Family Fun

Family-Fun in Southern Berkshire County

The Southern Berkshires are a great place to visit with your family in all seasons. The following selection of attractions, restaurants and lodgings all offer kid-friendly family fun.

Attractions and Culture

Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum allows visitors to travel aboard vintage trains in restored 1920s style passenger cars and powered by diesel-electric locomotives from the 1940s-50s. Berkshire Scenic RailwayChoose either the 90 minute or 45 minute train ride through historic, scenic S. Berkshire County. The train station museum displays exhibit about trains and travel during the Berkshires’ gilded age. Trains operate weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend thru the end of October. 10 Willow Creek Road, Lenox, MA 01240; 413-637-2210

Cove Bowling and Entertainment is a neighborhood 24-lane bowling arena with arcade games and snack bar. Shoe rental $2; $2.50-4.00 per game. Open 7 days a week. 109 Stockbridge Rd., Gt. Barrington. MA 01230; 413-528-1220
Hancock Shaker Village
Hancock Shaker Village is a step back in history and brings to life the Shaker people and their rich traditions. “The Village today consists of 20 historic buildings set amongst farm, field, meadow and woodland, and a collection of 22,200 objects.” Children can meet up close the heritage farm animals, take a lesson in the School House with a Shaker teacher (costumed staff) and explore the hands-on Discovery Room where they can try on shaker clothing, practice weaving on a loom, building a shaker chair and milking the friendly life-size cow. Kids 12 and under are free! The village is opened year-round with guided tours from Oct.-April.  Route 20, Pittsfield, MA 01201; 800-817-1137

Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary offers “Seven miles of trails that wind through hardwood forest, meadows, wetlands, and along the slopes of Lenox Mountain make this site an excellent location for hiking. Canoe trips mid-May through Columbus Day.” Please see website for visiting hours. $4 adults & $3 kids. Mass Audubon, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773; 800-283-8266

Norman Rockwell Museum “houses the world's largest and most significant collection of original Rockwell art.” The museum offers daily tours led by an expert gallery guide, audio tours as well as special tours and activities for families and children. Free for kids 18 and under! May-Oct & holidays 10am-5pm daily. 9 Glendale Rd., Route 183, Stockbridge, MA 01262; 413-298-4100

Shakespeare and Company performs Shakespeare’s works of highest quality. The plays are performed in classic Elizabethan style with original twists that make even the most well-known stories new and exciting. The company succeeds in making their shows accessible even for theater-goers less familiar with Shakespeare’s work. Every season the company offers shows several shows either specifically geared towards children or appropriate for younger audiences. 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA 01240; box office: 413-637-3353

Tanglewood Music Center is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Every season is packed full of concerts showcasing “a vast range of musical forms and styles.” Visitors can choose to sit inside the great hall or picnic on the lawn. Children will especially enjoy the Tanglewood on Parade concert with fireworks or Movie Night where John Williams conducts the orchestra’s performance of famous movie scores. a Please visit their website for concert schedule and ticket sales. 297 West St. Lenox, MA 01240; (413) 637-1600

Recreation

Catamount Adventure Park offers aerial forest adventure fun that is exciting and safe. The park has 8 separate courses with zip lines for all skill levels. Tickets cost $29-43 and are good for 3 hours. Also on site are restaurants, retail shop, mountain and dirt biking, hiking and a stocked fish pond. Summer hours 9am-5:30pm daily. State Route 23 East, Hillsdale, NY 12529; 413-528-1262 x 131

Blue Rider Stables is a non-profit organization offering fun and safe horseback riding for all ages and abilities. The “horses are healthy, sensitive teachers chosen for their characters and dispositions. Donkeys, goats, rabbits, chickens, cats and Theo the pigeon round out the Blue Rider Family.” Pony ride $5; 30 min. lesson $20; 75 min. lesson $50. 15 Farm Lane, South Egremont, MA 01230; 413-528-5299
Bash Bish Falls
Bash Bish Falls State Park is the highest single-drop waterfall in MA and one of the most dramatic. Nearby Mount Everett State Forest offers informal picnicking at Guilder Pond and from the top visitors have a stunning view spanning MA, NYC and CT. To reach the Falls you can enter either through Taconic State Park and follow a moderately difficult hiking trail or park in the lot on the MA side off of Rt. 22 and follow an easy 1 mile dirt road to the top. Please check the website for more detailed driving directions. Falls Rd. Mt. Washington, MA 01250; 413-528-0330

Berkshire South Regional Community Center has a state-of-the-art fitness center, gymnasium, indoor pool, outdoor playground, low-ropes course and outdoor trail, youth center and exercise classes. Family day passes are available for just $37. Please see website for hours. 15 Crissey Road, Gt. Barrington, MA 01230; 413-528-2810

