Kate’s guidebook

Kate
Kate’s guidebook

Dining Out in the Berkshires

There is great farm-to-table food available in our area as well as many different styles of cuisine. You will find a wonderful selection of options for everything from romantic dinners to eating out with the kids. We start with the closest. Mileage is one way from the house.
Only 2 Miles away. Yummy pastries. Great stop on one of our local walks.
44 locals recommend
The Southfield Store
163 Norfolk Rd
44 locals recommend
Only 2 Miles away. Yummy pastries. Great stop on one of our local walks.
Great Sandwiches, basic groceries, wine and candy. Traditional old General Store and Post Office and across the street from our Library. 2.5 miles from the house.
9 locals recommend
Mill River General Store
10 Great Barrington Rd
9 locals recommend
Great Sandwiches, basic groceries, wine and candy. Traditional old General Store and Post Office and across the street from our Library. 2.5 miles from the house.
Exceptional food, romantic candlelight dining. Great for couples and friends, not for kids. Reservations are encouraged. less than 4 miles from the house.
72 locals recommend
The Old Inn On The Green
72 locals recommend
Exceptional food, romantic candlelight dining. Great for couples and friends, not for kids. Reservations are encouraged. less than 4 miles from the house.
This gorgeous venue used a lot for weddings and parties. But you can also eat at their restaurant. They just redid their barn and restaurant and are reopening May 1st, 2019. Call about reservations. 4 miles from the house.
19 locals recommend
Gedney Farm
34 Hartsville-New Marlborough Rd
19 locals recommend
This gorgeous venue used a lot for weddings and parties. But you can also eat at their restaurant. They just redid their barn and restaurant and are reopening May 1st, 2019. Call about reservations. 4 miles from the house.
Good food, nice atmosphere and fine for kids if you go early. Community-style eating or private tables, lawn games, bonfires, woodstove, ​and a great bar. In high season, reservations are needed. less than 4 miles.
46 locals recommend
Cantina 229
229 Hartsville-New Marlborough Rd
46 locals recommend
Good food, nice atmosphere and fine for kids if you go early. Community-style eating or private tables, lawn games, bonfires, woodstove, ​and a great bar. In high season, reservations are needed. less than 4 miles.
Very popular and a great place. In the summer months, make a reservation or expect a wait. Menu is extensive and the food is excellent. 12 miles.
101 locals recommend
Bizen Gourmet Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar
17 Railroad Street
101 locals recommend
Very popular and a great place. In the summer months, make a reservation or expect a wait. Menu is extensive and the food is excellent. 12 miles.
Our favorite place for a great burger and fries. Also great breakfast and brunch fare. Wonderful menu and cozy atmosphere. 12 miles.
32 locals recommend
GB Eats
282 Main St
32 locals recommend
Our favorite place for a great burger and fries. Also great breakfast and brunch fare. Wonderful menu and cozy atmosphere. 12 miles.
Home-made bagels made fresh every day, great soups and sandwiches. This is an area favorite and sometimes there's a line. But, it's worth it. 11 miles
36 locals recommend
Great Barrington Bagel Company
777 S Main St
36 locals recommend
Home-made bagels made fresh every day, great soups and sandwiches. This is an area favorite and sometimes there's a line. But, it's worth it. 11 miles
Mark Firth and Stephen Browning of Diner and Marlowe and Sons in Brooklyn are here in Great Barrington now. Very recognized and popular and you shouldn't miss it: great mix of Berkshire vibe and Brooklyn talent. Great food and drink. 12 miles.
203 locals recommend
The Prairie Whale
178 Main St
203 locals recommend
Mark Firth and Stephen Browning of Diner and Marlowe and Sons in Brooklyn are here in Great Barrington now. Very recognized and popular and you shouldn't miss it: great mix of Berkshire vibe and Brooklyn talent. Great food and drink. 12 miles.
Great mix of American food from Meatloaf, Macn'Cheese and Roast Hen to Flank Steak, Korean BBQ Tacos and Fish and Chips. Great cocktails and beer and wine. Something for everyone: pizza as well. 12 miles.
15 locals recommend
20 Railroad Public House
20 Railroad St
15 locals recommend
Great mix of American food from Meatloaf, Macn'Cheese and Roast Hen to Flank Steak, Korean BBQ Tacos and Fish and Chips. Great cocktails and beer and wine. Something for everyone: pizza as well. 12 miles.
Yummy pastries and sandwiches. Great place to hang out meet friends and talk or write quietly. Behind Rubiner's Cheese and you can enter from the ​back parking lot as well. 12 miles.
28 locals recommend
Rubi's Coffee and Sandwiches
264 Main St
28 locals recommend
Yummy pastries and sandwiches. Great place to hang out meet friends and talk or write quietly. Behind Rubiner's Cheese and you can enter from the ​back parking lot as well. 12 miles.
Good old fashioned candy shop. 12 miles
14 locals recommend
Robin’s Candy
288 Main St
14 locals recommend
Good old fashioned candy shop. 12 miles
SoCo Creamery Voted Best of Mass icecream in the Berkshires. Delicious, ice cream flavors: all natural, no artificial anything. If you do go to GB, make this a definite stop. 12 miles.
45 locals recommend
Soco Creamery
5 Railroad St
45 locals recommend
SoCo Creamery Voted Best of Mass icecream in the Berkshires. Delicious, ice cream flavors: all natural, no artificial anything. If you do go to GB, make this a definite stop. 12 miles.
Very traditional Inn and Restaurant. 16 miles.
117 locals recommend
The Red Lion Inn
30 Main St
117 locals recommend
Very traditional Inn and Restaurant. 16 miles.
Yummy baked goods, breakfast and lunch as well. Great coffee. 7 miles Their bistro is at 99 Main Street. 860-453-4067. Thursday-Sunday dinner only.
11 locals recommend
Blackberry River Baking Co
18 E Main St
11 locals recommend
Yummy baked goods, breakfast and lunch as well. Great coffee. 7 miles Their bistro is at 99 Main Street. 860-453-4067. Thursday-Sunday dinner only.

