Pittsfield
Around Pittsfield
Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Massachusetts · 128k people
Pittsfield
Locals say The Berkshires
Where art and nature meet
deep greenburnt orangedeep blue
Welcome to the Berkshires, where the mountains meet the arts. Whether you're here for the music, the trails, or the small-town charm, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors and culture. Settle in, grab a local brew, and enjoy the rhythm of the hills.
Clubs for Pittsfield
No clubs for Pittsfield yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Pittsfield. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Pittsfield. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Tanglewood Summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
- MASS MoCA Contemporary art in a converted factory complex.
- The Clark Art Institute Renowned collection of European and American art.
- Norman Rockwell Museum Largest collection of Rockwell's work.
- Mount Greylock Highest peak in Massachusetts with a memorial tower.
- Bash Bish Falls Tallest waterfall in the state, in a scenic state park.
- Outdoors Hike Mount Greylock
- Outdoors Swim at Bash Bish Falls
- With kids Berkshire Museum
- With kids Berkshire Botanical Garden
- Evenings Summer concerts at Tanglewood
- Evenings Theater at the Colonial
- Locals love farm stands
- Locals love art museums
Through the year
- Tanglewood season June-August Summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
- Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival June-August World-renowned dance performances and workshops.
- Berkshire International Film Festival May Independent and foreign films in Great Barrington.
- Solid Sound Festival July Music and arts festival at MASS MoCA.
- Fall Foliage Parade October North Adams' annual autumn parade.
The Berkshires have four distinct seasons with cold, snowy winters and mild, pleasant summers. The best time to be out is from late spring through early fall, especially during foliage season. Best: Late summer and early fall offer the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “The Berks”
- Short for the Berkshires.
- “leaf peepers”
- Tourists who visit for fall foliage.
- “mud season”
- The muddy spring thaw.
- “sugar season”
- Maple syrup making season.
Getaways
- Albany, NY State capital with museums and dining.
- Bennington, VT Historic town with art and covered bridges.
- Hudson, NY Antique shops and riverfront charm.
- Greenfield, MA Gateway to the Pioneer Valley.
Local flavour
Teams
- Pittsfield Suns Futures Collegiate Baseball League
- North Adams SteepleCats New England Collegiate Baseball League
Also rooting for Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins
Eat and drink
- apple cider donuts A fall staple from local orchards
- maple syrup Produced from local sugar maples
- farm-to-table cuisine Emphasizing local ingredients
- Berkshire blue cheese Award-winning from a local creamery
- craft beer From local breweries like Berkshire Brewing Company
Where people go
- outdoor music venues Like Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
- art museums Mass MoCA, the Clark Art Institute, and the Norman Rockwell Museum
- historic New England towns With classic architecture and village greens
- ski resorts Jiminy Peak and Butternut
- hiking trails The Appalachian Trail and other scenic paths
- bed-and-breakfasts A hallmark of the region's hospitality
Heritage and traditions
The Berkshires are proud of their blend of natural beauty and high culture, from the peaks of Mount Greylock to the stages of Tanglewood, and their deep literary history.
This time of year in Pittsfield
- Apple picking Fall Orchards open for u-pick in September.
- Fall Foliage Parade October A North Adams tradition in October.
- Berkshire Food Festival Fall Tastings and local chef showcases in Pittsfield.
- Fall Foliage Parade October A North Adams tradition celebrating autumn.
Say it like a local: “the corner store” — A small store, often a general store.
Festivals
- Tanglewood Music Festival Summer Summer classical and popular concerts in Lenox.
- Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Summer Renowned dance performances in Becket.
- Berkshire Food Festival Fall Tastings and local chef showcases in Pittsfield.
- Fall Foliage Parade October A North Adams tradition celebrating autumn.
- Solid Sound Festival Summer Music and arts at MASS MoCA.
- Berkshire International Film Festival Spring Screenings across the county.
Landmarks with a story
- Arrowhead Herman Melville's home where he wrote 'Moby-Dick'.
- The Clark Art Institute Art museum in Williamstown with a renowned collection.
- MASS MoCA Contemporary art museum in a former factory.
- Norman Rockwell Museum Home to many of Rockwell's works in Stockbridge.
- Mount Greylock Highest peak in Massachusetts, with a summit memorial.
- Bash Bish Falls A dramatic waterfall in the southern Berkshires.
Food traditions
- Apple cider donuts A fall staple at orchards and farm stands.
- Maple syrup Spring sugaring season produces local syrup.
- Farm-to-table cuisine Restaurants highlight local produce and meats.
- Berkshire blue cheese A local cheese made at farms in the county.
- Craft beer Breweries use local ingredients for unique brews.
Music and arts
- Berkshire Symphony A professional orchestra based at Williams College.
- Williamstown Theatre Festival A summer theatre festival with Broadway talent.
- Berkshire Art Association Supports local artists and exhibitions.
- Folk music scene Coffeehouses and venues host singer-songwriters.
A little history
- Late 19th century The Berkshires became a summer retreat for wealthy industrialists.
- 1851 Herman Melville wrote 'Moby-Dick' at Arrowhead in Pittsfield.
- Mid-19th century The region was a center of the abolitionist movement.
- 19th century North Adams was a mill town with the Arnold Print Works.
- 1937 Tanglewood became the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Rivalries
- Pittsfield vs North Adams Which city is the true Berkshires hub?
- Jiminy Peak vs Berkshire East Best local ski mountain?
- Berkshire County vs the rest of Massachusetts Rural pride vs urban dominance.
- Game day Pittsfield Suns baseball
- Game day North Adams SteepleCats
- Outdoors Hiking Mount Greylock
- Outdoors Swimming at Bash Bish Falls
- With kids Visiting the Berkshire Museum
- With kids Apple picking at local orchards
Locals speak with a mild New England accent, dropping 'r's in words like 'car' and 'park.' They use terms like 'wicked' for 'very' and 'packie' for a liquor store.
Only here
- The highest peak in Massachusetts, Mount Greylock.
- The only museum dedicated to Norman Rockwell.
- The first outdoor music venue of its kind, Tanglewood.
- A Shaker village preserved as a living museum.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to pronounce 'Berkshires' as 'BERK-shurs'.
- Expect snow from November to April; invest in a good shovel.
- Traffic is light, but roads can be winding; take it slow.
- Try a maple creemee at a local stand in summer.
- Buy a season pass to Tanglewood for summer picnics.
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Nearby
Every areaAlbanyNew YorkHistoric capital, modern spirit.BenningtonVermontWhere covered bridges cross into the mountains.HudsonNew YorkA river town with a creative soulGreenfieldMassachusettsWhere the river meets the hillsCatskillsNew YorkHigh peaks, deep valleys, and a warm welcome.Amherst–NorthamptonMassachusettsA valley of ideas and autumn leaves.SpringfieldMassachusettsWhere the river meets the mountains and history lives.TorringtonConnecticutWhere autumn lingers and hills hold their secrets.
Pittsfield, MA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.