woman taking a photo

Best Places for Winter Photography in North Adams

/in /by

Photographers have been inspired by the natural beauty and arts scene in North Adams for decades. But even if you’re not a professional photographer, you can take some stunning photos of the region this season with the right tips and tricks.

Read on to learn about our favorite outdoor photography tips and where you can snap some beautiful indoor and outdoor shots this winter no matter if you’re using a professional camera or your smartphone. 

Stay With Us Today!

Outdoor Photography Tips

The North Adams, MA snow makes the perfect backdrop for outdoor photos. However, the white, bright landscape can also be more difficult to capture accurately in a picture than your average portrait. 

Here are some outdoor photography tips that can help you nail your nature shot in North Adams:

  • Hiking in North Adams, MA to get a great picture? Plan your excursion around good light, which in photography is often the beginning and end of the day.

 

  • With a mostly white backdrop, it can be difficult to find focus for your picture. Some experts recommend switching your camera to single-point AF. Then take your main focus point, and position it over a contrast-heavy area of your snow scene.

 

  • Research and choose the right camera settings for snow photography.

 

  • Add a filter! Even your smartphone comes with filters that can drastically improve your photography by creating more contrast and depth.

 

  • Remember to keep your batteries warm and carry an extra set no matter where you go.

 

  • Use the “rule of thirds,” and imagine your photo divided into a three-by-three grid, with the horizon and important elements of the photo found within or along the lines of that grid.

Inspiration Strikes in North Adams

So, where can you take some of the best snow shots in North Adams, MA? These are some of our favorite outdoor areas to capture on film!

Windsor Lake

  • Windsor Lake in North Adams, Massachusetts is one of Northern Berkshire County’s premier destinations for outdoor recreation and nature photography that’s open year-round.

Mount Greylock State Reservation

  • Mount Greylock State Reservation is the highest point in Massachusetts. Rising above the surrounding Berkshire landscape, beautiful views of up to 90 miles may be seen and captured on your camera.

Natural Bridge State Park

  • Natural Bridge State Park is a 48-acre park where you can see the only naturally formed white marble arch and man-made white marble dam in North America, and tour an abandoned marble quarry. The running water and frozen scenery make for a picturesque photo that can’t be missed.

MASS MoCA

  • Of course, we can’t forget to mention MASS MoCA. If you want an escape from the cold, a visit to MASS MoCA can help inspire your next artistic pursuit and many of the installations are fascinating to capture on film.

 

No matter why you come to North Adams, consider Porches Inn your home away from home. The premier Berkshires Inn places you in the heart of North Adam’s outdoor attractions and is directly across the street from MASS MoCA.

Contact Us Today!

Book your stay for your nature photography escape in North Adams today at (413) 664-0400.

man skiing

Best Winter Activities in The Berkshires

/in /by

Winter in the Berkshires shouldn’t be missed. While you may associate warm and sunny summer with fun, family-friendly activities, there are still plenty of things to do in the Berkshires in the winter!

Read on to learn more about what to do in the Berkshires in the winter so you can begin planning the ultimate cold-weather getaway this year!

Contact Us Today!

5 Things to Do in The Berkshires in The Winter

Winter getaways in the Berkshires are anything but boring. Here are a few of our favorite things to do in the region during the cold and snowy season that you’re sure to love.

1. Go Ice Skating 

Ice skating is a quintessential winter activity when the temperature drops. There are plenty of natural areas in the Berkshires where you can take your skates and soak in the stunning natural scenery. Of course, if you’re ice skating in nature you should always follow these safety tips and skate with a partner. If outdoor ice skating isn’t your thing, a stop at the North Adams indoor ice rink is also fun (and a great place for beginners to learn the ins and outs of this winter sport).

2. Snowshoe Through the Woods

Snow in the Berkshires doesn’t stop people from enjoying the natural beauty of the region. If there’s a generous coating of snow on the ground, it’s time to grab your snowshoes or cross-country skis and explore one of the area’s outdoor spots. We recommend the Cascades Trail in North Adams. This 2.2-mile trail is perfect for all skill levels and is accessible year-round. You can even bring your dog along for the journey, just make sure to keep him or her leashed at all times.

There’s nothing quite like trekking under the snow-covered canopy!

3. Visit MASS MoCA

If you want a break from the cold, you should visit the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. You and your family can spend an entire day taking in the vast collection of art that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. MASS MoCA is always introducing new exhibits and events, so take a look at what’s coming to the museum to see if anything piques your interest.

4. Check Out a Brewery

A winter day in North Adams isn’t complete without a stop at a brewery! Bright Ideas Brewing is conveniently located on the MASS MoCA campus, so you can begin or end your time at the museum with a craft brew. Indoor seating is available so you can stay out of the cold and enjoy the creative industrial atmosphere of the space.

Where to Stay in The Berkshires in Winter

Ready to plan your stay in the Berkshires this winter? Look no further than Porches Inn!

The premier Berkshires Inn places you in the heart of North Adam’s attractions so you can experience all of these winter activities and more this season. 

Contact Us Today!

Book your stay for your winter escape in the Berkshires today at (413) 664-0400.

mass moca

Must-See MASS MoCA Exhibits This Upcoming Fall!

