May 17th, 2012 by Corey Edwards
Western Massachusetts is full of historic homes, many of which are beautifully maintained and open for public viewing. Guests of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast have been known to pass many delightful hours perusing these old homes and their grounds.
Read on for a list of several favorite historic properties close to the Applegate Inn, a luxurious Berkshires Bed and Breakfast constructed at the end of America’s Gilded Age.
Naumkeag
Naumkeag
This architectural masterpiece served as a summer retreat for three generations of the Choate family. Naumkeag has extraordinary views of Monument Mountain and amazing gardens filled with fountain pools and a grove of white birches.
The Mission House
Located on Stockbridge’s Main Street, the historic Mission House was home to the first missionary who lived among the Mohican Indians, the Reverand John Sergeant. Today it houses a collection of 18th-century American furniture and decorative arts.
William Cullen Bryant Homestead
The serene views of the Westfield River Valley seen from this National Historic Landmark must have inspired poet William Cullen Bryant, who lived here as a boy and summered here as an adult. Several trails lead through pastures, forests, and an old sugar bush.
Pack a picnic and spend a day at each of these lovely historic properties. Discover why the Berkshires captivated so many of America’s successful historical personnages.
Tags: Berkshires bed and breakfast, Naumkeag, Stockbridge, The Mission House, William Cullen Bryant Homestead
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May 8th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
One of the best parts of summer at our Bed and Breakfast Berkshires is the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. If you hope to witness it in 2012–the 80th anniversary of the festival–it’s time to start making plans.
The line-up at Jacob’s Pillow is always superlative. Highlights in 2012 include:
- Opening Dance Party, with performances by CIRCA, Mimulus, David Halberg, and others, and dancing by all.
- Morphoses World Premier. Arresting visuals, gorgeous dancing, and a new score. Fabulous.
- Mimulus. An exciting blend of samba, contemporary dance, and imaginative visuals design.
- Leesaar The Company. A “gutsy, brainy modern-dance troupe” (from The New York Times).
- The Men Dancers: From the Horse’s Mouth. A unique, extraordinary event.
- Jonah Bokaer x David Hallberg. A rare opportunity to see some of today’s most extraordinary artists in an intimate setting.
- Doug Elkins and Friends’ Fräulein Maria. An uproarious deconstruction of Rodgers and Hammersteins musical The Sound of Music.
As always, there will be free outdoor performances by the dancers of The School at Jacob’s Pillow every Wednesday through Saturday at 6:25 p.m.
It’s impossible to go wrong at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, for every performance is worth seeing. The setting is beautiful, the art extraordinary. It’s the perfect place to spend a summer evening.
The 80th Anniversary Festival runs June 16 – August 26, 2012. Visit Jacob’s Pillow for more information and tickets, then book your room at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast.
Tags: 80th Anniversary, Berkshires bed and breakfast, dance performances, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival
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May 1st, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Ventfort Hall, Mansion and Gilded Age Museum, in Lenox.
Celebrate Mother’s Day Weekend this year at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast, and take mom to the Pre-Mother’s Day Pink Tea and Ballet at Ventfort Hall.
The Pre-Mother’s Day Pink Tea and Ballet begins on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at 3:30 p.m. Entertainment is by the American Dance Insitute Ensemble, the Albany Berkshire Ballet Junior Company, and the Catarella School of Dance. A special pink tea and refreshments will be served after the ballet.
Ventfort Hall is a historic mansion and Gilded Age Museum in Lenox, Massachusetts, not far from our Berkshires Inn. Built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan (sister to J.P.), this Jacobean Revival-style mansion is being restored to its former glory.
The first floor of Ventfort Hall is home to The Museum of the Gilded Age. As the name suggests, exhibits focus of the life and times of the Gilded Age, which lasted from the late 1860s to the end of the century.
Currently on exhibit is “Les Petites Dames de Mode”, 59 exquisite miniature fashion models that portray the history of women’s fashion from 1855 to 1914. The ladies and their fabulous costumes were lovingly created by John R. Burbidge, who was Senior Designer for the famous bridal house, Priscilla of Boston prior to his retirement. This was a labor of love.
