The Berkshire mountains in western Massachusetts have long been a hub for arts and culture, with famous American writers such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville and Edith Wharton who calls this region at home. This rich tradition continues today with world class museums such as Mass Moca and Norman Rockwell Museum; Mansins of gilded age and houses of famous authors such as Naumaume And The mount; And, of course, Tanglewood, the outdoor music center and the summer house of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
But if you visit the Berkshires with children, don’t worry! Berkshires also have a lot to offer families in terms of outdoor adventure all year round, skiing in winter, hiking, zip line, rafting in live water and trees adventure parks. It was Tanglewood who first attracted us to the Berkshires, but we quickly discovered that there was so much more to do, that is why we like to return to this region to discover something new every time.
Things to do in Berkshires with children
Berkshires are a destination all year round, with ski and snow sports in winter, from the maple season season in the spring, magnificent foliage in the fall and world -class museums all year round. It turns out that I find the Berkshire very fun in summer visiting children.
Listen to music in Tanglewood
Waste is an outdoor music place in Stockbridge which has been the summer house of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937. Your children cannot see Boston pops, but I encourage you to try because the place is much more suitable for the family! However, Tanglewood is not only for the symphony. He also organizes outdoor music festivals and concerts.
My daughter’s first concert was going to see Indigo girls (one of my favorites of all time) at the Summersound festival in Tanglewood. Before the show, we stopped at Nejaimes wine shop In Lenox to fill up on our picnic basket with a selection of cheeses, crackers, prepared foods and, of course, wine. One of the most beautiful things about looking at the orchestra or another show in Tanglewood is to picnic on the lawn. Everyone installs covers, bass beach tables and a spread of food and drinks to relax and enjoy music and outside.
Mount the trees in Ramblewild
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Ramblewild is an air adventure park near Jiminy Peak in Lanesborough. Unlike some of the strings you find in ski resorts, this attraction is recognized as one of the most difficult, most difficult and difficult parks in the country. Built on more than 1,500 acres of unmanned forest land, Ramblewild includes an air adventure park, an aerial children’s path, hiking trails and a basic lodge with picnic area. In addition, it is located in the trees, the shaded and cooler keeping it, even the hot summer days.
Ramblewild has eight aerial paths from the beginner to the expert and they are marked like a ski resort, with color levels coded in color. Everyone must start on the beginner path, but after that, it’s yours! Your ticket includes up to four hours of climbing.
I would say that not only was this course the most fun of everything I tried, but it was also the most difficult (at least for me!) Although I am not afraid of the heights, there were parts that made me nervous and it was definitely a training. Watch the full scoop video. You can see that some family members were more excited about it than others.
Slide and go up to Jiminy Peak
In winter, Jiminy Peak is the largest ski resort in the south of New England, with skiing, snowboarding, several lodges, etc. But Jiminy Peak is just as fun to visit in summer. This seaside resort of four seasons offers a mountain adventure park with a mountain mountain, an Alpine slide (my favorite!), A booming zip line and other fun attractions.
And, if you want even more thrills, the Aerial Adventure Park has 74 ropes of course challenges for all levels of capacity. You can even visit during the 13 nights of seasonal lair for frightening fears.
Berkshire Museum
Ideal for children around 14 and under, the Berkshire Museum offers a little of everything for families. Below, there is a small aquarium, while the ground floor covers local fauna in its little story of natural history. For young children, the museum offers a practical spark! Laborat, but we enjoyed learning local inventors and entrepreneurs from Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation.
Revisite Americana at the Norman Rockwell Museum
Today, children probably did not meet Norman Rockwell’s work, but through the Norman Rockwell MuseumWho houses an important collection of his work, as well as that of his contemporaries, they will soon learn to appreciate his American style of illustration. I believe that the Rockwell style is quite suitable for children because it is not too abstract to be unrelated.
The museum houses nearly 1,000 pieces of its work, as well as original art materials, its library, its furniture and an archive of 100,000 articles, including photos, letters, a letter from fans and personal items. Rockwell Stockbridge Studio, which was transferred to the museum site, is open to the public from May to October. You can book online tickets to save money and time.
