|
Located in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Great
Barrington has a bit more bustle than Stockbridge, but both bear
striking resemblance to a Norman Rockwell painting for good reason—they
were his inspiration!
Known for breathtaking mountain views and small-town charm, both
towns offer fine dining, shopping, and access to recreational
areas.
Great Barrington is home to the Ski Butternut basin and classical
music concerts throughout the year. Stockbridge is home to antique
stores, restaurants and scenic vistas, walking trails and the Norman Rockwell Museum.
The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority shuttle bus connects both towns on Saturdays,
with limited service on Sundays. If you are coming on a Friday,
we recommend starting with Stockbridge first and taking the shuttle
to Great Barrington Saturday night.
Enjoy a day on the slopes, hike or bike around town. Tour the
botanical garden or take a tour of a historic mansion. A visit
to the Norman Rockwell Museum is a must! For an unusual
experience, try a llama trek through the hills!
|
THINGS
TO DO
|
 |
 After
you spend the day at the Norman Rockwell Museum, tour the
Berkshire Botanical Garden. Take a tour of a historic
mansion and do some shopping in Stockbridge at the Yankee
Candle Shop and the Red Lion Inn Gift Shop at the
Red Lion Inn.
In
Great Barrington, stop in at shops like the Great Barrington
Antiques Center on South Main St., and the Gifted
Child.
For you more active types, bring your bikes up, as the area
is extremely bikeable.
Ski
Butternut is just a short taxi ride away. In the fall
take the ski lifts up for scenic vistas and in the winter
spend the day on the slopes.
See full list
of activities and businesses
|
| |
|
LODGING
|
|
Great
Barrington:
We stayed at the Days Inn in Great Barrington, directly
across from the bus stop and 1 block from the hubub on Main
St. Manager Rita, offers pleasant rooms starting at $99/night
and a continental breakfast. Some rooms even have 2-person
jacuzzi tubs!
The Wainwright Inn is accessible in town. Just a
short taxi ride away are other choices like the Turning
Point Inn, Windflower Inn, the Thornewood
Inn or affordable motels like the AAA Monument Mountain
Motel, Barrington Court Motel or the Mountain
View Motel.
Stockbridge:
 The
bus drops you right in front of the historic Red Lion
Inn pictured left. This country inn boasts a gift shop,
a restaurant, pool and beautifully decorated rooms.
When
we were there, the inn was bustling with leaf peepers,
but we recommend going in the off-seasons to fully appreciate
what the inn has to offer. Rooms start at $91/night. Other choices are The Stockbridge Country Inn and the Blue Willow, both a short
taxi ride away.
And
in nearby Richmond, you'll find The
Inn at Richmond.
See full list
of lodgings
|
|
DINING
|
|
Both
towns offer delectable choices. In Great Barrington, Baba
Louie's Sourdough Pizza for lunch and the Castle
Street Café, Spencer’s or the Bizen Restaurant
and Sushi Bar for dinner. Martin’s on Railroad
Street is a must for brunch!
In Stockbridge, try Theresa's Stockbridge Café
for lunch and Glendale River Grille or the Lion's
Den at the Red Lion Inn for dinner.
Full list of dining
|
|
NIGHTLIFE
|
|
Take
in one of the many classical music concerts offered throughout
the area at Simon Rock College, Searles Castle or one of
the Main St. churches in Great Barrington – see event
calendar.
The
Celestial Bar in Great Barrington offers live jazz
and very shortly you'll be able to take in an opera at the
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center.
Stockbridge is short on night life but big on charm!
|
|
TRANSPORTATION
|
|
BUS
Take
Bonanza Buses from Port Authority. In Great Barrington,
the bus lets you off right across from the Days Inn, in
Stockbridge, right next to the Red Lion Inn.
Bring your bike along! Bonanza will store it in the luggage
bay at no charge as long as it is in a bike box.
Travel
time: allow 3 1/2 – 4 hours (especially Friday
nights)
Call Bonanza Buses at 800-556-3815 to confirm schedules.
LOCAL BUS
Berkshire Regional Transit buses run every hour Monday-Saturday,
with no service on Sundays. To get between Great Barrington
and Stockbridge or to visit Lenox or Lee, we recommend taking
this bus.
The ride is wonderful and the fare is cheap - versus paying
$17.00 for a taxi. You can also flag them down anywhere
along the route and they will pick you up.
They will also drop you at any point you request, for instance
the Norman Rockwell Museum. Our driver, Roy, was
very helpful and chock full of info about the area. Just
make sure to tell the driver where you want to be let off
when you get on or call the dispatcher at 800-292-BRTA or
413-499-2782.
TAXI
The taxi services are a bit pricey and very busy on weekends.
Make sure you call ahead in plenty of time if you need one.
Call Taxico at 413 528-0911.
CAR
Take Henry Hudson Parkway to Sawmill Parkway to I-684 North
to I-84 East, take exit 7 to Rt. 7 North to Great Barrington.
Continue on Rt. 7 and go west on Rt. 102 for Stockbridge.
See full list
of transportation
|
|
TRAVEL
TIPS
|
|
Packing
extras: bike, skis, camera and extra film.
|
|
WEATHER
|
|
|
