Housatonic River in the south and the Hoosic River in the north. East of the valleys a hilly plateau rising as high as 2,600 英尺 (790 米) extends eastward toward the Connecticut River. Beyond the limits of Berkshire County it is known as the Hilltowns and is covered in the Pioneer Valley region. West of the valleys the narrower Taconic Range rises along the New York state border. The third Berkshire range is Mount Greylock, at 3,487 ft (1,063 m) Massachusetts' high point, and its satellite peaks rising out of the valley between two upper branches of the Hoosac River.

Although the Berkshires were historically part of New England's traditions of intellectualism, idealism, subsistence farming, logging, and early industrialization, they are almost equidistant between New York and Boston. Because New York has grown considerably larger and wealthier, the Berkshires are increasingly drawn into its economic and cultural orbit.

城镇和村庄

• 1 亚当斯 - suffragist Susan B. Anthony 的出生地。
• 2 贝克特 - Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival 的所在地。
• 3 切斯特 - Very small town with an interesting landmarked stone tower
• 4 佛罗里达 - on the Mohawk Trail with an entrance to Savoy Mountain State Forest.
• 5 大巴灵顿 - A pleasant town with a walkable downtown with restaurants, shops, specialty stores, banks, etc. and a couple of mountains to climb.
• 6 汉考克 - Jiminy Peak ski area and Ramblewild, a tree-top forest adventure park.
• 7 兰斯伯勒 - Gateway to Mt. Greylock and the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. Small family-owned and -operated farms dot this country town.
• 8 李 - a 1-mile stretch of road reveals a pretty downtown where you can discover more than 7 nationalities represented in restaurants. Enjoy antiquing, bakeries, and many other interesting shops/stores/hidden gems.
• 9 莱诺克斯 - Home to Tanglewood Music Center (the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra) and various shops that tend toward the high end. Downtown Lenox is bustling with artisan shops and lots of tasty restaurants.
• 10 蒙特利 - home of the Beartown State Forest, a small downtown strip with an old-timey General Store. Cool and off the beaten path.
• 11 华盛顿山 - Great place to hike and enjoy nature. Borders New York and Connecticut.
• 12 新阿什福德 Small town with some good hiking including access to Mt. Greylock, the tallest mountain in Massachusetts.
• 13 北阿什福德 - The Berkshires' second largest city. Two state parks: Western Gateway Heritage and Natural Bridge.
• 14 奥蒂斯 Tiny town with campgrounds.
• 15 皮茨菲尔德 - The Berkshires' largest city (about 42,000). A bustling downtown undergoing a renaissance. Lots of shopping, hotels, restaurants, and the former home of Herman Melville who wrote Moby Dick. Find Barrington Stage Company in its downtown center, along with the Berkshire Museum and the Berkshire Athenaeum.
• 16 谢菲尔德 - the antique capital of Massachusetts, in the southern part of the county. Countryside and antique homes.
• 17 斯托克布里奇 - a compact downtown in the Historic District of Stockbridge. Boutique shopping, a handful of restaurants, and anchored by the Red Lion Inn, a landmark which has operated for over two centuries.
• 18 西斯托克布里奇 - restaurants, shopping, coffee house, art, and a bustling market.
• 19 威廉姆斯敦 - Home of Williams College, The Clark Art Institute, the Williams College Museum of Art, and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Beautiful buildings and very walkable.

其他目的地

• Mount Greylock State Reservation, with visitor centers in 兰斯伯勒 and 北阿什福德.
• Western Gateway Heritage State Park and Natural Bridge State Park in 北阿什福德.
• Savoy Mountain State Forest, accessed in the town of 佛罗里达.
• Mount Washington State Forest, in 华盛顿山.
• The 阿巴拉契亚小径 runs through the entire region.

了解

Berkshire County is at the western extreme of Massachusetts and borders Rensselaer and Columbia counties in New York, Bennington County and Windham County in Southern Vermont, and the Litchfield Hills region of Connecticut. The Berkshires are the size of Rhode Island and offer year-round visitation. Their peak seasons are summer and fall.

