Head East of Albany NY & Find 9 Fun Things to Do in Western MA
Looking for fun activities to do near Albany? Itching to explore places you haven't been to? Take a day trip east of Albany and discover 9 of the best things to do in Western MA, including remarkable museums, aerial adventures, and more. Each place is just 90 minutes or less away!
Learn About the Berkshires & Native Americans at the Bidwell House Museum
The Bidwell House Museum is a historic house and museum of art in Monterey MA, about an hour from Albany. The restored 1700s house is filled with antiques from Native Americans and those who lived in the Berkshires centuries ago.
Visitors can expect to see a wide collection of authentic pieces, including quilts, needlework, china, baskets, furniture, and more.
The property also includes 192 acres of gardens, woods, and trails that are open to the public year round for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. You can typically enjoy tours of the museum from Memorial Day through October.
Past visitors have highlighted how immersive the overall experience is, giving you a full understanding of the house's history and the antiques within.
Inspire a Love of Reading With Your Kids at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
You haven't experienced The Very Hungry Caterpillar like this before! The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, named for the author of the popular kid's book, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a love of art and reading.
This colorful, eye-catching museum boasts 7,300 illustrations in the permanent collection, three art galleries, an art studio, a theater, and more, including educational programs. The museum also highlights other children's book authors and illustrators. The Eric Carle Museum is in Amherst MA, about 90 minutes from Albany.
"What a wonderful museum this is," one Google reviewer said. "[It] brings me back to a part of my childhood that I miss dearly."
Explore History, Science, Art & Dr. Seuss at the Springfield Museums
You can visit five museums for one admission price at the Springfield Museums, 90 minutes from Albany in Springfield MA.
The Springfield Science Museum, the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, and the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, which includes a sculpture garden, make up the "quadrangle."
All of the museums are in close proximity to one another, and you can walk from one to the next. Visit live animals and check out dinosaur displays at the science museum; see a massive collection of American, Asian, and European creations at the art museums; and learn about the history of the Connecticut River Valley at the history museum.
Springfield's newest museum, the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss, opened in 2017. The first floor features fun, bright, and interactive exhibits, such as a giant marble maze, a Seuss bakery, and a Lorax recycling game. The second floor features items and memorabilia Dr. Seuss himself owned and used.
Whether you check out all five museums or just a few, there is something of interest for all ages.
Embrace All Forms of Art & Music at MASS MoCA
MASS MoCA is one of the largest centers for contemporary visual art and performing arts in the country.
Music, dance, film, photography, painting - they have it all! They're especially known for their large-scale exhibitions, boundary-crossing works of art, and performing arts. They host over 75 performances a year, including the FreshGrass Festival, a massive three-day event that takes place each September.
In addition to the exhibits and performances, the campus has cafes, a restaurant, ice cream, a microbrewery, and an ice skating rink. Come to North Adams MA, just about an hour away from Albany, to experience all this innovative center offers.
Dive Into a World of Iconic Illustrations & Paintings at the Norman Rockwell Museum
As an ode to his efforts to portray American life in unique depictions, the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge MA, about 45 minutes from Albany, hosts a collection of Rockwell's most significant works. The museum features everything from his original artwork to his studio, personal memorabilia, and more.
His paintings exude a specific style that is instantly recognizable by many Americans. The Norman Rockwell Museum preserves, studies, and shares with the world the art and life of this hugely popular artist.
Google reviewers have called it a "must-see" museum and described it as a "spectacular display of all of his work." Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history buff, or just want to see something new, the Norman Rockwell Museum is the destination for you.
Experience a Wide Variety of European and American Art at The Clark Art Institute
Don't miss the opportunity to visit one of the country's well-known art museums. The Clark Art Institute blends art, history, education, and research.
Their permanent collection houses paintings, sculptures, European and American decorative arts, photography, and more. One highlight of the museum that guests especially love is the collection of 19th-century French paintings. The collection boasts works from celebrated artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
Located an hour from Albany in Williamstown MA, the gorgeous 140-acre property offers a breathtaking experience both inside and out.
Swing High From the Treetops at Ramblewild
If you were a child who loved climbing trees and maybe even had a treehouse, Ramblewild Adventure Park has the ultimate adventure for you!
Their tree-to-tree adventure park in Lanesborough MA, is about 45 minutes away from Albany. In addition to the aerial park, they have a low ropes course, 30 miles of walking and hiking trails, and in the winter, they offer snowshoeing.
Spanning over 10 acres, the treetop park features a ravine with a 200-foot suspension bridge. There is a wooden platform situated about 10 feet above the ground that serves as the starting point for eight aerial obstacle courses.
The adventure park is commended for its kind staff, challenging obstacles, and incredible fun that make the whole trip worth it.
Discover the Fascinating Culture of the Shakers at Hancock Shaker Village
Have you heard of the Shakers? They got their name because of the trembling, whirling, and shaking they engaged in during ecstatic worship services, and they're considered to be one of the most fascinating religious and social movements in American history.
Hancock Shaker Village, about 45 minutes from Albany in Pittsfield MA, has the largest documented collection of Shaker artifacts available to the public at an original restored Shaker site. The living history museum comprises 20 authentic buildings, a working farm, gardens, and over 20,000 items.
Past visitors rave over being able to step back in time to see what it was like to live in this unique civilization. Experience life like never before at the Hancock Shaker Village.
Coast, Raft, Bike, Zipline & Ski at Berkshire East Mountain Resort
Berkshire East Mountain Resort offers dozens of trails for skiing and snowboarding, along with a dedicated snow tubing park. It is the first ski area in the world to generate 100% of its power from on-site renewable energy.
Known for its green initiatives and 45 excellent skiing trails, the resort provides outdoor fun all year long. Visitors can enjoy ziplines, an aerial adventure park, whitewater rafting, the Thunderbolt Mountain Coaster, and the Thunder Mountain Bike Park.
Plan a visit to try some of the longest ziplines on the planet or control your speed on the exciting mountain coaster. This four-season resort is located in Charlemont MA, about 90 minutes from Albany.
As you can see, Western Massachusetts has something for everyone, from history to art to outdoor attractions. The next time you want to try something new, head east!
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