An Enlightened Escape: 6 Places to Experience Art and Culture on a Berkshires Vacation

Whether it’s written down on paper, painted on a canvas, or performed under stage lights, there’s no wrong way to appreciate the arts in New England, especially in the Berkshires region of Massachusetts. Bursting at the seams with cultural curiosities, the area entices visitors with a range of lively stage performances, dozens of museums, and historic sites. From the pages of Shakespeare to the paint strokes of Rockwell, delve into a sampling of art and culture activities on your next Berkshires vacation.

Performing Arts in the Berkshires

Wouldn’t you love a music venue as a summer home? The Boston Symphony Orchestra sure does. They’ve made Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass., their summer spot since 1937, making this the perfect destination to bring classical music lovers. Aside from the classical compositions, the venue has also seen the likes of popular artists such as James Taylor and John Mellencamp. Movie buffs aren’t left out of the fun, either. Events like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in Concert have paired cult-classic films with live performances of their scores.

Based in Lenox, Mass., Shakespeare & Company pays tribute to the principal playwright with Shakespeare performances, as well as contemporary and new works, throughout the summer season. From A Midsummer Night’s Dream to The Tempest, the tragedies and comedies performed on this stage bring fans as close to the Elizabethan Age as possible (assuming there are no time travelers in the audience).

Museums to Visit on a Berkshires Vacation

Get the creative juices flowing with a trip to the massive Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) in North Adams, Mass. This popular Berkshires vacation attraction hosts dozens of long-term and rotating installation spaces that celebrate everything from sculpture to abstract art. In addition to wandering the gallery, visitors can plan a trip around the various music, theater, or dance performances that happen at the museum year-round. Whether you draw inspiration from captivating visuals or lively performances, you’re sure to find a creative muse at this hub of culture and art.

To hone in on a classic American art direction, step back in time and appreciate the culture of small town U.S.A. through the illustrations and paintings of Norman Rockwell. The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass., is a must-see, year-round experience for American art appreciators. The cultural getaway houses the largest collection of Rockwell originals in the world. You’ll come face-to-face with 323 cover tear sheets of the “Saturday Evening Post” and glimpse the ever-popular “Freedom From Want” Thanksgiving scene in The Four Freedoms collection. To delve even deeper into the artistic Rockwell spirit, plan to visit his nearby studio, which opens seasonally for tours.

Historic Sites for a Cultural Berkshires Getaway

One may think Herman Melville conjured his whaling classic Moby-Dick by the coast of Nantucket, but it was actually brought to life in the Berkshires. Surrounded by a sea of green with Mt. Greylock on the horizon, Arrowhead in Pittsfield, Mass., was home to Melville between 1850 and 1863. Today, it serves as a National Historic Landmark where visitors can embark on guided tours of his house for a first-hand glimpse at how the writer lived and worked. Visitors are also welcome to explore the grounds, farm, and Arrowhead Nature Trail.

If there’s one thing you’ll learn on your art and culture journey through the Berkshires, it’s that you can appreciate relics of the past without sacrificing the comforts of today. Use that knowledge when you plan your trip to find the perfect getaway that adds just the right amount of character and comfort to your Berkshires vacation.

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