"I am also going to look into New Hope. PA today. One of my friends goes there yearly, and likes it. I am just wondering if there is more to do than just dine and shop."

Yes, there are other things to do. There is a playhouse and art galleries. Washington's Crossing is nearby. I don't know what that is like in the winter though (for walking around).

My husband and I narrowed our choices down to either Stockbridge, MA or Rhinebeck, based on traveling distances. New Hope was eliminated because we would be driving through NYC during rush hour, Friday. We can take the ferry to the other 2 destinations and avoid driving through the city. Emerson Lodge looks nice but is a bit farther away. The spa has received good reviews. It's a good place to keep in mind for the future.

Now I have to find accommodations. I would love to read your ideas regarding accommodations in Stockbridge and Rhinebeck.

Sobster, it seems as if you are very familiar with the Stockbridge area. If you wouldn't mind, I'd love to know your ideas about places/areas to visit, and good dining options.

Dear Happy-By ferry I assume you mean the Pt. Jefferson Ferry? Have you checked your route?Unfortunately, I have not been actually IN Stockbridge for some years. So I am not up to date on locals venues. You do have the famous Red Lion Inn there, the Norman Rockwell Museum and the Daniel Chester French home and studio. (He did the Lincoln for the L. Memorial.) And the town is just nice to look at.

I have friends with a weekend house in the Stockbridge area and have done the trip using the PJ ferry many times. I can tell you while it's a pleasant drive going that way, the ferry at $67 for the 2 of you and the car each way, the fact that you don't actually save travel time and the inconvenience of having to time your sched. to the ferry's, we decided we wouldn't use it again.

Here's a very recent trip report by kwoo from a weekend in the Stockbridge area with restaurants and sightseeing. They stayed at the White Horse Inn in Pittsfield and liked it but said it's not luxurious. http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm

Here's the thread which helped her plan the trip with a few inns mentioned. You might also look in Great Barrington for places. http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...in-january.cfm

The ferry is my husband's idea. He likes to take the PJ ferry whenever possible because he doesn't particularly enjoy driving, especially through the city during rush hour. I don't appreciate the cost or the fact, as you stated, that travel has to be timed based on the ferry reservation. If he would drive through the city, I would select New Hope, PA since I have always wanted to see the Berkshires during autumn. Also, I have spent some time researching the area this morning and it seems as though many of the sites that are highlights in the area are closed during the winter. Although we would like to have a relaxing weekend, we are not a couple that can just relax at the inn all day.

I will speak with him again regarding the ferry tomorrow since we might have wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour which will most likely make the ferry ride a bit unpleasant even though we do not usually suffer from seasickness.

If anyone has other suggestions this morning, I will definitely check back. At this point, if we must take the ferry, I think that Rhinebeck will be the best choice since there are many indoor attractions in the area if we have very inclement weather. Also, i just received a call from the CIA that they had a cancellation for tomorrow at 8:00 PM at the Escoffier Restaurant. We would have preferred Saturday, but at least we have Friday. Now, I just have to find acceptable accommodations. The Beekman Arms has availability but it is not very romantic or relaxing- they look like very nice motel rooms. The Rhinebeck Inn is booked, and my husband does not want to travel too far north or west.

If anyone has other suggestions, please let me know. Again, I truly appreciate everyone's input. I will print out this thread and keep it as reference for future weekends away!

There's no reason you have to drive through the city to get to the Berkshires from Long Island. In fact, it would be crazy to do that. Go to maps.google.com and type in Port Jefferson NY (or wherever you're starting from) to Stockbridge MA and you'll see they take you north in Queens on the Clearview Expressway over the Throgs Neck Bridge. But I do agree with you about the Berkshires in the autumn. At this time of year, the only things that would draw my interest would be the art museums like the Mass Moca and the Clark and they may be further than you want to go.

I have no personal experience staying near CIA but this place looks like it has room and if you don't like it, there are other places listed in the left column.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev..._New_York.html

PS While you again don't have to go through the city to get to New Hope (take the Verrazano bridge) I'd go to Hyde Park, have a nice dinner tomorrow night and maybe continue on to Hudson NY on Sat. You could visit Olana if you enjoy historic homes, http://www.olana.org/visit_seasons.php and Hudson has lots of antique shops if you like antiquing. I've not been to New Hope in many years but it's very much similar to the Berkshires in that there's not a lot to do at this time of year.

Mclaurie,

Thanks for your reply. I did call a few inns in Stockbridge and the inn managers told me that if I am not interested in skiing, any other season would be better for a visit. We decided to visit Rhinebeck again. I will look forward to dining at the CIA, and to visiting the FDR home and library, as well as revisiting the town of Rhinebeck and the Millbrook Winery. It should be a nice weekend except for the waeather.

We will be staying at the Beekman Arms on Main St. in Rhinebeck, which would not have been my first choice but it seems to be our only choice. All of the smaller, quieter inns and B&Bs are booked, even at this time of year. I am very glad to be getting away for a few days, though.

Thanks again to all for some wonderful suggestions! I am looking forward to visiting all of the recommended towns in the future.

I never offered condolences on your loss so please accept those. Hope you have a relaxing weekend and a wonderful dinner.

I agree with your decision to hold off on Stockbridge. Summer / Fall are definitely better times to visit. Enjoy the weekend...

happy, just a couple of miles from FDR's home is the place where Eleanor spent her time away from her MIL. If you have time it is and interesting place to visit.

Thanks to everyone for your help, and thank you to mclaurie for your kind good wishes.

Just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful weekend in Rhinebeck. The Beekman Arms was just okay, but our dinner at the CIA was perfect, and we thoroughly enjoyed our dinner at Terrapin.

We visited the FDR home and museums which we highly recommend- it can easily be a full day excursion. Next time we'll have to get to Eleanor Roosevelt's retreat. We revisited Millbrook Winery, which was a nice way to spend a couple of hours- they have excellent tours- and that's coming from a Long Islander! And we visited the Mills mansion which we also enjoyed. Also, Bread Alone is a great place to get breakfat or brunch, righ in the heart of Rhinebeck.

Again, thanks to all for your help- it was invaluable!