Downtown Pittsfield’s thriving art scene and creative energy make it a perennial favorite with urbanites craving a weekend getaway. On June 1, the already dynamic panorama gets an upscale boost with the opening of Hotel on North, offering 45 rooms in the heart of town.
Located in a pair of venerable buildings that date from the 1880s, common areas and guest rooms (from $179) offer distinctive design elements formed by the architectural bones of the buildings, such as tin ceilings, exposed brick walls, and wood columns. Custom furniture from local workshops, fireplaces and claw foot tubs add authentic flavor. High speed Wi-Fi, high-def smart televisions and Bluetooth enabled audio should appeal to those who desire modern amenities. The Hotel on North’s gallery plans to display and celebrate the work of regional artists, further integrating itself into the community.
The hotel promises an epicurean experience to please the most demanding palate. Each room’s mini-bar are stocked with a curated selection of Berkshire-made nibbles. On-site restaurant Eat offers a bright and innovative chef-driven menu sourced from local purveyors and farms while Drink aims for “watering hole meets sophisticated lounge.” A spry spin on cocktails, artisanal beers from around the world, as well as Nitro Cold Brew coffee from Six Depot, are among the highlights. A small-plates bar menu rounds out the offerings.
The natural setting of the Berkshires is a superb backdrop for the arts. Downtown Pittsfield’s culture-heavy landscape is a pedestrian’s paradise. Hotel on North’s guests are within walking distance from the acclaimed Barrington Stage Company, the newly restored Colonial Theatre and the family-friendly Berkshire Museum. Restaurants, shops and galleries by the dozen are only steps away. If you’d like to further explore the area, world-class performing arts venues including Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow and Williamstown Theatre Festival, are just a few miles away.
For reservations and information, visit hotelonnorth.com or call 413.358.4741. Pittsfield is easy to reach via Bonanza or Peter Pan bus lines from Port Authority.
Photo credit: Hotel on North
Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributes travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She is fluent in Italian and Spanish and laughably adequate in French. Her background as an Early Childhood Educator gives her an added understanding of what it takes to travel with kids in tow. She firmly believes that the most important part of education takes place outside of the classroom, on the road, around the world. She never misses a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. Follow Allison at @gourmetrav.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram