Summer may be winding down, and the lazy, hazy, crazy days of August are numbered. But even as we say goodbye to sum…sum…summertime, the anticipation of the bounty of the season that follows fills us with hope. We are positioned in one of the most beautiful areas of New England: the Berkshires, home to some of the best spots to witness fall foliage anywhere in the country. So, enjoy this guide to the best spots for fall foliage in the Berkshires!
We may have to pack up the sunscreen, trade our flipflops for hiking boots, and break out a sweater or two as the weather changes from hot and humid to crisp and cool. We might even mourn a bit as the days grow shorter and memories of soft summer nights fade away. Nonetheless, the change of seasons is inevitable, and try as we might to hold on to the lingering carefree days of summer, autumn will soon be upon us.
When the lush green lawns and verdant hills of the Berkshires give way to the brilliant hues of gold and ginger, we pause to witness the raw beauty of Mother Nature in all her glory. It’s clearly one of the best times of the year to visit the Berkshires, and we are ready to embrace each nuanced change as it unfolds across the grounds of our bed and breakfast in Lee, MA and throughout the region. Join us as we welcome fall to the Berkshires. It’s time to gather with friends and family, while away some time outdoors appreciating nature, and make lasting memories of yet another gorgeous season. Read on to discover some of the best spots to catch fall foliage in the Berkshires.
Stockbridge Bowl, Stockbridge, MA
The sheer beauty of the Stockbridge Bowl, a body of water adjacent to the grounds of Tanglewood, is breathtaking. But seeing it awash in the colors of autumn is heart-stopping. With public launching areas, sandy beaches, picnic tables, and plenty of parking, you can easily make a day of it on land or water. Let us prepare a gourmet picnic basket to take with you for an absolutely carefree fall day.
Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA
Many art lovers flock to the Norman Rockwell Museum to view the iconic works of one of America’s most beloved artists. The stately brick building houses an impressive collection of the artist’s illustrations, which frequented the covers of the Saturday Evening Post. But the surrounding grounds of the museum are one of the best places to experience fall’s robust colors. Be sure to capture the simplicity of his studio against the backdrop of golden hues.
The Mount, Lenox, MA
Once the home of Edith Wharton, author of such classics as The Age of Innocence and Ethan Frome, The Mount in Lenox draws visitors at all times of the year. Though you may be drawn to the interior of the estate, it’s the exterior that warrants deep appreciation for the talents of the author as a landscape designer and gardener. Stroll the grounds with purpose, exploring each outdoor “room” as it bathes in autumn’s golden light.
Hilltop Orchards and Furnace Brook Winery, Richmond, MA
With 200 acres of apple orchards, Hilltop Orchards and Furnace Brook Winery offers pick-your-own apples, wine and cider tasting, hiking trails, and spectacular views of the surrounding hills of the Berkshires. This Instagram-worthy photo op destination becomes even more beautifully haunting as the colors of fall sweep across the landscape.
Naumkeag, Stockbridge, MA
Situated on 48 lush acres in Stockbridge, MA, Naumkeag’s historic significance is reason enough to visit. But it’s the gardens that draw the most “oohs and ahhs”, From the stunning beauty of the Blue Steps, terraced pools bracketed by a grove of white birch, to the authentic Chinese Garden, the thought and care that went into the landscape design is evidenced everywhere you look. Stay tuned for more information of the much-anticipated return of the Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show coming this fall to the Berkshires.
We’ve written often about the magic of fall in the Berkshires. No matter how many times you’ve experienced the riot of color that weaves its way across mountains and hillsides, the spectacle never gets old. This is especially true in these best spots for fall foliage in the Berkshires! So, come join us for a fall getaway at the Devonfield Inn. Such beauty deserves a memorable stay at a country estate smack dab in the heart of the Berkshires.
