Marci_77

Hi.
We are making our first trip to see the fall foliage soon. Our first stop is in Stowe, and there seems to be lots of information here about it.
But our next two stops are Lenox and New Preston/Litchfield. I'm starting to feel really nervous because other than being lovely I'm not finding much going on.

Can anyone help with some restaurants or interesting sites, light hikes, lookout spots, great drives etc etc in these areas? We have 3 nights in each spot.

I've heard about people picking apples, walking through pumpkin patches etc etc in the fall and I've never done any of these things. I want the fall experience Can anyone help?

Craig

I live near Hartford, CT and am about an hour from Litchfield and two hours from Lenox. 3 days in each place seems like a lot, considering that we might take an afternoon drive to either area to view foliage or go hiking. That being said, Route 8 between Lenox and Winsted is very scenic as is Route 7 between Lenox and New Milford. Route 202 between New Milford and Torrington is not bad - it goes through both New Preston and Litchfield. There are also some very scenic back roads in the area of bordered by Routes 7, 202, and 8. Route 57 is a nice drive to Granville, MA. There is a web site for Connecticut "pick-your-own" farms where you can walk through pumpkin patches but it was not functioning when I checked it. You might try it later - I think it is www.ct.gov/doag/ There are several of these places in the area. There is great hiking/lookout spots at Mt Greylock in Lanesboro, MA - see the website http://www.mass.gov/dem/parks/mgry.htm for more information on this and other parks in Massachusetts. There is a ton of information on hikes in Connecticut on http://www.slackpacker.com/map_ct.html
As for pick-your-own apple orchards throughout New England, try gonewengland.about.com/cs/ farmersmarkets/a/aaappleharvest.htm
There is a cider mill on Route 100 coming out of Stowe that has some pretty interesting stuff - don't know if you can pick your own. Do some research and enjoy your trip!

Marci_77

Thanks for the reply and all the links Craig. I think those will be very helpful.

Anyone else?

alg

After spending MANY falls in CT, I would agree that 3 days in Litchfield and 3 in Lenox may be too much. Where are you coming from?

mclaurie

Really good info for the Litchfield area

http://gonewengland.about.com/od/ctf...chfieldfhb.htm

There's lots in and around Lenox too. Great Barrington and Stockbridge are good places to stop. Williamstown Ma is great with wonderful museum. Put some of these names into the search box here.

Marci_77

Thanks for the replies.

Unfortunately we booked our accommodations several months ago and they are not able to be modified.

Thanks for the link mclaurie, I'll check it out.

janie

Marci_77, since fall foliage is such a desirable time to be in that area, have you checked with your hotel/innkeeper about changing reservations? I know you said that you made the reservations long ago and they can't be changed, but people (including some people here!)are always looking for last minute reservations in the area and many places will refund your deposit(occasionally minus a small fee--ugh!) if they can't re-rent your room. I would be very surprised if a place couldn't fill the rooms.

If you feel comfortable listing the hotel/inn names and dates here, maybe someone on this board might even be interested in taking over the reservations??

Marci_77

It seems a bit odd to me too Janie. We are planning to stay at the Birchwood Inn (www.birchwood-inn.com)in Lenox. Their policy is that they will charge me 10% of the total reservation if they can rebook and the full amount if they can't.
In the Litchfield area we are staying at the Boulders. It is our anniversary so I thought I'd splurge but now I'm feeling like I really screwed up. This is the first vacation I've ever felt bummed out/disappointed about before going.
The letter they sent me confirming my reservation says it is not refundable within 30 days.
So although I appreciate your suggestion I just don't think it will work out for me.

shaz60

Please don't worry about your plans. There are plenty of things to do. Just driving around will reveal many pick -your-own places. Distances are short. You can travel to lots of different spots in an hour or two if you get bored but I don't think you will.

shaz60

Forgot to tell you that Yankee Magazine is a good source of info.

Spainfan

Don't worry about 3 days being too much time in the Berkshires. Pick up a guide, and you will read about the many museums, gardens, quaint towns, restaurants, hikes etc. I would probably center one of my days in the Williamstown area (about 40 minutes north of Lenox). Go to the Williams, MASSMOCA, and do not miss the Clark, which also has hiking trails. Then stay in the Lenox area. Take a look at the view of the Stockbridge bowl from Kirpala (sp?), go to the grounds at Ttanglewood, go the The Mount, there is a beaux artes museum inone of the "cottages" stop at Wheatleigh for a glass of wine. And the last day go to Stockbridge Great Barrington areas. All close by. Walk around the villages, go the the Rockwell,the Chester French house, and, believe it or not, the cemetery in Stockbridge.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Pick up a guide for even more ideas.

A poster suggested taking Rte 8 to Litchfield. As stated, the ride is beautiful through Winstead. You may want to take a quick stop at the grounds at Jacobs Pillow. After that you may want to pick up Rte 202 in Torrington.

Have a great trip, it is a beautiful part of the country.

mclaurie

I really don't think you should worry Marci. Lenox and Litchfield are wonderful and there are plenty of other towns to visit. If you type berkshires in the text search you'll get dozens of threads. I think the real issue is don't think about spending 3 days each in just those 2 spots. You'll have to take day trips to neighboring towns. If you're into antiquing you'll be in seventh heaven. Norfolk Ct.

Here's a thread that's really about inns, but people also mention the various towns and some restaurants. You should also do a search for restaurants and look at bershires.org

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34469609

Marci_77

Thanks guys.
You've helped to set my mind at ease.

mclaurie

Marci I think you should restart your thread since it got hijacked with debates on whether or not to change/cancel your plans. Use a title like Favorite sights and dining in and around Litchfield,CT and Lenox Ma.

My contribution, White Flower Farms in Litchfield is a famous nursery if you're into gardening.

Sheffield Ma (which you should pass through from one area to the other) at the border between Ma/Ct is a beautiful place. We got lost there and discovered beautiful lakes,ponds, homes and great antiquing along that stretch of rte 7.