Thinking of enjoying a skiing getaway this winter? Great idea! Applegate Inn is conveniently close to many of the area’s best winter-sports resorts and has a variety of winter lodging specials to choose from. Come ski the Berkshires and save!

There’s nothing quite like a Berkshires skiing getaway. Whether you’re a fan of downhill, cross-country, or snowboarding, the Berkshires offer plenty of options. There are also great sledding spots, snowshoeing trails, and snowmobile tours! It’s a winter-sports wonderland!

Berkshires Lodging Specials

Applegate Inn makes it even easier to ski the Berkshires with our lodging specials!

We offer a mid-week Berkshires Skiing Special that gets you 2 ski lift tickets at Ski Butternut OR cross country skiing at Hilltop Orchards.

We’re also currently offering a Post-holiday Getaway Special that expires soon. A variety of other offers can be found on our Berkshires lodging specials and packages page. Be sure to check it out before you book your stay!

Ski the Berkshires of Western MA

As I said above, Applegate Inn is startlingly close to a great variety of Berkshires skiing opportunities. If you’re looking to ski the Berkshires, we’re well paced to be your base camp!

Cranwell Resort – www.cranwell.com
55 Lee Road, Lenox, MA – only 10 minutes from Applegate Inn. Though parts of the facility are currently undergoing renovation, skiing is still available.

Bousquet Mountain Ski Resort – www.bousquets.com
101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield, MA – only 15 minutes from Applegate Inn.

Canterbury Farm Cross Country Skiing – www.canterbury-farms.com
1986 Fred Snow Road, Becket, MA – only 20 minutes from Applegate Inn.

Ski Butternut – www.skibutternut.com
380 State Road, Route 23, Great Barrington, MA – only 20 minutes from Applegate Inn.

Hilltop Orchards – www.hilltoporchards.com
508 Canaan Road, Route 295, Richmond, MA – only 20 minutes from Applegate Inn.

Catamount Ski Area – www.catamountski.com
Route 23, South Egremont, MA – only 20 minutes from Applegate Inn.

Maple Corner Farm – www.maplecornerfarm.com
794 Beech Hill Road, Granville, MA – only 40 minutes from Applegate Inn.

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort – jiminypeak.com
37 Corey Road, Hancock, MA – only 40 minutes from Applegate Inn.

Notchview – www.thetrustees.org
Old Route 9, Windsor, MA – only 45 minutes from Applegate Inn.

Berkshires Lodging

As you can see, ski options near our Berkshires B&B are plentiful. Take advantage of our lodging specials when you book your room and we’ll help get you out on the slopes for a fantastic winter getaway!

The post Come Ski the Berkshires of Western MA appeared first on Applegate Inn.

Snow is falling outside my window as I write this but I am warmed with thoughts of the upcoming 2019 Tanglewood Popular Artists Series of concerts. Brian Wilson’s Pet Sounds, James Taylor for the 4th, Star Wars, The Goo Goo Dolls, and many others are on the summer schedule.

Tanglewood Music Festival is always worth considering when making your Berkshire getaway plans. The amount of talent that descends on the Tanglewood campus over the summer is truly stunning. It’s like a who’s who of the classical music world. Our recent post highlighting the 2019 Tanglewood Music Festival lineup illustrates that well enough.

As you likely already know, Tanglewood Music Festival isn’t restricted entirely to classical music. The annual Tanglewood Popular Artists Series is a fun aspect of the festival that brings a little bit of pop to the otherwise classical stage.

2019 Tanglewood Popular Artists Series

This year’s Popular Artists Series includes a number of performers that are new to the Tanglewood stage, along with some old, familiar faces.

James Taylor is back at Tanglewood for two days in his only scheduled, New England appearance this year. Brian Wilson is also returning to perform the Beach Boys popular Pet Sounds album in it’s entirety.

Ben Harper and Trombone Shorty and their respective bands will help close out the festival this year with what is sure to be a very magical debut duo.

It’s fun to see bands like the Goo Goo Dolls, Train, and Squeeze on the stage at Koussevitzky Music Shed. While there is always debate on the merits of pop versus classical, both kinds of music are welcome here!

On the Boston Pops front, this year will see Keith Lockhart conducting a live orchestra to accompany a screening of Star Wars: A New Hope. They’ll also present Across the Stars: the Music of John Williams and the very popular, annual John Williams’ Film Night.

The 2019 Tanglewood On Parade program will include performances of Wagner’s “The Ride of the Valkyries,” James Burton’s “Lost Words,” and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” Andris Nelsons, Keith Lockhart, John Williams, Thomas Wilkins, and James Burton to conduct.

2019 Tanglewood Popular Artists Series Schedule

June
15 Live From Here with Chris Thile
16 Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds

July
3 & 4 James Taylor and His All-Star Band
7 Across the Stars: Music of John Williams with the Boston Pops Orchestra
23 Tanglewood on Parade

August
5 Train and Goo Goo Dolls
16 Keith Lockhart conducts Star Wars: A New Hope with the Boston Pops Orchestra
24 John Williams’ Film Night
29 Squeeze at Tanglewood
31 Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals performs with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Tanglewood Music Festival 2019

Tickets for these shows always sell out very quickly. If you have any intention of going to one or more of these shows, you will want to get your tickets asap! Learn more and get tickets at www.bso.org.

Berkshires Lodging

What’s true for tickets is also true for lodging. The Berkshires are a hot commodity, come warmer weather, and events like Tanglewood Music Festival and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival only serve to make us that much more attractive. If you have future plans to visit, why wait? Choose your room at Applegate Inn today!

The post Get Your Tickets for the 2019 Tanglewood Popular Artists Series appeared first on Applegate Inn.

It’s almost March and that means Massachusetts Maple Month! Come celebrate this sweet season with a visit to a local sugar house, like Ioka Valley Farm!

The Maple sugaring season in Massachusetts is a short one, typically running from mid-February to mid-March. This is the time when temperatures rise enough for the sugar maple sap to flow.

Sugarmakers collect the sap with taps and buckets, then boil it down in their sugarhouses to make pure and delicious Massachusetts maple. The sweet and seductive scent of maple from their operations is a wonderful part of the season. Come experience it during Massachusetts Maple Month!

Massachusetts Maple Month 2019

Massachusetts Maple Month highlights and celebrates the annual maple sugar harvest. Farms and sugarhouses across the state open their doors to visitors during Maple Weekend, which is scheduled for March 16th and 17th, 2019.

Maple Weekend is an excellent time to learn all about the maple sugaring process – as well as sample some delicious and fresh maple products! There are sugarbush tours, fresh maple samples, pancake breakfasts, wagon rides, and more. Each farm has its own approach and attractions for the event. Restaurants and other venues get in the act, as well, with maple themed-events and specials.

Though March is the site of Maple Weekend and Maple Month, all the maple fun isn’t restricted to one weekend or month. Many maple producers, even those who don’t directly participate in Maple Weekend 2019, are open to visitors throughout the season.

