Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Berkshires, Berkshires

August 25, 2021 Jeremy Dunfee

The Berkshires are home to an impressive collection of cultural and historic sights. Get your fill of music, art and theater at Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony's summer home, MASS MoCA, the country's largest contemporary art center, the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Recreational opportunities also abound, including snowshoeing, snowboarding, skiing, rafting, kayaking, fishing and golf. The Berkshires are an easy drive, just two and a half hours from Boston and New York.
Restaurants in Berkshires

1. The Clark Art Institute

225 South St, Williamstown, MA 01267-2878 +1 413-458-2303 http://www.clarkart.edu/
Excellent
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Good
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5.0 based on 1,378 reviews

The Clark Art Institute

The Clark Art Institute is best known for its French Impressionist paintings by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and especially Pierre-Auguste Renoir, with more than thirty paintings by the artist. The collection is also rich in American paintings by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, George Inness, Frederic Remington, and Mary Cassatt; Italian and Northern Renaissance masterpieces; portraits and landscapes by European masters; and an extraordinary collection of silver, porcelain, and furniture. An active program of special exhibitions brings great works of art from around the world to the museum. Designed by renowned Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando, the recently opened Clark Center is the centerpiece of the Clark's campus. The center includes special exhibition galleries as well as retail and dining spaces. It overlooks a dramatic three-tiered reflecting pool, integrating indoor and outdoor spaces and creating a stunning visual connection to the woodland surroundings and other buildings located on the campus. This sweeping new landscape design transforms the Clark's 140-acre campus and underscores new sustainability initiatives. In 1950 the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute was founded as a permanent home for the private art collection of Sterling and Francine Clark. In 1955 Sterling-who was an avid horseman with strong family ties to Williamstown and Cooperstown, New York-and his wife Francine presided at the official opening of the museum, sharing their magnificent yet little-known collection with the world for the first time. Since the founding, the museum has gained international stature for the quality of its collection, innovative special exhibitions, and Research and Academic Program.

Reviewed By ogerkan - New York City, United States

The Clark is a pretty special place. The building itself and the grounds are amazing. The story of the Clark's and their passion for collecting fine art is inspiring. The Renoirs (20 or so) are amazing and are mostly presented superbly in a large hall. There are Monets, Pissaros, a Van Gogh, Degas and Rodins scattered around as well. Nice cafe and gift shop on the premises round it out.

2. Bidwell House Museum

100 Art School Road, Monterey, MA 01245 +1 413-528-6888 [email protected] http://bidwellhousemuseum.org
Excellent
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5.0 based on 82 reviews

Bidwell House Museum

Open Memorial Day to October, this authentic 1760s home in the Berkshires was the original residence of the Reverend Adonijah Bidwell, first minister of the former Township #1. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, you can enjoy 18th and 19th century furnishings, 192 acres of fields and forest, a heritage vegetable garden, native flower gardens, stone walls, an early farm and garden tools exhibit, hiking trails and picnic sites. In season, you can take a guided tour of the house, on the hour beginning at 11 am each day, Thursday through Monday. The last tour begins at 3 pm. The gardens and grounds are open year round from dawn until dusk, free of charge.

3. Crane Museum of Papermaking

32 Pioneer St Off West Housatonic St, Dalton, MA 01226 +1 413-684-6380 [email protected] http://cranemuseum.org
Excellent
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5.0 based on 107 reviews

Crane Museum of Papermaking

Take a tour of the Crane Museum of Papermaking and learn about Crane’s ties to the American Revolution, the development of paper for banknotes, and anti-counterfeiting technologies from the 1800s to the future. Get your hands dirty (don’t worry—it washes off!) with our paper activities in the hands-on art space and take home your handmade souvenir.

Reviewed By robertgY2450WU

We were treated to a wonderful tour by Jenna. Learned so much from her engaging, knowledgeable insights, finished off with a very cool Papermaking demonstration. An hour and a half of time very well spent - great day trip from Hartford

4. Barrington Stage Company

30 Union St, Pittsfield, MA 01201-4528 +1 413-236-8888 [email protected] http://www.barringtonstageco.org/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 268 reviews

Barrington Stage Company

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 RalphH42 - Williamstown, United States

I just saw Barrington Stage's presentation of the Creative Place international's production of Jefferey Sweet's excellent and timely play, Kunstler. Ingratiatingly acted by Jeff McCarthy who is ably supported by Erin Roche, the play has been lovingly directed by Meagan Fay who allows McCarthy to delve into the soul of the great man. The set, lighting and sound designers (James Fenton, Betsy Adams, and Will Severin) do splendid work in keeping us riveted to the play, which moves swiftly through its 90-some minutes. A smart and important production.

