Massachusetts Best Attractions 2010

Best Men’s Sportswear
THE BROWNS, Williamstown
From durable U.S.-made Bills Khakis to Jack Victor sportcoats and a lot of quietly cosmopolitan designer clothing in between, this attractive, friendly shop will help redefine your wardrobe without breaking the bank. 16 Water St. 413-458-1618; downtownwilliamstown.com

Best Mountain View
STONY LEDGE, Williamstown
Stony Ledge, accessible from Mt. Greylock’s summit road, combines a vertiginous 1,400-foot view into the Hopper, a steep-sided bowl notable for old-growth woods, with a majestic panorama of the Bay State’s highest peaks. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough (Mt. Greylock Visitor Center). 413-499-4262; mass.gov/dcr/parks/mtGreylock

Best Melville Primer
ARROWHEAD, Pittsfield
Named for the artifacts he plowed up in the surrounding fields, this rambling 18th-century farmhouse was home to Herman Melville for 13 years. Most of his best work was written here, including Moby-Dick. 780 Holmes Road. 413-442-1793; www.mobydick.org

Best Place to Soar
DEERFIELD ZIPLINE TOURS, Charlemont
Enjoy a series of thrilling descents across the forested flanks of Mount Warfield and finally see things from a squirrel’s point of view. 7 Main St. (Route 2). 800-532-7483, 413-339-4010; deerfieldzipline.com

Best Handmade Gifts
SHELBURNE ARTS CO-OP, Shelburne Falls
This downtown cooperative brings together crafts and fine art from more than 50 members in one fun-to-browse storefront in a picturesque town known for its artisans. 26 Bridge St. 413-625-9324; shelburneartscoop.com

Best Urban Bike Path
CANALSIDE TRAIL, Turners Falls
From crossing the Connecticut River on an old railroad bridge to its northern terminus near the fish ladder, this paved path offers intriguing sights along its 4-mile route through a historic mill town. Easy links to the more rural 44-mile Franklin County Bikeway. Open dawn to dusk. 38 Avenue A. 413-863-3221 (Great Falls Discovery Center); 413-230-9910, turnersfallsriverculture.org/recreation/bikepath

Best Touch of Whimsy
FACES, Northampton
Looking for a gift to brighten someone’s day? This two-floor shop overflows with whimsical wares. Go in looking for the latest footwear and leave with a plastic lawn penguin and a clever kitchen gadget. Browsing heaven. 175 Main St. 413-584-4081; facesmainst.com

Best Selection of Distilled Spirits
YANKEE SPIRITS, Sturbridge
From cognac-quality rums and scads of single-malt scotches to hard-to-find gins and the latest herbal liqueurs, this is your one-stop home bar improvement shop. 376 Main St. 508-347-2231; yankeespirits.com

Best Glassware
TROVE, Weston
Wares from the workshops of John Derian, a leader in the revival of a venerable craft: decoupage of functional glassware. 542 Boston Post Road. 781-642-0484; troveboutique.com

Best Personalized Keepsake
BLUE SHUTTERS STUDIO, Amesbury
For something truly personal, provide a digital photo of your loved one and the owner will make a unique hand-painted artwork from it, printable on any item in the shop. 14 Cedar St., Suite 204. 978-378-3433; blueshuttersstudio.com

Best “Green” Furnishings
SECOND THOUGHTS, Haverhill
Never has hand-me-down furniture looked so good: chairs fashioned from vintage cribs, bench seats made from ornate headboards, used desks and tables renewed with colorful makeovers. 63 Wingate St. 978-374-2222; secondthoughtsonwingate.com

Best Used Bookstore
PARNASSUS BOOK SERVICE, Yarmouth Port
The $1 used volumes that permanently cover one whole exterior wall of this old general store are only the tip of the iceberg: Inside is filled to the rafters with titles on every topic imaginable. 220 Route 6A. 508-362-6420; parnassusbooks.com

Best Slice of the Past
WELLFLEET DRIVE-IN THEATRE, South Wellfleet
Built in 1957, it shows first-run double features as soon as darkness falls. Be sure to arrive early enough to catch the classic animated countdown to the start of the first movie. 51 Route 6. 508-349-7176; wellfleetcinemas.com

Best Weathervanes
TUCK & HOLAND METAL SCULPTORS, Vineyard Haven
Anthony Holand’s beautiful sculptural works last a lifetime. Since not everyone can afford a custom-designed weathervane (or the two-year wait), Holand keeps a few standard castings in stock at his workshop. 275 State Road. 508-693-3914; tuckandholand.com

Best Vineyard Guided Tour
CAPE POGE NATURAL HISTORY TOUR, Edgartown
Experience Chappaquiddick Island’s 4-mile barrier beach up close on this three-hour journey by over-sand vehicle, from wave-swept shores populated with oystercatchers and plovers to cedar-covered expanses protecting small mammals. The highlight? A remote 1893 lighthouse, whose periodic relocation mirrors the ever-changing landscape. Dike Road, Chappaquiddick. 508-627-3599; thetrustees.org

Best Chic Womenswear
YES, WE HAVE NO BANANAS, West Tisbury
Within this lovely rural storefront, find simple linen and cotton tops, creatively hand-embellished cashmere and silk wraps, and dresses inspired by contemporary art. 697 State Road. 508-696-5939; bananasgallery.com

Best Contemporary Limoges
TRILLIUM, Nantucket
As this attractive little shop amply demonstrates, today’s china designers are putting as much style into fine French dinnerware as into couture on the runway. 15 Washington St. 508-228-4450; trilliumnantucket.com