Learn more about Massachusetts Maple Month 2019 at the www.massmaple.org. The site’s handy-dandy maple-maker map will help you find participating maple farms all over the state.

Applegate Inn, our Berkshires B&B, is surrounded by a variety of Mass maple producers – but one of our favorites is Ioka Valley Farm.

Ioka Valley Farm

Ioka Valley Farm is just up the road from us in Hancock, MA. They’re known for, among other things, their natural beef, produce, Christmas trees, and – of course – pure maple.

The farm has been producing maple since the early 1990’s and is now up to 18,000 taps! The farm produces and sells a variety of maple products, including maple syrup, sugar, cream, butter, mustard, and bbq sauce.

Better yet, you can sit down to a hot plate of pancakes, waffles, or french toast drenched in fresh maple syrup at the farm’s converted calf barn “Calf-A!”

Visit Ioka Valley Farm Sugar House

You can visit the farm year ’round but the sugar house is only open whenever they are boiling during sugaring season. Weekend sugar house tours and maple tastings are available from mid February through early April.

Ioka Valley Farm – 3475 Route 43, Hancock MA 01237
Learn more at the Ioka Valley Farm website.

The post Visit Ioka Valley Farm In March For Massachusetts Maple Month! appeared first on Applegate Inn.

The Berkshires of western Massachusetts offer something for everyone, no matter the season. Why, the things to do in Lee MA alone could keep you busy!

Applegate Inn is a four-season retreat located in the town of Lee, in the heart of the Berkshires. Our diverse and beautiful region is well worth exploring, and Applegate Inn makes the perfect “home base” for just such adventures.

We like to say that there’s always something to see or do in the Berkshires and it’s absolutely true. Between the area’s natural beauty and world-class offerings like the Tanglewood Music Festival and the Norman Rockwell Museum, you’re likely to spend more time figuring out what to miss than what to see.

Applegate Inn’s concierge service, available 2pm to 7pm most weekdays, can help you make those tougher decisions as well as reservations. While you’re making those decisions, don’t overlook some of the less famous – yet no less entertaining or amazing – things to do right here in Lee MA!

Things To Do In Lee MA

Downtown Lee Historic Main Street
Downtown Lee is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and also offers excellent shopping, dining, galleries, and more. Be sure to check out the Lee Library at 100 Main Street. It was built in 1907 with marble quarried by Lee Marble Works and is the only remaining “Carnegie library” building in the Berkshires.

Ozzie’s Glass Gallery
1670 Pleasant St, Rt.102 – www.facebook.com
Ozzie’s Glass Gallery is a Lee MA must-stop for anyone fascinated by watching a true artisan hand-craft unique works of art. Mike Ozner’s hand-blown marbles, vases, stemware, jewelry, and more are fun to watch come to life and available for purchase.

Animagic Museum of Animation
135 Main St – mambor.com
Fans of animation and special effects wizardry will enjoy visiting this quirky museum. Guided tours introduce you to the special effects history of the Berkshires, original movie models, a chance to create your own animation, and more.

Lee Premium Outlets
17 Premium Outlet Blvd – www.premiumoutlets.com
If you’re looking to get a little shopping in during you Berkshires getaway, don’t overlook Lee Premium Outlets. Shop more for less with your favorite fashion brands at up to 65% off. Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Aeropostale, and more than 50 others.

St. Francis Gallery
1370 Pleasant St, South Lee – www.saintfrancisgallery.com
St. Francis Gallery is a modern art space and gallery housed inside a 130-year-old chapel. The Gallery offers handmade Kenyan jewelry as well as other women’s cooperative generated goods.

Goose Pond Reservation
www.thetrustees.org
If you enjoy hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and soaking up the great outdoors, you’ll love Goose Pond Reservation. This managed wilderness area protects more than a quarter-mile of rocky shoreline of a mountain lake. Open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.

So Much To Do in Lee MA

The above ideas barely scratch the surface of all the great things there are to do in Lee MA, not to mention the rest of the Berkshires. When you book your stay at Applegate Inn, you’re not only reserving supreme comfort and service but also an insider’s knowledge of the area.

Let us know what things fascinate and entertain you and we’ll get you pointed in the right direction! Plan your Berkshires getaway today with accommodations at Applegate Inn!

The post So Many Great Things To Do In Lee MA appeared first on Applegate Inn.

Bash Bish Falls

Applegate Inn is just down the road from Massachusetts’ highest waterfall, Bash Bish Falls. In fact, we’re surrounded by magnificent Berkshires waterfalls and spring is the perfect time to visit them!

There’s nothing like an active waterfall to refresh and rejuvenate your spirit. The soothing sight and sound of water cascading down over rocks and crags to splash in a receiving pool below can be almost hypnotic.

There are well over 30 popular waterfalls in Berkshire County. They vary in size and accessibility but all tend at their peak with spring runoff this time of year.

All 5 Berkshires waterfalls listed below are well within a scenic hour’s drive of Applegate Inn, our Lee, MA bed and breakfast. In fact, most are an easy half-hour away.

Bash Bish Falls

Bash Bish Falls are located in Mount Washington State Forest and easily the most famous Berkshires waterfall on our list. The 80′ drop and split into two flumes is spectacular. The only problem is everyone knows it and the falls can attract up to 3,000 people a day in summer. Beat the crowds and visit them when they are at their peak in early spring! The falls are reached via an easy, less than a half-mile hike. Learn more.

Race Brook Falls

Race Brook Falls, near Sheffield, MA, is actually a series of five cascades, located on the slopes of Mount Race. Many of the falls tumble nearly 100 feet. The second set of falls are the most photogenic. While the hike to see all 5 falls is just over a mile and moderately difficult, seeing them all is worth the effort, if you’re up to it. More information.

Wahconah Falls

Wahconah Falls

This 40-foot cascade located just outside Dalton, MA only occurs after Wahconah Falls Brook splashes over several other, smaller falls. The 5-minute hike to reach the falls is considered fairly easy. Directions and info.

Campbell Falls

Campbell Falls is located in Campbell Falls State Park along the Massachusetts and Connecticut border. In fact, Campbell Falls State Park is located in Connecticut … but the falls are in Massachusetts! The 5 to 10 minute hike is fairly easy and, if you go when the flow is high, you’ll hear the falls well before you see them. The Campbell Falls cascade zigzags down the its cliff face quite spectacularly at full flow. These falls are very much worth your time. Learn more.

The Cascade

Also known as the Notch Brook Cascade, The Cascade can be found in a North Adams town park. The falls are almost hidden by the towering walls of the gorge they flow through. The flow can be an anticlimactic “horsetail” in the wrong season but, from April to June, can be surprisingly powerful. It is an easy 20 minute hike to the falls. More information.

No End To The Beauty of The Berkshires

No matter what it is that brings you to the Berkshires – culture, nature, adventure, history, romance – Applegate Inn can help. We love to share the beauty of the area with our guests and our luxury Berkshires bed and breakfast, in Lee, MA, makes for the perfect home base for any and all explorations.

