Carol’s guidebook
Food scene
Great local restaurant and bar. Live music on the weekends; beautiful outdoor dining on deck and beach. Lakefront location.
37 locals recommend
Ashfield Lakehouse
141 Buckland RdGreat local restaurant and bar. Live music on the weekends; beautiful outdoor dining on deck and beach. Lakefront location.
Weekend breakfast and brunch. Favorite for both locals and tourists traveling the area.
40 locals recommend
Elmer's Store
396 Main StWeekend breakfast and brunch. Favorite for both locals and tourists traveling the area.
Countrypie Pizza Co.
343 Main StBest pizza in western Massachusetts - and local to Ashfield!
Sightseeing
Easy hike to a small view of the hills in one direction; down a short path to the falls in the opposite direction. Trails connect to the Ashfield Trails which are extensive throughout the area. Easy trails for any level.
20 locals recommend
Chapel Falls
Easy hike to a small view of the hills in one direction; down a short path to the falls in the opposite direction. Trails connect to the Ashfield Trails which are extensive throughout the area. Easy trails for any level.
Three Sisters Sanctuary
188 Cape StEclectic; wonderful; magical place
Located in nearby Shelburne Falls, with local shopping, restaurants, and easy walking including the Bridge of Flowers.
11 locals recommend
Shelburne Falls Potholes
Located in nearby Shelburne Falls, with local shopping, restaurants, and easy walking including the Bridge of Flowers.
Highest point in Massachusetts. Both day hikes and weekend hikes, including a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Drive to the top for a spectacular view.
24 locals recommend
Mount Greylock State Reservation
30 Rockwell RdHighest point in Massachusetts. Both day hikes and weekend hikes, including a stretch of the Appalachian Trail. Drive to the top for a spectacular view.
Fantastic, world-renowned contemporary museum. 25 minutes away and located in North Adams which offers restaurants, shops, and access to Mount Greylock.
382 locals recommend
MASS MoCA
1040 Mass MoCA WayFantastic, world-renowned contemporary museum. 25 minutes away and located in North Adams which offers restaurants, shops, and access to Mount Greylock.
Two museums in one, with outdoor path through woods and pasture, with sculpture garden.
329 locals recommend
The Clark Art Institute
225 South StTwo museums in one, with outdoor path through woods and pasture, with sculpture garden.
Eclectic mix of performances located in the small city of Greenfield which offers shopping and restaurants.
23 locals recommend
Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center
289 Main StEclectic mix of performances located in the small city of Greenfield which offers shopping and restaurants.
Neighborhoods
Great small town with local artists featured in several galleries and stores, restaurants, natural foods store and a quaint town center.
54 locals recommend
Shelburne Falls
Great small town with local artists featured in several galleries and stores, restaurants, natural foods store and a quaint town center.
Home to a range of worldclass arts venues - theater (Williamstown; Shakespeare; and more); dance (Jacob's Pillow); museums (MassMOCA, The Clark Art, and more).
Also, spectacular trails for walking or biking, with views from the highest point in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock.
All within 20 - 90 minutes, depending on venue. MassMOCA is a 20 minute drive away, with Shakespeare and Co. an hour's drive. Lots to see and do.
10 locals recommend
Berkshire County
Home to a range of worldclass arts venues - theater (Williamstown; Shakespeare; and more); dance (Jacob's Pillow); museums (MassMOCA, The Clark Art, and more).
Also, spectacular trails for walking or biking, with views from the highest point in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock.
All within 20 - 90 minutes, depending on venue. MassMOCA is a 20 minute drive away, with Shakespeare and Co. an hour's drive. Lots to see and do.
Restaurants, shops, music venues, bike path, parks. The small city of Northampton is a popular tourist destination and an easy drive, 24 miles,. Stay in the country but access to Northampton in one direction or the Berkshires in the other direction. Along a beautiful roads that wind through other small, delightful towns such as Williamsburg (Williamsburg General Store) and Goshen (DAR State Park and lake) with interesting things to do on their own merits.
94 locals recommend
Northampton
Restaurants, shops, music venues, bike path, parks. The small city of Northampton is a popular tourist destination and an easy drive, 24 miles,. Stay in the country but access to Northampton in one direction or the Berkshires in the other direction. Along a beautiful roads that wind through other small, delightful towns such as Williamsburg (Williamsburg General Store) and Goshen (DAR State Park and lake) with interesting things to do on their own merits.
Outdoor activities - things to do
Winter skiing and sledding and summer ziplining. Something for everyone in beautiful region - 20 minutes away.
107 locals recommend
Berkshire East Mountain Resort
66 Thunder Mountain RdWinter skiing and sledding and summer ziplining. Something for everyone in beautiful region - 20 minutes away.
Several entry points to the historic trail for weekend or longterm hiking.
27 locals recommend
Appalachian Trail
Appalachian National Scenic TrailSeveral entry points to the historic trail for weekend or longterm hiking.
Action-packed activities in safe, outdoor environment. Rafting, tubing or ziplining in the beautiful outdoors
78 locals recommend
Zoar Outdoor Adventure Resort
7 Main StAction-packed activities in safe, outdoor environment. Rafting, tubing or ziplining in the beautiful outdoors
Bike in either direction - travel down Rt 9 t Northampton and park the car; hop on your bikes and ride all the way across the Connecticut River and through Hadley and Amherst. Diverse landscapes through woods, neighborhoods, and fields. Or travel in the opposite direction and head to Easthampton. Easy riding. Short or long trips can be done. Walk or bike.
10 locals recommend
Northampton Bike Path
Northampton Bike PathBike in either direction - travel down Rt 9 t Northampton and park the car; hop on your bikes and ride all the way across the Connecticut River and through Hadley and Amherst. Diverse landscapes through woods, neighborhoods, and fields. Or travel in the opposite direction and head to Easthampton. Easy riding. Short or long trips can be done. Walk or bike.
Creative Arts - Music, Theater, Dance, Museums
The Parlor Room
32 Masonic StGreat venue for live performances. Hidden gem.