Bring Mom–either your mother or the mother of your children–to our Bed and Breakfast Berkshires for Mother’s Day this year. Spend the weekend exploring the area, and enjoy a special Pre-Mother’s Day Pink Tea and Ballet at Ventfort Hall. Moms deserve to be treated well.
Additional information is available at Ventfort Hall.
Tags: Bed and Breakfasts Berkshires, Berkshire Ballet, Gilded Age Museum, John R. Burbidge, Les Petites Dames de Mode, Mother’s Day 2012, Mother’s Day Tea, Priscilla of Boston, Ventfort Hall
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April 27th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
- 6 large Macintosh Apples, Peeled and cored
- 4 Tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
- 4 Tablespoons seedless raisins
- 4 Tablespoons Firmly packed brown sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp grated nutmeg
- 2 tsp melted butter
- 2 Tablespoons light cream or ½ and ½
- 6 Tablespoons melted butter
- ¾ cup maple syrup
- Whipped Cream
- Cold Maple Syrup
Preheat over to 400 degrees. Butter 6 individual over proof baking cups. Place one apple in each cup.
Mix together chopped walnuts, chopped raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, 2 Tsp melted butter and cream.
Divide mixture evenly in the apples, pressing some well into the core and heaping the rest one top of each apple.
Pour 1 Tables spoon melted butter and 2 Tablespoons maple syrup over each filled apple.
Bake for 35-40 mins until apples are tender but still hold there shape.
Let cool to warm serve with a dollop of soft whipped cream and a dribble of cold maple syrup on each.
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April 27th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Originally meant as an appetizer, this is a quick, rich and delicious breakfast dish, especially good with soft-scrambled or poached eggs on the side.
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup milk
- 1 stick butter, melted
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup onion, minced
- 10 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
- 10 oz cooked, squeezed spinach
Mix all ingredients together. Place in a greased 9 inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cut into squares and serve. May be baked a day ahead and reheated.
Serves 8.
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April 23rd, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Learn about the Shaker farm animals this April at Hancock Shaker Village.
Spring is a fabulous time to visit a Shaker Farm.
The month of April is devoted to baby animals at Hancock Shaker Village, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Guests of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast have a few more days to experience this event.
Daily Behind-the-Scenes tours are being given at 2 p.m. (with additional tours at 10 a.m. on weekends). Get close to newborn pigs and learn a bit about animal husbandry, Shaker style. The crowning moment is a hayride around the farm, with animals aboard. Warning: not for the allergic!
New work by Stockbridge artist Susan Merrill will be on display in the Poultry House throughout the month. Her paintings feature animals from Hancock Shaker Village; proceeds support programming at the village.
Beginning in April, it’s also possible to Choose Your Own Shaker Adventure at Hancock Shaker Village. You can learn a Shaker Song and Dance, take a calf for a stroll, and cook in the Shaker kitchen (which dates from 1830). Learn about Shaker architecture, Shaker Spirituality, or Shaker Medicine. These adventures are offered through the fall, and are a wonderful way to delve into the Shaker lifestyle.
Hancock Shaker Village is about 30 minutes from our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast.
Please visit the Hancock Shaker Village website for additional information.
Tags: Berkshires Bed and Breakfasts, Hancock Shaker Village, hay rides, pittsfield, Shaker Village
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April 17th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Summer at Applegate means fresh raspberries.
We’re proud to be members of the Berkshire community, and to own and operate a Berkshires Bed and Breakfast.
Sharing the beauty and bounty of the Berkshires is one of the best parts of the work we do. We love to help guests discover our “back yard” during their stay.
One of the ways we do this here at our Berkshire Inn is through the food we serve.
One of the great pleasures of life: eating food you’ve grown
We are members of Berkshire Grown, an organization dedicated to supporting local food and farms. Whenever we can, we purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables and locally raised meats. As you know if you’ve stayed with us in the past, many of the herbs and summer vegetables that end up in our breakfasts are grown in our own garden.
Many of our guests travel from great distances to experience the communities and natural beauty of the Berkshires. It’s the least we can do to serve foods that reflect the land our guests have come to visit.