Right now we’re offering a Spring Fever Lodging Special: stay any 2 nights, Thurs. – Sun. starting April 4th through May 12th, for only $189 a night! Visit our Berkshires Lodging Specials and Packages page for more details.

The post Bash Bish Falls and Other Magnificent Berkshires Waterfalls appeared first on Applegate Inn.

The signs of spring are all around us right now: blossoms, birdsong, and the annual opening of the Berkshire Botanical Garden. Berkshire Botanical Garden is open all year ’round – but their display gardens are only open May 1st through October 11.

Berkshire Botanical Garden (BBG), in Stockbridge, MA, is one of the oldest public display gardens in the Northeast. The garden’s meticulously groomed 15 acres include display gardens and walking trails throughout. Best of all, they’re just a little over 6 miles from the door of our Berkshires B&B.

The grounds showcase both horticultural excellence and superb garden design. Berkshire Botanical Garden’s display gardens are as functional as they are beautiful. The focus is on plants native to the area, along with those that may not be native but thrive here.

Though the BBG’s display gardens are seasonal, the facility remains open year-round for classes, lectures, workshops, and exhibits. Berkshire Botanical Garden also hosts a variety of special events through the year.

Major annual events include March’s fantastic Bulb Show, May’s Plant Sale, the Grow Show in August, and October’s Harvest Festival. In fact, the Harvest Festival dates back to 1935 as the Garden’s first fund raiser and has become a beloved local tradition.

Spring Events at Berkshire Botanical Garden

May 4-5 – The Lenox Garden Club Daffodil Show
If you like daffodils, you do not want to miss the annual Lenox Garden Club Daffodil Show! This judged event includes design, horticulture, and photography divisions. Free admission. May 4: 1pm to 4pm, May 5: 10am to 4pm

May 5 – Roy Boutard Day
Roy Boutard Day is a free event, held the first Sunday of every May. It celebrates the opening of BBG and honors a long-serving Garden director, Roy Boutard. The event includes the Daffodil Show (see above) as well as the annual Horticulture Certificate Program graduation and Mai Bowle Reception. 9am to 5pm

May 10-11 – Plants and Answers: Be-a-Better-Gardener Plant Sale
This year’s Mother’s Day sale includes more than 180 species/cultivars of native plants with more than a thousand woody and herbaceous plants displayed by habitat. BBG staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer design and gardening questions. New this year is the Plants-and-Answers Q&A booth and the opportunity to pre-order box lunches. View the Plant List. Free admission and parking. May 10: 11am – 5pm (opens at 9am for members), May 11: 9am – 5pm

Berkshire Botanical Garden

5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, MA 01262
BBG is open year-round. The display gardens can be toured daily, 9am to 5pm, from May 1st through Columbus Day. Group tours of the display gardens are available by appointment – (413) 298-3926.

You can also visit the gardens online at www.berkshirebotanical.org. or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Spring Fever Berkshires Lodging Special

Feeling a little Spring Fever? If so, have we got the deal for you:

Book a two-night stay at Applegate Inn between April 4th and May 12th and pay only $189 a night!

This offer is good for any room, for two or more consecutive nights, Thursdays through Sundays. Some restrictions apply. Learn more about our Spring Fever Lodging Special here – and be sure to visit our specials and packages page for more special offers!

Applegate Inn is the answer to all your Berkshires lodging questions. We’ll pamper you with candlelight breakfasts, afternoon wine and cheese, and evening cognac and chocolates. Our convenient location in the heart of the Berkshires puts the best of the area at your fingertips – but our guestrooms are so comfortable, you may not care where you are! So go ahead – reserve your room at Applegate Inn, today!

The post Spring Has Sprung at Berkshire Botanical Garden appeared first on Applegate Inn.

The weather is warming and so, too is anticipation for this year’s Tanglewood Music Festival. A number of concerts have been added to Tanglewood’s Popular Artists Series and we here at Applegate Inn have unveiled our Spring Fever Lodging special!

Tanglewood Music Festival may be primarily known as a celebration of classical symphonic, chamber, and chorale music but that’s certainly not all the event brings to the Berkshires each summer. The festival also celebrates musical theater and contemporary music, like jazz and pop.

A Tanglewood Festival without a James Taylor concert somewhere on the schedule would be a strange thing, indeed!

Earlier in the season, we posted a list of all the Tanglewood Popular Artist Series concerts that had been announced. As usual, however, more artists have since been added to the schedule.

2019 Tanglewood Music Festival Popular Artists Additions

The Tanglewood schedule now includes Richard Thompson, Earth Wind & Fire, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Josh Groban, Gladys Knight, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Melissa Etheridge, and Reba McEntire.

June
15 Live From Here with Chris Thile
16 Brian Wilson Presents Pet Sounds
21 Richard Thompson
28 Earth, Wind & Fire
30 Rodrigo y Gabriela

July
2 Josh Groban
3 & 4 James Taylor and His All-Star Band
7 Across the Stars: Music of John Williams with the Boston Pops Orchestra
23 Tanglewood on Parade

August
5 Train and Goo Goo Dolls
16 Keith Lockhart conducts Star Wars: A New Hope with the Boston Pops Orchestra
24 John Williams’ Film Night
28 Gladys Knight with special guest The Spinners
29 Squeeze
30 Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo and Melissa Etheridge
31 Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals performs with Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

September
1 Reba McEntire

Tanglewood Music Festival 2019

Tanglewood tickets have a way of disappearing like smoke in the wind. If you hope to attend any of these shows, NOW is the time to buy your tickets. Get yours at www.bso.org.

Spring Fever Berkshires Lodging Special

Applegate Inn has Spring Fever – and we want to share it with YOU:

Book a two night stay between April 4th and May 12th, 2019 and pay only $189 a night! This Berkshires lodging special is good for any room, for 2 or more consecutive nights, Thursday through Sunday.

To receive this special rate, mention it when you call ( 413-243-4451 ) or enter the word “Spring” in the promotional code box under “Special Rates” when you book online.

Get more details on this special and be sure to check out our other Berkshires lodging specials, packages and add-ons.

HAPPY SPRING!

The post 2019 Tanglewood Festival Late Additions and Our Spring Lodging Special appeared first on Applegate Inn.

Grab your popcorn and head to your seat: Berkshire International Film Festival 2019 is coming right up. This year’s event features over 60 films and legendary director Martin Scorsese, among others. May 30th to June 2nd in Great Barrington, MA and May 31st to June 2nd in Pittsfield, MA.

The 14th annual Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) continues the tradition of bringing the best to the Berkshire screen. See the latest in independent features, documentaries, short films, and family films.

Along with all the films and eager fans, the festival also attracts big name filmmakers and industry professionals. They premier films, present talks, participate in seminars, and attend events and screenings.

