Adams MassachusettsATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Adams, Massachusetts.
1. Mount Greylock
HIGHEST PEAK IN MASSACHUSETTS
Mount Greylock stands as the highest peak in Massachusetts, offering panoramic views from the summit's Veteran's Memorial Tower. Visitors can enjoy diverse hiking trails, scenic drives, and experience the mountain's rich literary history throughout the seasons. Fall foliage viewing is particularly spectacular, making it one of the region's premier natural attractions.
2. Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
SCENIC PAVED PATH
The Ashuwillticook Rail Trail is a popular paved path that winds through the picturesque Berkshire landscape. This converted railroad corridor offers cyclists, walkers, and joggers a flat, accessible route with beautiful views of mountains, forests, and waterways. The trail connects several Berkshire communities, making it perfect for both recreational outings and practical transportation.
3. Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum
WOMEN'S RIGHTS HISTORY
The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum celebrates the life and legacy of the renowned women's rights activist who was born in Adams. This carefully preserved historic home showcases exhibits on Anthony's early life, her reform work, and her pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement. The museum also hosts an annual festival honoring Anthony's contributions to American history and women's equality.
4. Greylock Glen
OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTER
Greylock Glen is a developing outdoor recreation center nestled at the base of Mount Greylock. This natural area offers hiking trails, camping facilities, and opportunities for various outdoor activities throughout the year. The Glen serves as a gateway to Mount Greylock while providing its own unique recreational experiences in a more accessible setting.
5. Jaeschke's Orchard
FAMILY-OWNED FRUIT FARM
Jaeschke's Orchard is a beloved family-owned fruit farm offering fresh seasonal produce and farm experiences. Visitors can pick their own apples and berries when in season or purchase pre-picked fruits, vegetables, and homemade goods from the farm store. The orchard provides a genuine agricultural experience with stunning views of the surrounding Berkshire mountains.
6. Topia Arts Center
COMMUNITY CULTURAL HUB
The Topia Arts Center serves as a vibrant cultural hub in downtown Adams, hosting performances, exhibitions, and arts education programs. Housed in a beautifully restored historic building, the center showcases a variety of artistic disciplines including music, theater, dance, and visual arts. The venue supports local artists while bringing diverse cultural experiences to the Adams community and visitors.
7. MASS MoCA
CONTEMPORARY ART POWERHOUSE
MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) is one of the largest contemporary art museums in the United States, housed in a complex of renovated 19th-century factory buildings. The museum features enormous galleries with cutting-edge visual art installations, performing arts venues, and outdoor exhibition spaces that regularly host boundary-pushing works. MASS MoCA's dynamic programming includes concerts, films, dance performances, and innovative art experiences that change throughout the year.
8. The Cascades Trail
PEACEFUL WATERFALL HIKE
The Cascades Trail offers a short but rewarding hike following the Notch Brook to a popular cascading waterfall just minutes from downtown. This accessible trail takes about an hour and a half round-trip and is suitable for hikers of all experience levels seeking a quick nature escape. Visitors can enjoy swimming at the base of the falls during summer months or follow a more challenging path to the top for spectacular views.
9. The Clark Art Institute
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, commonly known as The Clark, houses an exceptional collection of European and American art within a stunning architectural setting. The museum's collection includes renowned Impressionist paintings, works by American artists, and an extensive collection of prints, drawings, and photographs spanning centuries of artistic production. The Clark's 140-acre campus features walking trails, reflecting pools, and outdoor sculptures that complement the museum experience.
10. Hancock Shaker Village
LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM
Hancock Shaker Village preserves and interprets the history of the Shakers, a religious community known for their craftsmanship, innovation, and communal lifestyle. The village features 20 historic buildings including the iconic Round Stone Barn, gardens, and a working farm with heritage-breed animals. Visitors can explore Shaker furniture, tools, textiles, and other artifacts while experiencing demonstrations of traditional Shaker crafts and agricultural practices.
11. Tanglewood
SUMMER HOME OF BSO
Tanglewood serves as the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and hosts world-class musical performances in a spectacular outdoor setting. The venue combines formal concert spaces with casual lawn seating where visitors can enjoy picnics while listening to classical music, jazz, popular artists, and special events. Tanglewood's season runs primarily from late June through early September, drawing music lovers from around the world to its idyllic Berkshire campus.
12. Norman Rockwell Museum
AMERICAN ILLUSTRATOR'S LEGACY
The Norman Rockwell Museum houses the world's largest collection of original works by the beloved American illustrator known for his depictions of everyday life. The museum displays Rockwell's iconic Saturday Evening Post covers and other illustrations that captured American culture throughout the 20th century. Visitors can also tour Rockwell's preserved studio on the grounds and explore changing exhibitions related to illustration and American popular culture.
13. Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
PRESTIGIOUS DANCE DESTINATION
Jacob's Pillow is America's longest-running dance festival and a National Historic Landmark celebrating the art of dance in all its forms. Each summer, the festival presents performances by international dance companies across multiple venues nestled in the Berkshire hills. Beyond performances, Jacob's Pillow offers free events, exhibitions, talks, tours, and community programs that make dance accessible to visitors of all backgrounds.
14. Edith Wharton's The Mount
AUTHOR'S HISTORIC ESTATE
The Mount is the elegant turn-of-the-century home designed and built by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton as her personal sanctuary. This National Historic Landmark showcases Wharton's architectural and landscape design principles alongside exhibits about her literary career and social circle. Visitors can tour the meticulously restored mansion, stroll through formal gardens, and attend literary events that continue Wharton's legacy as a cultural hostess.
15. Williamstown Theatre Festival
TONY AWARD-WINNING THEATER
The Williamstown Theatre Festival is a Tony Award-winning summer theater program that presents world premieres, revivals, and classic works with top theatrical talent. For over 60 years, the festival has attracted renowned actors, directors, and playwrights to create innovative productions on the Williams College campus. The festival combines professional theater with educational programs, creating an enriching cultural experience for audiences and aspiring artists alike.