Western Mass is such an underrated part of the state. It's really beautiful. I'm from the Pioneer Valley it's nice here.

I grew up near worcester and went to college in Western ma. A majority of the Massachusetts population hasn't been to the Berkshires so I appreciate the highlight! If you ever return, head to northampton.. its such a cool town with lots of artsy shops and good eats!

As someone who lives here in the Berkshires, it was nice to see that you covered from one end of the County to the other. . You cover all different aspects of what the Berkshires has to offer.

West of Worcester is like a whole different state

Love, love, love Massachusetts and love, love, love the Berkshires. As a lifelong New Yorker, I only discovered the Berkshires a few years ago. At first glance, you think there isn't much going on in all those quiet, cute, sleepy kinda towns but there is so much to do and every time I go, I am able to find something new. I also think people don't realize the understand elegance and sophistication that the Berkshires offers. Definitely not towns filled with t-shirt shops. I've been there in summer and fall. Fall is beautiful but much more crowded- I prefer summer there actually. So very pretty!

Spent my whole life thinking Massachusetts and Connecticut were just dreadful city states. Thats all I'd known. Holy smokes! Just got back today from driving through western Mass and Conn and my goodness! Not only is it super gorgeous, but its got that southern small town feel. Compared to driving in the eastern parts of those states, its a universe of difference! Western Mass is crazy. Seriously a hidden gem of this country.

Some of my must sees in Western MA. Hancock Shaker Village in Pittsfield. The Clark Museum in Williamstown. Mass MoCA in North Addams. A drive to the top of Mt. Greylock for a spectacular view. And when you are in Williamstown stop at Tunnel Coffee for a beverage and pastry!

I love New England! Enjoying your videos a lot! Travel on, my friend!

Hiking the trails on Mt. Greylock was a great time.

Wow, thanks for sharing. Can u believe I've never been there😱 I will check I out this summer!

Moved here when I was almost 11 and left 4 years ago.I really can’t say I miss it, kinda a dead end county with really no good jobs and nothing to do. But back in 86’ I do have fond memories of the Holidays.that’s all I’m remembering. Think out of all the towns Lee and Stockbridge are the nicest ones. And the winters are the worst

Always great info!

It looks so cute there! I can see why it’s popular!

I remember the going to the Berkshires a number of times in the late 80s. Very beautiful.

I live in Berks . You did a really really good job 😊. Non commercial, very positive , well thought out advice , nice 👍🏼

Born and raised in Western Mass, and I never see anything about my part of Mass. Everyone assumes Boston or the Cape when I say Im from Mass. Thank you for highlighting the Western half if the state!

Thank you for everything that you do!!

I grew up in Western Mass. I'd say this is pretty accurate, but Western Massachusetts is way more than just the Berkshires. The Pioneer Valley has tons of art, culture, food, and history, and it's less touristy than the Berkshires. Northampton in particular is incredibly vibrant, especially on summer weekends and around the holidays. Amherst is a nice college town as well. Both towns are overcrowded at college graduation time and dorm move-in days, but the fact that they're college towns makes them really rich in culture. If you're complaining about how crowded the Berkshires are, there are plenty of similar (but less wealthy haha) towns in Hampshire and Franklin counties, and in southern Vermont. Western Mass is way more than a few bougie towns for New Yorkers to summer in!

Thank you for a video!!!

Enjoyed the video. Also thought it was interesting and fun to see Bolesławiec pottery in the Berkshire shop.

Thank You for your Honest Assessment of visiting the Beautiful Berkshires. You revealed it all, the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. I hate travel videos that Completely Candy Coat a Vacation Destination. Realistic videos like this one enable a Tourist to get the most from their visit.

I would be tempted to visit off season. But Fall has leaves! A friend lived in a hippie commune in Mass (remember those?) There was ice on the pond in April and she said "Eff It! I'm moving back to Texas ." Looks lovely... worth planning.

We visited The Berkshires last summer while dropping off our son @ college in North Adams- beautiful scenery! Certainly is a lot different than our hometown (Houston, TX).

I've missed this channel!! 😃

I currently live in north adams but in the summer I love traveling

Not to mention for summer recreation there are very nice lakes, good golfing, camping and hiking in the state forests, and skiing in winter. Many cultural attractions like summer theater and dance, Tanglewood and other music venues, top notch art museums, Hancock Shaker Village... The more you look the more you'll find.

This summer I spent several days in the area, twice. Paid my respects to family members and spent some time seeing the sights. A couple things: The principal road is Rt. 7 which goes north-south, so it is fairly easy to get around, even if you get on the wrong road. For that reason I found staying at the Holiday Inn in the center of Pittsfield to be a perfectly good base from which to visit Vermont in the north or Connecticut to the south. (Seconded on traffic in the towns.) Pittsfield, on the other hand, is easy to get around in and not crowded, but the down side is that it is fairly moribund and still suffering from an economic implosion. Few businesses are open and even the ones in operation aren't open. But once you get a couple miles from the city centers the region is lush and rural (little farming though). People are very friendly and pleasant -- not dour New Englanders. Visit Mt. Greylock!