To learn more about Berkshire Grown, please visit their website.
To enjoy the bounty of the Berkshires, come to Applegate Inn.
Tags: Berkshires Bed and Breakfasts, eating locally, locavore
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April 13th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
20 – 24 slices of cinnamon raisin bread
6 eggs (or egg beaters)
4 cups of half and half (or 2% milk)
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup sugar
1 dash of nutmeg
Filling
16 oz cream cheese (or lite cream cheese)
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cup sugar
optional: applesauce, sliced fresh fruits or berries
only if cooked and served the same day.
Trim crusts from bread. Spray a 3 quart baking dish with a non-stick pan coating. Arrange half the bread on the pan so that the entire bottom is covered. In a separate bowl mix eggs, half and half, vanilla and sugar. Pour half of this liquid over the bread. In a separate bowl combine filling ingredients, except optional fruits, together until creamy. Pour filling over moistened bread, then layer with optional fruit if desired. Arrange other half of the bread over the filling and pour the remainder of the egg mixture over the top. Sprinkle top with dash of nutmeg. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 60 minutes.
Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into 12 rectangles to serve. Serve with warmed syrup or seasonal fruits.
Serves 12
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April 10th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Many of the people who travel to Berkshires Bed and Breakfasts come from the large metropolitan areas of New York, Boston, and Hartford. Others come from smaller cities in and around the Northeast: Albany, NY; Manchester, NH; Worcester, MA. We have many guests from Canada and many from the Midwest. New England draws people from everywhere.
Experience The Ring Cycle at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington.
Spending an evening at one of our local theaters is a favorite activity for guests of Berkshire Inns, no matter where they call home.
The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington offers sensational programming year-round. Dance, music, theater, opera, and film are all showcased in this restored, historic theater. In the next two months alone, guests of Applegate Inn may:
- Watch the 1953 film Titanic (April 15)
- Hear China’s “Empress of Pipa”, soloist Liu Fang and CEWM–Trade Winds–From China with Love (April 21)
- Laugh with Comedian Bobby Collins (May 5)
- Experience The Met Opera Ring Cycle (May 7-20)
The newly restored Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield also offers year-round programming. On April 17, 2012, our guests may see The Magic of Bill Blagg Live, a show that has been called “The Second City meets David Copperfield.” Bon Journey, a Bon Jovi and Journey tribute band, performs on April 20; and the Bronx Wanderers take the stage on the 27th to share their love of doo-wop and rock n’ roll.
Adding theater to a Berkshires Bed and Breakfast getaway makes time here that much more memorable. So go ahead, have a night out on the town in Pittsfield or Great Barrington.
Tags: Berkshires Bed and Breakfasts, Berkshires theaters, Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, pittsfield, The Colonial Theatre, The Ring Cycle, Wagner
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April 3rd, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Golf in the Berkshires this spring.
We certainly have had spring weather here at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast. It was in the 80s not long ago, then we had a freeze. If you are planning to spend a few days with us in the near future, be sure to pack both sweaters and shorts!
Crazy weather aside, spring is here. We know, because Greenock Golf Course, which is across the street from our Bed and Breakfast in the Berkshires, is now open. They’re running their spring rates, which are quite reasonable.
Spring is a great time to leave the city and spend a few days golfing in the country of Western Massachusetts. The greens aren’t crowded, and it is rarely uncomfortably hot or cold. Come with your spouse or come with your golfing buddies.
Spend your days trying to get the little ball in the tiny holes, and spend your evenings sipping wine and nibbling cheese at the Applegate Inn. Relax in our parlor or lounge on our screened porch or by the pool.
You may want to spend an afternoon in a local museum. It’s always fun to revisit the past with a trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum in nearby Stockbridge, where there is currently a great exhibit on the portraits of Everett Raymond Kinstler.The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield is also a fun place to visit, with it’s varied exhibits on ancient history, art, and natural history.
Spring is a lovely time in the Berkshires, whether you spend your time golfing, visiting museums, hiking, or simply relaxing. Come see for yourself.