Mountain climb monument
Monument Mountain in Great Barrington is one of the most popular family hikes in the region, so plan to go early. Monument Mountain is the site where Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville took advantage of a picnic and had a discussion that helped inspire Moby Dick. This mountain offers views to the west to New York catskills in clear weather. For the simplest hike, start on the Indian monument track to the left of the parking lot for a 1.51 mile hike to the top. The guide to the trails said that we were going to pass the remains of the Amerindian trails, but we clearly missed them.
To have a view, you have to take the steeper Squaw Peak Trail, but just be cautious with children because there are steep drops. Hannah and I then took the 0.83 mile hickey path the steepest in descending (better than on the way!) To finish the loop, while Glenn returned as we came. Just on the way to the Hickey trail, we found small waterfalls and narrow streams – much prettier than the less picturesque hike through the forest up.
We certainly have a taste of everything there is to do in the Berkshires with children, but what I loved in the region is that it is not only outdoors or just artistic – you can have something for everyone with purchases, art, music, meals and a lot of adventure.
Be seduced in Mass Moca
Massachusetts of contemporary art (also known as Mass Moca) is not your typical art museum. With miles of galleries featuring contemporary art installations on a large scale, it is sure to capture the interest of your children.
Beyond the exhibitions themselves, Kidspace à Mass Moca focuses on experiential learning and inspiring curiosity in the arts. Families are encouraged to promote self -expression and feed your own creativity in children’s space. In addition, there is a practical bar art studio and family hours.
Go back time to the village of Hancock Shaker
Hancock Shaker village Offers an overview of the life and inheritance of the Shakers, a religious sect known for their simplicity and their know-how. This living history museum is not only for adults – families can enjoy a fun day to explore the historic village. Children can participate in interactive exhibitions such as learning traditional shaker crafts, playing time games and even helping with agricultural tasks.
Families can also embark on a treasure hunt through the village, discovering secrets and hidden stories along the way. Do not miss the farm with adorable animals or take a bite at the coffee on site. Whether it is exploring historical buildings, engaging in practical activities or simply enjoying panoramic land, Hancock Shaker Village offers a memorable and educational experience to the whole family. Keep in mind that the Hancock Shaker village is only open from mid-April to October.
Hit the rapids with Zoar
Discover the chills of rafting in vivid water with Outdoor Zoar on the Deerfield river. Famous for its constant flow and fascinating rapids, Deerfield offers a range of rapids, from class II-III family to class IV from adrenaline pump. Zoar Outdoor offers various visits, including the adventures of half a day, a day and several days.
Their most popular journey, The Zoar Gap is ideal for beginners of seven years and over, while drought is more exciting with class IV rapids for the 14 and over. Zoar also offers a zipped lining and guided kayak trips.
Let your imagination be unleashed in Naumkeag
Naumaume was originally the summer succession of the eminent lawyer Joseph Choate, built in the late 1800s. Today, this 48 -acres site offers an overview of the golden age via visits to the Grand Manor of Bardeau style. But the real star of the show is the superb gardens, designed by Mabel Choate in collaboration with the landscape architect Fletcher Steele.
Families can walk in thematic gardens, such as the blue and white garden or the Chinese garden, each offering a unique visual and sensory experience. Children will particularly appreciate the whimsical topiary garden, with its fun forms of animals, and the vast lawns perfect for rolling or a picnic. Do not miss seasonal events, such as the winter light show “Naumkeag Winterlights”, which transforms the field into a magical Wonderland of sparkling lights and parties. Naumkeag is open from spring to fall, with the exception of seasonal events.
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Tamara Gruber is the founder and publisher of We3Travel. Former director of marketing and travel advisor, Tamara is a award -winning and expert travel writer recognized in family trips. Tamara is a member of Satw, Natja, Ifwtwa and Adventure Travel Trade Association, and headquarters to the Board of Directors of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimeTofly.com and the co-host of the Mavens Travel Podcast Podcast.