抵达

乘飞机

• 奥尔巴尼机场 ALB ^IATA, 奥尔巴尼, New York.
• 布拉德利国际机场 BDL ^IATA, Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
• 波士顿洛根国际机场 BOS, 波士顿, 马萨诸塞州

乘汽车

• Interstate 90, the "Massachusetts Turnpike" or "Mass Pike" runs through the southern portion of the Berkshires. I-90 goes west to Albany, NY and east to Springfield, Worcester, and Boston. Access to I-90 is at Exit 1 in West Stockbridge and Exit 2 in Lee. From Lee one can take Route 7 either north or south.
• In the northern part of the region Route 2, also known as the Mohawk Trail, runs from the New York state border in the west at Williamstown to Interstate 91 at Greenfield.

四处逛逛

In this rural region a car is preferred. However, there is a bus service between many of the communities, and the centers of most towns in the region are small enough to walk through. Biking is also possible, if you are looking for a great quad workout. Remember, you're in hill country!

看

• Tanglewood - Tanglewood in Lenox is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. During the summer it is not unusual to see James Taylor perform at this venue, because he lives just outside of the town. The population of Lenox swells to nearly 30,000 for the show.
• Stockbridge is the former home of Norman Rockwell and the location of the Norman Rockwell Museum, a museum he founded.
• Shakespeare Theatre Company, and Williams College in Williamstown.
• The Clark. 
• MASS MoCA. A visual arts and performance museum located in 北阿什福德 near the Mohawk Trail 
• Berkshire Botanical Gardens. It's in Stockbridge -- a relaxing day among local and exotic plant life. You can also take classes or participate in workshops. Admission: $12/adult; $10 students and seniors; Free for children under 12. Hours are 9AM-5PM daily. Look for special events in the fall and spring such as Harvest Fest and Plant Sale. 
• Jacob's Pillow in Becket is a dance center, school and performance space with a variety of functions and shows to visit throughout the year.
• Berkshire Museum. Visit for a unique array of attractions, activities, and exhibitions for all ages: fine art, fossils, aquarium, and seasonally changing exhibits for all to enjoy. Admission: $13/adult; $6/child. Hours: M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. In Pittsfield. 
• Schenob Brook wetland complex (Sheffield). Unique and unspoiled ecosystem. 

活动

• Cranwell Resort and Spa. In Lenox offers spa treatments, fine American cuisine dining, and a private golf course. 
• Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health. In the lush woods of Stockbridge at a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the art and science of yoga. 
• Jiminy Peak Resort in Hancock offers a full slate of year-round mountain activities. Mountain biking is available there and at several state forests throughout the region. There are also extensive excellent hiking trails, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. Mount Washington is home to some of the state's best trail scenery.
• The Berkshires are a good place for walking and relaxing and perhaps taking in a summer play in the college town of Williamstown. In October this area shares in the colorful fall foliage show.
• Charlemont-based Zoar Outdoor, Phone: +1-800-532-7483, offers rafting and kayaking on portions of the Deerfield and Miller rivers, as well as other outdoor activities.

购物

The area is home to a local currency experiment known as Berkshares. Berkshares banknotes can be purchased from several local banks and credit unions and spent at many local businesses. Buying with Berkshares gets you a 5% discount on any transaction. It also helps support the local economy.

• Check out the many antique shops for great finds all over the county.
• Visit the Premium Outletsin Lee for great deals on brand name items.

饮品

• Barrington Brewery. It's in Great Barrington and has a variety of original brews and an outdoor beer garden to enjoy drinks on a warm summer afternoon. 
• Moe's Tavern in Lee for a craft Whiskey selection that is unparalleled.
• Berkshire Mountain Distillers in Sheffield.
• Big Elm Brewery in Sheffield.

下一站

Southern Vermont offers similar rural attractions. For a change of pace, Greater Boston is a little over two hours away. If headed there, a stop at Sturbridge to see Sturbridge Village is worthwhile.