Berkshire Hills, Massachusetts

For generations, people have been escaping to the picturesque Berkshire Hills for an idyllic family getaway. This unique spot has everything, from stunning views to great skiing, hiking, and fishing. Berkshire Hills has a delightful blend of the urban and the natural – it combines awe-inspiring natural beauty with amazing visual and performing arts.

If you are seeking a recreation-filled adventure, Berkshire Hills is the place to go. The area is filled with numerous trails and parks, and you can even hike part of the great Appalachian Trail. Should you visit during the winter, you can enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing instead of hiking. During the spring, summer and fall months, hiking is only the beginning of the recreation you can enjoy. You can also spend your time fishing, golfing, biking and even white-water rafting.

This part of Massachusetts has some truly stunning parks. Some places you won't want to miss include the Berkshire Botanical Gardens, the Herbert Arboretum and Kent Falls. Bash Bish Falls State Park is also a great destination. Bash Bish Falls State Park is home to the tallest waterfall in Massachusetts, the humorously named Bash Bish Falls. These falls have a stunning drop of over eighty feet.

Berkshire Hills is also known for its great summer camps. If you can go on a family vacation to the area, you and your kids might enjoy spending some time at summer camps, many of which cater to specialized interests like music or backpacking.

After you have had your fill of the amazing recreation -- or if you just need to take a little breather -- you can spend time enjoying the great antiquing and shopping. Berkshire Hills also happens to be a center for visual and performing Arts. Music lovers will be pleased to know that this is the summer location for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Visitors to Berkshire Hills can also enjoy the Tanglewood Music Center. Theatre buffs will also find plenty to entertain in Berkshire Hills. Some theatre options include Shakespeare & Company, the Williamstown Theatre Festival and the Berkshire Theatre Festival.

Berkshire Hills is also a great destination for visual arts. The area is home to many fabulous art museums with a wide variety of art forms and styles. Here you will find the Williams College Museum of Arts with a great collection of American and Modern art. You can also visit the Clark Institute or the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, which is the country's largest center for contemporary arts. And be sure not to miss the amazing collections at the Norman Rockwell Museum.