It is the most beautiful part of the entire state, So if you like the busy non stop traffic and not being able to move and nothing but crowds stay at the cape. Berkshires is my serenity I can breathe here.

Glad you went to Pedrin's. I live in Pittsfield but drive to NA for their fish fries.

this is cool. i live in Stockbridge

I hope I can go to the Berkshires someday! The closest I've been is North Canaan, CT. I'll be sure to book in advance! 😀

Love berkshire county ❤️💚🤍

Teacher 👍

Good tips. I grew up in the Berkshires and I would recommend the Clark Art Institute as the best museum there. I would not get fried clams there. They’re not even close to the fried clams you get on the coast.

6:22 Pedrin's Fish Fry in North Adams!

You should do a video on the north east kingdom

li live out here dont skip the hiking. book MONTHS ahead for foliage season!

I grew up in Berkshire…. Yes we call it the SHIRE, I specifically call Pittsfield, Shittsfield…. But for over 20 years locals do call it the shire. And many businesses have started using it as well.

If you want to stay in Western Massachusetts or New Hampshire during the height of foliage season best places have to be booked almost a year ahead

Dude power to you for finding joy in the Berkshires. I live in western mass and that part of the state is.... boring. Don't get me wrong I mean the twisting roads, mountains and creeks are beautiful bet there is nowhere to park to enjoy them. The towns are ancient and lifeless. It's an old part of the state that can only be appreciated by a person that loves history.

3:17 that's a gym, not a museum💀 love the video tho, really appreciate the highlight on this little slice of Massachusetts! Nobody knows too much about it and I appreciate you doing your research ❤

Also, don’t miss Lenox if you have extra time. A couple hours should be enough unless you happen to run into James Taylor who lives (somewhat) nearby.

I can't see anything about the Berkshires without thinking about RHONY lol. I never knew it was in Massachusetts

I got a little confused when you said you were in one town but showed pictures of another, but good job! Those “merge” lanes are typically used as speed up and pass on the right lanes, so watch out!

Do the Adirondacks this summer!

Why did you reverse the image when you were in Williamstown?

waooo

I 90 the mass turnpike becomes New Yorkstate thruway

My advice. Don’t come in winter. Winter is bad. Worse than elsewhere in the state Also some suggestions of places to visit: Mass Moca art museum ( that place is amazing) Mohawk Trail State forest walk along the river to the old growth forest, Bridge of Flowers and Glacial Potholes in Shelburne Falls, you get so,e great views at both Monument Mountain and the Hairpin turn, there are some cool old mansions to tour in the area, I really liked Naumkeag, and Bush Bash Falls (pro tip, go through New York to get there) I don’t visit the Berkshires often enough

As a Resident. We do call it 'The Shire'

What about Lorne Greene's Yellow House does that still exist?

Harriet and I spent a lot time int he Berkshires and loved it. They don't like their cell towers there. And do plan for your parking . The inns are beautiful. You touched on all don't's nicely. . All the best Guys.😍😍 Jim and Harriet.

Try going to Chesterfield gorge.

Man I saw apocalypse now in the theater in Pittsfield after eating in the Mexican restaurant and I felt like a big ptsd man but I also got strep throat

Yummy.

Where would be the best airport to fly into? Looks beautiful!

Also, if youre biking on routes 183 or 41, LET CARS PASS YOU! Other people need the roads too! (Stockbridge,, born and raised).

Been to Stockbridge and would say that the pub at the Lion has legit good lunches. Michael’s does have a tasty burger. The other thing is Great Barrington had some tasty diner spots which may be gone by now bit if they remain are pretty reliable. The Berkshires is pretty amazing.

When you say we are here in Pittsfield you are showing North Adams and not Pittsfield ;) I’ve never thought of it as being a heavy traffic area. No mass moca mention?

What about the shakers? Also that explains where all the fried clams went first No Hoe Joe's now White Castle doesn't offer them? they're getting hard to find... good job with the lemon

Don't skip the Norman Rockwell museum because you think his work is corny or whatever, it's actually a great museum. I also suggest going to Chesterwood, studio for the sculptor of the Lincoln Memorial. Also, The Clark art museum in Williamstown is a hidden gem. Skip the Red Lion Inn except to have a drink on the porch. Most of the actual rooms are meh.

Are you going to have a video about the Williamstown theater festival in the summer? Or about the Berkshires around Halloween?

I'm sure the Berkshire Art Museum originally was a church.

Big dont. Dont come here. Leave us alone lol

Don't be suprised if the car in front of you is doing 20 miles under the speed limit.

Urban traffic on country lane roads. If you know the right roads, it is not a problem. But the maps don't always get the email.