Tags: Bed and Breakfast Massachusetts, Berkshires golf courses, Berkshires Museum, golfing, Greenock Country Club, Norman Rockwell Museum, pittsfield, Pittsfield Parade, Stockbridge
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March 26th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Who says romance has to be limited to weekends? Well, maybe nobody actually said that, but many people live as if that’s true. We say, cast that belief system aside. Have a little mid week romance in the Berkshires.
Enjoy a romantic dinner during a mid week getaway in the Berkshires.
We offer a mid week lodging special at our Berkshire Bed and Breakfast through May that is perfect for a romantic getaway. It involves a complimentary prix fixe dinner for 2 at one of our favorite restaurants, including your first glass of wine.
This special may be used at the following Berkshires restaurants:
Alta Restaurant and Wine Bar in Lenox. Local and organic ingredients form the base of this inspired Mediterranean cuisine. The wine list is extensive, and there are 24 wines offered by the glass. The people who work here are happy, the food sophisticated, the wine satisfying and well-priced.
Chez Nous in Lee. Chez Nous is, as its name suggests, casual. You feel like you’re in the home of the two chefs who created the restaurant, pastry chef Rachel Portnoy and French chef Franck Tessier. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The food is out of this world.
Morgan House in Lee. Located just down the street from our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast, Morgan House is cozy and warm. The food isn’t fancy, but it is tasty and satisfying.
Old Inn on the Green in Marlboro. The fine dining restaurant at Old Inn on the Green is romance incarnate. Faces are lit by candlelight. The atmosphere is warm and the food is innovative, elegant and inspired. Dining here is, quite simply, sublime.
Perigee in South Lee. The place to enjoy New England favorites, plain and simple. This wonderful restaurant will be closed through April but will reopen in May.
A good dinner in the right restaurant is almost inherently romantic. Come see for yourself. Come to the Berkshires.
Tags: Berkshire Bed and Breakfast, Berkshires restaurants, mid week specials, restaurants near Tanglewood, romantic Berkshires, romantic getaway Berkshires
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March 19th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Quite a few guests of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast come here in order to be closer to nature. Many live in Boston, New York City, and Hartford. They crave the outdoors, the fresh air, the quiet, and they find it in the Berkshires.
A favorite activity is hiking, which can accommodate most all fitness levels. Intrepid hikers can summit the tallest peak in the region, Mount Greylock. Folks looking for more of an amble through the woods may prefer the Tranquility Trail in the Pittsfield State Forest, a gentle, half-mile trail through deciduous forest and hemlock stands.
Hikes in Western Massachusetts are plentiful. A few favorites are listed below:
Monument Mountain, just south of Stockbridge. Herman Melville spent many hours exploring Monument Mountain, sometimes with his friend Nathaniel Hawthorne. Conversations during those hikes helped inspire Melville’s great opus, Moby Dick. Just think what a hike here could bring out in you. There are three miles of trails around Monument Mountain. If you make it to the top of Squaw Peak, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views.
Schermerhorn Gorge Trail in October Mountain State Forest. This 3.7-mile loop features some dramatic contrasts that make it truly lovely. It is considered difficult thanks to a few tricky and steep spots, though it only gains about 600 feet in elevation.
The Benedict Pond Loop, in the Beartown Forest. This 1.5-mile loop is pleasant any time of year. For the most part, it hugs the coast of the shallow Benedict Pond and gains little elevation. The trail can be a bit moist in areas, but the landscape is lovely.
The Appalachain Trail. The AT passes close to our Berkshires Inn, and some of our guests simply must get their feet on it. We understand, and we help many guests realize that dream. Since the Appalachian Trail is best done one-way, we help drop a car at one trail head and shuttle guests to another one.
At the end of the day, no matter how long the hike or how strenuous, we invite our guests to relax with wine and cheese in our parlor. It is a reward well earned.
Tags: Appalachian Trail, Berkshires bed and breakfast, Berkshires hiking, hikes in the Berkshires, Monument Mountain, Mount Greylock, Schermerhorn Gorge, weekend getaways from Boston, weekend getaways from NYC
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March 12th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
The Mohawk Trail became the first scenic road in New England in 1914, and it has been sharing great views, history, and culture with motorists and bicyclists ever since.
