Berkshires weekend
 

I am looking to take my 86 yr old Mom and my 2 Golden Retrievers to the Berkshires for a long weekend- I have never been there but understand its beautiful- any suggestions for a moderately priced hotel/motel. Are there open- air concerts available to all? <BR>Thanks in advance for any help you can offer-this is a fantastic site and I have always gotten very valuable information in the past I have suggested it to all !

Hi Suzanne, <BR> <BR>The Berkshires are truly beautiful and are also the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchester at Tanglewood. There are concerts most weekends in the summer and web site is www.bso.org. The concerts are held in a large outside shed with seats and open sides but you also can purchase a ticket for the "lawn". There you bring a blanket or chairs and sit outside and enjoy the music. Picnicing is allowed and some people take it to the extreme with candelabras, tables and tablecloths. It's really quite a lovely way to spend a day. But I don't thnk dogs are allowed. <BR> <BR>Also in Stockbridge is the Norman Rockwell Museum with a nice display of his work or you could visit the Hancock Shaker Village on Route 20 in Pittsfield if your mother is up to walking around a historic restored town and farm with crafts being displayed. <BR> <BR>The Berkshire area is very scenic and Route 2 is called the Mohawk Trail and is a favorite for foliage viewing in the fall. <BR> <BR>Try the www.berkshires.org web site for more info. I have a guide that lists these dog friendly hotels: The Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst 800 742 0358, Pleasure Horse Pas Fino Farm B&B in Blandford 413 848 2214, Econo Lodge in W. Springfield 800 553,2666, Candlelight Inn in Greenfield, 888 262 0520, Chez Gabrielle in Great Barrington 413 528 2799, Seven Hill Inn in Lenox 800 869 6518, Carriage House in New Ashford 413 458 359. <BR> <BR>I hope you and your mother enjoy your visit.

You also may want to look into Jacob's Pillow dance performances, which I haven't been to but have been told are wonderful.

Sandra's list of dog friendly hotels will be a big help as 2 goldens, sweet as they are, could very well be a problem!! Be aware though that Amherst, Blandford, Springfield and Greenfield are not in the Berkshires, which is a very defined region (a specific county). The elevations drop off sharply as you leave the county and most of those areas are actually the Connecticut River Valley with entirely different (and less interesting) scenery. <BR> <BR>Wish I could suggest more places to stay. I grew up in the Berkshires, so never had to think about hotels. After my parents passed away and the house was sold we continued to go back, staying at the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge. It's lovely...you'll want to see their lobby area and sit and rock on their front porch...anyone can, not just guests. I know though that the dogs couldn't stay. I would try to concentrate on motels/hotels/B&Bs in the Lenox/Stockbridge area as that's where most of the activity is. <BR> <BR>Sandra has given you a good comprehensive list of things to do in the area as well. The only thing that I could add would be the Clark Museum in Williamstown, which is excellent. <BR> <BR>One of our most enjoyed activities when we go back is just driving the county back roads. It's so beautiful, any time of year and the prettiest scenery is off the beaten path (rte 7). You might hunt down directions to Bash Bish Falls once there. It's an short groomed walk from the roadway, which your mother should be able to do, I would think. Another beautiful bit of scenery is Pontoosic or Onota Lakes in Pittsfield, or the drive up Mt. Greylock. It's a good road all the way to the summit (highest point in the state) and a beautiful view from there to surrounding states if it's a clear day. Another of our favorite activities is antiquing with the best of them being in south county all along route 7. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip and that beautiful part of the country.

Sandra...forgot to mention, I was amazed to see the Lord Jeffery included in your list of places that allow dogs! I went to school there and that was a lovely, elegant inn, on the square in town--far and away the best place in the area to eat or stay. Your book is a great resource for traveling with pets as it becomes harder and harder to find places to take animals. <BR> <BR>My husband runs a hotel in Tampa and I know they go out of their way to discourage pets, unfortunately, but they can create more problems than the practice is worth.

Olive Oyl, <BR>My book is actually a free booklet put out by Mass toursism that covers all of Massachusetts - I happened to notice they had a dog symbol on hotels/motels that are pet friendly. As for the Lord Jeffrey's it might have been a mis-print or maybe they have a kennel? I'm sure there could be lots of problems traveling with pets. But a bunch of rowdy's can be just as bad. Anyway I had never noticed the dog symbol until today so I hope it's of help to Suzanne and her mother.

Thanks Sandra, and you're right about the rowdies. If they could be identified in advance, it should be harder for them to get reservations than the dogs, as most hoteliers would undoubtedly agree!! :&gt; <BR> <BR>

Thanks so much for your comprehensive answers to my question -Sandra & Olive Oyl Its so refreshing to know people are out there that still share and take the time!!!