Lenox is a bustling town in the beautiful Berkshires of western Massachusetts. There are plenty of fantastic things to do in Lenox MA making this town a must-visit place in the Berkshires which are a well-known destination in New England. There are also plenty of great things to do near Lenox MA in the nearby Berkshires towns such as Pittsfield, Williamstown and Stockbridge. Moreover, the hotels in Lenox MA are some of the best places to stay in the Berkshires.
Table of Contents
Things To Do in Lenox MA
There are plenty of cultural and historical things to do in Lenox MA which was an important town during the Gilded Age when mansions were built in the area. There’s even a Gilded Age Museum at Ventfort Hall as well as a couple of hotels in Lenox MA that were former Gilded Age mansions.
Ventfort Hall
One of the best things to do in Lenox MA is to explore the magnificent Ventfort Hall mansion and the Gilded Age Museum.
This fascinating time in American history saw rapid economic growth like never before. By the end of the 1800s, mansions like this sprung up in resort towns as an outlet for all the newfound wealth. The most famous Gilded Age mansions are the summer “cottages” in Newport Rhode Island. The Berkshires, however, was also a summer destination for the wealthy of the period.
The red brick Jacobean Revival-style mansion is quite something to behold from the outside, but hundreds of treasures are on display inside showing you life inside a gilded cage.
When you are looking for what to do in Lenox MA, make sure to check out the Gilded Age museum at Ventfort Hall.
The Mount (Edith Wharton’s House)
Edith Wharton is the acclaimed American novelist behind classics such as The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth. She was the first female writer to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize for a work of fiction.
She had major family connections during the Gilded Age being related to the Astors. Her side of the family though was (relatively) poor and they went on long trips to Europe to avoid having to maintain the lifestyle which was expected of them.
She developed The Mount, an 113-acre property as a summer house to escape Newport society which she considered vapid. The Mount and the Gardens are heavily influenced by European design. It is considered a hidden gem in Massachusetts – combining the best of English, French and Italian classical design with an American aesthetic.
Everything from the house to the garden has been meticulously maintained and serves as a time capsule of the past. There have even been documented instances of paranormal activity at The Mount!
There are so many things to do in the Berkshires including a visit to The Mount, Edith Wharton’s house.
Tanglewood
Music lovers unite at the Tanglewood music venue. This prestigious location is the summer home for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and is also the location of the famous Tanglewood Music Festival.
Choral groups, the Boston Pops, and other popular artists regularly perform on one of the three stages and have done so since the 1930s.
The sprawling lawns and magnificent mountain backdrop make this one of the most treasured gems of Massachusetts. Huge names like the Goo Goo Dolls, Josh Groban, and Santana have taken to one of the stages at this prestigious venue as well.
If you are looking for what to do in Lenox MA, make sure to visit Tanglewood.
Shakespeare & Company
Culture vultures flock from all over to catch the renowned Shakespeare & company in action. You can enjoy the plays year-round and they vary from classic works to modern interpretations.
This isn’t your average community theater group either. The company is a host of professional actors and they also offer a respected theater-in-education program.
Legendary actors like Christopher Lloyd have graced the stage bringing to life productions like King Lear, Hamlet, and Romeo and Juliet. With five indoor and outdoor theaters as well as theatrical studios, this is the place to be if you consider yourself a theater lover. They put on hundreds of plays throughout the year as well as workshops, lectures, demonstrations, and classes.
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary
If you are wondering what to do in Lenox MA as a nature lover, check out the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. Over 1,000 acres of expansive woodlands, wetlands, and meadows lay at the slopes of Lenox Mountain. Plenty of beavers call this sanctuary home and you can see these critters build their fascinating dams all along the river.
Take a hike or enjoy a gentle canoe trip on the water to see the beavers up close. Birding is also a popular pastime in this neck of the woods. The Mass Audubon Society also offers plenty of educational opportunities to learn more about the protection of local wildlife.
Things to do in Lenox MA include visiting Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary to see beaver lodges.
Berkshire Scenic Railway
Railroads were the backbone of American development and economic growth. This key piece of history can be explored at the Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum.
The station has been restored to its former glory and plenty of captivating equipment is also on display. You can take a scenic train trip on the small piece of the railroad that is still in working condition.
Riding the Berkshire scenic railway is one of the cool things to do in Lenox MA with kids.
Tom Fiorini Sculpture Yard
If the sculpture lover within you is looking for things to do in Lenox MA, make sure to visit this unique attraction. Tom Fiorini is a local sculptor whose works have been exported all across the globe.
This sculpture garden is quirky and magnificent. He works with a range of materials to create everything from tabletop sculptures to large installations.
Things To Do Near Lenox MA
There are plenty of things to do near Lenox MA with Western Massachusetts towns like Stockbridge, North Adams, Williamstown and Great Barrington located nearby.
