New Ashford MassachusettsATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near New Ashford, Massachusetts.
1. Mount Greylock State Reservation
MASSACHUSETTS' HIGHEST PEAK
Mount Greylock State Reservation offers visitors access to Massachusetts' highest peak with spectacular views of the Berkshires. The reservation features family-friendly trails like the 1-mile Sugarloaf Trail accessible from the Bauers Road Trailhead. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy various outdoor activities including hiking, snowshoeing, and wildlife observation throughout the seasons.
2. Arts Indie
LOCAL ART GALLERY
Arts Indie is an art gallery and independent outreach center advocating for arts in the Berkshires region. The gallery showcases works from local artists and serves as a cultural hub for the community. Visitors can experience the unique artistic expressions reflecting the beauty and character of western Massachusetts.
3. Brodie Mountain
SCENIC SKI AREA
Brodie Mountain is a picturesque ski and snowboard area offering winter recreation opportunities in the heart of the Berkshires. The mountain provides slopes for various skill levels with stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can enjoy seasonal outdoor activities including skiing, snowboarding, and hiking trails when snow has melted.
4. Sperry Road Campground
PEACEFUL WILDERNESS CAMPING
Sperry Road Campground provides an expansive array of shelters and tent sites for outdoor enthusiasts exploring Mount Greylock. Located within the Mount Greylock State Reservation, this campground serves as an ideal base for hikers and nature lovers. Visitors can enjoy the serenity of the wilderness while having access to numerous trails throughout the reservation.
5. Green River Headwaters
NATURAL RIVER SOURCE
The Green River originates in New Ashford before flowing northward to join the Hoosic River in Williamstown. This pristine waterway offers opportunities for fishing, nature photography, and peaceful contemplation in a serene environment. Visitors can explore the river's beginnings and appreciate the important role it plays in the local ecosystem.
6. Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort
YEAR-ROUND MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort is a premier four-season destination located near New Ashford offering both winter and summer activities. During winter, visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding on various trails, while summer brings opportunities for mountain biking and scenic chairlift rides. The resort also features adventure activities including the popular Mountain Adventure Park with ziplines and aerial courses.
7. Clark Art Institute
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
The Clark Art Institute houses an impressive collection of European and American art in a beautiful campus setting near New Ashford. The museum is renowned for its exceptional Impressionist paintings, including works by Renoir, Monet, and Degas, alongside its extensive collection of 19th-century art. Visitors can also enjoy the museum's 140-acre campus with walking trails, reflecting pools, and stunning architecture.
8. MASS MoCA
CONTEMPORARY ART WONDERLAND
MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) is one of the largest centers for contemporary visual and performing arts in the United States, located a short drive from New Ashford. The museum occupies a vast complex of renovated 19th-century factory buildings spanning 250,000 square feet with dramatic architectural features. Visitors can experience large-scale immersive installations, innovative exhibitions, and regular performances in this unique cultural space.
9. Berkshire Botanical Garden
HORTICULTURAL PARADISE
Berkshire Botanical Garden features 15 acres of meticulously maintained gardens showcasing both native plants and exotic specimens near New Ashford. The garden offers themed display areas including herb, rock, and water gardens that change with the seasons, providing year-round visual interest. Visitors can attend educational workshops, seasonal festivals, and art exhibitions held regularly throughout the year.
10. October Mountain State Forest
VAST WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
October Mountain State Forest is the largest state forest in Massachusetts featuring diverse terrain and ecosystems accessible from New Ashford. The forest contains a section of the famous Appalachian Trail and offers numerous recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing throughout the 16,500-acre protected wilderness.
11. Ramblewild
TREETOP ADVENTURE PARK
Ramblewild is an exhilarating aerial adventure park featuring ziplines and treetop obstacle courses set in a beautiful forest near New Ashford. The park offers eight aerial trails of varying difficulty levels suspended up to 45 feet above the forest floor. Visitors can challenge themselves on bridges, ziplines, ladders, cargo nets, and other elements while enjoying the natural beauty of the Berkshire forest.
12. Donnybrook Country Club
SCENIC GOLF EXPERIENCE
Donnybrook Country Club offers a scenic golf experience with well-maintained courses surrounded by the natural beauty of the Berkshires near New Ashford. The club features challenging holes appropriate for various skill levels with spectacular mountain views. Golfers can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere while testing their skills on this picturesque course.
13. Hancock Shaker Village
LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
Hancock Shaker Village is a living history museum preserving the heritage of the Shaker religious community that once thrived in the area near New Ashford. The village features 20 authentic historic buildings, including the iconic round stone barn, set on 750 acres of picturesque farmland. Visitors can explore the buildings filled with original Shaker furniture, tools, and artifacts while learning about the Shakers' innovative contributions to American culture.
14. Tanglewood
RENOWNED MUSIC VENUE
Tanglewood is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a premier outdoor music venue located a short drive from New Ashford. The venue features both the Koussevitzky Music Shed and the Seiji Ozawa Hall, hosting world-class classical, jazz, and popular music performances. Visitors can enjoy concerts while picnicking on the sprawling lawn surrounded by the natural beauty of the Berkshire Hills.
15. The Mount
EDITH WHARTON'S ESTATE
The Mount is the elegant turn-of-the-century estate designed and built by acclaimed American author Edith Wharton, located near New Ashford. The historic property features a classical revival mansion, meticulously restored formal gardens, and stable complex situated on 50 acres of beautiful grounds. Visitors can tour the mansion filled with period furnishings, explore the stunning gardens inspired by European designs, and learn about Wharton's literary legacy.