The Berkshires with its natural beauty and many family-friendly activities makes for a perfect summer getaway. There are plenty of fun activities for all ages and some relaxing scenic spots to enjoy.
Jiminy Peaks
Jiminy Peaks Resort Mountain has excellent overnight accommodations and offers many exciting activities for all ages. The activities are categorized in two sections: The Mountain Adventure Park and the Ariel Adventure Park.
The Mountain Adventure Park is home to the Alpine Super Slide, a large double alpine slide with identical slides side by side. An enjoyable scenic chair lift carries you from the bottom of the mountain to the beginning of the slide. There is also the Mountain Coaster, which consists of thousands of feet of twisting and turning track that goes through the woods! While on the Mountain Coaster you can control the speed of your car, which can reach a top speed of 23 mph. It’s the first of it’s on the East Coast.
The park also hosts the Giant Swing which accommodates two people on each side. The swing arcs back and forth high in the air.
The Soaring Eagle, another ride, zooms back and forth on a track instead of swinging.
There is also rock climbing and bungee jumping with varying levels of challenges, in addition to a climbing course specifically made for small children.
The Aerial Adventure Park contains the most amazing aerial forest ropes course I have ever been to. It consists of six individual, elevated courses for different levels of ability. There are over 70 challenge elements. The ropes course also contains some zip lines, including the Leap of Faith for the brave.
Each of the rope courses varies in both height and level. They include rope bridges, ladders, cargo nets, and more. The harness and safety system ensures that whichever course you choose to do will be risk-free.
The scenic chairlift to the summit offer spectacular views of the surrounding areas, including Mount Greylock and the Jericho Valley. There are various hikes at Jiminy Peaks for the more adventurous to explore.
Botanical Gardens
The Berkshire Botanical Garden is situated on 15 acres in Stockbridge, Massachusetts and was established in 1934. The garden showcases over 3,000 species, focusing in particular on plants that flourish well in the Berkshires.
A walk through the garden is calm and serene, a great place to relax and enjoy nature. When our family visited last summer there was a showcase of rare and expensive collector’s benches for sale in all different shapes and sizes. This added a unique and fun twist to the garden.
Mount Greylock
The tallest mountain in Massachusetts is 3,491 ft. tall and became the first wilderness State Park in Massachusetts to preserve its natural environment. The road to the summit is open from the end of May to the beginning of November with beautiful viewing stops along the way.
The mountain offers magnificent views of the surrounding cities and fields. On a clear day you can see as far as 90 miles away. At the top of the mountain, adjacent to the parking lot, is the Veterans War Memorial Tower that can be climbed for an even clearer view of the surrounding landscape.
Wahconah Falls State Park
Wahconah Falls, in the town of Dalton, is a local treasure. The waterfall is only three minutes from the parking lot. There are picnic tables and a .5 mile loop path nearby. While swimming is not allowed in the pool, it is a great spot for a picnic or just to relax.
Six Flags New England
Located in Agawam, Massachusetts, about an hour from the Berkshires, the park was opened in the late 1800s, making it the oldest amusement park in the Six Flags chain.
The park boasts 10 roller coasters, including the Superman, with its 3D virtual glasses option. This year, a new rollercoaster, The Joker, will make its debut.
There are a plethora of other rides for all ages, plus Hurricane Harbor Water Park and a separate kiddie park within the main park. And, as in all good family amusement parks, there are characters making their rounds posing for pictures with guests.
All in all, a great way to spend a fun-filled family day!
