{"id":29809,"date":"2021-08-16T10:38:21","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T15:38:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/?p=29809"},"modified":"2021-08-16T10:38:21","modified_gmt":"2021-08-16T15:38:21","slug":"berkshires-road-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/berkshires-road-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"These Are the Best Things to Do in the Berkshires with Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_29810\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29810\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/lakeinlee.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A lake in Lee, MA\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29810\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/lakeinlee.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/lakeinlee.jpg?resize=375,196 375w, https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/lakeinlee.jpg?resize=768,402 768w, https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/lakeinlee.jpg?resize=1024,536 1024w, https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/lakeinlee.jpg?resize=240,126 240w, https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/lakeinlee.jpg?resize=50,26 50w, https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/lakeinlee.jpg?resize=600,314 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-29810\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by goofyfoottaka\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>A three-hour road trip is a doable distance with kids. Right before the kids reach their breaking point, you arrive at your destination. Three hours is all it takes to drive from NYC to the Berkshires, and when kids realize that the best things to do in the \u00a0Berkshires include eating ice cream, they will be all in!<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re looking for a last-minute summer getaway, or planning ahead for fall, add the Berkshires to your list. And activities go way beyond ice cream. The scenery alone is worth the trip, plus the endless opportunities for outdoor family fun. It&#8217;s out of the range for day trips from NYC with a toddler, so set aside a few days and follow this guide to find where to stay and eat, and the best things to do in the Berkshires, while you&#8217;re there.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Where to Stay in the Berkshires<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_48837\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-48837\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-48837 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/redlioninn-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"The sign for the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, MA\" width=\"640\" height=\"335\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-48837\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by T photography\/Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Located in Stockbridge, MA, the historic\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.redlioninn.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Red Lion Inn<\/strong><\/a> is the last of the inns from the 1800s that is still in business in the Berkshires. Presidents have stayed there, as well as famous writers and musicians. What kids will love most about it is its outdoor pool, which is heated to 82 degrees year round! The many lodging options include rooms in the Red Lion Inn, Maple Glen (a 17-room guest house), and other houses on the property. The Red Lion&#8217;s sister property, the <a href=\"https:\/\/thebriarcliffmotel.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Briarcliff Motel<\/strong><\/a>, is a less expensive option. It is also great for kids, dog friendly, and guests are able to use the Red Lion Inn pool.<\/p>\n<p>Other places to stay nearby:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ihg.com\/holidayinnexpress\/hotels\/us\/en\/great-barrington\/gbrma\/hoteldetail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Holiday Inn Express &amp; Suites<\/strong><\/a> (Great Barrington, MA)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marriott.com\/hotels\/travel\/gbrfi-fairfield-inn-and-suites-great-barrington-lenox-berkshires\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Fairfield Inn &amp; Suites<\/strong><\/a> (Great Barrington, MA)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Holiday Inn &amp; Fairfield Inn both have indoor pools and a complimentary buffet breakfast.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read Next | <a href=\"\/col2\/moms\/best-lakes-near-nyc-for-family-outings\/\">The Best Lakes Near NYC for Family Outings<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Where to Eat in the Berkshires\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The Red Lion Inn offers indoor dining in their main dining room and tavern, and outdoor options (weather permitting).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thebistrobox.rocks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>The Bistro Box<\/strong><\/a> in Great Barrington has a family-friendly menu (think burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and salads), outdoor dining only, and games like frisbee and cornhole. Another plus: their sweet potato fries are said to be heavenly! Open until November.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.babalouiespizza.com\/great-barrington\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Babalouie&#8217;s Sourdough Pizza<\/strong><\/a>, also in Great Barrington, is pizza perfection. Thin crust, and pretty much any topping you can think to add. Vegan and gluten-free options are available.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Read Next | <a href=\"\/col1\/toddler\/kids-songs-playlist-picks\/\" onclick=\"ga('send', 'event', 'read-next-links', 'click');\">This Is an Awesome Playlist of Kids\u2019 Songs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Fun Things to Do\u00a0in the Berkshires<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In no particular order&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-48833 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/SOCOicecream-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"A SOCO blueberry lavender ice cream cone\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Eat ice cream!<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sococreamery.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>SoCo Creamery<\/strong><\/a> is an award-winning ice cream shop in Great Barrington. From Peanut Butter Mudslide, Kookie Monster, and Blueberry Honey Lavender (pictured) to Lemon Poppy, Black Raspberry, and standards like Chocolate Chip, there are no bad choices\u2014just too many to fit on one cone!<\/p>\n<p>At\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.highlawnfarm.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>High Lawn Farm<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in Lee, you can visit the cows to see where the milk comes from for High Lawn Farm ice cream and cheeses. Then, you can enjoy the delicious &#8220;farm-to-cone&#8221; ice cream at picnic tables on site.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Take a hike<\/strong>. Locals love the 1.5-mile Glen Meadow Loop at <a href=\"http:\/\/greylockglenresort.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Greylock Glen<\/strong><\/a> in Adams. The gravel surface makes it a great hike for tykes. The <a href=\"https:\/\/thetrustees.org\/place\/tyringham-cobble\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Tyringham Cobble<\/strong><\/a> is a 2.1-mile loop with spectacular views. Have kids keep a lookout for Rabbit Rock, which is named for its animal shape. <a href=\"https:\/\/thetrustees.org\/place\/tyringham-cobble\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Bartholomew&#8217;s Cobble<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0in Sheffield and the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/us\/massachusetts\/benedict-pond-loop-trail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Benedict Pond Loop Trail<\/strong><\/a> near Great Barrington, are also good options for kids.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hit the shops<\/strong>. <a href=\"https:\/\/sett.onemercantile.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>One Mercantile<\/strong><\/a> in Great Barrington has beautiful items for the home, as well as special gifts for babies and kids. Its sister store, <a href=\"https:\/\/sett.onemercantile.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Sett<\/strong><\/a>, is a specialty tabletop shop. