MASS. POLL-Route 2 or 7;Which is Most Beautiful and Why
 

In your personal opinion, having experienced one or both...which is the more beautiful route to see foliage this fall. In your eyes, what makes it that way and which is user-people-car friendlier? <BR> <BR>Unscientific poll from the nice people on this forum. <BR> <BR>Gary Bell.

As a kid, my parents used to take route 7 to route 2. They said it was shorter and more beautiful drive than going from route 2 to 7 intersection. From what I remember it was beautiful, but I don't know if it was more beautiful in general than route 2. I think there is more lodging and services on route 2, though. Am trying to recall this from memory as a kid.

I've taken them both and find each beautiful. The area is so small you can meander the entire route, 7 and 2 (the portion in the Berkshires) in a day providing Stockbridge doesn't lure you into lingering too long. <BR> <BR>Have only done the segment of 2 from Williamstown to Greenfield. The climb out of North Adams becomes very steep with views sweeping from quite an elevation down into the valley. The hairpin turn was always awesome to us as kids...I'm not so keen on it now as an adult though! :&gt; <BR> <BR>Rte 7 (the street I grew up on T-d into 7, so it's home to me) is more varied. You have interesting picturesque little towns (Lenox, Stockbridge, Lanesboro, Williamstown). It takes you past the lakes in Pittsfield, dairy farms with cows grazing in the valley below up near Williamstown. The elevation changes become more pronounced the further north you go until you reach Pownal VT (just over the MA border) where you begin seeing the long sweeping views of the Green Mountains. Leaves are beautiful all along the route, looking up into the mountains, or down into the valleys. <BR> <BR>The only major disadvantage of 7 is that you also have to contend with the larger cities of Great Barrington and Pittsfield, but as cities go, they aren't much, and just a minor inconvenience along the way. <BR> <BR>You can easily do 7 up as far as Manchester, VT and back within daylight hours from anywhere in the Berkshires and the vistas will be different on each of the segments. You can even take time for a hike on Mt. Greylock or Mt. Equinox outside of Manchester and still get back in time for supper. I'll vote for 7.

I would agree with doing both. Everything depends upon the timing for foliage colors. You can drive from Stockbridge to Greenfield in just over an hour and a half if you don't stop. There's more to see and do along Route 7, with some gorgeous towns along the way. The views are more thrilling along Route 2. The best way to see the most beautiful foliage is to drive all over.

As it pertains to both routes. When you see these sweeping valleys and the trees and all..is there space on the road to pull over? Or does one have to get to a town to take pictures? And is it a two lane road all the way on both routes?

You can pull over almost anywhere.

If you're driving Route 2 and you want to take a short hike to see some gorgeous scenery, there's an Audobon Sanctuary in Shelburne called High Ledges. I don't know the name of the road it's on, but it's on the north side of Route 2, and there's a campground on the same road - I think it's called Spring Brook (nice campground, we stayed there once) with a sign for it. You could probably ask for directions in Shelburne if necessary. You hike a little ways from the parking lot (maybe a mile? I can't remember exactly) and you come to an incredible vista way up on a cliff overlooking the Berkshires and a river valley - i think it may be the Miller River, I'm not sure. Great spot for viewing the foliage. Sorry to be so vague, it's been a while since I was there, but I remember it was beautiful.

Is there a lake with trees nearby where I wouldn't have to hike please?

There are several Gary. Tanglewood's grounds are beautiful and open to the public. If you walk straight back from the gate a ways, you'll find yourself at the crest of a hill looking down into Stockbridge Bowl...It's one of those vistas you keep taking pictures of, no matter how many you've taken in years past. Virtually anyone there can give you directions to Tanglewood. <BR> <BR>The other great vista is Pontoosic Lake on Rte 7 on the north side of Pittsfield. *Immediately* prior to the lake you'll see a dam--make a left turn over the dam, drive up a short hill. There will be a parking lot on your right amid the pine trees. You'll find an absolutely spectacular view looking the length of the lake toward the north and Greylock. You can take these pictures right from your car. <BR> <BR>There's also Laurel Lake, if you are arriving in the Berkshires via the MA Pike then drive north, Laurel Lake will be on your left. Of the 3, this has the least to offer.

Thanks, CMcDaniel. Is Tanglewood on Route 2 or 7???

It's off of 7, more or less. There are a couple of ways to get there--from the town of Stockbridge, take 183 north, or from the town of Lenox (which is on 7A), take 183 south. The drive along 183 (short) is pleasant as well, and less heavily traveled than 7--you'll enjoy it, I guarantee! <BR> <BR>Tanglewood is the summer home of the Boston Symphony, where concerts are held in the "Shed"--a huge open air concert hall with grounds beyond used for seating (on the grass) and picnicing during the concerts. Some of these "picnics" become quite elaborate with gourmet foods, linen and candelabra. The manicured grounds encompass several acres and are well worth strolling, but the view of Stockbridge Bowl in the fall is wonderful. Tanglewood isn't hard to find and only a few miles down 183.

Unless things have changed, Tanglewood's gates are shut tight after the season ends around Labor Day.

Karen we've never found the gates closed when we go back...always early to mid October. The last time, 2 years ago, even the gift shop was open. It could be that once leaf peeping season is over the gates are closed for the winter, but we've always been able to go in in the fall. <BR> <BR>Gary, I should mention too that you can't get down to the lake from within the Tanglewood grounds, but if you take 183 north from Stockbridge, the road parallels the lake at one point. It's a pretty drive in itself. Some of the two lane back roads out of Lenox or Stockbridge make beautiful drives, with none of the traffic.