Long before it became a road, The Mohawk Trail was a well-worn foot path used by Native Americans and then colonists. Metacomet, called King Philip, traveled “The Trail” some time around 1676. Benedict Arnold followed in his footsteps nearly 100 years later. It is thrilling for American history buffs to travel The Trail today.
The current Mohawk Trail spans more than 60 miles and travels through 50,000 acres of state parks and forests. It stretches from the Massachusetts-New York border to Millers Falls on the Connecticut River; in between, there are over 100 attractions worth exploring.
The Mohawk Trail State Forest.
Read the rest of this page »
Tags: Berkshires bed and breakfast, Bridge of Flowers, Lee, Natural Bridge, North Adams, The Mohawk Trail, Williamstown
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March 5th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Before a good massage, our bodies are weighed down by our worries. Though we may not be aware of how we hold on tightly to expectations, disappointments, hopes, hold on tightly we do. Muscles are constantly flexed, connective tissue contracted. To a greater or lesser degree, we hurt.
Bliss out with a massage at Soul Spa during your stay at Applegate Inn.
During a good massage, the tightness is released. Muscles are worked, connective tissue stretched; worries dissipate, expectations and hopes fade away. We cease to think at all. We are aware of our bodies: our muscles and tendons and bones and skin.
After a good massage, we feel no pain, no aches. We feel no bones, no muscles. We simply exist. It is an incredible feeling, to lie still and be, not feel. It’s what it must be like to be a pool of still water.
The Spa Indulgence Package at our Berkshire Inn can transform you from a tense body to a pool of still water. Leave the city and worries behind. Travel to the peaceful Berkshires and indulge in a Deep Tissue Massage or a Swedish Massage at Soul Spa. Guests of Applegate Inn receive a 10% discount.
Tags: Berkshires Bed and Breakfasts, lodging specials, romantic getaway, Soul Spa, spas in the Berkshires
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March 3rd, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Golf in the Berkshires this spring.
We certainly have had spring weather here at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast. It was in the 80s not long ago, then we had a freeze. If you are planning to spend a few days with us in the near future, be sure to pack both sweaters and shorts!
Crazy weather aside, spring is here. We know, because Greenock Golf Course, which is across the street from our Bed and Breakfast in the Berkshires, is now open. They’re running their spring rates, which are quite reasonable.
Spring is a great time to leave the city and spend a few days golfing in the country of Western Massachusetts. The greens aren’t crowded, and it is rarely uncomfortably hot or cold. Come with your spouse or come with your golfing buddies.
Spend your days trying to get the little ball in the tiny holes, and spend your evenings sipping wine and nibbling cheese at the Applegate Inn. Relax in our parlor or lounge on our screened porch or by the pool.
You may want to spend an afternoon in a local museum. It’s always fun to revisit the past with a trip to the Norman Rockwell Museum in nearby Stockbridge, where there is currently a great exhibit on the portraits of Everett Raymond Kinstler.The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield is also a fun place to visit, with it’s varied exhibits on ancient history, art, and natural history.
Spring is a lovely time in the Berkshires, whether you spend your time golfing, visiting museums, hiking, or simply relaxing. Come see for yourself.
Tags: Bed and Breakfast Massachusetts, Berkshires golf courses, Berkshires Museum, golfing, Greenock Country Club, Norman Rockwell Museum, pittsfield, Pittsfield Parade, Stockbridge
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February 28th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Tanglewood 2012 is going to have an exciting lineup, for it is the 75th anniversary season of the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Don't miss Yo-Yo Ma at Tanglewood in 2012.
The season runs from June 22 through September 2. Two Gala Celebrations will be held to mark the 75th Anniversary, one on July 14 and one on August 18. Special musical guests will include James Taylor, Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, Anne-Sophie Mutter, and Peter Serkin. Guest conductors include John Williams, Keith Lockhart, and Andris Nelsons.
It isn’t too early to make your Tanglewood 2012 plans. Visit Tanglewood to see a schedule of performances, then visit the reservation page of our Bekrshire Inn. Once you’re here, we’ll share our secret shortcut to Tanglewood with you.
You know spring is just around the corner when you start to make your summer plans.