Getting out in Nature

These are our recommendations for getting out and enjoying the natural beauty of the area. At the house, you will find directions for local walks as well as many other hikes, waterfalls, and experiences in the Berkshires. The following is just a selection. Mileage is from the house.
Great hiking - not for little kids. Legend says that a conversation between Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne on Monument Mountain was the genesis of Melville’s Moby Dick. 14 miles.
53 locals recommend
Monument Mountain
53 locals recommend
Great hiking - not for little kids. Legend says that a conversation between Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne on Monument Mountain was the genesis of Melville’s Moby Dick. 14 miles.
This 12,000-acre forest is the perfect place to visit year round. Summer season - swim, boat, or fish in Benedict Pond. In the winter, you can cross-country ski and snowmobile. less than 9 miles
36 locals recommend
Beartown State Forest
69 Blue Hill Rd
36 locals recommend
This 12,000-acre forest is the perfect place to visit year round. Summer season - swim, boat, or fish in Benedict Pond. In the winter, you can cross-country ski and snowmobile. less than 9 miles
3.5 – 5 moderate miles on Massachusetts/Connecticut border. If you want a beautiful and historic place to visit, this is the place. Cattle grazing on the river, caves for kids to explore. There is​ a visitor's center and a gift shop. Visit historic Ashley House, from where enslaved African American Elizabeth. “MumBett” Freeman sued for her freedom and helped end slavery in Massachusetts. The case was the Brom and Betts v Ashley in 1781 in which the Massachusetts court ruled that slavery was inconsistent with the 1780 Massachusetts State Constitution. She won her freedom and went on to raise a family and eventually own her own home. This case helped bring the state closer to abolishing slavery. 8 miles
45 locals recommend
Bartholomew's Cobble Reservation
105 Weatogue Rd
45 locals recommend
3.5 – 5 moderate miles on Massachusetts/Connecticut border. If you want a beautiful and historic place to visit, this is the place. Cattle grazing on the river, caves for kids to explore. There is​ a visitor's center and a gift shop. Visit historic Ashley House, from where enslaved African American Elizabeth. “MumBett” Freeman sued for her freedom and helped end slavery in Massachusetts. The case was the Brom and Betts v Ashley in 1781 in which the Massachusetts court ruled that slavery was inconsistent with the 1780 Massachusetts State Constitution. She won her freedom and went on to raise a family and eventually own her own home. This case helped bring the state closer to abolishing slavery. 8 miles
Wander thru the outdoor sculpture garden and the grounds. Only open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1st Wednesday in June - second Saturday in October. less than 16 miles
13 locals recommend
Ashintully Gardens
Sodom Road
13 locals recommend
Wander thru the outdoor sculpture garden and the grounds. Only open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1st Wednesday in June - second Saturday in October. less than 16 miles
Three-tiered waterfall. Beautiful forest hiking. Very slippery at the falls so be careful. In the summer months, the water is fast and powerful. Stay at a distance and enjoy. under 13 miles
22 locals recommend
Race Brook Falls
22 locals recommend
Three-tiered waterfall. Beautiful forest hiking. Very slippery at the falls so be careful. In the summer months, the water is fast and powerful. Stay at a distance and enjoy. under 13 miles
Single drop waterfall. No swimming. Fishing, hiking, hunting. From the NY Side, the hike is about 2/3 miles, gradually uphill to the base of the falls. From the MA side, the hike is steep descent. Can be crowded. 21 miles
282 locals recommend
Bash Bish Falls State Park
Falls Road
282 locals recommend
Single drop waterfall. No swimming. Fishing, hiking, hunting. From the NY Side, the hike is about 2/3 miles, gradually uphill to the base of the falls. From the MA side, the hike is steep descent. Can be crowded. 21 miles
Very beautiful place to roam and it has a little shop. less than 18 miles
118 locals recommend
Berkshire Botanical Garden
5 W Stockbridge Rd
118 locals recommend
Very beautiful place to roam and it has a little shop. less than 18 miles
Lovey falls after a short, relatively easy hike of 1.4 miles. 8 am – sunset. 5.5. miles
12 locals recommend
Campbell Falls State Park
Spaulding Road
12 locals recommend
Lovey falls after a short, relatively easy hike of 1.4 miles. 8 am – sunset. 5.5. miles