This year’s very special guest is the legendary director of such hits as “Goodfellas,” Taxi Driver,” and “The Departed.” Martin Scorsese Tribute Night (June 1st) will feature screenings of “Raging Bull” as well as Scorsese’s latest film, “Silence,” starring Adam Driver. Martin Scorsese will also share stories from his five-decade long career in conversation with New York Film Festival director Kent Jones.

Berkshire International Film Festival 2019 Highlights

Opening Night in Great Barrington – May 30th
“What She Said: the Art of Pauline Kael,” opens the festival at the Triplex Cinema. The film celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of longtime New Yorker film critic and best-selling author Pauline Kael. Director Rob Garver, New Yorker film critic Craig Seligman, artist Gregory Crewdson, and writer Stephanie Zacharek will host a Q&A after the film.

Opening Night in Pittsfield – May 31st
Pittsfield’s opening night sees “The Apollo” at the Beacon. “The Apollo” is a rollicking documentary on New York city’s legendary Apollo Theater. The Apollo Theater has served as an African American cultural anchor since 1934. , and through its doors have passed the most legendary African American artists of the past nine decades.

Closing Night – June 2nd
Berkshire International Film Festival 2019 closes with a screening of “Museum Town” at Great Barrington’s Triplex Cinema. “Museum Town” is the highly acclaimed SXSW hit documentary about the Berkshires own MASS MoCA. Film director Jennifer Trainer former Governor Jane Swift, Wilco bassist John Stirratt, and others will participate in a Q&A after the film.

Tea Talks
BIFF Tea Talks return! These popular sessions include in-depth conversations with special guests about featured films at the festival. Gain fascinating insight into the filmmaking process from the people who do it about films you’ve just seen.

Berkshire International Film Festival 2019

May 30th to June 2nd in Great Barrington – May 31st to June 2nd in Pittsfield
Visit the Berkshire International Film Festival website for directions, tickets, and more details. You can also follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Berkshires Lodging

Applegate Inn, in Lee, MA, offers 11 beautifully appointed suites with private baths, fireplaces, and spa tubs. Our convenient location in the heart of the Berkshires puts you within minutes of the festival. Book your stay at Applegate Inn today!

The post Get Your Tickets for Berkshire International Film Festival 2019! appeared first on Applegate Inn.

Spring is whipping by and, before you know it, summer will be here, along with Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2019! This year’s event is scheduled to run from June 19th though August 25th, 2019.

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival has been bringing talented performers and amazed fans of dance to the Berkshires for 87 years. Despite its age, America’s longest-running international dance festival shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, 2018 was one of the festival’s biggest and most popular years and this year’s event is looking just as exciting.

Highlights for Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2019 include world and U.S. premieres, new commissions, anniversary celebrations, and exclusive engagements. This year’s festival features a number of artists from around the world, including Cuba, Australia, France, and Canada.

2019 Dance Festival Special Events

Opening Gala & After Party – June 15
The opening gala features one-night only performances, auctions, and dinner on the Great Lawn. The After Party includes an open bar, delicious treats, and dancing into the night with the Silver Arrow Band!

All Styles Dance Party – June 30
Witness the spectacle of an all-styles dance battle between festival artists, School at Jacob’s Pillow students, and area dancers. What fun!

Pillow Pride – August 2-4
The Dance Festival’s annual LGBTQIA+ celebration is one of the most popular dance parties of the summer. This year’s event will be hosted by Tyler Ashley, The Dauphine of Bushwick, and includes exclusive tours and pop-up performances.

Gotta Dance – August 18
An evening showcase of choreography and improvisations created in just three weeks by tap students from The School at Jacob’s Pillow.

Summer Send-Off – August 24
Celebrate a fabulous Festival season with this epic, final dance party of the season on the Pillow’s Great Lawn!

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival presents more than 350 free performances, talks, exhibits, classes, and a variety of special events each year. The Jacob’s Pillow grounds are a National Historic Landmark. Tour the grounds, visit the School at Jacob’s Pillow, and enjoy a picnic on the lawn or a meal at an on-site restaurant.

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2019

June 19 though August 25
358 George Carter Rd, Becket, MA 01223
Visit www.jacobspillow.org for a schedule, tickets, and other information. You can also follow the festival on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Berkshires Lodging

Planning on visiting the Berkshires for one or more Pillow Dance performances? Applegate Inn is just minutes away from Jacob’s Pillow! The convenient location, plush guest rooms, and history of unmatched service of our Berkshires bed and breakfast make us an excellent lodging choice. Book your stay at Applegate Inn today!

The post Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival 2019 appeared first on Applegate Inn.

Over the last two summers, we’ve been watching as 4 new buildings were added to the Tanglewood Music Center campus. The new Linde Center for Music and Learning, summer home to the Tanglewood Learning Institute, opens June, 2019 with 140 summer events!

Tanglewood Music Festival heats up Berkshires summers like no other series of events. Now, thanks to the newly constructed Linde Center, the excitement can continue throughout the year. That’s because the new buildings are the first at Tanglewood with both heating and air conditioning, making the state-of-the-art facility truly all-season!

The Linde Center complex provides performance and rehearsal space for Tanglewood Music Center and Tanglewood Learning Institute. The largest of the buildings has seating for 200 concert goers. The same, flexible space can also provide space for up to 300 students. Smaller studios are available for small ensemble rehearsals, master classes, and lectures.

While the Center has less seating than Ozawa Hall, those it does provide put you closer to the performers than ever before.

The new buildings have state-of-the-art audio and video facilities, roof-mounted solar panels, and other environmentally friendly features. There is also a new, 150-seat café. Enjoy a meal between shows and you rub elbows with some of the world’s finest musicians!

Grand Opening and 2019 Summer Schedule

The public ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Linde Center is scheduled for Friday, June 28th, with open houses the following day. Soon thereafter the Tanglewood Learning Institute 2019 summer schedule begins – and what a schedule! More than 140 events are on tap.

While not all events are scheduled to be held in the new Linde Center, many will, including:

String Quartet MasterPass – June 22—30
Take an immersive, highly interactive 8-day journey with current and former members of the Juilliard String Quartet. More information here.

Meet the Makers – Benoît Rolland, bow maker – July 5
Benoît Rolland is one of the world’s preeminent bow makers in the French tradition. Learn more.</a

Conducting Class led by Andris Nelsons – July 16
Grammy Award-winning Andris Nelsons, Music Director of the BSO, is one of the world’s most renowned and innovative conductors. Further details.

Wagner Weekend – July 26-28
A three-day immersive dive into the magic of Richard Wagner’s world of music and myth, including a rehearsal of the second opera from Wagner’s mighty Ring cycle. A welcome breakfast, Friday and Saturday lunches, and Sunday dinner are part of the package. More info.

Visit www.tli.org for the full Summer 2019 schedule.

The Linde Center & Tanglewood Learning Institute

W Hawthorne Rd, Lenox, MA 01240
Visit Tanglewood Learning Institute online for more information.

