Edith Wharton's Estate, The Mount.

The region has superlative outdoor recreation, from hiking to skiing, paddling to zip-lining. It has some of the finest cultural offerings in the country: Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. It has world-class museums and historical sites: The Clark Art Institute, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Edith Wharton’s The Mount, and Melville’s Arrowhead.

Many guests of our Berkshires B&B live in a city, either New York City, Boston, or Hartford. They come to the Berkshires to stretch out and breathe in the fresh air. Some are avid outdoorsmen, and want to spend all of their time exploring the mountains, lakes, and rivers of the Berkshires. Others are drawn to the quintessential New England small towns that surround our inn. Still other guests come to enjoy the many cultural offerings the region has to offer.

No matter what you do by day, consider stepping out in the evenings.

Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield offers a wide array of entertainment. Recent events include the great Elvis Birthday Bash, which featured both a young Elvis and Elvis from the ’70s. Upcoming events include Jamie Kent & The Options on February 2, T Bone Daddy, a rocking’ blues trio on the 9th, and The Duke’s Men of Yale: A Night of Love and Heartbreak with Da Doox! on February 11.

Of course, quiet evenings spent at our luxurious Berkshires Bed and Breakfast also hold great appeal.

Come to the Festival of Trees at The Berkshire Museum.

It’s hard not like Christmas trees. They’re pretty. They sparkle. They smell good. Christmas trees evoke the best of the holidays.

Surround yourself with Christmas trees the next time you come to our luxury Berkshires Bed and Breakfast this winter. “Under the Big Top: Festival of Trees 2011” runs at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield from November 18 to January 2, 2012. The more than 100 decorated Christmas are just part of the extravaganza.

The circus theme conveyed with “Under the Big Top” is underscored on November 18, during the Opening Night Party. As guests enjoy drinks and tasty appetizers, atmospheric aerialists, towering stilt walkers, and a nimble contortionist will move among them. Circus workshops take place the following day for children aged 8 to 16. Walls will be lined with circus posters, circus memorabilia, and circus photographs throughout the duration of the exhibition.

The circus comes to town again on December 31st for a Circus Spectacular at the Berkshire Museum. Acrobats, jugglers, and contortionists will take the stage at 11 a.m. What a cheerful way to bid 2011 farewell.

The Berkshire Museum has several interesting permanent exhibits as well. See toys created by Alexander Calder in 1927, walk through the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation, and gaze at the wondrous underwater world of the Aquarium, on the museum’s lowest level.

Plan an enchanting getaway at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast sometime between November 18, 2011 and January 2, 2012, and stop by the “Under the Big Top: Festival of Trees.”

The beauty of the Berkshires, particularly the view of Mount Greylock from the family farm, eventually inspired Melville to move to the region permanently. In 1850, he purchased a neighboring farm that enjoyed the same views of Mount Greylock and moved there with his wife and his young son. They named their homestead Arrowhead after the Native American arrowheads found in the fields, and resided in the 1783 farmhouse for thirteen years. Many of his finest works, including Moby-Dick, were penned in the second-floor library at Arrowhead.

Arrowhead remained in the Melville family until 1927. It was purchased by the Berkshire Historical Society in 1975; restoration of the farm buildings began shortly thereafter, and continues to this day. Arrowhead houses an extensive collection of Melville manuscripts along with other items overseen by the Berkshire Historical Society.

Arrowhead is open to the public daily between Memorial Day and October, and for several special events throughout the year. One such event takes place this weekend and next weekend, February 12, 13 and February 18 – 20, 2011: the Candlelight and Chocolate Tours. This is a wonderful activity for guests of our luxury Berkshires Bed and Breakfast.

Tour Melville’s old farmhouse by candlelight, seeing the home at night as Melville would have seen it when he lived there. After the flickering tour, visit with the knowledgeable and friendly tour guide while tasting hand crafted chocolates. Then return to our nearby Berkshires Bed and Breakfast for a sniffer of brandy before bed.

The Candlelight and Chocolate Tour begins at 6:00 pm. For additional information, please see the Arrowhead website. To book a room at our Massachusetts Bed and Breakfast, please see our reservations page.

The Barrington Stage Company in Pittsfield is one such place, not far north of our Lee MA lodging. Freud’s Last Session is running through October 4, 2009. Don’t miss this fascinating, imagined conversation between atheist Dr. Freud and devout Christian C.S. Lewis, as they discuss God, sex, and the meaning of life. Their exchange is thought provoking as well as deeply humorous. This play is followed by a favorite musical; The Fantasticks is “a captivating romantic comedy about a boy, a girl, two fathers and a wall.”

If you happen to be staying with us on the third Thursday of a month, you may enjoy a trip up to Pittsfield for 3rd Thursdays. From 5 – 8pm, the downtown area of Pittsfield is full of music, art and great food. Art Galleries and museums stay open late, and art and music take over the town. The next two 3rd Thursdays are September 17 and October 15. Why not check out our specials – you may find temptation to cancel everything and head to the Southern Berkshires in time for 3rd Thursday on September 17.

Start the evening with us at Applegate Bed and Breakfast in Lenox, where we will be serving champagne and Hors D’oeuvres at 6 p.m. in our living room. We have several specials for the New Years that include brandy and chocolates in you room. Take a look at the specials page for our Massachusetts Inn to get more information.

Come celebrate New Years in the Berkshires!

Some of the events around town include:

Allium Restaurant, Great Barrington: Featuring an a la carte new year’s eve menu with open seating from 5 – 10PM. Guests will receive an amuse & selection of petit fours. Celebration will continue into the night with cocktails & music till 2 a.m.

Bogies Steak and Ale, Great Barrington: Serving dinner menu and chef specials, seating from 5 to 9 p.m. DJ entertainment all night.

Castle Street Cafe, Great Barrington: Open with a four-course dinner at 7 p.m. and at 9:30 p.m. the Teresa Broadwell Trio will play for dancing and entertainment.

John Andrews Restaurant, Egremont: Open from 6 to 9 p.m. for seating. A la carte menu as well as tasting menu. Music by Jon Suters Trio.

Spice Restaurant, Pittsfield: Dinner specials in the main dining room and upstairs is dancing and a a cash bar.

We hope this will help you plan your New Years night in Massachusetts! Look forward to seeing you soon at our Bed and Breakfast Stockbridge!

Yesterday, we visited the Ferrin Gallery in Pittsfield.
It is a beautiful space.
It had a wonderful ceramics collection on display.
We than made our way to the Hoadley Gallery in Lenox.
It too had some exciting ceramics among other things on display.
We didn’t make any purchases this day.
On the street, we ran into Linda Novik.
She is a painter who we purchased several paintings from through the years.
She has a multi-media approach to her work.
We chatted for a while to find out that she is moving here full time and more excitement she is now making jewelry.
I love hand crafted items and she may twist my arm into buying one of her new creations.