Yankee’s Berkshires Travel Guide for a Quintessential Berkshires Vacation

Meet some of the people and places that make New England special, in the January/February 2020 issue of Yankee magazine.

Sleigh Ride in the Snow

Meet some of the people and places that make New England special, in the January/February 2020 issue of Yankee magazine.

When you ask anyone about their favorite Berkshire moments, they inevitably happen in the summer: concerts on the lawn of Tanglewood, cocktails on the rocking chairs of the Red Lion Inn porch, and quiet walks through the Italian gardens of Edith Wharton’s estate. But winter on the western edge of Massachusetts offers a slower, more intimate experience. You can always get a fireside table at restaurants, there’s little traffic to disturb the snow, and you have the museums all to yourself. In fact, one of the country’s largest contemporary art museums, Mass MoCa, occupies a full campus of former mill buildings in the northern reaches of the Berkshires. You could spend days exploring the art and installations here, and the restaurants and hotels that have grown up around the museum make it easy to do just that. Lesser known, but equally entrancing art museums call the Berkshires home, as well. The Williams College Museum of Art is known for provocative and creative exhibits, while the Clark offers more Degas paintings than you would imagine possible in rural Massachusetts. When you get hungry, dining options are as varied as the museums. In one old bank building-turned-restaurant, you can peruse an entire menu of grilled cheese sandwiches. Or enjoy lunch in a rustic tavern that’s been serving guests since 1773. After lunch, stock up on new, used, vintage, and rare books at one of the many unique shops in the region, including one housed in an iconic mill on the banks of the Williams River. For an outdoor adventure, you can hit the slopes or try cross-country skiing (or hiking) through a 500-acre park with 15 miles of trails. If you prefer slightly less adventure, but still enjoy getting outside, don’t miss the sculpture park located on the site of a former quarry. And don’t worry; there are several nearby coffee shops where you can warm up afterwards.

Ready to explore? Learn where to stay, where to play, and so much more about this favorite destination in its most intimate season when you read, The Berkshires: an Insider’s Guide!

Breakfast in Bed Winter is also the perfect time for a little romantic getaway. One of the best ways to ensure a quiet weekend together is to put away the cell phone, and since so many of us have a hard time breaking that connection, one destination solves the problem for you. About 90 minutes outside of Boston, wide-windowed, dog-friendly cabins offer a nest of warmth in the winter woods. But before you check in, you can store your phone in a lockbox, safe and out of sight for a true opportunity for you and your loved one to enjoy some time together. If indulgent tranquility is more to your liking, in-room spa experiences, custom-built beds, exquisite textiles, and complimentary bars await you in Connecticut. Sip a fresh cup of coffee and watch the morning mist rise from the falls, then stroll to art galleries, or linger over brunch cocktails. Similar luxury awaits you in Rhode Island. Take a walk along the inn’s private beach, then relax in sumptuous leather sofas beside a toasty fire in the fieldstone fireplace. Those are just a few of the romantic winter weekend ideas you can find in the latest issue of Yankee magazine. Learn where you can expect hearty granola and fresh-baked pastries for breakfast, where you can sip champagne when you check in, enjoy a complimentary guest pantry, or claim a private cabana by an indoor pool. Your Yankee All-Access Charter Membership gives you the keys to the best escapes in New England instantly. Find out how to make the most of your winter in the latest edition of Yankee. Winter in New England is an experience like no other, and you can get the scoop on all the fun throughout the region. Watch a game of pond hockey, take part in one of the oldest ski races in North America, covering 20 kilometers of challenging terrain, or test your skills in a sledding competition. In all, you can discover well over 100 indoor or outdoor adventures, sights, shops, restaurants, inns, bars, and events, plus all the little things that make New England special – and that doesn’t even count the complete online library that comes with your Yankee All-Access Charter Membership! Yankee is your guide to New England. From the snow tubing parks you don’t want to miss, to some of the most charming winter towns in the world, this is the place to learn more about our little corner of the globe.

Find out more in our January/February 2020 issue of Yankee, which is FREE with your Yankee All-Access Charter Membership!

Discover the best that New England has to offer in the latest edition of Yankee. With your Yankee All-Access Charter Membership, you have full access to everything in this issue, including: Girl Snowshoeing [preview_boilerplate]