Berkshires Lodging

Applegate Inn makes the perfect home base for any and all of your Berkshires getaway plans. Our Berkshires inn offers 10 guest rooms and a Carriage House on 6 park-like acres. Let us pamper you with candlelight breakfasts, afternoon wine and cheese service, evening cognac and chocolates, and attentive service. Book your Berkshires getaway at Applegate Inn today!

The post Tanglewood Learning Institute & The Linde Center for Music and Learning appeared first on Applegate Inn.

Greenock Country Club is one of America’s first golf courses. The club features a classic, 9-hole, Donald Ross designed course, clay tennis courts, a restaurant, and more. Plus it’s literally just across the road from our Berkshires bed and breakfast!

We’ve mentioned the convenience of our Lee, MA location before. So much of what brings people to the Berkshires is very easily accessed from Applegate Inn: Tanglewood, Jacobs Pillow, the Norman Rockwell Museum, The Clark Art Institute, Mass MOCA, and so much more.

But … did you realize our Berkshires B&B is just across the road from golf, tennis, and more?

Greenock Country Club

220 West Park Street, Lee, MA 01238

Greenock Country Club is – not figuratively but quite literally – just across Stockbridge Road from Applegate Inn. Though a proper country club, Greenock is open to the public, as well as its members.

The golf course at Greenock dates back to 1895, making it one of the country’s oldest and first golf courses. It’s also one of America’s first formally recognized clubs.

If you enjoy beautiful panoramic views as your game backdrop, you’ll love playing a round or more at Greenock. Well-groomed fairways and greens offer challenging play for all skill levels.

The 9-hole course was redesigned in 1927 by legendary golf architect Donald Ross. It is one the few existing 9-hole golf courses designed by Ross and part of the Donald Ross Golf Trail.

The Ross course remains largely intact and features many of the designer’s trademarks. Elements like elevated greens, tightly mown chipping areas and incorporating natural terrain into the green. The course offers 3,080 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 35.

challenging play for golfers at every skill level. Well-groomed fairways and greens keep Greenock Country Club difficult yet friendly, and the staff can offer tips and tricks for playing your best round.

More than Golf

Greenock Country Club is also known for it’s classic, red clay tennis courts.

The courts are currently operated by the Lee County Community Tennis Association (CTA). If you’d like to get in a game during your visit, you’ll need to register for a free, 7-day, Lee County CTA Guest membership. Learn more here.

The club also includes a restaurant and lounge operated by KJ Nosh. The menu features soups, salads, sandwiches, pub eats, and full entrees, along with cocktails, craft beers, and more.

Hours for the club Restaurant & Lounge are Monday through Saturday 11am to 9pm and Sundays, 11am to 6pm. View the full menu here.

Hours of Operation

The Greenock Country Club Golf Course is open 7 days a week, 7am to dusk. Visit the club website for more information. You can also visit their Facebook page.

The post Greenock Country Club – It’s Just Across the Road! appeared first on Applegate Inn.

The Crane Museum of Papermaking may sound like a real yawner until you learn that Crane & Co not only make the paper for our country’s currency, they’re the only ones to do so since 1879!

As you likely know, United States currency is printed on fabric, not paper made from wood. Recovered rags, to be more precise. Rag paper is a combination of cloth and linen cloth. This resulting blend is stronger, tougher, and feels better than wood-based paper.

You may have also noticed the red and blue fibers in the background of your U.S. bills, along with many other counterfeiting inhibitors. The very nature of rag paper makes it easier to add these kinds of security elements. And Crane & Co are the only ones to have done it for the United States in 140 years and counting.

Visiting The Crane Museum

The Crane Museum is located in an unobtrusive looking building in Dalton, MA, just a half mile down the road from our Berkshires inn. This building, located on a bank of the Housatonic River, is last remaining building – the rag room – of Crane & Co’s Old Stone Mill.

The Cranes built The Old Stone Mill in the early 1840’s specifically for paper production. The rag room was converted into a museum in 1930 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building’s venerable age is revealed through rough-hewn oak beams, colonial chandeliers, many-paned windows, and wide oak floorboards.

Exhibits at the museum trace the long history of Crane papermaking all the way back to its roots in 1770. Crane’s first mill was The Liberty Mill in Milton, MA. The Liberty Mill played a role in the American revolution, serving famed revolutionaries like Paul Revere, Henry Knox, John Hancock, and many others.

One of the most popular exhibits at the museum is the incredibly intricate scale model of the the original, Crane mill Vat House. This beautiful work of art, handmade by Dard Hunter, perfectly illustrates the original, rag-papermaking process.

The Crane Museum of Papermaking

32 Pioneer St, Dalton, MA 01226
Open June 3rd to October 26th, 2019
Mondays through Fridays 1pm to 5pm. Saturdays 10am to 2pm
Visit cranemuseum.org for more information. You can also visit the Crane Museum on Facebook.

Berkshires Lodging

Applegate Inn makes the perfect home base for any Berkshires getaway. Our convenient location in Lee, MA puts the best of the Berkshires institutions within easy reach. Soak up your luxurious guest room, candlelight breakfasts, beautiful gardens, our heated swimming pool, and more. Book your stay today at Applegate Inn.

The post From Rags to Riches at The Crane Museum of Papermaking appeared first on Applegate Inn.

For those considering a visit to the Mount Greylock area during their stay, we suggest a stop by Greylock Glen, a new kind of outdoor recreation area in Adams, MA.

Mount Greylock is Massachusetts’ highest peak, with a summit of 3489 feet. The eye-popping vista from this point can reach as far as 90 miles away. The summit is an understandably popular destination, reachable by car in less than an hour from our Lee MA inn.

Greylock Glen is a 1,063 acre parcel of land just east of Mount Greylock. The acreage has seen a variety of development projects over the last decade or so but none successful – and none like this.

A Sustainable Outdoor Recreation Area

Where previous plans seemed in conflict with the natural environment, Greylock Glen is actively working with nature to minimize its impact.

Over 1,000 acres of the Glen will remain undeveloped. Plans for lodging, recreation, and education facilities will use up about half of the remaining acres. These plans incorporate green building designs, renewable energy technologies, and sustainable operating plans.

Outdoor Recreation at the Glen

An extensive trail system connects Greylock Glen directly to Mount Greylock State Reservation. Learn more about trails at the Glen.

The reserve offers a wide range of hiking, biking, and picnicking opportunities. Birdwatchers and other wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to remember their binoculars and cameras.

In the colder months, Greylock is a popular destination for ice skaters, snowshoers, skiers, and snowboarders.

There’s simply no end of things to do at Greylock Glen, whether you’re looking for a real workout or just a pleasant outing.

More Than Just Trails

Plans for a future Outdoor Center detail a net-zero building with classrooms, a retail outdoor gear shop, and a cafe. The Amphitheater will host concerts, plays, festivals, and many other exciting cultural events.

