Angelmia

I'll be getting in to Hartford CN tomorrow around noon, I would like to see if there's a nice scenic route from Bradley International Airpot through Great Barrington and ending in Lenox... I'll be spending the night there with a few days of venturing drives through Mass, S. Vermont and head towards N. Shore Mass or even head to Newbury Port and Gloucester...any suggestions would be greatly appreciated !
Thanks in advance !

janie

The fast way from BDL to Lenox would be to take rt I91 north and pick up the Massachusetts Turnpike.If you'd rather pass through some scenic areas, you could go west on rt 44 and then pick up rt 7 north. I don't know the stretch of 44 between the airport and Norfolk CT, but from there on, there are nice towns with shopping, antiques, leafy roads etc. If you have extra time and are not in a rush you could detour and go a little out of the way south on rt 7 about as far as Kent, and then loop back north through Litchfield (to the east) or Sharon or Salisbury to the west.

Do you have specific plans for the following days? Fall foliage traffic makes it hard to find places to stay in that area this time of the year

Angelmia

We're staying the night in Berkshire and then venture out tomorrow and Friday , hoping to reach wilbraham either Friday or saturday and spend the weekend with a couple of friends .
No rush to reach Berkshire as we have reservations so I really would like to drive and see some nice scenery and aid the turnpike and major hwys.
Thanks for the tips!

tchoiniere

I would take 20 West from Bradley Airport into Granby then it would be Route 219 South to Route 318 West which will connect you to Route 44 out beyond Avon (commercial area with way too much traffic). Taking this route is very scenic as it brings you near a State Forest and the Barkhemstead Reservoir. Then take Route 44 to 7 North up through Gt Barrington.

Weather is not looking too good for this week however.

What are your plans for the Berkshires? I would highly recommend going into Stockbridge and the Norman Rockwell Museum.

Angelmia

This is great ! I was just looking at the map trying to figure out how to get on 44... Stuck
in Ft. Lauderdale still , bad weather has delayed our flight... It looks like I won't be getting in until 3pm..
I really don't have any specific plans as to where to go but you're the second person that has recommended Stockbridge and NRM...thanks so much for the route tips !!!

tchoiniere

Its pouring here in CT at the moment which wont help. If you get in around 3 or after that, I would just take 91 to the Pike as it wont be much fun driving those roads in the dark...Depending on weather the next couple of days, I would go to Mt Greylock and drive up if its a nice day. Alternatively, drive around the Pittsfield State Forest.

To get to Wilbraham from Southern Berkshire County, Route 20 is a scenic road that brings you into Springfield then its local roads, etc. Hopefully you have a map for that portion. If you are not aware, there was a devastating tornado in this area June 1 (Wilbraham was the hardest hit as well as Springfield).

bachslunch

Stockbridge is indeed very pleasant to visit. Regrettably, all the primary attractions there except the Norman Rockwell Museum close for the season on Columbus Day (that includes Chesterwood, Naumkeag, Mission House, and Berkshire Botanical Garden). I'm not a big fan of Rockwell's work so I wasn't all that taken with the NRM, but I can well understand the place's appeal if one does. I found the other attractions mentioned to be well worth a visit.

In Lenox, the Freylinghausen-Morris House (very good to tour) also closes on Columbus Day, but The Mount will still be open until the end of October (liked this very much as well). Ventfort Hall is open year round (haven't been here yet).

In or near Pittsfield, both the Hancock Shaker Village (open until the end of October) and Berkshire Museum (open year round) are excellent. Arrowhead (Melville's home) closes on Columbus Day, but it might be possible to pre-arrange a tour if you contact them after its official close date.

330east

Clark Museum-Williamstown. MA-World Class