5 of the Best Things To Do in North Adams, MA

If you’re planning a getaway to The Berkshires, you’re in the right place! The Berkshires refers to a rural region of Western Massachusetts full of small towns. The area is known for a thriving arts scene, outdoor adventure, farm-fresh dining and more.

If it’s your first visit to The Berkshires, the town of North Adams is a great place to start. While the town is small (with a population of almost 13,000), it’s home to one of the largest contemporary art museums in the country: the MASS MoCA. While you should come for the art museum, you’ll want to stay for the nearby trails, the food and the artsy town.

Quick Info on North Adams:

• Located just under 3 hours from Boston and a little over an hour from Albany, NY
• The town is located in the Hoosic River Valley
• North Adams has a population of 12,777
• North Adams is a part of The Berkshires region, which refers to a highland region of western Massachusetts and a bit of Northwest Connecticut.

5 Things To Do in North Adams, Massachusetts

1. Visit the MASS MoCA

The MASS MoCA (aka the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) is the best thing to do in North Adams, MA (in my opinion, at least). If you’re at all interested in architecture or art, you’ll probably be impressed with this massive campus full of unique works of art.

The museum is housed in a former textile printing mill that later became the home of Sprague Electric Company. Each business held historical importance - Arnold Print Works was a lead manufacturer of textiles and supplied fabric to the Union Army. Sprague Electric was a center of research and development, and skilled technicians there were called by the government to help in the creation of the atomic bomb. Sprague Electric also employed a huge percentage of the town at its peak. When it closed in 1985, the local economy was devastated.

Local leaders wanted a way to reuse the huge complex that Sprague Electric formerly held, and thus the idea of the MASS MoCA was born. The museum opened in 1999 and was a part of a larger (and successful) movement to transform the region into a place full of culture, recreation and education.

That’s a lot of background, but it’s just one reason that visiting this place is so special. The campus has 130,000 square feet of exhibition space, so there is a lot to see. As you walk around, you’ll get to walk between buildings connected by tunnels and admire many of the original walls from when it was a factory.

Pro Tip: Of course this depends on your interest level, but I recommend planning to spend about 4-5 hours at MASS MoCA. It’s huge!

I personally loved the huge exhibit for James Turrell (an artist known for light installations). Some of his art pieces here require a reservation: Perfectly Clear and Hind Sight. In Perfectly Clear, you are immersed in a space surrounded by light. It’s hard to describe the experience (and I don’t want to give it away), but it’s well worth doing. I’ve been in similar James Turrell art pieces all over the world (such as at LACMA) and it’s always an incredible experience that forces you to disconnect and enter into a new world.

Pro Tip: Make your reservations for the James Turrell special exhibits online. They're free!

Another highlight for me was the painted walls by Sol LeWitt. There are 105 of LeWitt’s large-scale works in a large retrospective. You’ll get to admire bold colors, geometric shapes and more. Exhibits are always changing, plus it’s almost impossible to see everything in one visit. Take your time exploring and see what catches your eye.

As of this writing, admission costs $25 for adults and $10 for children. There are also some places to eat and drink on the same campus, including Tunnel City Coffee, Bright Ideas Brewing and Casita.

2. Explore Greylock WORKS

Greylock WORKS is housed in a former cotton mill - are you noticing a theme in this town? Similar to MASS MoCA, they’ve done a great job in renovating the space while still highlighting many of the original industrial details.

The space is used for many markets throughout the year and is home to The Break Room restaurant, the Berkshire Cider Project and a distillery. If you can time your visit right, visit during their Sunday Farmer’s Market, which tends to be the third sunday of the month. Each month has a different theme and is full of local produce, artisan made gifts and more.

It’s also worth eating at The Break Room, which serves all-day breakfast along with lunch items. I enjoyed a delicious breakfast sandwich served with home fries and a salad.

If you like cider, also be sure to stop at Berkshire Cider Project. This husband and wife team makes natural ciders using locally sourced cider apples. The natural ciders are dry and sparkling, and make for a fantastic gift or treat. Along with amazing cider, they have some cute things for sale such as sweatshirts, hats and bags. Enjoy a flight and grab a bottle to take home!

3. Visit Natural Bridge State Park

North Adams has the only natural white marble arch in North America and you can see it at Natural Bridge State Park! The marble is 550 million years old and spans across the Hudson Brook. During a visit to this park, you can also admire a mine quarry, a waterfall and a massive canyon. It’s a great place to do some hiking, have a picnic or just admire the views. The park is only open from mid-May to mid-October, so I was unable to visit during my trip in November. I look forward to visiting in the future!

4. Hike the Cascade Trail

If you like waterfalls, don’t miss this easy trail! The Cascade Trail is a 2.2-mile out and back hike that leads you to a lovely waterfall cascading down mossy green rocks.

There is no parking where the trail actually starts. You’ll need to park in the YMCA/ Elementary school parking lot and take a short walk through the neighborhood to actually begin.

The hike leads you through the forest with little elevation gain. However, there is a sizable river crossing. You can step on rocks without getting your feet wet, but there is not one clear way to go. Trekking poles are helpful!

When you reach the waterfall, you’ll have to climb over a lot of rocks to see it up close. But it’s also nice from a distance. Overall, this is a great trail to see a waterfall right in town.

5. Hike in Hoosac Range Reserve

The Hoosac Range Reserve is located right outside of North Adams and encompasses 944 acres. For a short but rewarding trail, I recommend the Sunset Rock loop hike, which is about 1.6-miles round trip. The trail will lead you through a forest and to a beautiful viewpoint of the valley below. As the name suggests, it’s especially beautiful at sunset.

Pro Tip: This area sits at a much higher elevation than North Adams, so don’t be surprised to find snow during the shoulder seasons. It was also very windy when I visited!

If you’re looking for a longer trek, you can also hike to Spruce Hill from the same trailhead. It’s a 5.1-mile with a fantastic view at the top!

More Things To Do in North Adams

Here are a few more things to do in town and nearby if you have more time!

• Visit the North Adams Public Library
• Visit Western Gateway Heritage State Park
• Visit the Berkshire Art Museum
• Visit the Clark Art Institute

Where to stay in North Adams

I took a day trip from Boston to North Adams, but here are a few of the top rated hotels to help you plan!

• Budget: Clover Hill Farm and Country Inn
• Mid-range: Hotel Downstreet
• Boutique: The Porches Inn

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide helps you plan a memorable day trip or weekend getaway to North Adams, Massachusetts! It’s such a cute town full of art and culture. The Berkshires are a fantastic region that should definitely be on your New England bucket list.

More New England and New York Guides:

• An Epic 10 Day New England Road Trip
• The Best Hiking near Ithaca, New York
• 7 Day Vermont and New Hampshire Fall Itinerary
• The Best Hiking Trails in Acadia National Park
• The Ultimate Fall Guide to Acadia National Park
• The Perfect Day Trip to Connecticut
• The Perfect Day Trip to Rhode Island

Thanks for Reading!