The Berkshires are known for their natural beauty and rich culture. You needn't go far to find fun things to do - in fact, there will be so much good stuff at the Retreat, you won't want to leave! But to familiarize yourself with the area surrounding our new location, here are a few things a bit further afield.
In the charming town of Great Barrington, MA, the main street bustles with cafes, coffee shops and boutiques.
Barrington Brewery & Restaurant, reviewed by the New York Times, Boston Globe and recommended by Zagat, Frommer’s Travel Guide, AAA and most recently included in Bon Appetite’s 50th Anniversary Issue (October 2006), has a casual dining atmosphere and offers fresh, handcrafted food and beer made right here. (Try a Berkshire Blonde, Hopland Pale Ale, Blackbear Stout and their Raspberry Ale!)
Barrington Coffee Roasting Company prepares exceptional coffee each day at the Roastery in Lee, MA. A steady stream of coffee-centric conversation with customers and local devotees stopping by to pick up a quick pound of Barrington Gold Espresso Blend are all part of the daily culture at the Roastery. Top off your cup before you pull into the Retreat!
Jim Brochu in ZERO HOUR
(Photo by Stan Barouh)
The Barrington Stage Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre company in the Berkshires with a three-fold mission: to produce top-notch, compelling work; to develop new plays and musicals; and to find fresh, bold ways of bringing new audiences into the theatre, especially young people. Barrington Stage Company has become the fastest growing arts venue in Berkshire County, attracting some 45,000 patrons each year, and gaining national recognition for its superior quality productions and comprehensive educational programming.
On your way to meet everyone at the Retreat, take your time on a SCENIC DRIVE! The Berkshires are full of beautiful roadways. Dip into the winding valleys carved out by burbling brooks, ascend to the ridgeline of the mountaintops, weave in and out of the forest. This is some of Massachusetts most scenic areas. (And don't forget the hiking at the Retreat, too!)
Nearby, you'll enjoy the world's largest collection of original Rockwell art at the Norman Rockwell Museum, including many of his most beloved paintings. Visit the newly reinstalled interior of Rockwell's fascinating Stockbridge studio housed on our grounds. Stroll the Museum's beautiful 36-acre campus and see the Berkshire "cottage" on an historic site overlooking the Housatonic River.
A fascinating example of the heritage and resilience of America's independence, watch this video and find out more about the local currency used in the Berkshires: BerkShares!
Beartown State Forest: Benedict Pond (photo by John Burk)
In Lenox, MA, Ventfort Hall - another magnificent Berkshire “cottage” - has undergone substantial restoration (ongoing) to return the mansion and grounds to their days of splendor. The property has a fascinating history, beginning with a connection to the Civil War hero who led the first African-American regiment of the Union Army, Col. Robert Gould Shaw. Built in 1893 by Sarah Morgan, sister of J.P. Morgan, the building went through a number of incarnations before opening to the public as a museum and performance venue. Home of Les Petites Dames de Mode – an exhibit of 60 exquisite 29-inch tall Victorian Ladies in costume. Recognize this place? You may have seen it in the movie The Cider House Rules.