Greylock Glen already hosts a growing number of annual events. These include the popular, fall foliage Greylock Ramble, the Thunderbolt Ski Race, M.A.G.I.Con, and much more.

Greylock Glen

Gould Rd, Adams, MA 01220
Learn more at the Greylock Glen website.

Nearby Adams MA is also worth your attention.

Adams is a picturesque valley town with many historic Victorian homes and buildings downtown. It is home to the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, the East Hoosuck Quaker Meeting House, the Thunderbolt Ski Museum, among other points of interest.

Berkshires Lodging

After a day of exploring the natural beauty of the Glen, you’ll be glad you’re headed back to the comforts of your room at our Berkshires bed and breakfast. Our inn is a Select Registry property offering luxurious accommodations including private baths, fireplaces, and spa tubs to soothe away any aches and pains. Applegate Inn is a Gilded Age inn ensconced on 6 park-like acres located just a half mile’s walk from historic downtown Lee.  Book your stay at Applegate Inn today.

The post Explore Greylock Glen Outdoor Recreation Area appeared first on Applegate Inn.

Come compete or spectate at one of the oldest continuous, annual triathlons in the country during Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon 2019! Sunday, September 15, 2019 – Great Barrington to Stockbridge, MA.

The Josh Billings RunAground is a bike/paddle/run triathlon, as opposed to the more common bike/swim/run event. The race involves a 27 mile bike ride, a 5 mile canoe/kayak/SUP leg, and a 6 mile run. The event was first held in 1976 and has been a Berkshires tradition ever since.

The event was named after Josh Billings, pen name of humorist, Henry Wheeler Shaw (1818-1885). Shaw was famous for his fun-loving, none-too-serious tone – an attitude which is carried over into the triathlon that bears his name.

Race Day Details

The first leg of the triathlon is the 27 mile bike race from Great Barrington to Stockbridge on scenic back country roads. The second leg is the 5-mile paddling sprint around Stockbridge’s Lake Mahkeenac on canoes, kayaks, or stand up paddle boards. The final leg is the 6 mile foot race to the main gate of Tanglewood, in Lenox.

Winners will receive their awards after the race during the celebratory Bash at Tanglewood. The Bash also includes food, drink, vendors, a Kid’s Race, and live music from the popular, local band The Presecription.

2019 Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon Schedule

Saturday, September 14
12pm to 5:30pm – Race Registration at The Arcadian Shop in Lenox
2pm – Ironperson meeting in the cafe area with Kent Lemme
12pm to 3pm – Kid’s Race Registration
5pm to 7:30pm – Free Spaghetti Dinner at Bousquet Ski area in Pittsfield

Sunday, September 15
8am to 8:30am – “Last Minute” packet pickup at the bike start
8:30am – Bikers report to the Price Chopper parking lot
9am – Paddlers report to the Stockbridge Bowl boat ramp
9:30am – Race Begins at the Price Chopper parking lot in Great Barrington
10:30am – Runners report to Camp Mah-Kee-Nac
12pm to 4pm – The Bash at Tanglewood
12pm to 1pm – Kids Race Registration at the Tanglewood United Way tent
2pm – Free Kid’s Fun Run (1/2 mile) on Tanglewood Grounds

43rd Annual Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon

Sunday, September 15, 2019
Race starts 9:30am at Price Chopper, Rt 7, Great Barrington, MA

Visit joshbillings.com for more informtion. You can also follow this event on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Berkshires Lodging

Whenever you’re in the Berkshires, Applegate Inn would love to be your home away from home. The convenient location of our Berkshires bed and breakfast in Lee, MA puts the best of the area at your feet. In fact, we’re less than 15 minutes away from both the start of The Josh and the celebratory Bash at Tanglewood. Book your stay at Applegate Inn today!

The post Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon 2019 appeared first on Applegate Inn.

Happy Birthday Lee, MA! The home of Applegate Inn celebrates its 242nd birthday this year and you are invited! Lee Founders Weekend is scheduled for September 13th through the 15th, 2019. Come out and join in the fun with a parade, Taste of Lee, a Craft Fair, and so much more.

The end of summer always gets here too fast but it’s also such a beautiful time of year, here in the Berkshires. Soon the leaves will be changing color and the temps will begin to drop but for now it’s still warm and lovely with plenty to do and see.

It is just with this in mind that we offer our seasonal Berkshires lodging special:

Labor Day Lodging Special

Applegate Inn is happy to once again offer our Late Summer – Labor Day Lodging Special.

This offer nets you a 25% discount off a two consecutive night stay. Stay a third consecutive night and receive 30% off!

This special is available starting August 26th through September 1st, 2019. Some restrictions apply. Learn more on our Labor Day Special page. Be sure to check out our other Berkshires lodging specials and packages as well.

Lee Founders Weekend Highlights

Lee Founders Weekend is a traditional, Berkshires hometown celebration. The popular event sees three days of delicious food, lively music, and good, old-time fun. So much fun, in fact, that we can’t possibly list it all here. Instead, we’ll just go over some of the weekend’s bigger highlights.

The annual “Taste of Lee” kicks off the festivities with a culinary street party Berkshires-style! Enjoy an al fresco array of dining options on a closed section of Main Street, from Lee’s finest restaurants and local food vendors. The evening also includes music, fun activities, and a fireworks display. 5pm to 8pm, September 13.

On Saturday things really get going. There’s the annual Founders Weekend 5K Road Race, held early in the day at Lee High. The Hometown Parade, a traditional, small town parade down Main Street, follows closely behind. This event is one of the weekend’s highlights and not to be missed.

After the parade, Main Street clears for sidewalk sales, kids activities, food, live music, and more. The evening includes a concert of live music by an as-of-yet unannounced band at the historic 1st Congregational Church.

The fun continues on Sunday, beginning with the annual Pancake Breakfast at Saint Mary’s School. Greenock Country Club will once again host the Vintage Tennis Tournament on their red clay courts, and everyone always enjoys the Duck Derby.

Join in the Lions Club Duck Derby for only $5 or just watch as hundreds of yellow rubber ducks “race” down the Housatonic through downtown Lee. The first duck across the finish and many runners receive cash and prizes.

Come join in the fun!

Lee Founders Weekend 2019

September 13th through the 15th, 2019
Visit www.leechamber.org for more information.

Berkshires Lodging
Applegate Inn is proud to be a part of the Lee community and surrounded by a wealth of attractions and activities. Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow Dance, theaters, museums, galleries, hiking, dining, golfing, shopping, and more. Come explore all that the Berkshires have to offer. Book your stay at Applegate Inn today!

The post Labor Day Lodging Special & Lee Founders Weekend 2019 appeared first on Applegate Inn.

Lenox Apple Squeeze 2019 is just weeks away on September 21st and 22nd in Lenox, MA. The beloved, annual Berkshires harvest festival always includes great food, live music, craft vendors, and so much more.

