{"id":61302,"date":"2023-09-27T09:08:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T13:08:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=61302"},"modified":"2023-09-29T05:05:03","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T09:05:03","slug":"an-art-infused-weekend-getaway-to-the-berkshires-north-adams-ma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/61302\/an-art-infused-weekend-getaway-to-the-berkshires-north-adams-ma\/","title":{"rendered":"An Art-Infused Weekend Getaway To The Berkshires: North Adams, MA (with Videos!)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>North Adams is a small city in the Berkshires brimming with art and culture. Yes, you will find pastoral landscapes and rolling hills dappled with colorful autumn leaves that this corner of New England is famous for, but it\u2019s the town\u2019s urban edge that should make city folk feel right at home.<\/p>\n<p>North Adams was once a thriving manufacturing center but the 20<sup>th&nbsp;<\/sup>century brought factory closures and major economic setbacks. Many industrial New England towns never recovered but North Adams has managed to transform what could have been ruin into unparalleled visual riches, making it a stellar weekend getaway to the Berkshires.<\/p>\n<p>There\u2019s a cohesive and cooperative sentiment in North Adams that is just plain nice to be surrounded by. Artists, merchants, hoteliers and restaurant owners understand that what lifts one up will eventually lift others.<\/p>\n<p>If you like your country setting served with a side order of city style, the \u201cBrooklyn in the Berkshires\u201d vibe should suit you just fine.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Things to Do in North Adams<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/massmoca.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mass MoCA<\/a> is one of the most evocative centers of cutting-edge art in the world. Housed in the former Sprague Electric factory with over 250,000 square feet of gallery space, it&#8217;s the largest museum of contemporary art and performance in America. The sprawling size and soaring, light-filled spaces allow for liberating, large-scale installations that would be impossible to realize in a conventional sized museum.<\/p>\n<p>Watch this video to learn more:<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"YouTube video player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jiBj2SX_S7Y?si=tBceSE2pjhrcpMY_\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Emerging artists are both nurtured and promoted but top international stars of the art world, including James Turrell, Sol LeWitt and Joseph Beuys, are also represented.<\/p>\n<p>With over 75 performances staged on the indoor-outdoor grounds annually, the performing arts are an essential part of the MASS MoCA experience.<\/p>\n<p>A visit to Mass MoCA is one of the top things to do in North Adams, and an integral part&nbsp; of the <a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/56537\/the-berkshires-best-art-experiences\/\">art scene in the Berkshires region<\/a>. There\u2019s so much to experience you\u2019ll need to return as it\u2019s virtually impossible to experience it all in one shot.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Mural Art<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>North Adams is a very walkable town. In fact, walking is the best way to glimpse its rich collection of public art.<\/p>\n<p>In this city, mural art is a catalyst, attracting people to the downtown shops, restaurants and attractions. Talented artists vie for the chance to create bold and vibrant works of pop-up art, murals and sidewalk paintings.<\/p>\n<p>Watch this:<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"YouTube video player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/J9LtpUfSL8Y?si=qa0_uIoj9xtLxjxt\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Get Outdoors in the Berkshires<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/berkshirehiking.com\/hikes\/the_cascades.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Cascades Trail<\/a> is an easy riverside walk, a serene gem located just a few minutes from downtown. Walk to Marion Ave. to find the well-marked trailhead.<\/p>\n<p>The flat walk takes just over an hour with a few easy, non-technical scrambles to reach the refreshing, 40-foot waterfall. In autumn, thousands of crimson, gold and orange leaves add seasonal eye candy.<\/p>\n<p>Watch this to get some more hiking inspiration:<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"YouTube video player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/siisG2F7nRk?si=g3Tfsy7FmuK-lXB6\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Stay at the Porches Inn<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>While there are several hotels in North Adams, only one defines the town\u2019s art-infused spirit,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.porches.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA<\/a>. It offers expansive views of MASS MoCA right from the cozy rocking chairs located on the porches of its collection of 19<sup>th<\/sup>century Victorian row houses. These houses were once home to mill workers and their families, so a stay feels like an interactive dive into the area\u2019s history and its forward-thinking commitment to urban renewal.