Tolland MassachusettsATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Tolland, Massachusetts.
1. Tolland State Forest
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Tolland State Forest offers visitors a diverse range of outdoor recreational activities amidst beautiful natural surroundings. The forest features opportunities for hiking, swimming, boating, and camping, making it perfect for day trips or extended stays. Nature enthusiasts can explore the forest's trails while enjoying the serene woodland environment and local wildlife.
2. Ashintully Gardens
HISTORIC ESTATE GARDENS
Ashintully Gardens showcases the remains of a magnificent Georgian-style mansion alongside beautifully maintained gardens. Visitors can stroll through the terraced gardens, which feature a stunning mix of formal and natural landscape designs. The property, managed by the Trustees of Reservations, offers a peaceful retreat where history and horticulture blend seamlessly.
3. Tyringham Cobble
SCENIC HIKING TRAILS
Tyringham Cobble is a 206-acre nature preserve offering spectacular views of the Tyringham Valley from its summit. Hikers can explore well-maintained trails that wind through open meadows and forested areas, providing diverse landscapes to enjoy. The preserve, managed by the Trustees of Reservations, is known for its abundant wildflowers in spring and summer and vibrant foliage in autumn.
4. Maple Corner Farm Cross Country Ski Area
FOUR-SEASON OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Maple Corner Farm Cross Country Ski Area provides seasonal outdoor recreation with well-groomed trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. During warmer months, the farm transforms to offer hiking and scenic walking paths through beautiful rural landscapes. The family-owned operation is renowned for its maple syrup production, which visitors can learn about and purchase on-site.
5. Arrowhead
MELVILLE'S HISTORIC HOME
Arrowhead is the historic home where Herman Melville wrote his masterpiece 'Moby-Dick' and lived for 13 years. The farmhouse, now a museum, preserves the author's study and offers guided tours that provide insights into Melville's life and creative process. The picturesque setting that inspired Melville's writing features beautiful grounds and views of Mount Greylock, which the author likened to a whale's back.
6. Berkshire Botanical Garden
HORTICULTURAL DISPLAY GARDENS
Berkshire Botanical Garden showcases 15 acres of meticulously designed display gardens featuring both native and exotic plant species. The garden hosts seasonal exhibitions, educational workshops, and special events throughout the year for visitors of all ages. As one of the oldest public gardens in the region, it combines horticultural excellence with environmental education and community engagement.
7. Chesterwood
SCULPTOR'S STUDIO AND GARDENS
Chesterwood is the former summer home and studio of renowned American sculptor Daniel Chester French, who created the Lincoln Memorial statue. Visitors can tour the artist's studio, residence, and formal gardens while viewing an impressive collection of his plaster models, studies, and finished works. The property's woodland walks feature an outdoor sculpture exhibition that changes annually, set against the beautiful Berkshire landscape.
8. Bash Bish Falls State Park
SPECTACULAR CASCADING WATERFALL
Bash Bish Falls State Park features Massachusetts' highest single-drop waterfall, where water cascades dramatically about 80 feet into a sparkling pool below. Hikers can access the falls via scenic trails that wind through the wooded landscape, offering opportunities to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. The park connects to Mount Washington State Forest, providing extended hiking options for those wanting to explore more of the region's wilderness.
9. The Mount
WHARTON'S ELEGANT ESTATE
The Mount is the elegant turn-of-the-century home designed and built by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton. The estate features meticulously restored mansion interiors that reflect Wharton's design principles, as well as formal gardens inspired by European traditions. Visitors can explore the property through guided or self-guided tours that illuminate Wharton's literary legacy and her contributions to American design and culture.
10. Hancock Shaker Village
LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
Hancock Shaker Village preserves and interprets the heritage of the Shakers, a religious community known for their simple living, pacifism, and craftsmanship. The village features 20 authentic historic buildings including the iconic round stone barn, filled with Shaker furniture, tools, and artifacts. Visitors can experience demonstrations of Shaker crafts, explore the heirloom gardens, and interact with the heritage breed farm animals that populate this living history museum.
11. Naumkeag
GILDED AGE COUNTRY ESTATE
Naumkeag is a magnificent 44-room Gilded Age mansion designed by renowned architect Stanford White, featuring original furnishings and artwork from around the world. The property's crowning glory is its eight acres of terraced gardens, including the famous Blue Steps, designed by landscape architect Fletcher Steele. Visitors can tour both the house and gardens to experience the refined country lifestyle of the Choate family who summered here for three generations.
12. Jacob's Pillow
RENOWNED DANCE FESTIVAL
Jacob's Pillow is America's longest-running international dance festival and a National Historic Landmark with a rich cultural legacy. The campus features multiple performance venues where world-class dance companies present diverse styles from ballet to contemporary, jazz, and cultural dances from around the world. Beyond the summer festival, the Pillow offers exhibitions, talks, community programs, and beautiful grounds with trails that are open year-round to visitors.
13. Ventfort Hall Museum of the Gilded Age
VICTORIAN MANSION MUSEUM
Ventfort Hall is a magnificent Jacobean-style mansion built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan, sister of J.P. Morgan, showcasing the opulence of America's Gilded Age. The museum features ornate woodwork, period furnishings, and exhibits that tell the story of the era's wealthy families who summered in the Berkshires. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the mansion's architecture, the Morgan family, and the social history of the late 19th century.
14. Bidwell House Museum
COLONIAL HISTORY LANDMARK
The Bidwell House Museum is an authentic 18th-century New England home set on 192 acres of gardens, meadows, and woodland trails. The restored Georgian saltbox, originally built in 1760, offers a glimpse into colonial life through its period furnishings and artifacts. Visitors can explore both the historic house and the surrounding nature trails that feature native plants, stone walls, and foundations of early settlements.
15. Otis Ridge
FAMILY-FRIENDLY SKI AREA
Otis Ridge is a family-friendly ski area offering affordable winter recreation with 11 trails ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty levels. The mountain features a terrain park, night skiing options, and comprehensive ski school programs ideal for learners of all ages. During operating season, the ridge provides equipment rentals, a cozy lodge with dining options, and a welcoming atmosphere that has made it a local favorite since 1946.