Location: Pittsfield
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Pittsfield, United States
Pittsfield is the largest city and the county seat of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is the principal city of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Berkshire County. The population was 44,737 at the 2010 census. Although the population has declined in recent decades, Pittsfield remains the fourth largest municipality in western Massachusetts, behind only Springfield, Holyoke, and Chicopee.
Restaurants in Pittsfield
1. Barrington Stage Company
Overall Ratings
5 based on 236 reviews
Barrington Stage Company (BSC) is a professional award-winning Equity theatre presenting top-notch musicals, masterful classics, thought-provoking new work, cabarets and youth theater on four stages from May through October as well as a New Play Festival in February. Co-founded in 1995 by Artistic Director Julianne Boyd, BSC is perhaps best known for premiering William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin’s Tony Award-winning musical "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and was voted Best Theatre by "The Berkshire Eagle" readers in 2011 and 2012. BSC welcomes groups and offers senior and youth discounts.
Reviewed By Carol757 - Springfield, VA
I'm not a big fan of TA reviews that focus only on the production and not on the venue, so I'll start by saying that the quality of the production we saw – acting, costumes, sets, lighting, and sound – was stellar. This is a great community theater that delivers a great product.
The production we saw as "Gas Light," the 1930s play that was turned into the well-known movie, "Gaslight," with Ingrid Bergmann. Despite the advance advertising and a speech by the director about how the play is relevant today, given the prevalence of the term "gaslighting," it still seemed somewhat dated to me. But, the cast was outstanding, and it's a lovely theater in which to see a play.
2. Balderdash Cellars
Overall Ratings
5 based on 79 reviews
Founded in 2011, Balderdash Cellars(R) is a boutique winery located in the beautiful Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. We focus on producing ultra-premium (wicked to New England folks) wines from grapes grown by world-class California vineyards. What about the name?? When we said we were starting a winery, everyone said that we were mad, obsessed, and should stick to buying wine (truthfully, it is much easier than making it) - but we answered, "Balderdash." As we sought to name the winery, Balderdash just seemed to stick. It also seemed like a good way to describe the stories behind each wine...while generally accurate, there may be some tall tales. Hey, what story isn't embellished just a little! The winery would be nothing if it were not for our volunteer crew. Dozens of family and friends put in many long days throughout the year helping with every aspect of the winemaking process. It's a lot of fun, but a ton of work. We can never thank them enough for everything they do, so we try to ply them with wine whenever possible! We hope you enjoy our wicked wines and tall tales. Christian and Donna Hanson Owners
Reviewed By EvasWorld - Boston, Massachusetts
Stopped here for a quick pre-lunch wine tasting. For a small fee ($7 as of this writing) you can sample 5 or 6 wines. The staff is friendly and personable, the wines are good, and the labels all have a story behind them. We walked out with 2 bottles of wine to enjoy later.
3. Hancock Shaker Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 588 reviews
Hancock Shaker Village is a living history museum whose mission is to bring the Shaker story to life and preserve it for future generations. Called the "City of Peace" by the Shakers who lived here for 179 years until 1960, this community was the third of 19 major Shaker Villages located in New York, New England, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. There are 18 original historic buildings on this site. The staff and volunteers are dedicated to making the Village a center for reflection on living the principled life. The values that the Shakers embraced -- equality, pacifism, community, sustainability, responsible land stewardship, innovation, simplicity and quality in work -- resonate with us today. In addition to viewing the architecture, we have so many things to see including the farm and gardens, the animals, costumed interpreters, demonstrations of handicrafts like weaving, spinning, and blacksmithing, hiking and walking trails, the Discovery Room where kids can do hands-on activities, photo and art exhibitions, a cafe and picnic area. We have modern amenities and the village is handicapped accessible.
Reviewed By NYCBizCoach - New York City, New York
Since the Shakers believed in celibacy, they've died out but this thoughtful museum keeps the ideas and culture of the Shakers alive. The buildings are well-preserved but the real magic is in the presentations offered all the time---on crafts, music, everyday life of the Shakers. A great afternoon's activity for all ages.
