#gifted I might be biased because I have lived in New England most of my life, but I think New England is the perfect vacation place. You have six states within a few hours of each other. You can be in the city and then be at the beach or mountains on the same day. New England is a picturesque place with lots of areas to explore. There is something to do in any season, making it a desirable place to visit. I feel fall is the best time to come because you get to see the fall foliage, and the temperatures are crisp.
Last week I got the opportunity to explore The Berkshires. The Berkshires are in Western Mass, boarding Connecticut, and New York. I have been to the Berkshires a few times for a family wedding and to go to Kripalu and Tanglewood. But, even though I have been a few times, I had never been to Pittsfield, one of two cities in the Berkshires.
Day One:
I was so excited to visit Pittsfield and all it has to offer. Pittsfield is in the perfect location. It is about 2.5 hours from Boston. Four hours from New York City and close to Upstate New York. An Amtrak Train goes from NYC to Albany, then a quick train ride on the Berkshire Flyer right into Pittsfield Center. The ease of getting to Pittsfield makes it a nice getaway for a weekend or a week’s vacation.
Pittsfield is full of New England charm with its historic buildings, spectacular views of Mount Greylock, and murals dotted around the downtown. Pittsfield is steeped in history that the locals are glad to share. It also has fantastic restaurants to please any palate, museums, hikes, and fabulous local shops. Pittsfield also has a fantastic boutique hotel right downtown.
Hotel on North:
The Hotel On North is owned by a couple who grew up in the area. They took time and care to ensure the hotel’s building kept its charm and details. The wood floors throughout the building were lovingly brought back to life. The decor fits the era of the building; It is decorated with vintage suitcases in the lobby, a reproduction of an old radio in every room, and vintage mirrors in the bathrooms. The hotel has a spectacular library room on the second floor. It invites you to sit on the cozy couches and read a book or work on a puzzle at the large table.
The staff was lovely and knowledgeable about the area, and I was treated like you were family. The Berkshire Palate, a restaurant and bar attached to the hotel, has a fantastic menu and various offerings. Before heading out to dinner, I grabbed a local beer and charcuterie board at the Berkshire Palate.
Methuselah Bar and Lounge:
After, I headed to Methuselah Bar and Lounge for dinner, Methuselah is a few short blocks. It has an intimate feel with fun lights and decor. However, this was not the best part of Methuselahs. Their food and drinks were the stars of the show. Their menu has an Asian flair, and the drinks nodded to the area. I had the Bibimbap bowl with rice, mushrooms, and kimchi. It was so good I wanted to make it at home. I am a big fan of fruity drinks, and their mixed drinks filled the bill. I even splurged and had cheesecake for dessert. If it is on the menu, you must have it.
Day Two:
Dottie’s Coffee Lounge:
The next day was packed with fun activities. I had a hike with a guide, lunch, a tour of the Pittsfield woods, a tour of the Hotel on North, and a sunset yoga class by a lake. I started the day with a hearty breakfast and coffee from Dottie’s Coffee Lounge. Dottie’s has a variety of breakfast items. From egg sandwiches to oatmeal. As soon as I saw the get oatmeal give oatmeal ( they give one to someone in need). I knew I had to have it! There you can get a variety of things in your oatmeal. Fruit and maple syrup are my favorite add-ins for oatmeal. I also got their pumpkin latte. Oh my, was that the perfect way to fuel my day!
Once I was fueled for my day, I was ready to go on a fun, relaxing hike at The Boulders with Berkshire Camino Hikes. I was lucky to have Mindy, the owner, take me on the hike. She was knowledgeable about the area and all the fantastic places to hike. Berkshire Camino offers single-day hikes and Multiday Hiking. Berkshire Camino has a hike in the Pittsfield Town Forest, and In addition, she has an Appalachian hike. There is also a BNRC Berskire Trails app to find where to hike while visiting Pittsfield.
The Boulders Hike:
Marketplace Cafe:
All that hiking made me hungry, and I was ready for lunch. Mindy and I headed back to North St. for a tasty lunch at the Marketplace Cafe. The Marketplace Cafe is a cozy spot to grab lunch. There are a variety of mouth-watering sandwiches. I picked the tuna sandwich with pickled beets. Oh my, those beets added something unique to the tuna sandwich. I also picked out a lemon bar that Mindy said was fabulous. She was so right! I am still dreaming about it. So if you are a lemon fan, this is a must-get.
Pittsfield State Forest:
After lunch, I visit the Pittsfield State Forest, with the highest body of water in Massachusetts and the most spectacular view. You can hike, camp in the town forest, and have a picnic by Berry Pond or at the fantastic views that look all the way out to NY. I highly suggest getting lunch at the Marketplace Cafe and having a picnic.
I loved having some time to go and explore the area. I started it off with a pit stop at the hotel for a warm cup of tea in the lobby. Once I had rested, I went to find all the beautiful murals dotted around town. Pittsfield prides itself on all theIr murals created by local artists.
Yoga With a View:
I ended my day with a sunset Yoga class with Berkshire Yoga, Dance, and Fitness on the deck of the Proprietors Lodge on Lake Pontoosuc. It was a great way to stretch out my body and relax after a fun-filled day. I loved this class because there were all ability levels, and the instructor could share moves for each of us.
I can’t wait to return to Pittsfield for another fun-filled few days!
Xoxo-Nikki