Outdoor Fun

Great Skiing, an Aerial Park, some fish and a little history.
Butternut Ski The place our kids learned to ski. Great ski school, great people. Beautiful skiing and views. Great hot chocolate and French fries!!! And tubing as well – Friday night tubing is really fun. 9 miles
218 locals recommend
Ski Butternut
380 State Rd
218 locals recommend
Butternut Ski The place our kids learned to ski. Great ski school, great people. Beautiful skiing and views. Great hot chocolate and French fries!!! And tubing as well – Friday night tubing is really fun. 9 miles
You can ski from NY to MA and back. The trails criss-cross the border. Beautiful skiing, a bit more challenging than Butternut and offers night skiing. 16.5 miles
329 locals recommend
Catamount Mountain Ski Resort
78 Catamount Rd
329 locals recommend
You can ski from NY to MA and back. The trails criss-cross the border. Beautiful skiing, a bit more challenging than Butternut and offers night skiing. 16.5 miles
A National Historic Landmark. See the house and tour or just roam the 44 acres. Tours operate from mid-April – early October. 5.5 miles
109 locals recommend
Naumkeag
5 Prospect Hill Rd
109 locals recommend
A National Historic Landmark. See the house and tour or just roam the 44 acres. Tours operate from mid-April – early October. 5.5 miles
Why not? Call first and go check out the fish!
6 locals recommend
Berkshire Trout Hatchery - Hatchery Building
240 Hatchery Rd
6 locals recommend
Why not? Call first and go check out the fish!
An Aerial Adventure in the forest.
56 locals recommend
Catamount Aerial Adventure Park
17 Nicholson Rd
56 locals recommend
An Aerial Adventure in the forest.
Go see the goats and pick up some home-made Monterey Chevre. montereychevre.com. The farm is right off the New Marlborough road which is the right turn right after the Monterey Library. Park in the little parking lot, do not drive up to the cheese shed. Susan Sellew owns and operates this farm. 7 miles
7 locals recommend
Rawson Brook Farm
185 New Marlboro Rd
7 locals recommend
Go see the goats and pick up some home-made Monterey Chevre. montereychevre.com. The farm is right off the New Marlborough road which is the right turn right after the Monterey Library. Park in the little parking lot, do not drive up to the cheese shed. Susan Sellew owns and operates this farm. 7 miles

