Massachusetts Best Attractions 2011

BEST MOVIE HOUSE
Beacon Cinema, Pittsfield
The city’s Kinnell-Kresge building is classic 1918, but inside, a new six-screen, all-digital theater features the Met Opera “Live in HD” as well as art films, sports broadcasts, and first-run movies in surround sound. Hot hits may appear on all screens at once–in 3D. A vintage escalator accesses the wine bar and New Stage performance area upstairs. 57 North St. 413-358-4780; thebeaconcinema.com

BEST MOBILE GALLERY
Hotchkiss Mobiles, West Stockbridge
The space is filled with the color and motion of dozens of original mobiles–boats, hearts, abstracts–all designed by Joel Hotchkiss and produced in the on-site studio, visible through a windowed wall. Grab lunch at the nearby Perks Cafe. 8 Center St. 413-232-0200; artmobiles.com

BEST ART SHOP
Schantz Galleries, Stockbridge
Up a side street and a down an alley, this venue is positioned to draw connoisseurs. It’s filled with art glass in deep colors and swirling shapes, created by world-renowned artists of the medium. 3 Elm St. 413-298-3044; schantzgalleries.com

BEST COLLEGE ART MUSEUM
Smith College Museum of Art, Northampton
They’re all here on the top floor: Picasso, Degas, Winslow Homer, George Bellows, Rockwell Kent, Marsden Hartley, Georges Seurat, et al. This season’s special exhibits are also standouts. Even the artsy restrooms are worth a visit. Jct. Elm St. & Bedford Terrace. 413-585-2760; smith.edu/artmuseum

BEST SMALL CANDLE SHOP
Kringle Candle Company, Bernardston
A delightful little shop founded by Michael Kittredge III, son of Yankee Candle’s founder. Here, the candles are all white and come in 36 scents. 220 South St. (Route 5). 413-648-3077; kringlecandle.com

BEST WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
Ecotarium, Worcester
Indulge your inner Tarzan by trekking through the treetops on swinging bridges 40 feet above the forest floor. With a bird’s-eye view of this leafy ecosystem, the Tree Canopy Walkway is certainly educational but also thrilling, even while wearing a safety harness and helmet. 222 Harrington Way. 508-929-2700; ecotarium.org

BEST MUSEUM CRAFTS
Fuller Craft Museum, Brockton
As you might expect from one of the country’s best museums of contemporary art, Fuller’s shop sells the work of leading ceramicists, glassblowers, woodworkers, and jewelers, as well as works by lesser-known artists for buyers whose tastes are richer than their budgets. 455 Oak St. 508-588-6000; fullercraft.org

BEST DECORATOR FABRICS
Zimman’s, Lynn
When your cat declares war on your couch–or when too many hours of HGTV inspire a makeover–Zimman’s has just the fabric to bring old furniture back to life. At the forefront of home decor since 1909, this cavernous store has everything from bold Marimekko prints to rich brocades. 80 Market St. 781-598-9432; zimmans.com

BEST OUTDOOR SCULPTURE
Decordova Sculpture Park & Museum,Lincoln
Thirty-five acres of lawns and copious surrounding woods make this outdoor space the largest sculpture park in New England, and the lawn furniture, so to speak, some of the most expressive. Some 75 sculptures and site-specific installations are exhibited at any one time. Picnicking is encouraged. 51 Sandy Pond Road. 781-259-8355; decordova.org

BEST FAMILY ESCAPE
Codman Community Farms & Drumlin Farm,Lincoln
These two neighboring farms are a great way to introduce city kids to cows, sheep, and pigs, while giving parents an easy spot to pick up locally grown, organic produce, eggs, and meat. Tours and workshops also available. Codman Community Farms, 58 Codman Road. 781-259-0456; codmanfarm.org. Drumlin Farm, 208 South Great Road. 781-259-2200; massaudubon.org/drumlinfarm

BEST NATIVE AMERICAN POV
Native Plymouth Tours, Plymouth
History is traditionally written by the winners, but sometimes survivors have a word or two to add. Get the Native American slant on New England’s first English colony from a guide steeped in the ways of the Wampanoag. Tours begin at Plymouth Rock (Pilgrim Memorial State Park) on the harbor. Water St. 774-454-7792; nativeplymouthtours.com

BEST FOLK-ART COLLECTION
Cogswell’s Grant, Essex
Set on 165 acres overlooking the Essex River, the 1728 farmhouse would be reason enough to visit, but it’s even more engrossing to see how pioneering folk-art collectors Bertram K. and Nina Fletcher Little furnished their summer home. Rooms are packed with weathervanes and decoys, primitive portraits and painted furniture, and all manner of “country arts.” 60 Spring St. 978-768-3632; historicnewengland.org

BEST WEARABLE CATCH
Blue Water Fish Rubbings, Chatham
Artist Jenny Bovey practices her own form of gyotaku, the ancient Japanese art of fish rubbing, to create the ultimate marine souvenir of Cape Cod. Bluefish, stripers, crabs, octopi, and even sprightly sea robins grace her T-shirts and sweatshirts. Direct image transfer means that no fishermen’s fibs slip in. 505 Main St. 508-945-7616; bluewaterfishrubbings.com

BEST HALF-DAY ON CAPE COD
Swan Pond River, West Dennis/Dennis Port
Enjoy a box of perfect fried clams from the back deck of Kream ‘N Kone, overlooking the Swan Pond River. Then cross the street to rent a kayak for a leisurely 90-minute paddle, either downriver to the Nantucket Sound beach or upriver to see the herons, egrets, and swans of Swan Pond. Kream ‘N Kone, 961 Main St., West Dennis. 508-394-0808; kreamnkone.com. Cape Cod Waterway Boat Rentals,16 Route 28, Dennis Port. 508-398-0080; capecodwaterways.org

BEST CAPE COD STYLE
Puritan Cape Cod, Hyannis, Chatham, Falmouth, Mashpee Commons
From sherbet-hued summer wear to buttoned-up (and buttoned-down) office garb, this department store perfectly captures the work/play ethos of Cape Cod. You’ll find many of the preppiest name designers (Ralph Lauren and friends), as well as store-label clothing ideal for Chips and Muffys of all ages. 408 Main St., Hyannis; 508-775-2400. 573 Main St., Chatham; 508-945-0326. 199 Main St., Falmouth; 508-548-0116. 25 Steeple St., Mashpee Commons; 508-477-4333. puritancapecod.com