Can you believe I’ve lived in Massachusetts for seven years and had never been to the Berkshires? Blasphemy. Earlier this month I went on a girls trip to Western MA with my mom, my aunt, and my cousin. Known for scenic beauty and a lively arts scene, the Berkshires exceeded my wildest expectations. It’s historically been a vacation spot for the wealthy and I can see why!
Where to Stay
There aren’t words eloquent enough to describe The Federal House Inn. Innkeepers Marsha and Ken bought it just two years ago and have already turned it into a perfect, picturesque oasis. Marsha has impeccable design sensibilities. I can promise you, this is a very contemporary inn. No old-timey florals or cat figurines here! Located in Lee, it’s an easy ride to Stockbridge, Lenox, and Great Barrington.
The inn has nine beautifully appointed rooms and Marsha and Ken serve a three course gourmet breakfast every morning that I literally dream about. Every evening there’s wine and appetizers and Marsha’s chock full of recommendations for restaurants, vintage shopping, and scenic picnic spots.
I’ll write a full post next week about The Federal House Inn but rest assured, staying here is like coming home.
What to Do
Naturally our itinerary was arts focused. We saw a jazz concert of Ella Fitzgerald songs performed by Tina Fabrique at the Great Barrington Stage’s cabaret. Unfortunately it was pre-Tanglewood but next trip I definitely want to picnic amidst that musical talent! I recommend the Cabaret, that setting has always appealed to me, an intimate performance with a cocktail in hand.
Edith Wharton’s house The Mount is a great way to learn about the history of the Berkshires, and the author. Wharton designed the summer home herself and it became the inspiration for her interior design book, “The Decoration of Houses.” Though she and her husband only lived in the house for 10 years, it’s a fascinating look into the mind of an unconventional woman.
Nearby Stockbridge boasts the Norman Rockwell Museum & Studio. Though he’s not my most favorite artist, I appreciate Rockwell’s work and the museum is wonderfully designed. The downstairs gallery shows every single one of his 300-some-odd covers for The Saturday Evening Post. It’s very cool to see how his style changed over the years.
Make some time within the art hunting to shop in downtown Lenox. It’s rife with wonderful, small boutiques and unique products. I picked up some peach balsamic vinegar at Oliva! Oils and Vinegars. The shopkeeper recommended trying it with gin and tonic for a summer cocktail. I also picked up an adorable sunhat at Shooz. It’s adjustable and crushable making it perfect for my frequent travels. Don’t go shopping without popping into The Bookstore. They have a fantastic selection of books, curated to all tastes (with lots of authors of color!). They also serve wine and beer, it’s really the best of all possible worlds.
Where to Eat
Picnicking is a sport out in the Berkshires. It’s basically mandatory whether you’re going to Tanglewood or not. The Norman Rockwell offers beautiful grassy lawns and great views for a picnic, but it was a little chilly on the day we were there. We ended up picnicking in a garden behind the Lenox library. There was an adorable stone table and set of benches tucked into the private space.
Gateways Inn offers beautiful, gourmet picnics to order so you don’t have to worry about any of the details. Conveniently packaged in an insulated tote bag, you can order from a few different platters including an international cheese plate, an Atlantis platter of smoked fish, an Athens platter with spanakopita, stuffed grape leaves, olives and more, and a Tel Aviv platter with homemade hummus, tehina, labaneh, and tabouleh, among other goodies.
If you’re not into small plates the menu also includes sandwiches, salads, and drinks. You can even order your bottle of wine with the picnic! No extra stop required.
Each picnic comes individually packed so it’s perfectly preserved when you’re ready to eat. The food was delicious and all-encompassing. It was such a luxurious experience sitting in the sun sampling delicacies from all over the world. Gateways also packs the picnics with all the supplies you need, napkins, utensils, plates, a little checked picnic spread to put the food on.
I’m a big picnicker and I’ve never had such a good experience. If you’re considering a picnic in the Berkshires (and you really should be), I highly recommend ordering from Gateways.
While in Pittsfield to see the Tina Fabrique concert we ate at Trattoria Rustica, an authentic Italian spot downtown. Chef and owner Davide Manzo was born and raised in Pompeii, Italy, so you’re really getting a genuine experience. The portion are generous and the food was exquisite. They’ve also got a serious wine list.
If you’re staying at Federal House Inn, take advantage of the incredible food offerings there. The breakfasts were so filling (like I said, 3 courses) we often didn’t need to eat lunch. Marsha will set up afternoon snacks at whatever time you like, cheese, wine, fruit, bread, and often that was plenty to get us to dinner.
The Berkshires is truly a getaway from city life. It was scenic in a very different way from natural destinations I’ve visited in Vermont or Virginia. Honestly, I wasn’t ready to come home! Marsha and Ken make such a beautiful home, and the area is so full of unique shops and stories to explore. Stay for a weekend or a week, but plan on coming back!
Please note: some of the above businesses provided me with complimentary goods and/or services. However, all opinions expressed are my own.