Fun Stuff to do

A movie theatre, a concert hall, an animation museum, as well as yoga and spa choices, and bowling! And our favorite place - The Barn!
This right off the main road in Great Barrington and walking distance to all the great restaurants and shopping and ice cream mentioned above! 12 miles
102 locals recommend
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
14 Castle St
102 locals recommend
This right off the main road in Great Barrington and walking distance to all the great restaurants and shopping and ice cream mentioned above! 12 miles
Independent and first run hits. 12 miles
73 locals recommend
The Triplex Cinema
70 Railroad St
73 locals recommend
Independent and first run hits. 12 miles
“The Mysore Ashtanga practice is offered every morning, as is Kundalini and Kripalu yoga”: from their site. 12 miles
7 locals recommend
Sruti Berkshire Yoga Center
268 Main St
7 locals recommend
“The Mysore Ashtanga practice is offered every morning, as is Kundalini and Kripalu yoga”: from their site. 12 miles
Get your bowling on!
14 locals recommend
Cove Bowling Lanes
109 Stockbridge Rd
14 locals recommend
Get your bowling on!
World famous center for yoga and health. 21 miles
122 locals recommend
Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health
57 Interlaken Rd
122 locals recommend
World famous center for yoga and health. 21 miles
World famous and gorgeous day and overnight spa. listed by Forbes as one of the “top Wellness destinations in the world.” 21miles.
35 locals recommend
Canyon Ranch Lenox
165 Kemble St
35 locals recommend
World famous and gorgeous day and overnight spa. listed by Forbes as one of the “top Wellness destinations in the world.” 21miles.
We love The Barn in Egremont! Live music, Wednesday is open Mic and Sundays is Karaoke. Incredibly fun and good bar food. less than 9 miles.
50 locals recommend
The Barn
17 Main St
50 locals recommend
We love The Barn in Egremont! Live music, Wednesday is open Mic and Sundays is Karaoke. Incredibly fun and good bar food. less than 9 miles.

Shopping

Great Barrington is a hub of shopping and there are also great outlets in Lee. These are just a few suggestions. Sheffield is known for its​ antiques so you could drive on Rt 7 and check them all out.
Actress Karen Allen has an extensive array of gorgeous clothes she has made and from all over the world. 12 miles
Karen Allen Fiber Arts
8 Railroad St
Actress Karen Allen has an extensive array of gorgeous clothes she has made and from all over the world. 12 miles
An independent toy shop with a great selection for all ages. 12 miles
10 locals recommend
Tom's Toys
297 Main St
10 locals recommend
An independent toy shop with a great selection for all ages. 12 miles
A simply huge place and fun to explore.
Great Barrington Antiques Center
964 S Main St
A simply huge place and fun to explore.
A rambling old stagecoach inn, Kenver has everything you need to get out in nature. Complimentary cider and an apple. This is where we rent our skis for the season. less than 13 miles.
7 locals recommend
Kenver
7 locals recommend
A rambling old stagecoach inn, Kenver has everything you need to get out in nature. Complimentary cider and an apple. This is where we rent our skis for the season. less than 13 miles.
Another great shop equipment – great people, great selection. less than 24 miles
32 locals recommend
Arcadian Shop
91 Pittsfield Rd
32 locals recommend
Another great shop equipment – great people, great selection. less than 24 miles
Great outlet and great deals. Everything from Coach and Sunglass Hut to Crocs and Michael Kors. 21 miles.
155 locals recommend
Lee Premium Outlets
17 Premium Outlet Boulevard
155 locals recommend
Great outlet and great deals. Everything from Coach and Sunglass Hut to Crocs and Michael Kors. 21 miles.