Art Things To Do Near Lenox
Some things to do near Lenox MA include visiting the local art institutes like the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, the Massachusetts Museum of Modern Art (Mass MoCA) in North Adams or the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown.
Chesterwood, the home of American sculptor, Daniel French who created the Lincoln Memorial, is in nearby Stockbridge.
Historical Things to Do Near Lenox
Historical things to do near Lenox MA include visiting the Hancock Shaker Village and Herman Melville’s home, Arrowhead, both in Pittsfield. In Adams, you can visit Susan B. Anthony’s birthplace which is now a museum.
Naumkeag, the estate of a New York lawyer, is now run by Trustees of Reservations as a public garden. Both the house, notable for having been created by the famous New York architect Stanford White, and the acres of gardens, are star attractions. The gardens are considered sublime by landscape architects on par with Jefferson’s Monticello in Virginia and the Vanderbilt’s Biltmore in North Carolina.
One of the things to do in Stockbridge Mass is visit historic Naumkeag, considered one of the finest estates in the country.
Nature Things to Do Near Lenox
Getting close to some of the best of the natural world in Western Massachusetts are some of the other things to do near Lenox MA that you will want to do.
A Massachusetts hidden gem on the border with New York, Bash Bish Falls, in Bish Bash Falls state park has a wonderful waterfall with the highest drop in Massachusetts. The fabulous October Mountain State Forest is one of the best state forests in Massachusetts, Mt Greylock State Reservation is both a Massachusetts state park and a national park with scenic views from the top and the Appalachian trail running through it.
Bish Bash Falls in the beautiful Berkshires of Massachusetts, one of the must see places in New England
Where To Stay in Lenox MA
If you are looking for where to stay in Lenox MA, the Blantyre Hotel is the best of hotels in Lenox MA. There are plenty of hotels in Lenox MA as well as inns in Lenox MA that are some of the best places to stay in the Berkshires.
In terms of budget accommodation, the Berkshires has vacation rental homes on places like VRBO and AirBnB that are suitable for longer stays since they have kitchen facilities.
These four options are what we suggest for a fun and relaxing Massachusetts getaway weekend depending on what type of break you are looking for:
- couple’s getaway weekend in Lenox MA (Blantyre Hotel and The Gateways Inn);
- a girls weekend of pampering in Lenox MA (Canyon Ranch);
- and a family-friendly hotel in Lenox MA (Seven Hills Inn).
Blantyre Hotel
The best of the hotels in Lenox MA is clearly the Blantyre Hotel, a luxury Relais & Chateaux property, converted from a Gilded Age estate. Step back in time at the Blantyre which is one of only 12 surviving local Gilded Age mansions.
The Blantyre Hotel is a relatively small hotel rooms available at the main house, the carriage house and cottages on site. This is not one of the hotels in Lenox MA to stay with young children though. Guests must be age 8 or over so this is a great place to stay with older kids in the Berkshires.
The Blantyre Hotel has plenty of amenities befitting a luxury resort such as the fabulous spa on site. It’s also got an outpost of Cafe Boulud, one of the best restaurants in Lenox MA. Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud has set up Cafe Boulud in London, Palm Beach and Toronto. A 7000 bottle wine cellar is on hand to go with the fine dining.
The Blantyre Hotel is not only one of the best hotels in Lenox MA but also has one of the best restaurants in Lenox MA.
Canyon Ranch Lenox
Another one of the amazing hotels in Lenox MA is Canyon Ranch Resort and Spa. The legendary Canyon Ranch Lenox Mass is situated in another Gilded Age mansion. It’s a premier wellness destination with healthy food and plenty of activities.
If you stay at the Canyon Ranch in Lenox Massachusetts though, chances are you will not explore the rest of the Berkshires. For the prices you pay, you will want to avail yourself of all the facilities.
Seven Hills Inn
The Seven Hills Inn is located near The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home. A boutique hotel converted from an old farmhouse, the Seven Hills Inn is a great option for families. This inn in Lenox MA is both child and pet friendly.
The Gateways Inn
The Gateways Inn is a small luxury bed and breakfast with only 11 rooms. Like the two hotels in Lenox MA mentioned above, this inn in Lenox MA is probably best for adults. It has a no pet policy and limited facilities for children.
Map of What To Do in Lenox MA
Click on the map link to help with trip planning of your time in Lenox MA. The map has all of the items mentioned above, including things to do in Lenox, things to do near Lenox MA, hotels in Lenox MA and inns in Lenox MA.
Map of things to do in Lenox, things to do near Lenox MA, hotels in Lenox MA and Inns in Lenox MA.
SPREAD THE WORD! PIN THIS TO YOUR TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!
We did not receive compensation of any form, monetary or otherwise, from any of the products, services, hotels etc mentioned in this article.
This site generates income via partnerships with carefully-curated travel and lifestyle brands and/or purchases made through links to them at no extra cost to you. More information may be found on our Disclosure Policy.
Leave a Reply