Tags: 75th anniversary of Tanglewood, Berkshire Bed and Breakfasts, Berkshire Inn, James Taylor at Tanglewood, Tanglewood 2012, Yo-Yo Ma at Tanglewood
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February 20th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Did you know that there is music at The Clark Art Institute?
If you time your stay at our Berkshire Inn right, you’ll be able to enjoy the ongoing music series offered at The Clark. In the coming weeks, the Clark will play host to a varied lineup.
Arron and Park perform at The Clark on March 4.
- Victor Hill Concert, Sunday, February 26, 2102. If you’ve never heard Victor Hill make music on his harpsichord, don’t miss this free solo recital. Bach’s “Chromatic Fantasy and Fuge” and selected sonatas by Giuseppe Domenico Scarlatti will be featured, along with a suite by François Couperin. 3:00 p.m.
- Dual Recital by Edward Arron (Cello) and Jeewon Park (Piano), Sunday, March 4, 2012. Chopin, Debussy, Beach, and Mendelssohn will be well treated by Arron and Park. Meet the artists at a reception immediately following the concert. 3:00 p.m.
- John Pizzarelli, Friday, April 6, 2012. This world-renowned jazz guitarist and singer is praised for “reinvigorating the Great American Songbook and re-popularizing jazz” (The Boston Globe). It is sure to be a fun evening. 8:00 p.m.
- The Clark will broadcast two Met “live in HD” operas in the coming weeks: Verdi’s Emani on Saturday, February 25 at 1:00 p.m. and Massenet’s Manon on Saturday, April 7 at noon.
Add a little music to your time in Berkshire Bed and Breakfasts. Please see The Clark for a complete list of music events.
Tags: Berkshire Inn, Lee MA Bed and Breakfast, The Clark Art Institute, The Met Live in HD
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February 13th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Is there anything more romantic than a spur of the moment romantic getaway? We think not.
Walk through the grounds of Chesterwood, where art and nature mingle.
Forget about dinner and a movie in your home town. Pack your bags and head to some of the most romantic land in New England–the Massachusetts Berkshires.
Spend evenings sitting together by a crackling fire. Spend afternoons out in the fresh air, or wandering through one of the areas spectacular museums: The Clark Art Institute, The Norman Rockwell Museum, Chesterwood. Hold hands.
Enjoy dinner at one of the many fine restaurants close to our Berkshires Inn. There’s Zinc, an elegant bistro and bar in Lenox that has garnered praise from the New York Times. There’s the Castle Street Cafe in Great Barrington, which will have dancing with the Wanda Houston Band on Valentine’s Day. There’s the Church Street Café, also in Lenox, where the menu changes with the seasons and decor is recycled and salvaged chic.
Berkshire Bed and Breakfasts are romantic by nature. A spur of the moment getaway to the Applegate Inn over Valentine’s Day is particularly so. The best part? Give us a call today and receive 15% discount off a stay of at least two or more nights. You must arrive within 24 hours of making the reservation to receive the special.
We would be happy to enhance your stay with our Romance Package. Please see our Bershire Inn Lodging Specials for details.
Tags: Berkshires lodging specials, Berkshires museums, Berkshires restaurants, Castle Street Cafe, Church Street Café, Great Barrington restaurants, Lenox Restaurants, romantic Berkshire Inn, romantic getaway in the Berkshires, Valentine's Day getaways, Zinc
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February 7th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
A simple dream: to stand on a snowy mountain.
People travel to our Bed and Breakfast in the Berkshires for all sorts of reasons. Some come here to be close to Tanglewood and the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. Some come here to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Berkshires. And some come here to make a dream come true.
We recently hosted a guest who was here for just that reason. This woman was fighting cancer, and the cancer was gaining the upper hand. Her dream was to stand on top of a snowy mountain and take in the view.
We contacted all the ski areas in the region, and they were all eager to help. In the end, it was Jiminy Peak that was best able to accommodate her. She rode to the top of the mountain on a chairlift, saw what she wanted to see, and then made the journey down. Somehow, the fact that Jiminy Peak produces much of its energy from a wind turbine made the adventure that much better.
