The Berkshires is a region of Massachusetts that draws visitors for its enduring natural beauty and New England appeal. It is a peaceful place, with forests and mountains perfect for hiking, and every time of year is worth a visit. The fantastic farm-to-table food scene and numerous renowned galleries and museums are enticing throughout the year. However, the time of year the Berkshires might be most famous for is the fall.
The region’s mostly rural environment and splendid scenery make it the perfect setting for a fall vacation. From harvest festivals and fall foliage to quaint New England towns, there is so much worth enjoying throughout the seasons. As the leaves turn amber and bright red, the Berkshires become an absolute must-see. Let’s look at three reasons why.
Fall Foliage
The biggest reason why many head to the Berkshires in the autumn is leaf peeping. Many places in New England have incredible fall foliage, but few can match the region’s incredible autumn scenery. The leaves in this area turn incredible shades of red, yellow, and orange, and the numerous parks and forests of the Berkshires make the changing colors all the more pronounced.
Visitors can witness a spectacular autumn transformation in the Berkshires in many natural areas. Visiting the trails of Mount Greylock in mid-late October will give you sweeping panoramic views of the area, with a lodge at the top for a cozy meal. The Mohawk Trail is a road through the mountains of the Berkshires that gives you a look at many of the top Berkshires fall destinations. There are so many incredible natural areas in the Berkshires; all made better with a fall transformation.
Great Towns and Cities to Explore
One great aspect of the Berkshires is that there’s much to see. The Berkshires is a scenic region composed of many small towns and cities, each offering something unique to visitors. Seemingly every town has a restaurant, museum, or attraction of note. There is no wrong choice of where to spend your time in this area.
Stockbridge is a small town that has a quintessential New England look, making it especially stunning in the fall. It is famous as the home of the Norman Rockwell Museum. Lenox is relatively popular in the summer, as it hosts Tanglewood, a renowned music festival. But this town is just as appealing in the fall and has been rated as one of the best places in the country to spot fall foliage by Reader’s Digest this year. North Adams is a thriving artistic hub with an excellent food scene. It is a region with so many destinations worth exploring, and fall enhances its significant beauty.
Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Harvest Festival
Fall brings festivals and celebrations every year, and there may not be a better one than Berkshire Botanical Garden’s Harvest Festival. This is a long-running tradition that dates back 87 years to the opening of the Berkshire Botanical Garden. This year’s event is set for October 8th-9th in Stockbridge and will bring entertainment, family-friendly events, and delicious food and drink.
The Harvest Festival has all the autumn traditions that families adore. There will be hay rides, pumpkin tossing, roving entertainers, and even a spooky haunted house. Live music will be played throughout, and there will be a food court, a brewery, and apple squeezing. Attendees can also browse from a large farmers’ market. This is a classic Berkshires family fall tradition and a perfect way to enjoy a crisp autumn day. Tickets are $10 for adults, and children 12 and under can enter for free.