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.robinscandy.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Robin&#8217;s Candy Store<\/strong><\/a> is fantastic\u2014and parents will love that customers are given a toothbrush with their purchase.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-48834\" src=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/LakeGarfield-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"Lake Garfield in Monterey, MA\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/>Go for a swim.\u00a0<\/strong>If you pass a lake, you can likely take a dip in it. Many Berkshire lakes and beaches are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.berkshireeagle.com\/news\/local\/beaches-swimming-in-the-berkshires\/article_e8f364cb-ef03-5817-944e-f494206d8170.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>open to the public<\/strong><\/a>. Life guards are on duty at Great Barrington&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gbland.org\/lake-mansfield\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Lake Mansfield<\/strong><\/a>, Monterey&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.friendsoflakegarfield.org\/visiting-lake-garfield\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Lake Garfield<\/strong><\/a>, and more, through Labor Day.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Absorb some art and history.<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.turnpark.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TurnPark Art Space<\/strong><\/a> in West Stockbridge has indoor and outdoor programs (through October) for all to explore. The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield has an <a href=\"https:\/\/berkshiremuseum.org\/portfolio-item\/aquarium\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Aquarium<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0Open from April through December, <a href=\"https:\/\/hancockshakervillage.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Hancock Shaker Village<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is also in Pittsfield. It is the oldest working farm in the Berkshires. Trained staff demonstrate Shaker crafts, like basket- and oval-box making, blacksmithing, and weaving.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pick-your-own fruit<\/strong>. The apple season begins at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/windyhillfarminc.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Windy Hill Farm<\/strong><\/a> in late-August. The farm usually grows 25 varieties of apples in its 7-acre orchard.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-48835 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/summerhills-375x281.jpg\" alt=\"view from Monument Mountain in Great Barrington, MA\" width=\"375\" height=\"281\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><em><strong>Elizabeth Siris Winchester<\/strong> is the Director of Content for Mommybites. She has spent much of her publishing career writing and editing for Time For Kids magazine and Scholastic. Liz is also the Marketing Manager for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.seacliffmusic.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Sea Cliff Music<\/strong><\/a>, which provides music education to string students of all ages.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/new-york\/plan-an-amazing-family-weekend-getaway-in-the-catskills\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-48798\" src=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/LivingstonManor-375x196.jpg\" alt=\"creek and pond in the Catskills\" width=\"375\" height=\"196\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Read Next | <a href=\"\/new-york\/plan-an-amazing-family-weekend-getaway-in-the-catskills\/\">Plan an Amazing Family Weekend Getaway in the Catskills<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Like what you read? <a href=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/register\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JOIN the Mommybites community<\/a> to get the latest on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/free-online-parenting-classes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FREE online classes<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/community\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">parenting advice<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/community-events\/find-family-friendly-events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">events<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/child-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">childcare listings<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/casting-calls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">casting calls<\/a>\u00a0&amp;\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/raffles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">raffles,<\/a>\u00a0and our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/NYCParentsWithNannies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Parents With Nannies Facebook group<\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/register\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">SIGN UP NOW<\/a>!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A three-hour road trip is a doable distance with kids. Right before the kids reach their breaking point, you arrive at your destination. Three hours is all it takes to drive from NYC to the Berkshires, and when kids realize that the best things to do in the \u00a0Berkshires include eating ice cream, they will [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5482,"featured_media":29810,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"schneps_byline":"","schneps_post_style":"","schneps_post_source":"","schneps_syndicated_read_more":"","schneps_post_source_sitename":"","schneps_post_source_shortname":"","schneps_post_source_url":"","schneps_post_source_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45,51],"tags":[47],"class_list":["post-29809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-moms","category-dads","tag-travel"],"acf":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/berkshires-road-trip\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"These Are the Best Things to Do in the Berkshires with Kids","url":"http:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/berkshires-road-trip\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/berkshires-road-trip\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/lakeinlee.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/lakeinlee.jpg"},"articleSection":"Moms","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Elizabeth Siris Winchester"}],"creator":["Elizabeth Siris Winchester"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Mommybites New York","logo":""},"keywords":["travel"],"dateCreated":"2021-08-16T15:38:21Z","datePublished":"2021-08-16T15:38:21Z","dateModified":"2021-08-16T15:38:21Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"These Are the Best Things to Do in the Berkshires with Kids\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/mommybites.com\\\/newyork\\\/berkshires-road-trip\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/mommybites.com\\\/newyork\\\/berkshires-road-trip\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mommybites.com\\\/newyork\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2021\\\/08\\\/lakeinlee.jpg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/mommybites.com\\\/newyork\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2021\\\/08\\\/lakeinlee.jpg\"},\"articleSection\":\"Moms\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"Elizabeth Siris Winchester\"}],\"creator\":[\"Elizabeth Siris Winchester\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"Mommybites New York\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[\"travel\"],\"dateCreated\":\"2021-08-16T15:38:21Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-08-16T15:38:21Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-08-16T15:38:21Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/mommybites.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/lakeinlee.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29809"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5482"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29809"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29809\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mommybites.com\/newyork\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}