We can’t guarantee that all of your dreams will come true when you stay at our Berkshires inn. We can, however, help you realize some of them. Do you dream of finding a bottle of wine or champagne in your room upon arrival? It can happen. Do you dream of having a Swedish massage during your stay? All you need to do is ask.
Sometimes it can mean a lot to have people in your corner when you travel. Consider us those people in the Berkshires.
Tags: Bekrshires Bed and Breakfast, Berkshires inn, Jiminy Peak
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January 28th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
There must be a reason St. Valentine’s Day falls in February*, a cold, snowy month in much of the northern Hemisphere. It must be because there is something inherently romantic about cold weather.
Cold, snowy days inspire romance.
When it’s cold outside, we like to curl up by a fire. We like to sip warming drinks like cocoa or brandy. When it’s cold outside, we like to snuggle against someone warm. Cold outside = romance inside.
In short, February is ideal for romantic getaways at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast.
All that cuddling and snuggling by the fire is even better after a day out in the cold. Plenty of opportunities to enjoy the winter weather exist near our Berkshires inn: downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing; this winter, which has seen relatively little in the way of snowfall, hiking is an option.
Nearby Jiminy Peak has great skiing, and après ski entertainment to help transition to romance. Their John Harvard’s Restaurant and bar has live music every Saturday and Sunday from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. To accompany the music, food and drink specials run from 3 to 5 p.m.
Nothing puts some people in a romantic mood more than a few hours of cross country skiing. For these folks, a trip to Canterbury Farm Ski Touring Center in Becket, or Hilltop Orchards in Lenox is an order.
For those who find romance in adventure, try the moonlit snowshoe trek at Hilltop Orchards. Weather permitting, the next two take place Saturday, February 4 and Saturday, March 10, 2012. Walk hand in hand through the snowy, New England woods. Find warmth and entertainment by a bonfire or inside by the fire, and enjoy wine tasting as well.
Back at our luxury Bed and Breakfast Berkshires, have a soak in a whirlpool tub or a relaxing steam in a steam shower. Sit together in front of your own fireplace and let romance blossom.
Our Romance Package includes a sumptuous 3-course dinner for two, as well as chocolate and a split of champagne. Please see our Berkshires Inn Specials page for more details.
* In truth, St. Valentine’s Day dates back to the days of ancient Rome, a city not known for it’s extreme cold or snow. For the purposes of the this blog, we chose to overlook that fact.
Tags: après ski, Berkshires inn, bonfires, champagne, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, Jiminy Peak, live music, moonlit snowshoe trek, romantic getaway, snowshoeing, Valentine's Day
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January 20th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Guests of our Berkshires Inn never lack for something to do.
Edith Wharton's Estate, The Mount.
The region has superlative outdoor recreation, from hiking to skiing, paddling to zip-lining. It has some of the finest cultural offerings in the country: Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. It has world-class museums and historical sites: The Clark Art Institute, the Norman Rockwell Museum, Edith Wharton’s The Mount, and Melville’s Arrowhead.
Many guests of our Berkshires B&B live in a city, either New York City, Boston, or Hartford. They come to the Berkshires to stretch out and breathe in the fresh air. Some are avid outdoorsmen, and want to spend all of their time exploring the mountains, lakes, and rivers of the Berkshires. Others are drawn to the quintessential New England small towns that surround our inn. Still other guests come to enjoy the many cultural offerings the region has to offer.
No matter what you do by day, consider stepping out in the evenings.
Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield offers a wide array of entertainment. Recent events include the great Elvis Birthday Bash, which featured both a young Elvis and Elvis from the ’70s. Upcoming events include Jamie Kent & The Options on February 2, T Bone Daddy, a rocking’ blues trio on the 9th, and The Duke’s Men of Yale: A Night of Love and Heartbreak with Da Doox! on February 11.
Of course, quiet evenings spent at our luxurious Berkshires Bed and Breakfast also hold great appeal.
Tags: Arrowhead, Berkshires outdoor recreation, Colonial Theatre, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, Norman Rockwell Museum, pittsfield, Tanglewood, The Clark Art Institute, The Mount
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January 11th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
You’ve shopped for others, now shop for yourself.