Interesting viewpoints. As someone who is originally from Pittsfield I think you’re just slightly off the mark. You are giving don’ts that make sense for Boston, not a burnt out ghost town like Pittsfield. Maybe 30 years ago you’d be right. Also, you did this a few times but you kept showing Pittsfield’s courthouse as a museum lol. It’s a cool building but nothing more.

I’ve never even heard of this area. What do people come here to do ? What is there to do in these small towns?

I grew up in Adams, and Williamstown. I must correct you. Pedrins is an experience. It simply isnt just any roadside ice cream shop. Im just sorry they took out the metal slide you would burn your a@@ on before catching the drive in movie.

i work in the tourisim industry in the berks and i find that so many tourist run around doing all sorts of stuff instead of just taking the scenery in lol

He forgot to mention that there is a little bit of everything in the berks,very little.And don't forget your checkbooks because everything is grossly overpriced.

Theatergoers, be sure to check out Shakespeare & Company in Lenox. About half their plays are those by Shakespeare, half not. The actors and directors are typically marvelous. Enjoy!

Hate roundabouts for traffic

My Husband was born and raised in Springfield Mass, and I was raised on Long Island. Ironically we were both living in Virginia Beach at the time we met. He was still living there from when he was deployed to the area while he served in the Navy, and I ended up moving down there with family. We've been happily married for nearly 20 years now, and have been living in the Berkshires (the Pioneer Valley, actually, in a town called Longmeadow) for about 5 years. He was offered a position in the Aerospace industry that he couldn't turn down (with Barnes Aerospace) as he previously was working for SPAWAR (the Space & Naval Warfare Command) in Little Creek, VA. While I like it here, I'd personally rather be further North like in Vermont or New Hampshire and living as far into the boonies as possible. I have a rub with the political environment up here.

This is how I’m tryna live life after 30

Where's Bigfoot I hear he's out at October Mountain great vid too thank you 😊. I'm looking for him this fall. Now if I find him,,,,,then what.

Western Mass is the shit. We got a few big cities that you can easily avoid and the rest of the area is great.

Don't go in the winter especially mid January to march

Please don't miss Mass MOCA

Random person: Oh your from western mass? Me: Yes? Person: Oh so like Worcester? Me: No…. No not at all

Don't miss the house of Emily Dickinson in Amherst!

The Berkshires is the best place in the USA!

Easthampton great place. HOPEFULLY DIDN'T RUON IT. he he.

When will we be seeing you in Israel?

just avoid Pittsfield really. it sucks

Mark - you talk about hiking but you don't talk about ticks and Lyme disease. Absolute must in the northeast. I have friends who have got tick bites working in their back yard. Also...it is lane drops and I'm not sure why it would make it difficult to navigate. You see them in passing zones though some of the passing zones are very very short.

Pittsfields kind of ghetto man I was born there

dont go to williams town or southern berkshires,there snooty

As a British person "We'd be pronouncing it Barkshire"

'Don't come here' There's too many people already

Another Don't, please do not give to the panhandler Heroin addicts...

Don't go to Pittsfield

Ruin

Pompous and drug addled

don't forget that lower income people live here

#1 Don't for the Berkshires is...........drum roll....................Don't Come Here! Go away!

I live on Pontoosuc Lake. A big DO NOT for all you out of towners, stop using the lake rights for beaches, they belong to the people that live along the lake, they are the spots between the houses that WE use to go swimming and launching OUR boats, WE pay the taxes to have those lake rights NOT YOU! Use the public beaches the lake has three of them, Last summer I tried to use my lake right to go swimming and there must have been 20 cars and trucks parked along the park road and 50 people at my lake right, there is barely enough room for 10 people to swim there, they left beer bottles and trash all over the place. January 2023, I spoke at a town meeting the people who live on the lake are SICK OF YOU! We are going to start dispersing our own brand of justice if you do not respect our town, our lake and the rules. The people that live here don't need your tourist money we don't need you trashing our lake or taking up the space. Trust me when I tell you the cost of visiting the lake and not respect the people and the lake, will start getting expensive. If you are visiting people and they have a lake right, you still don't have the right to use it you don't pay the taxes here so use the public beaches. Also, I am calling on all people who live along RT7 from Lenox to Williams Town, stop selling your land, too many people are moving and taking up all the forest land for track housing. We are losing our trails and hunting grounds to development. We must stop this or our way of life the small-town slow pace is going to go to hell. At one time I could walk out my back door and off into the woods to go camping now there is a street behind my house and six houses nut to butt back there and the trails are now their yards with no trespassing signs. I looked at the license plates as I walked my dog down the road, Ney York, New Jersey plates every one of them from the cities, I asked them that's how I know. They are coming from the cities and bringing the city with them. Stop selling to out of towners the Berkshires are full enough, we are going to lose our small towns.