/in /by

 

Of all the things to do in North Adams and the surrounding area, a stop at MASS MoCA is perhaps the most popular among visitors.

The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is home to some of the world’s liveliest and most evocative art. From intricate indoor installations to large outdoor sculptures, every form of art, from music and dance to film and photography, is welcome at this space where boundary-crossing creativity is encouraged.

Fresh, forward-looking exhibits are always being added to the campus. If you visit North Adams this fall, here are some of the MASS MoCA exhibits you shouldn’t miss.

Get your MASS MoCA tickets today!

MASS MoCA Exhibits

 

Ceramics in the Expanded Field

On Oct. 16, 2021, MASS MoCA is revealing the new Ceramics in the Expanded Field exhibit that will change the way you think of clay. This display is created by eight artists with different disciplines that have pushed ceramics beyond its traditional function forms.

See for yourself how the artists have connected ceramics with complex materials and modes that often lie outside the typical fine art definition.

Close to You

This year has made a lot of us think about kinship. Close to You is a collection of work from six artists that was organized during the earliest months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now over a year into this new normal, the exhibition continues to invite audiences to reflect upon kinship and intimacy through the visual arts.

Ways to Baffle the Wind

Another exhibit to be introduced this fall is Ways to Baffle the Wind. This installation is a collection of new and recent work by French-Moroccan artist Yto Barrada. Audiences can experience the many modes Yto Barrada uses to attempt to regulate and organize nature.

This display will be open to the public beginning Nov. 20, 2021.

Kissing through a Curtain

Boundaries are all around us, whether we realize it or not. Kissing through a Curtain encompasses the work of 10 contemporary artists coming together to address boundaries and what it takes to communicate across them. From language barriers to individual minds, this exhibit invites the audience to consider moments of mediated contact and uncertain communication in a new way. 

This is Not a Gag 

Back in March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, artist Richard Nielsen began painting portraits of people wearing face masks. Today, This is Not a Gag at MASS MoCA includes the artist’s first set of 49 paintings. 

This exhibit is on view through 2021 and shows audiences that though the subject’s face may be covered, their masks and individual expressions speak volumes.

MASS MoCA Events

Of course, these are only a handful of the MASS MoCA exhibits on display this fall. The large campus is home to hundreds of displays along with on-site cafés, a full-service restaurant, and even an innovative microbrewery.

There is also a full calendar of MASS MoCA events. From live music to exhibit openings, you’re sure to find an attraction that speaks to you.

Next time you visit MASS MoCA, consider Porches Inn your home base. The premier Berkshires Inn places you in the heart of North Adam’s attractions and directly across the street from MASS MoCA.

Contact Us Today

Book your stay for your artistic escape in the Berkshires today at (413) 664-0400.

pool

Perfect Getaway in the Berkshires

/in /by

New England’s charm lies in its perfect balance of history and modern amenities, coastal towns and woodland sanctuaries, contemporary art and classic restaurants. The list goes on and proves that there’s something for every taste, budget, and interest to enjoy in the area.

And of all the places to experience the charm of a classic New England mill town infused with an artsy vibe, there’s no better region to stay than the Berkshires. With an established scene, stunning galleries, scenery, and culture, the Berkshires have everything you need for the perfect getaway

Here are just a few of the local attractions you shouldn’t miss during your stay.

Contact Us Today!

Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art

The Berkshires is perhaps the most well-known for its unique art scene. There are plenty of local artisans in the area and independent shops alongside larger attractions like the Clark Art Institute and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art.

MASS MoCA is home to some of today’s most evocative modern art and a vast collection of indoor and outdoor performing art venues. From music and sculptures to film, paintings, and everything in between, you can see boundary-crossing works of art that defy typical classification.

Located in North Adams, you can spend a few hours or an entire day enjoying the art and enjoying a meal or local brew at the on-site cafés, full-service restaurant, and innovative microbrewery.

Studio 9

Music and the arts go hand in hand in the Berkshires. You’ll find a few live music venues scattered throughout the area including Studio 9 in North Adams, MA. This intimate state-of-the-art recording studio and performance venue is ideal for enjoying the scenery while listening to live shows performed by up-and-coming artists.

The unique structure was built from the ground up with music and sustainability in mind. The Meyer Sound’s Constellation System creates the perfect acoustics and the entire building is 100% carbon neutral. Sit back and unwind in an unparalleled setting built for live performances and professional recordings.

Photo Credit: Explore North Adams

Natural Bridge State Park

Of course, we can’t talk about the Berkshires without mentioning the stunning scenery it’s known for. The region is home to nine state forests and three state parks full of lush woodlands, babbling brooks, and open meadows. Don’t miss a hike through one of the state parks, such as Natural Bridge State Park, that’s home to the only natural white marble arch in North America. The bridge spans the bubbling Hudson Brook and tumbles through a 60-foot gorge. Pack a picnic and your binoculars to soak in the surrounding scenery and wildlife.

Inns in Western Massachusetts

No getaway in the Berkshires is complete without a stay at one of the many bed and breakfast inns or hotels in the region. Located in historic North Adams, The Porches Inn is the ideal place to call home base during your stay. This premier Berkshire Inn puts you right in the heart of the area’s cultural and recreational attractions.

Contact Us Today!

Book your stay for your perfect getaway in the Berkshires today at (413) 664-0400.