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Posted by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

With foliage conditions continuing to turn as the fall season progresses, it’s time to start planning an adventure; whether it’s visiting a local farmers market, a harvest festival, or a scenic drive — we’re here to help make your planning easy!
Start by heading to our Fall Foliage Fun Planner, choose your date of interest, and in just a click, you’ll find a number of local fall-themed fun activities and events.
As for those scenic drives, we have you covered there, too. Our interactive foliage condition map provides a look at nine popular driving routes across Massachusetts.
With foliage just beginning to show peak signs in the western part of the state, today we bring to you ‘Beauty & The Berkshires’ — a 73-mile stretch featuring some notable Massachusetts leaf peeping.
From our Fall Foliage Fun Planner, we provide a set of detailed Google Map Directions that will guide you turn-by-turn along the suggested route, but for an idea of what you’ll find along the way, here’s a glance:
Starting in Sheffield, you’ll find the oh-so-photogenic Sheffield Covered Bridge. Open to foot traffic only, the bridge stretches 93-feet over the Housatonic River, and is easily accessible for exploring, and photography.

Sheffield Covered Bridge

Just north of Sheffield, in close proximity to the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood, the Stockbridge Bowl is a fall scene that is not to be missed!

Stockbridge Bowl

Also along the route in Stockbridge is the Norman Rockwell Museum, a museum dedicated to education and art appreciation inspired by the legacy of Norman Rockwell.

Norman Rockwell Museum

Continuing north, in Pittsfield, you’ll find Hancock Shaker Village, a beautifully restored village, set amongst acres of farm, woodland, and pasture that’s home to a premier collection of Shaker buildings and artifacts.

Hancock Shaker Village, courtesy of their Facebook Page.

At the route’s northern tip, in Williamstown, stops at both the Williams College Museum of Art, and The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute — also known as The Clark — are certainly warranted, as Williamstown’s small town feel combined with turning foliage makes for a wonderful experience.

Williamstown – The Clark 1955 Building Photo

Then, just a short drive east, along the Mohawk Trail, in a beautiful valley at the base of the Berkshires Mountains, North Adams, home to MASS MoCA, provides an eclectic, entrepreneurial feel with a vibrant sense of culture and art.

MASS MoCA

From there, you’ll make your way around the Mt. Greylock State Reservation, as you head south on Route 8.
Encompassing roughly two hours and ten minutes, a scenic drive along ‘Beauty & The Berkshires’ provides the ultimate fall foliage experience.
The Berkshires are an exciting place to be this time of year; fresh, local eats and cider, combined with autumn winds and breathtaking views make the Berkshires year in, year out one of the nations most popular fall adventure destinations.
For more information on all things Berkshires, head to Berkshires.org. You can also explore our premade Berkshires itineraries, and for a listing of lodging options, click here.
Happy fall travels!

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