Fall foliage season is in full swing, and now is the time to hit the road for some prime leaf peeping! Gorgeous yellow, red, and orange leaves are blanketing small towns across the state, providing spectators with spectacular views. We have previously told you about Ipswich, Plymouth County, and many other fantastic places to visit in the fall. A trip to the small town of Stockbridge, Massachusetts' beautiful fall town, is another autumn experience that you won’t want to miss.
Stockbridge is a quaint little town in the Berkshire region of the state.
While it is a beautiful place to visit year-round, it is particularly breathtaking during the autumn months. The foliage here has been consistently ranked as some of the best in the state.
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If your trip to town includes a hike, I suggest checking out the scenic Laura’s Tower Trail. This 1.8-mile moderate trail leads you to a tower where you can climb up and enjoy some beautiful views.
More gorgeous scenery can be found at the Stockbridge Bowl near the Tanglewood Music venue.
Also known as Lake Mahkeenac, the bowl is a great spot to enjoy some outdoor fun both on and off the water.
One of the town’s biggest fall events takes place at Naumkeag, the former estate of well-known lawyer, Joseph Choate. Throughout the month of October, you can tour the lush property and visit over 1,500 uniquely carved jack-o-lanterns when you attend The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show.
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A quintessential New England visit to Stockbridge is not complete without a stop at the Norman Rockwell Museum.
The museum sits on 36 acres of land. So you can tour the massive collection of iconic Rockwell art inside the museum, and then spend some time admiring the colorful views outside.
Even if you don’t feel like walking, you can still enjoy the majestic foliage of Stockbridge.
Take a scenic fall train trip between Stockbridge and Lenox on the Hoosac Valley Train Ride. Sit back and relax while enjoying 90 minutes of stunning scenery.
There is so much fall fun to experience in Stockbridge that you might as well turn your trip into a getaway.
A stay at the historic Red Lion Inn is the perfect way to make the most of your autumn visit. Spend time relaxing on the front porch and feast on classic American cuisine in the main dining room or Olde English Pub. You can also enjoy delicious cocktails in the inn’s speakeasy.
Have visited Stockbridge in the autumn? What was your favorite place? To find out the best times and places to view the foliage in Stockbridge and throughout Massachusetts, check out our foliage map.
This town in Massachusetts is quietly becoming one of the coolest spots in New England. Though it's far from the state's main urban center, Northampton, Massachusetts has a vibrancy and spirit all its own. Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County and it's the perfect place to go for great food, amazing music, fascinating attractions, and a generally awesome time.
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Northampton is an artistic, musical, and cultural (and countercultural) hub that buzzes with life. It's also one of the most charming towns in Massachusetts.
The town has a number of nicknames, including "Hamp" and "NoHo." It’s also known as "Paradise City" after singer Jenny Lind called it "The Paradise of America."
This bohemian spot is home to Smith College and a large community of artists, academics, and political activists. Not to mention a good helping of hipsters.
Art lovers shouldn’t miss the Smith College Museum of Art or Michelson’s Gallery on Main Street, which includes work by John Lennon and Leonard Nimoy, not to mention a Dr. Seuss exhibit that’s fun for kids and grownups.
Honestly, there are so many things to do in Northampton that'll keep you busy for the entire duration of your stay.
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Head to the Iron Horse Music Hall on Center Street for incredible local and international talent. Some groups skip Boston entirely and head straight to the Iron Horse.
You can also catch an awesome big-name show at The Calvin Theater on King Street.
Once you’re ready to head outdoors, check out the Northampton Bike Trail or the Norwottuck Rail Trail. They’re both excellent ways to take in the beauty of the area.
Visitors looking to spend some time outside should also head to Look Park. This park features a zoo, mini golf, tennis, train rides, picnic areas and playground, a small waterpark for kids and a duck pond with paddle boats for all ages.
Strolling downtown is a great way to experience Northampton as well. Pick up some reading material in the Raven Used Books shop and don’t forget to stop by Sweetie's Fine Chocolate for candy and chocolate sold by weight.
Save time to browse in Turn It Up! for great new and used CDs and vinyl.
Northampton is an incredibly special place and should be on everyone's "to visit" list.
