Guides

It’s hard to pick which season is the prettiest in the Berkshires, but I’d wager it’s springtime. After a long icy winter, there’s nothing quite like seeing signs of pretty spring pop up around you. The air is warm against your face, and daffodils and crocuses take the place of snowmen. There’s a rush of community spirit too, as playgrounds begin to fill up with energetic children, and sidewalks are packed with people taking walks or going for jogs. The Berkshire Hills begin as peaks of purple majesty, but almost overnight transform into verdant vistas. There is simply so much to do during the buttery springtime that your weekends will be jam packed with activity.

Here are my top picks for seasonal things to do:

1. Hancock Shaker Village- Baby animals! This is a Berkshire favorite for all ages. Plan your visit to see the baby lambs, piglets, calves, chicks and kids and make sure to leave enough time to enjoy Shaker craft demonstrations and hands-on activities. Since this is offered from April 12- May 4th, you will have plenty of opportunities to add this to your weekend ( or weekday) fun agenda.
2. Naumkeag- Daffodil and Tulip Festival. Nothing will make your spirits lift more than walking through this garden estate’s carefully sculpted arrangement of sweet blooms. This runs from April through May.
3. Berkshire Botanical Gardens- Spring Fest. May 4th. Enjoy free admission all day as you take in the blooming flowers and trees, and the kids take advantage of the plethora of activities designed just for them: horseback rides, face painting, lawn games and a traditional Maypole dance.
4. Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary- When my kids were little this was always one of our favorite places to go to look for signs of spring. They loved looking for salamanders and hiking the trails to see what treasures we could find. Sometimes it would be a bird feather, other times it would be a hole in a tree that clearly housed some animal over the winter. Now that they are older we go here to walk and relax in the sunny woods or by the pond, or to go on one of the guided beaver expeditions. This sanctuary offers different types of exploration activities, such as guided wildflower walks, beaver watches, and amphibian searches. Perfect for all ages! Trust me.
5. Shakespeare and Company- Are you a theatre buff? If so, then date night has never looked better. While most of this theatre company’s performances take place during the summer, the season begins in spring! Make sure to check out their website ( Shakespeare and Company) to keep up to date with their schedule of classic and contemporary plays.
6. Race Brook Lodge- Down County Jump Music Festival, June 13-14. Don’t miss the third annual Down County Jump Music Festival where you can hear both local and legendary acts perform. Everyone will be jumpin’!
7. Williamstown Memorial Day Parade- May 28th. Celebrate Memorial Day with the friendly and welcoming community of Williamstown as you enjoy an entertaining parade and all of its traditional fanfare!
8. Bartholomew's Cobble- Besides offering guided wildflower walks, this nature preserve is a perfect spot for a sunny walk and picnic. The mountain views are breathtaking this time of year!
9. Pittsfield CityJazz Festival- The Pittsfield CityJazz Festival has presented mainstream and traditional jazz in Downtown Pittsfield since 2005. The festival spans 10 days and 2 weekends each April — Jazz Appreciation Month. Jazz About Town (“The Jazz Crawl”) features local musicians in restaurants across the city in advance of the festival’s weekend headline concerts. Dozens of venues have featured all genres of instrumental and vocal jazz, all at no cover.
10. ArtWeek Berkshires- ArtWeek Berkshires is an annual celebration of local creativity. Enjoy 100+ hands-on or behind-the-scenes events and open studios across the region, from gallery shows to live performances, poetry readings to painting demos, and so much more. Runs May 16-26th.