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There's nothing like spring in the Berkshires! Watch the mountains come alive with wildflowers and sunshine as the temperatures in western Massachusetts warm up for the season. While the landscape is enough to draw anyone to rural Massachusetts for the spring, visitors can also enjoy a variety of cultural experiences. Here's a list of the top five places to visit when heading to the Berkshires in the spring.
The Mount
Edith Warton's sweeping estate is considered one of the jewels of the Berkshires. The Mount is a National Historic Landmark dedicated to the legacy of Edith Wharton. In addition to being the author of "The Age of Innocence" and more than 40 other books, Warton is known for funding refugee relief efforts throughout Europe during World War I. The Mount was constructed in 1902. It consists of a main home, a stable greenhouse, and magnificent gardens. While the home closes up for the season following holiday festivities at the end of the year, the estate's mid-May reopening marks the official start of the tourist season in Lenox, Massachusetts. Enjoy multiple exhibits within the estate that highlight the life and work of Edith Warton.
Ventfort Hall
The Gilded Age Mansion and Museum at Ventfort Hall showcases New England's glamorous side. Step into the Gilded Age at this stunning Lenox estate, which is open daily for self-guided tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ventfort Hall is a stunning Jacobean Revival-style mansion constructed for J. P. Morgan's sister in 1893. In addition to being declared an actual natural treasure under the Save America's Treasures program, the home is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hancock Shaker Village
Step back during spring in the Berkshires at one of New England's most wholesome attractions. This popular Pittsfield attraction is home to a farm, museums, and several exhibitions. From baby animals to workshops, there's much to learn about the Shaker way of life. While the grounds are closed to the public after holiday events end for the year, the village comes back to life with a mid-April opening that includes the annual Hancock Shaker Village Baby Animals Festival.
Mount Greylock State Reservation
For nature lovers, there's no place like Mount Greylock! Head to Lanesborough to watch the mountains and red spruces awaken from winter slumber to discover why Herman Melville chose to call the area home during his most prolific writing years! Standing 3,491 feet tall, Mount Greylock is the tallest mountain in Massachusetts. Visitors of the Mount Greylock Reservation can explore more than 12,500 acres in what is officially the oldest wilderness park in Massachusetts. The park also has the distinction of hosting the only subalpine taiga-boreal forest in the state! The summit at Mount Greylock is drivable beginning at the end of May.
Stockbridge Bowl
The Stockbridge Bowl is a state-owned lake with six miles of shoreline. The 372-acre lake is a hotbed for largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, yellow bullhead, black crappie, rock bass, rainbow trout, brown trout, lake salmon, and several other fish species. Stocking takes place in the spring and fall. The Stockbridge Town Beach offers a sandy beach with lifeguards, restrooms, picnic tables, and a playground.
Enjoy a Berkshires Spring Trip This Year
There's no better way to get a start to the warm-weather travel season than a long weekend of celebrating spring in the Berkshires! This highly cultured rural region is nearly as famous for its great cuisine as it is for its scenery and views. Visitors can dine at vineyards, steakhouses, and many more fun places. You'll definitely want to enjoy pizza in Pittsfield MA if you're eager to experience some acclaimed pies!