2019 marks the 40th anniversary of Lenox Apple Squeeze. The FREE, 2-day harvest celebration and street festival includes nearly 150 food, craft, and local business vendors spread throughout downtown Lenox.

Arts and crafts vendors at the festival will have tents full of unique hand-crafted items. You’ll see handmade jewelry, woven baskets, local soaps, quilts, photographs, paintings, woodcarvings, and more.

Local merchants also get in on the fun with great sidewalk sales and big discounts. Come peruse the apparel, home goods, toys, artwork, and other goods at great prices.

Along with all the vendors, the festival also includes fun! Games, shows, live music, wagon rides, a 5k, Children’s Olympics, and much more. Last year’s event included ten live bands on two stages. What surprises will this year’s festival have?

Of course, the big draw at Lenox Apple Squeeze is all the great food, much of it featuring apples as an ingredient. Apple pies, apple cakes, applesauce, cider, donuts, muffins, and even ice cream. You’ll also see corn chowder, foot-tall cake slices, and kettle corn. Local food trucks will also be on hand, so there’s no reason to ever go hungry. It is a harvest festival, after all!

The festival also includes a beer garden (with hard cider, too, of course!) and local wineries like Balderdash Cellars will be on hand with free tastings and bottles for sale.

Brighten the end of your summer with a visit to the Berkshires and the 40th annual Lenox Apple Squeeze!

Lenox Apple Squeeze 2019

September 21st and 22nd
10am to 7pm, Saturday – 10am to 5pm, Sunday
Downtown Lenox, MA

Visit the Apple Squeeze website for more details. You can also follow this event on Facebook.

Lenox Lodging
Applegate Inn, in Lee, MA is just minutes away from downtown Lenox. Our Berkshires bed and breakfast is a Select Registry property with 11 beautifully appointed guest suites. Private baths, fireplaces, and spa tubs are just the beginning of the amenities at our Gilded Age, Berkshires inn near historic downtown Lee. Book your stay at Applegate Inn today!

The post Lenox Apple Squeeze 2019 – the 40th Annual Return! appeared first on Applegate Inn.

If you’re a “leaf-peeper,” or just a fan of stunning scenery, October is the peak month for viewing Berkshires fall foliage in western Massachusetts. Make plans to visit now, while the everchanging rainbow of autumn leaves is still up in the trees.

There is never a bad time to visit the Berkshires of Western MA but, when it comes to colorful views, you could pick a worse time than Autumn. The leaf-peeping season begins here in late September and tends to peak during mid-October, around Columbus Day weekend. That’s when our always picturesque landscape bursts to life with color. Reds, golds, oranges, browns, greens and all the tones in between.

Lucky for you, Applegate Inn is right in the middle of some of the area’s most gorgeous country. That’s the thing about the Berkshires. You don’t have to go anywhere to find beautiful fall foliage – it’s all around you!

If you’re up for a drive, however, the area offers endless possibilities.

Berkshires Fall Foliage Drives

One of the most popular fall foliage drives is the Jacob’s Ladder Trail Scenic Byway.

This 30 mile tour starts off on Route 20 here in Lee, MA and takes you to Russel, MA. Along the way, you’ll pass foothills, fields, and small towns, made golden by the season. Chester-Blandford State Forest and Jacob’s Pillow are also along the route.

Another very popular fall foliage trip will have you soaking up the fantastic fall colors from the summit of Mount Greylock.

The route runs north, up U.S. Route 7, passing through Lenox, Pittsfield, and some of the most gorgeous autumn scenery around. Route 7 is only 2.5 miles away from our Berkshires bed and breakfast, at the Stockbridge end of our road.

Traveling North towards Mount Greylock will take you past lovely farms, rolling hills, and scenic panoramas. Attractions in Lenox include Tanglewood, Edith Wharton’s The Mount, and Ventfort Hall. Pittsfeild is home to Hancock Shaker Village, Herman Melville’s Arrowhead, and Balderdash Cellars.

Once you pass through Lanesborough, you’ll want to keep your eye out for the turn off to Mount Greylock State Park. You’ll be happy to know that reaching the summit of Mount Greylock requires no climbing at all – except by your vehicle.

At an elevation of 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. On a clear day, you can see for more than 90 miles. These sweeping views provide four of five states worth of fall foliage views!

Be sure to stop by Bascom Lodge while you’re here, too. You won’t believe how delicious their “farm-to-summit” meals are – and the views never stop.

Fall Events in the Berkshires

Harvest season sees lots of events and celebrations in the Berkshires and you may want to time your visit to catch one. Two of the biggest are:

The 64th Annual Fall Foliage Parade in North Adams – October 6
A popular and free annual parade in North Adams celebrating the Northern Berkshire fall foliage. This year’s theme, “There’s No Place Like Home in The Berkshires.” honors the 80-year-old, cinematic classic, Wizard of Oz.

85th Annual Harvest Festival at Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge – October 12 and 13
The Berkshire Botanical Garden Harvest Festival is a family-friendly celebration showcasing local artists and craft artisans. The event features non-stop entertainment, food trucks, book sales, farmers markets, contests, kids activities, and more.

Berkshires Lodging

Whatever brings you out to the Berkshires, Applegate Inn would love to be your home away from home. Our Select Registry property features eleven beautifully appointed suites with private baths, fireplaces, and spa tubs. Book your Berkshires fall foliage getaway today at Applegate Inn!

The post October is Peak Color Month for Berkshires Fall Foliage appeared first on Applegate Inn.

It’s October and don’t look now but All Hallows Eve is slowly creeping closer! If you’ve a taste for the spooky and are looking for some Berkshires Halloween fun, Edith Wharton’s The Mount and Naumkeag are great places to start.

Halloween is always a good time with “creepy” decorations, yummy treats, fun parties, and, of course, all the creative costumes. The holiday is supposed to be kind of scary but is really just a bunch of good, clean fun.

The Berkshires get into the spirit (boo!) every year with a wide variety of Halloween related celebrations for both young and old. If that sounds like your cup of tea … or arsenic … read on.

Ghost Tours and Stories at The Mount

Edith Wharton (1832-1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer.  “The Age of Innocence,” “Ethan Frome,” and “The House of Mirth,” are but a few titles of the more than 40 she authored in as many years. She designed The Mount, now a historic site dedicated to her life and writings, to be her home and writer’s retreat.

Along with her more famous works, Wharton penned a number of ghost stories. Though she claimed to not to believe in ghosts, the author also stated that she feared them and admitted to sometimes sleeping with the lights on. Come experience some of those same thrills and chills with Ghost Tours at The Mount!

Mount Ghost Tours are two-hour, guided experiences that take you to the spookiest and most haunted parts of the estate. A great many people have lived at The Mount since its construction in 1902. If ghosts do exist, certainly some will be hanging around this historic site!

The tours include around a half-mile walk with some areas not suitable for wheelchairs or children under 12. Attendees should wear warm clothes and sensible shoes. Costumes are encouraged. Those who do so may enter the costume contest.

