We Bet You Didn't Know These Berkshires Destinations Even Existed
By Kim Falchek|Published August 08, 2023
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Kim Falchek
Author
Kim Falchek has been exploring the towns, trails, and hidden gems of Massachusetts since her college days in Boston. When not writing, Kim enjoys photography, going on road trips, and spending time at the beach. Kim has previously been a contributing writer for LA Family Travel, Global Munchkins, and Latched Mama. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts where she and her family embrace all things Halloween!
The Berkshire region of Massachusetts is the perfect place to spend a quick getaway. Made up of two small cities and 30 towns, the area is known for its beautiful scenery and vibrant arts and cultural attractions. You are probably already familiar with popular places like Tanglewood and the Norman Rockwell Museum. But did you know that the Berkshire region of Massachusetts is filled with many lesser-known places to discover? Here are some great walks, exciting excursions, and a very strange monument that you won’t want to miss.
1. Berkshire Botanical Garden
Berkshire Botanical Garden, 5 W Stockbridge Rd, Stockbridge, MA 01262, USA
The Berkshire Botanical Garden is a gorgeous public garden located in the quaint town of Stockbridge. The garden is one of the oldest in the area and is set on 24 acres of land. Several beautiful spaces displaying 3,000 varieties of plants make this a very special place to spend an afternoon.
2. Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum
Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum - Lenox Station Museum, 10 Willow Creek Rd, Lenox, MA 01240, USA
The Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum is a wonderful place to stop with or without kids in tow. The museum operates in two different Berkshire locations. In Lenox, you can take a guided tour, see a replica of an old train station, and take a short train ride around the grounds. Or head to the town of Adams and take a longer scenic ride on the Hoosac Valley Train. There are several themed rides that take place throughout the year. My family and I took the Christmas train a few years back and had so much fun drinking hot chocolate and hanging out with Santa!
The hiking trails in the Berkshires are simply breathtaking, especially in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. One of the most amazing local hikes is Bash Bish Falls, a 2.1-mile hike that affords walks a view of a beautiful waterfall. Bash Bish Falls State Park is located in the Taconic Mountains in Mt. Washington.
4. Chocolate Springs Cafe
Chocolate Springs Cafe, 55 Pittsfield Rd, Lenox, MA 01240, USA
The most delicious spot in all of the Berkshires is the Chocolate Springs Cafe in Lenox! It is such an inviting place to sit down and enjoy a hot chocolate or sweet treat. The cafe also has gelato and ice cream, which are perfect desserts if you are visiting during the summertime. While you are here, you will definitely want to purchase some chocolate to bring home with you!
5. Dinosaur Footprint Trail
Dinosaur Footprints, 1099 US-5, Holyoke, MA 01040, USA
Hiking trails don’t get much cooler than this! At the Dinosaur Footprint Trail in Holyoke, you can see hundreds of dinosaur tracks while you walk along a beautiful property. These footprints are believed to be the first to be scientifically described. Although the hike is just 0.2 miles, you will definitely want to leave lots of time to stop and admire all of the cool prehistoric prints along the way.
6. Herman Melville's Arrowhead
Herman Melville's Arrowhead, 780 Holmes Rd, Pittsfield, MA 01201, USA
The city of New Bedford, Massachusetts may have been the inspiration for author Herman Melville’s classic novel, “Moby Dick,” but the book was actually written at his home in Pittsfield. Melville lived in the house he called “Arrowhead” from 1850-1863. The property is now a museum that welcomes guests for tours of the house and grounds.
7. UFO Monument Park - Thom Reed
Thom Reed - UFO Monument Park, Covered Bridge Ln, Sheffield, MA 01257, USA
The Thom Reed UFO Monument Park in Sheffield is a must-see bucket list stop on a trip to the Berkshires! In September of 1969, the Reed family experienced a supernatural experience on this spot that was later deemed the first official UFO encounter in our country’s history. There is a large granite monument on the property that commemorates this unusual event.
Do you know of other fun lesser-known destinations in the Berkshires? We would love to hear what you think we should add to our list. If you are looking for a lovely Berkshire-area spot to rest your head, I recommend the Brook Farm Inn, which is located in Lenox. The Inn has beautiful gardens and an outdoor pool.
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