5. Schantz Galleries Contemporary Glass

3 Elm St, Stockbridge, MA 01262-7721 +1 413-298-3044 [email protected] http://www.schantzgalleries.com/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 123 reviews

Schantz Galleries Contemporary Glass

Contemporary Glass with works by artists like Dale Chihuly, Lino Tagliapietra and over 40 others. This gallery is a hidden gem in the Berkshires. Hours change seasonally. Appointments required during Covid-19, schedule on www.schantzgalleries.com

Reviewed By Clamflat

Walk in the door of this unassuming building and be blown away with the amazing and beautiful glass exhibit. The owner is a recognized artist with contacts with people in the field. I believe it is the only location on the east coast to see a Chihuly. Well worth a visit.

6. Berkshire Mountain Distillers

356 S Main St, Sheffield, MA 01257-9676 +1 413-229-0219 [email protected] http://berkshiremountaindistillers.com/tours/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 69 reviews

Berkshire Mountain Distillers

Reviewed By tmmcl - Newton, United States

Went for a tasting. The young lady in the tasting room was very knowledgeable about her company's products and the distilling process. Bought some tasty items including gin, rum and bitters. Next time we'll spend a few $ and take the tour.

1670 Pleasant St, Lee, MA 01260-9702 +1 413-822-4830 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/OzziesGlass/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 69 reviews

Ozzie's Glass Gallery

Reviewed By k2boggy - Mesquite, United States

The glass work was absolutely beautiful. The owner explained the different types of glass, had specialty glasses for us to wear to see the colors as he made the glass pieces.

27 Church St, Lenox, MA 01240-2646 +1 413-637-8808 [email protected] http://www.thewitgallery.com/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 14 reviews

The WIT Gallery

Since 1999 The Wit Gallery has been a showcase for joyful,musical, witty and thoughtful art in all media. An acronym for "Wonders In Time" The Wit Gallery focuses on art that brings a feeling of warmth and hospitality which transcends time. The Wit Gallery strives to connect each individual collector to the art which will bring him/her pleasure for years to come.

Reviewed By timntoots - Melbourne, Australia

This place was light filled with lots of different art. There were so many pieces I found attractive and interesting. Lots of glass which is a favourite, plus some metal and wood. The variety and quality was fabulous....definitely worth a visit for a browse or a special purchase!

9. DeVries Fine Art International Inc

62 Church St, Lenox, MA 01240-2554 +1 413-637-3462 [email protected] http://www.andrewdevries.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 11 reviews

DeVries Fine Art International Inc

An award winning master sculptor and founder, Andrew casts his own work in bronze at his atelier in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. His series in bronze include: Dance and Figurative Sculpture, Abstract Sculpture, Portrait and Bas Relief Wall Sculpture, Outdoor Garden Sculpture as well as figurative and dance pastels paintings. Andrew's career spans four decades.

Reviewed By jenniferrG1353YP - Milford, United States

I visited Andrew at the River Studio in Middlefield. The Sculpture Trail is truly breathtaking! There is something quite amazing about seeing Andrew's works in the place where they come to life. Although I so enjoyed the gallery and Andrew's many exhibitions, the River Studio is by far my favorite place!

10. Balderdash Cellars

81 State Road, Richmond, MA 01254 +1 413-464-4629 [email protected] http://balderdashcellars.com
Excellent
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5.0 based on 79 reviews

Balderdash Cellars

Hi everyone, we are open for on-premise enjoyment of some great vino, locally produced, craft beer, and some delicious food! (To minimize employee guest contact, we are not currently offering tasting flights.) We will be operating at a significantly reduced capacity and with numerous other safety measures in place. In short, reservations are 100% required, we will provide table service, and groups are limited to 6 people. Please visit our website if you would like to make a reservation. Trust us, we know it is a completely new way to operate for the winery, so please contact us with any questions. We continue to provide curb side pick-up, free local delivery, and shipping in MA. Please check website for special hours.

Reviewed By robinfT2095HX

My husband & I stumbled on this beautiful hidden gem in the Berkshire’s...Situated on a pretty lake, this place offers fantastic views, great wine, delicious food (from Biggins Diggins, a cool food truck with excellent lobster rolls), and live music by a very talented musician named Brian. We scheduled a reservation online and scored a table for 2 under a tent , which worked out wonderfully since it was a pretty hot sunny day. With the reservation they allowed us to stay as long as we like, anywhere between 12:30pm-4:30pm. Social distancing was observed, and guests are required to wear masks when not seated at their table. Outside the tent, other guests were spread out over the rolling lawn with chairs, picnic blankets & umbrellas, and some found a shady spot under a tree. Excellent service & friendly staff.. this is absolutely one of the best wineries we have visited. The ultimate relaxing afternoon at this happy place!

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