A selection of Wharton’s ghost stories will be presented on October 30th.

The Mount 2019 Halloween Schedule

Ghost Tours
Fridays, September through October, 5:45pm and 7pm
Saturday, October 19 and 26, 5:45pm and 7pm
Thursday, October 31st at 8pm and 10pm

Edith Wharton’s Ghost Stories
Wednesday, October 30th, 5pm to 6pm

Edith Wharton’s The Mount
2 Plunkett Street, Lenox, Massachusetts 01240-0974
Space is limited, so please reserve ahead of time: www.edithwharton.org

A Naumkeag Halloween

Naumkeag is a National Historic Landmark and one of the Berkshires’ original gilded-age cottages. The house and grounds are open from mid-April to early October every year and are very much worth your time.

Though “closed for the season” by the time Halloween rolls around, Naumkeag reopens its doors for this spooky holiday. Come see the more then 400 jack-o-lanterns and over 1000 pumpkins and gourds, along with a variety of special events, at Naumkeag!

Naumkeag 2019 Halloween Schedule

The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show – October 10-13, 17 18-20, 24, and 27
The Pumpkin Trail – October 11 and 12
Mind-reading by mentalist Keith Zalinger – October 13
Live Action Clue – October 18 and 19
Haunted House – October 25 an 26
Seance/Spirit Message Circle – October 27
All-Ages Trick-or-Treat at Naumkeag – October 31

Naumkeag
5 Prospect Hill Rd, Stockbridge, MA 01262
Visit www.thetrustees.org to learn more about these and other upcoming events.

Berkshires Lodging

Both Naumkeag and The Mount are less than 10 minutes drive from our Berkshires bed and breakfast, Applegate Inn in Lee, MA! In fact, our centrally located Berkshires inn puts the best of the region at your fingertips. Choose from eleven beautifully appointed suites, complete with private baths, fireplaces, and spa tubs. Applegate Inn is your ticket to relaxation and service in the Berkshires!

The post Halloween Fun at The Mount and Naumkeag appeared first on Applegate Inn.

The Clark Art Institute, in Williamstown, MA is considered one of the country’s foremost art museums. The stunning collection includes paintings, sculpture, decorative art, and works on paper from around the world and ranging from the Renaissance to the early twentieth century.

Though nearly an hour’s drive from our Berkshires bed and breakfast, the Clark Art Institute remains a worthy destination for fans of fine art. Few museums in the country can rival The Clark’s collection, which includes more than 6,000 works from some of the most important and celebrated artists in history. Dürer, Rodin, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Gauguin, Homer, Pissarro, Cassatt, Millet, Inness, and Singer Sargent, to name but a few.

The Clark collection spans from the fifteenth century to the early twentieth century and includes a collection of more than 1,000 European and American photographs from the 1840s through the 1910s. This collection includes important works by Eugène Atget, Julia Margaret Cameron, Gustave Le Gray, Nadar, Alfred Stieglitz, and many others.

Clark History

The Clark Art Institute was founded by Robert Sterling and Francine Clark. Robert Sterling Clark (1877-1956) was a soldier, entrepreneur, explorer, and heir to the Singer sewing machine fortune. He and Francine began collecting fine art in the early 1900’s. By the 1940’s, they were looking for a safe place to both store and exhibit their collection.

Where better than the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts? The Clark opened its doors in Williamstown in 1955.

Visiting the Clark

The Clark, itself, is a work of art.

The 140 acre campus includes both expansive natural vistas and lovely architectural features. One favorite is the three-tiered, one-acre reflecting pool. Here visitors can picnic or just relax and enjoy their elegant surroundings. The campus is also open for hiking and cross-country skiing, in season.

The Clark also presents a number of special events throughout the year. Gallery talks, educational programs, member events, performances, and more. Be sure to check out the institute event calendar when planning your trip!

Hungry? Visit the institute’s Café 7 for an authentic farm-to-table experience of soups, sandwiches, and salads made with locally sourced ingredients from nearby farms. Located on the lower level of the Clark Center, with both indoor and outdoor seating. 10am to 4pm.

The Clark Art Institute

225 South St., Williamstown, MA

Clark Art galleries are open seasonally, 9am to 5pm. Visit www.clarkart.edu for more information. You can also follow the institute on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Consider stopping at some of the many other Berkshires attractions along the way and make a day-trip of it. We’d be more than happy to help your itinerary. Just let us know what your interests are! Book your stay at Applegate Inn today!

The post Explore the Clark Art Institute appeared first on Applegate Inn.

Get into the holiday spirit with a festive stroll through the Naumkeag gardens draped in a sparkling blanket of colorful holiday lights! Winterlights 2019 runs from November 21st to December 31st in Stockbridge, MA.

The historic, Gilded-Age “cottage” and grounds of the Naumkeag estate open seasonally between mid-April and early October. The museum and gardens are closed during the winter months with a few special exceptions. One of the most popular  exceptions occurs during the holidays every year – Winterlights!

Winterlights sees the already beautifully sculpted and meticulously maintained gilded-age gardens bedecked in thousands of multi-colored Christmas lights. Visitors stroll the gardens, taking in the wonderful sights and enjoying other seasonal fun like scavenger hunts, crafts, costumed characters, and yummy snacks.

Every year’s Winterlights display is unique and Winterlights 2019 promises to be bigger and better than ever. Even if you’ve been before, you’ve never seen this!

Winterlights 2019 Schedule

5pm to 8pm
November 21-22 (Members only preview), 23-24, 29-30
December 1, 5-8, 12-15, 19-23, 26-29, 30-31

Winterlights is a ticketed event that tends to sell out fairly quickly. If you hope to attend, now is the time to plan your visit and grab those tickets!

Parking for this event is at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy at 2 Prospect Hill Road, in Stockbridge, MA. A free shuttle will transport you to Naumkeag grounds. Your Winterlights tickets will contain further shuttle details.

Visiting Naumkeag

5 Prospect Hill Rd, Stockbridge MA 01262
Joseph Hodges Choate, New York City attorney and ambassador to England, built Naumkeag in 1885 as a summer estate. The property stayed in the Choate family until 1958, when it was bequeathed to The Trustees of Reservations, an organization dedicated to preserving Massachusetts’ natural and historical places.

The original, gilded-age cottage and grounds are an architectural and landscaping masterpiece, not to mention a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of both the exquisite home and gardens during their visit.

As I mentioned above, the grounds and home are open seasonally from mid-April to early October, with some special events in the off-season. Visit www.thetrustees.org for more information.

Berkshires Lodging

Applegate Inn wants to be your Berkshires home away from home for the holidays! Our centrally located Berkshires bed and breakfast in Lee, MA puts us at the center of the action. In fact, our eleven, beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites are all less than 10 minutes from Naumkeag! Book your stay at Applegate Inn today!

The post Don’t Miss Naumkeag Winterlights 2019! appeared first on Applegate Inn.