Berkshires Attractions
Berkshires Attractions
 | Berkshire Museum 39 South Street Pittsfield, MA • 413-443-7171 The rolling hills of the Berkshires have little in common with the sun-baked plains of Egypt, but one resident of the latter has taken up residence in the former. A 2,300-year-old priest named Pahat, long ago mummified and laid to rest in a sarcophagus is the star attraction at the Berkshire Museum, along with a surprisingly comprehensive survey of art and science, including dinosaur fossils; live fish, reptiles and snakes; and sculpture by Alexander Calder, the modern artist who was first exhibited at this museum. Many of the exhibits are interactive, including an imitation dinosaur dig and replicas of toys made by Calder that kids can play with. Best For: Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum Willow Creek Road Lenox, MA • 413-637-2210 Thomas the Tank Engine fans can get their obligatory fix at this 1903 train station that has been completely restored to its former glory with exhibits on railroading in New England, a working vintage dispatcher's office, and, of course, an extensive train-themed gift shop. All this is just a prelude to a ride on the real thing, a 90-minute chug on a vintage 1920s coach pulled by a diesel engine from Lenox to Stockbridge (shorter jaunts turn around halfway at Lee). During foliage season, even parents will find plenty to blow their horns over. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9) |
 | Catamount Adventure Park Route 23 Egremont, MA • 413-528-1262 While zip-line canopy tours are all the rage now from Central America to New England, they usually consist of guided tours through physically challenging courses. By contrast, the unique layout at this "adventure park" includes more than 100 platforms up in the trees connected by bridges and ziplines that family members are free to explore. Like a ski area, the various courses are designated by color, from green for beginner to double black diamond for expert, allowing each member of the family to choose their own challenges and chills during the three hours included with each ticket. Kids are allowed on the ropes with parent supervision as young as age 8, and free to roam themselves from age 10 and up. Best For: Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Ioka Valley Farm 3475 Route 43 Hancock, MA • 413-738-5915 This third-generation working dairy farm has something for every season: pick-your-own strawberries in summertime, hayrides and a haunted house in fall, and a Christmas tree plantation in winter. But the best time of year has got to be early spring when the maple sap is flowing, and visitors can watch it being boiled into maple syrup in the sugarhouse before trying it on a stack of buttermilk pancakes in the cafe next door. Kids will also enjoy "Uncle Don's Barnyard," which not only features a bevy of pet-able goats, cows, rabbits and miniature donkeys, but also sports several kid-sized rides like pedal-carts and a 40-foot slide. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9) |
 | Norman Rockwell Museum 9 Route 183 Stockbridge, MA • 413-298-4100 Best-known for his evocative illustrations of the people and places of simple New England life, Norman Rockwell gets the full treatment at this museum, which not only displays a retrospective of drawings and paintings from throughout his career, but also includes the artist's actual studio, meticulously reconstructed to the time when he worked there. Check the schedule for special kid-friendly events, including tours that showcase Rockwell's work from a child's-eye view. Truth be told, however, so many of the portraits of children in comical situations or just going about their daily activities are so immediately accessible to kids that the museum serves as a good introduction to art in general. Older kids and teens, meanwhile, will be challenged by Rockwell's lesser-known works such as his very political paintings aimed at combating prejudice in the Civil Rights era. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Tanglewood Route 183 Lenox, MA • 888-266-1200 The laid-back atmosphere of Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home can make it a great place to introduce even young kids to the joys of classical music. As listeners spread out their blankets on the lawn, they don't have to worry about the kids fidgeting in the seats or blocking the view of the adult behind them while they listen to the music. (As a bonus, kids under 17 attend for free.) The best performances for kids are the famous Boston Pops concerts, which feature a mix of crowd-pleasing classical fare and contemporary numbers, including the annual Film Night when composer John Williams conducts favorite movie themes. The BSO also offers special programs for kids on Sunday afternoons when volunteers lead arts-and-crafts projects before the show and explain the instruments and themes of the music to deepen their appreciation of what they hear. Best For: Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
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