4. Berkshire Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 232 reviews
Established by Zenas Crane in 1903, Berkshire Museum integrates art, history, and natural science in a wide range of programs and exhibitions that inspire educational connections between the disciplines. In association with the Smithsonian since 2013, Berkshire Museum is part of a select group of museums, cultural, educational, and arts organizations that share the Smithsonian's resources with the nation. Located in downtown Pittsfield, Massachusetts, at 39 South St., the Berkshire Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $13 adult, $6 child; Museum members and children age 3 and under enjoy free admission.
Reviewed By Conseiller99 - Roseland, New Jersey
We heard about the Festival of Christmas Trees, so took the twenty minute ride up Route 7 from Lenox. The exhibit was nice, spreading over the various rooms with trees presented by various segments/groups from the community in all sizes shapes and forms, which is what made it nice to see. It’s not an historical exhibit, rather a community participation kind of thing. There were also some interesting regular exhibits with a real wigwam and 19th century bark canoe, some interesting statuary from Palmyra, and other artifacts from around the world, even from Egypt. Some memorabilia from local residents who served in the Civil War as well. Downstairs, we saw that they also had some nice interactive exhibits for kids, along with an Aquarium downstairs, so a nice place to bring the kids on a rainy day anytime.
5. Herman Melville's Arrowhead
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Closed for the season. Tours will start in May, 2017.
Reviewed By LetterioZ - Fair Lawn, New Jersey
There is a small museum/ gift shop here. You can also, on the hour, take a tour of Herman Melville 's home. It was interesting to see the spot where he wrote the famous novel about Moby- Dick, and hear about some of the things that influenced his writing. Plan to spend an hour or more here; more time if you want to walk around the grounds outside.
6. Colonial Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By jerseyjazz - New Jersey
We came for the major concert of the local jazz festival, featuring Karrin Allyson and the US Army Jazz Ambassadors big band. We were blown away by the beautifully restored theater, the fine acoustics, and the great value.
Not sure about parking ... we stayed at a nearby motel on Route 20 (Housatonic Ave.) and walked a half-mile into town.
7. Bousquet Mountain
Overall Ratings
4 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By MiljaCanada - Canada
We had a family vacation in the Berkshires and spent an afternoon tubing at Bousquet. Great location, great tubing area with 3-4 runs. They have a moving sidewalk lift, but we were there during the snowbomb and too much snow fell that it wasn’t working properly. A regular day should have been fine.
Thursday’s after 3:00 we’re only $10/person. Amazing deal!!
8. Lake Onota
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By SparkyMassachusetts - Massachusetts
This lake is the gem of the Berkshires. FREE public beach, FREE boat launch, FREE Parking, Fishing, The lake is super clean and is accessible from Lakeway Drive from Valentine Road. There are grassy areas as well as picnic tables and outdoor cooking grills for your use. (You may need to reserve the picnic/cooking areas with the City) There are trout, bass, pike, and all the other freshwater fish you can think of. In the summertime, there are lifeguards on a daily basis. Spend the day here, you won't regret it.
9. Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By constance f - Lenox, Massachusetts
A beautifully maintained natural sanctuary for local wildlife. Have been here several times. Have seen all kinds of wildlife, including beavers and otters!
10. Pittsfield State Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By KayS_10 - Pittsfield, Massachusetts
My husband and I had not tent-camped for decades but our gear was still in good condition and our ten-year old grandchild was eager to try camping. After reading other TripAdvisor reviews and consulting the online map for the park, we reserved site 36 near Lulu pond. We checked in at the office and the super staff answered my many questions: they were so pleasant and professional and helpful!
Site 36 was delightful: situated along an unpaved crossroad instead of the paved loop road so very quiet and almost no traffic; convenient to the immaculate bathroom and shower building, and situated in lovely woods with enough canopy for shade on a hot afternoon but open enough to see the moon and stars at night.
A review had mentioned that the gravel had made tent-staking challenging so we took a hammer and needed it to get stakes secure. The gravel is pretty uniform in size and flattened into the ground so was fine under tent with ground cloth and sleeping bags. It would be a great advantage if it rained: no mud! The round fire pit had metal sides and a clever grate over half so cooking with pots was easy. The picnic table was solid and in good condition.
Another review had mentioned ATV noise. We could hear some in the distance but too late. Quiet hours were respected, at least on our night.
Although we did not swim in Lulu pond, the beach had lots of new clean sand and there was also another new bathroom building there.
We fell asleep to the sounds of a barred owl calling and crickets chirping. It was a terrific intro to camping for our grandchild. We will definitely return again in the future.
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