Berkshire Botanical Gardens covers 15 beautiful acres where visitors can experience 3,000 regional plant species, trees, shrubs and an exotic botanical collections; there is even a special Hogwart’s garden! Families can make reservations for 12 different youth activities that include a talk, tour and fun activity. The gardens are open through Columbus Day and children’s tickets cost $7; guided tours are available by reservation. Open 10am-5pm daily May 1-Columbas Day.5 W. Stockbridge Rd., intersection of Rt. 102&183; 413-298-3926

Ski Butternut gives families 22 downhill trails covering 112 acres and serviced by 12 lifts, a 5-lane tubing center and a 240 professional ski school team. Butternut offers a wide range of schools and programs for kids of all ages and abilities. Snow Magazine described Butternut as “A True Family Mountain” and Snow East Magazine voted Butternut as their 2009 number one Favorite Resort Under1100 Feet and Favorite Classic Resort in the northeast. Great Barrington, home of Ski Butternut, was also voted the 2009 number one Favorite Destination Village. 380 State Road, Rt. 23, Great Barrington, MA. 01230; 413-528-2000 

Catamount Ski Area offers families 6 lifts servicing 32 trails and park areas covering 119 acres of prime downhill skiing and snowboarding. Special attractions include the longest run (2.5 miles) in the Berkshires, night skiing and a terrain park. The Catamount Snow Sports School boasts “35 ski and snow board professionals who specialize in coaching kids…Kids' programs at Catamount emphasize three things: safety, on-slope etiquette and fun!” Please see the website for lift ticket prices, hours of operation and special events. State Route 23 East, Hillsdale NY 12529; 518-325-3200

Lake Mansfield is located in a quiet neighborhood just outside downtown Great Barrington. There is a clean beach and designated swimming area with beach toys and certified life-guards on watch as well as a playground, picnic area, porta-potties and parking available. The ice cream truck makes a welcome visit every afternoon. Lake Manfield Rd., Gt. Barrington, MA 01230

Dining

Route 7 Grill serves mouthwatering wood-smoked BBQ with traditional sides as well as grilled fare, seafood, homemade soups, salads, desserts and a satisfying kids menu. 999 Main St. Great Barrington, MA 01230; 413-528-3235

Robin’s Candy Shop is a must-stop for kids of all ages. The shop sells a variety of candy ranging from the traditional to outright wacky, ice-cream, petit-fours, and homemade chocolates as well as novelty gifts found nowhere else in town. A visit here will satisfy even the most hard to please sweet tooth. 228 Main St. Great Barrington, MA, 01230; (413) 528-8477‎

Baba Louie’s prepares healthy and tasty wood-fired pizzas, homemade soups, creative salads, pasta and panini using local, organic ingredients. Lunch 11:30am-3:00pm; dinner 5:00-9:30pm (10:00pm Fri & Sat); 286 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230; 413-528-8100

Shiro offers great Japanese cuisine, including hibachi, tempuras, sushi, noodles and rices. Kids get a thrill sitting around the hibachi table watching the master chefs perform tricks and cook their dinner. Mon-Thurs 12noon-9pm; Fri & Sat 12noon-10pm; Sun 4-9pm; 105 Stockbridge Rd. Gt. Barrington; 413-528-1898

The Neighborhood Diner cooks up hearty breakfasts and a variety traditional diner lunches, dinners and desserts in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. Mon, Wed & Thurs 5-9pm; Fri 5-10pm; Sat 11:30-3pm 5-10pm; Sun 11:30-3pm, 5-9pm; 282 Main Street, MA 01230; (413) 528-8226

Lodging

Windflower is a relaxed B&B with family-sized rooms accommodating up to 5 people, 10 acres of lawn and gardens, an out-door pool, game room with entertainment system and afternoon milk and cookies for the kids. 684 S. Egremont Rd., Gt. Barrington MA 01230; 413-528-2720

Lakeside Terrace B&B is conveniently located on quiet Lake Garfield. Guests take full advantage of swimming, boating, kayaking and fishing in the beautiful water. 24 Lakeside Terrace, Lake Garfield, Monterey, MA 01245; 413-528-3371

Swiss Hutte Country Inn invites you to spend the weekend in a peaceful hidden valley with beautiful gardens, swimming pool, tennis, skiing and ice skating on premise. Rt. 23, S. Egremont, MA 01258; 413-528-6200

Travel Lodge Motel is a 2-diamond AAA lodging offering 21 rooms with refrigerators, color cable TV, continental breakfast, connecting rooms, free telephones, private pool and playground. 400 Stockbridge Rd., Gt. Barrington, MA 01230; 413-528-2340

31 Stockbridge Road is a charming, comfortable farmhouse for rent. Totally private back garden complete with local wildlife and paths into woods. Swimming pond and downtown are both within easy walking distance. 31 Stockbridge Rd., W. Stockbridge, MA 01266

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