Berkshires Offers Plenty for 'Staycationers'
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"I think it's really common for people to just kind of overlook some of the more interesting and exciting experiences that are in their back yard," said Mark Wamsley, public relations associate for the Trustees of Reservations, "but now with the high gas prices, even though they're coming down a bit, I think there's a real added incentive."
The word is "staycation," popularized over the past year as soaring gas prices and a dropping dollar began putting the crimp in domestic and overseas travel. The Automobile Association of America is predicting the second consecutive slump in travel over the Labor Day weekend, often the last vacation days of summer for many families before school begins.
It's hard to determine how many area residents are taking advantage of the county's many cultural and recreational opportunities — rather than heading off to other parts.
Ray Smith, vice president of marketing and operations, said there's been some anecdotal evidence of more people arriving from the New York capital region but no hard numbers.
"Certainly there's an economic impact from day-trippers," he said. "We have the cultural venues, recreational opportunities and scenic beauty that draws people here. We know they spend money on cultural events and restaurants."
But the day-trippers and residents don't bring the economic impact that overnighters do, he said. Even so, Berkshirites should avail themselves of the many wonderful activities right in their back yard.
"We started to realize that there's a real opportunity for people and they might not know what's around them," said Wamsley. "You may feel like you have to shorten your trip for financial and economic reasons, but you don't have to cancel your trip altogether. There's so much around for you to explore."
The Trustees of Reservations, the nation's oldest statewide land conservation institute, was founded in 1891 and own 99 properties in the state. The Trustees work to preserve said properties and educate people on local resources and educational areas.
Naumkeag, a historical house and garden located in Stockbridge provides a "very different, but also very special experience," said Wamsley. "I think one of the things that makes it so interesting for me is you not only have a magnificent historic house which is open for tours, you also have the gardens. "
Designed in 1885, Naumkeag was a summer home for the Choate family. The 44-room house is still filled with furniture and artwork from America, Europe, and the Far East. Outside of the cottage is eight acres of garden, surrounded by 40 acres of woodlands and pastures.
With the cost of admission $12 for adults and $3 for kids, Naumkeag is good for those vacationing on a small budget, said Wamsley.
For those interested in a more outdoorsy experience, he recommends Notchview Reservation, located in Windsor. Notchview is one of the Trustees' largest reservations and is a popular skiing spot during the winter. With an average elevation of more than 2,000 feet and miles of trails to explore, Notchview provides a nice secluded spot for you to escape the heat, said Wamsley.
"It's cool, beautiful, not crowded compared to a lot of places in the Berkshires," said Wamsley.
Notchview is $2 for adults and free for children.
At the other end of the spectrum is the nation's largest contemporary art museum — Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams.
Katherine Meyers, director of marketing and public relations for the museum, said with $12.50 admission fee for adults and a $4 fee for children, a family of four could spend a day in the galleries and eat lunch for around $50.
Mass MoCA also provides an educational component for children. Kidspace, a collaboration with the Clark Art Institute, is free to children. It allows youngsters to see and create art and is currently exhibiting The Miss Rockaway Armada's "Being Here is Better Than Wishing We'd Stayed," an interactive gathering place reminiscent of a playground.
For those looking to peruse the rest of the museum, free passes are available at the North Adams Public Library and the Milne Public Library in Williamstown.
This weekend at the museum will be filled with many activities. Flutterbox, a New York-based band, will perform on Friday evening at what the museum is calling their "alt cabaret." And on Sunday, four women vocalists known as the Sweet Divines will perform at its Retro Soul Dance Party.
With the galleries open until 7 on Sunday night, Meyers said one could easily spenda good part of the day at Mass Moca.
"You could come late in the afternoon, tour the galleries, then have some food, and then stay for the dance party which starts at eight," said Meyers.
Both Flutterbox and the Retro Soul Dance Party begin at 8. Tickets are $14 in advance and $18 at the door. The museum will be open from 10 to 7 on Labor Day.
In North Berkshire, there's also Natural Bridge State Park, the North Adams Museum of History and Science, the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, the Williams College Museum of Art, numerous other venues and activities that can be found on the Berkshire Visitors Bureau Web site.
"There's still a lot for local people to see and passes and deals and discounts for residents that are there to be unearthed," said Smith. "It's one of the gems or benefits to being a Berkshire resident that there are a lot of those free events and festivals that occur."
The staycation doesn't end with summer — the Fall Foliage Festival kicks off in North Adams in September, in winter there's Stockbridge at Christmas and free family days at the Clark Art Institute. The Norman Rockwell Museum and Hancock Shaker Village offer discounts for children and families. And this weekend, it's the annual sidewalk sale at Prime Outlets in Lee.
"The best tourism ambassadors are the residents," said Smith. "They're able to provide information [about these attractions] by word of mouth to friends and tourists alike."
