Berkshires, MA - 152 miles from NYC
This picturesque area in Western Massachusetts is defined by dense, lush woodlands and rural New England charm. You should have a picnic next to Berry Lake and visit Moe's Tavern in Lee, Massachusetts to sip specialty beers and rare whiskies while possibly spotting black bears consuming blackberries.
The Berkshire hills, which are home to world-class music, dance, and theater festivals like Tanglewood and Jacob's Pillow as well as miles of hiking trails and acres of farmland, are one of the few areas in America that successfully blend culture and country living.
The Berkshires, which stretch from Mount Greylock, the highest point in the state, down to the Connecticut state line, have been a popular summer getaway and among the Best Road Trips from NYC for celebrities and the wealthy for more than a century. They came to construct enormous summer "cottages" there. Many of these homes are still in use today as hotels or theaters. Today, throngs of city dwellers still pile into their vehicles and drive to the Berkshire breezes on summer weekends when the pavements in Boston and New York are baking.
- Necessary pit stop: Take a stop off the Taconic State Parkway and picnic at Barton Orchards in Poughquag, NY where you can pluck a wide variety of fruits and veggies, including apples, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants and pumpkins.