Arts and Entertainment

The Berkshires is a veritable oasis of theatre, music, ​and art.
Over 90 years old, this company is one of the oldest in the country. Berkshire Theatre Group has 3 stages: The Colonial in Pittsfield and The Fitzpatrick and the Unicorn, both in Stockbridge. Something for everyone. 16 miles.
61 locals recommend
Berkshire Theatre Group
6 East St
61 locals recommend
Over 90 years old, this company is one of the oldest in the country. Berkshire Theatre Group has 3 stages: The Colonial in Pittsfield and The Fitzpatrick and the Unicorn, both in Stockbridge. Something for everyone. 16 miles.
Shakespeare and more - check their website. 21 miles
134 locals recommend
Shakespeare & Company
70 Kemble St
134 locals recommend
Shakespeare and more - check their website. 21 miles
Really the best of the Berkshire theatre scene. Always great productions. 29 miles.
64 locals recommend
Barrington Stage Company
30 Union St
64 locals recommend
Really the best of the Berkshire theatre scene. Always great productions. 29 miles.
Truly amazing Dance Center. less than 23 miles If you go, The Old Inn on the Green and the Southfield Store both have great dining options at the center: table dining or a picnic on the grounds.
257 locals recommend
Jacob's Pillow
358 George Carter Rd
257 locals recommend
Truly amazing Dance Center. less than 23 miles If you go, The Old Inn on the Green and the Southfield Store both have great dining options at the center: table dining or a picnic on the grounds.
The summer home of the Boston Symphony. Gorgeous venue. Picnic on the lawn. less than 22 miles.
398 locals recommend
Tanglewood
398 locals recommend
The summer home of the Boston Symphony. Gorgeous venue. Picnic on the lawn. less than 22 miles.
A wonderful place honoring Stockbridge's own American painter. 17 miles
344 locals recommend
Norman Rockwell Museum
9 Glendale Rd
344 locals recommend
A wonderful place honoring Stockbridge's own American painter. 17 miles
A gorgeous, very vibrant museum: you will find Degas, Winslow Homer, George Inness and John Singer Sargent. A very fine collection of European and American paintings, sculpture, drawings and photographs from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. An extensive collection of French Impressionist painting. Home to Williams College’s graduate program in the history of Art. 50 miles.
330 locals recommend
The Clark Art Institute
225 South St
330 locals recommend
A gorgeous, very vibrant museum: you will find Degas, Winslow Homer, George Inness and John Singer Sargent. A very fine collection of European and American paintings, sculpture, drawings and photographs from the Renaissance to the early 20th century. An extensive collection of French Impressionist painting. Home to Williams College’s graduate program in the history of Art. 50 miles.
A true hub of not just the fine arts but performance as well. A simply beautiful and very important addition to that area of MA. Bring the kids. 50 miles.
44 locals recommend
Mass MoCA Way
Mass MoCA Way
44 locals recommend
A true hub of not just the fine arts but performance as well. A simply beautiful and very important addition to that area of MA. Bring the kids. 50 miles.

Groceries

These are our nearby stores
Regular large grocery store – and the closest to the house. 7 miles
48 locals recommend
Stop & Shop
55 Village Green Dr
48 locals recommend
Regular large grocery store – and the closest to the house. 7 miles
Regular grocery store, extensive wine selection. It's our go-to place for all our groceries. 12 miles
99 locals recommend
Big Y World Class Market
10 Pleasant St
99 locals recommend
Regular grocery store, extensive wine selection. It's our go-to place for all our groceries. 12 miles
Whole foods type of store – lovely selection of meats, cheeses, wine, and organic products. 11 miles
248 locals recommend
Guido's Fresh Marketplace
760 S Main St
248 locals recommend
Whole foods type of store – lovely selection of meats, cheeses, wine, and organic products. 11 miles
High-end cheese shop. less than 12 miles.
52 locals recommend
Rubiner's Cheesemongers
264 Main St
52 locals recommend
High-end cheese shop. less than 12 miles.
For basic groceries. A true old general store, great slush puppies, soft serve, great wines, great deli, and a post office. Homemade sandwiches are good! Don’t miss it. It’s across the street from the Library. 2 ½ miles
9 locals recommend
Mill River General Store
10 Great Barrington Rd
9 locals recommend
For basic groceries. A true old general store, great slush puppies, soft serve, great wines, great deli, and a post office. Homemade sandwiches are good! Don’t miss it. It’s across the street from the Library. 2 ½ miles