"New England" means different things to different people, but it's easy to agree that coastal charm, easy elegance, and history define the region. Many Massachusetts towns offer all three of those elements, but Marblehead is a place that truly embodies the beauty and picturesque quality that draws so many visitors to the state year after year. Read on to learn why Marblehead is one of the most quintessentially New England places as well as one of the most charming small towns in Massachusetts.
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Visiting feels like stepping back in time to a quieter, simpler age.
Marblehead is one of the most charming coastal towns in Massachusetts with about 19,800 residents and immeasurable charm. It’s located 18 miles north of Boston, but feels worlds away from the urban sprawl. Marblehead is famous for its time capsule feel; it has retained the quaint, narrow streets and beautiful buildings that were the pride of its first colonists in 1629.
Marblehead, MA has nearly 300 surviving colonial-era homes – the most of any town in the country.
The staggering volume of historic buildings and preserved structures makes walking through Marblehead’s old neighborhoods one of the best reasons to visit.
For Marblehead things to do, there are so many quaint shops and restaurants downtown.
Head to the Old Town district to find colonial homes, galleries, restaurants, and boutiques clustered together in an old-fashioned Main Street setup. It’s a quick jaunt to the harbor from downtown, and you’ll get to stroll past many old sailors’ homes.
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Local businesses matter, and chain stores are harder to find.
F.L. Woods, a nautical supply shop turned clothing store, has operated out of the same building on Washington Street since 1938. Other Marblehead businesses have also been around for generations. There's something special about buying an outfit off the same rack as your great-grandparent once did.
The daytime views are as pretty as a picture...
Painters and artists of all kinds flock to Marblehead during the summer, making it a great place to swap ideas and soak up some creative inspiration.
But the sunsets over the harbor blow everything else out of the water.
Something about the rows of bobbing sailboats framed against the glowing clouds makes Marblehead Harbor an ideal place for taking in the last rays of the day.
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Marblehead transforms into a holiday wonderland every year.
Annual events like the Marblehead Christmas Walk celebrate the spirit of the season, and the whole town puts on an incredible holiday show each year. From the seashell-bedecked wreaths to the twinkling lights adorning the masts of ships in the harbor, Marblehead is one of the best Christmas towns in the state.
Great seafood is the norm.
Marblehead has a long history of seafaring, fishing, and working in harmony with the ocean. Restaurants like The Barnacle, a perennial favorite among locals and travelers alike, celebrate that connection with delicious fare straight from the water.
In fact, it's not unusual to find the catch of the day being peddled straight off the boat.
Head down to the Marblehead wharf for the chance to load up on the freshest fish and shellfish available.
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Old Burial Hill is one of the most scenic places around.
Marblehead keeps its past close and is proud of its place in American history. Like many Massachusetts towns, Marblehead contributed greatly to the American Revolution and the Civil War. Old Burial Hill cemetery has been taking in Marblehead’s dead since 1638, and many of the original settlers of the town are buried on this scenic hill overlooking the harbor.
Marblehead is known as the birthplace of the American Navy.
So many of Marblehead's sailors became involved in the Revolutionary War that scholars generally agree that they were the forerunners of the country's naval force.
It's basically a sailing mecca.
At some points in the summer, over 2,000 boats are moored in and around Marblehead harbor. There are several yacht clubs that operate out of Marblehead, and the waters around town are lousy with kayakers and boaters.
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The beaches range from rugged and dramatic, to calm and manicured.
Check out family-friendly Devereaux Beach, or nearby Dane Street Beach for an amazing time by the water.
Famous writers, politicians, and athletes have all called Marblehead home.
Horror and fantasy writer H.P Lovecraft was profoundly inspired by Marblehead. Describing his first visit to the town, Lovecraft wrote: "...the most powerful single emotional climax experienced during my nearly forty years of existence. In a flash all the past of New England—all the past of Old England—all the past of Anglo-Saxondom and the Western World—swept over me and identified me with the stupendous totality of all things in such a way as it never did before and never did again. That was the high tide of my life."
It's hard not to be inspired by the historic charm and coastal allure of this beautiful Massachusetts town.
It's the kind of place that demands a second visit. And a third.