<\/p>\n<p>Watch this video to get a glimpse:<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"YouTube video player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ji_mG04Anf8?si=n9wK7yt2IwtNsM0q\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Modern, high-tech comforts blend with retro touches to create an environment that is both welcoming and stimulating. The outdoor lap pool, with its heated stone deck, is open year-round. A hot tub and sauna are welcome perks. The amped-up continental breakfast is included in the rate. As a princely bonus, there\u2019s no extra charge for room service.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Eats<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>New kid on the block Bowlin\u2019 on the River offers a novel menu. You choose a base such as udon noodles, quinoa or lettuce. Next, select from a variety of protein, veggie and fruit options, sort of like selecting pizza toppings. The kitchen slants local and vegetarian options abound.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.publiceatanddrink.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Public eat + drink<\/a>&nbsp;is a casual dining spot with a menu jammed with local farm produce and Berkshire-made foodstuff. You can\u2019t go wrong ordering a flatbread pizza or a hefty burger made with grass fed beef. In-state brews on tap are the perfect go-with.<\/p>\n<p>When you\u2019re at MASS MoCA and need a snack, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.licketysplitatmassmoca.com\/#cafe-cuisine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lickety Split<\/a> ice cream is made on premise in small batches. Delish.<\/p>\n<p>Watch this for some more ideas:<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"lazyload\" title=\"YouTube video player\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ygvz5xLAtxE?si=dcrmJg_egp1A0h13\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Transportation to North Adams from NYC:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Ride&nbsp;the Peter Pan bus from Port Authority to neighboring Williamstown in 4 hours and 30 minutes. It\u2019s a 15-minute taxi ride from Williamstown to North Adams.<\/p>\n<p>Train lovers may ride <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amtrak.com\/home.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">AMTRAK<\/a> to Pittsfield MA, then hop on a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.berkshirerta.com\/schedules.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">BRTA<\/a> bus to North Adams for a total journey time of 5 hours.<\/p>\n<p>For more information visit www.Explorenorthadams.com and <a href=\"https:\/\/berkshires.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.Berkshires.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Image credit:&nbsp;\u00a9 James Turrell, Photo by Florian Holzherr, MASS MoCA, The Porches, Public Eat + Drink, Antonio Tibaldi<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>North Adams is a small city in the Berkshires brimming with art and culture. Yes, you will find pastoral landscapes and rolling hills dappled with colorful autumn leaves that this corner of New England is famous for, but it\u2019s the town\u2019s urban edge that should make city folk feel right at home. North Adams was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":61308,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,757,224,884,747,829,837,838,776,770,790,1267,769,1924,969,322,1057,2850,845,847,748,1867,1868,316],"tags":[116,40,293,280,145,483,48,299,11258,18,133,449,204,169],"class_list":{"0":"post-61302","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"category-activity-2","9":"category-arts","10":"category-berkshires","11":"category-bus-2","12":"category-culture-2","13":"category-dance-culture-2","14":"category-fall-foliage-culture-2","15":"category-farms-food-drink","16":"category-food-drink","17":"category-hiking-adventure-activity-2","18":"category-hiking-getaways","19":"category-historic-sites-culture","20":"category-ice-cream","21":"category-locations","22":"category-massachussetts","23":"category-museums-culture-2","24":"category-north-adams","25":"category-sculpture-culture-2","26":"category-tours-culture-2","27":"category-train-2","28":"category-transit-type","29":"category-travel-type","30":"category-weekend-getaways","31":"tag-amtrak","32":"tag-art","33":"tag-budget-friendly","34":"tag-cultural-getaway","35":"tag-dining","36":"tag-family-friendly","37":"tag-historical-site","38":"tag-locally-sourced","39":"tag-massachusetts-guide","40":"tag-museum","41":"tag-outdoors","42":"tag-restaurants","43":"tag-train","44":"tag-weekend-getaway"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":61308,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/MASS-MoCA-featured-image-e1536334113621-350x197.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/50"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61302"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61302\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61308"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}