The Massachusetts Berkshires are home to dozens of antique stores, some small and crammed with every kind of knickknack and collectible imaginable, others large, sparse, and elegant. Avid antiquers have spent months–no, years–perusing the shops and galleries that surround our Berkshires Inn. Regardless of what is found, the hunt itself is exciting.
Antiquing ignites passion.
The thrill of discovering something long sought makes hearts pump faster. The thrill of finally finding that perfect antique table, or a rare piece of china, can have the same effect. This is especially true when antiquing with someone you love.
Sheffield, Massachusetts, the “Antiques Capital of the Berkshires” is less than twenty miles south of our Berkshires B and B in Lee. After a leisurely breakfast at the inn, you’ll have plenty of energy for a day of browsing.
- Check out the great selection of old American clocks at Dovetail Antiques (440 Sheffield Plain).
- You’ll find amazing furniture at Susan Silver Antiques. Susan Silver is a woman who freely admits that antiques make her heart race; visit her store.
- Cupboards and Roses is the best place in the Berkshires to find Swedish antiques and Scandinavian folk art.
- Kuttner Antiques features 18th and 19th Century American Antiques, Hooked Rugs, and Unusual Accessories.
These are just a few of the many antique stores in Sheffield and elsewhere in the Berkshires. But antiquing is a bit like wine tasting; you don’t want to do too much in one day. Instead, plan to return to our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast again and again.
Passionate about antiques? Head to the Berkshires.
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Tags: antique stores, antiques, Berkshires, Berkshires B and B, Sheffield
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January 4th, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Jiminy Peak is close to our Mass Bed and Breakfast.
Now that the holidays have passed and the cold days of winter are stretching before us, it’s time to think about ski getaways in the Berkshires. Our Berkshire B and B is close to several terrific downhill ski areas.
- Ski Butternut, in Great Barrington, is about 12 miles from the inn.
- Catamount Ski Area, in Hillsdale NY, is about 20 miles from here.
- Jiminy Peak, up in Hancock, Massachusetts, is about 30 miles from our inn.
Although we haven’t received a healthy dose of snow since the Great Halloween Blizzard of 2011, all three ski areas are open, and all are making snow.
Ski Butternut is open weekdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends 8:15 to 4 p.m. This area also offers snow tubing on holidays and weekends.
Catamount Ski Area is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m (it opens at 8:30 on weekends); night skiing is offered Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 3 to 10 p.m.
Jiminy Peak is open open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (opening at 8:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays). Live music frequently entices skiers to linger after leaving the slopes of Jiminy Peak. A full calendar of events is listed at Jiminy Peak.
Skiers who stay at our Mass Bed and Breakfast Monday through Friday will receive two free lift passes for Butternut Ski Area, or discount passes to Jiminy Peak. If you’d rather ski Catamount, take advantage of our three night, $50 Special Package and put the savings towards your ski tickets. Details about these and other specials are available on our Bed and Breakfast Berkshires Specials page.
Why not stay for several days and try all three ski areas? Folks who are traveling from New York City, Hartford, or Boston may find that stretching out a weekend makes the most sense; instead of driving out here every weekend, come out here every other weekend for three days. Less driving, more skiing. Wonderful.
Tags: Bed and Breakfast Berkshires, Berkshire B and B, Catamount Ski Area, downhill skiing, Jiminy Peak, New England Ski Areas, Ski Butternut, snowboarding, tubing
Posted in Berkshire Bed and Breakfast Specials, outdoor activities | Comments Off
December 30th, 2011 by Applegate Inn
We’ve had another great year at our Berkshire B and B, and as in the past, it’s thanks to all of our wonderful guests. We so enjoy seeing old friends, making new friends, and welcoming you all to our Massachusetts inn.
Without you, we’re nothing; and so we raise our glasses high and say,
“Happy New Year!”
Len and Gloria
Tags: Berkshire B and B, Happy New Year
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December 18th, 2011 by Applegate Inn
Celebrate the New Year with the person who makes every day worth living. Spend a peaceful few days together at our Berkshire B and B, where you’ll have the time and space to reflect on the past and future. Make every moment count as you bid farewell to 2011 and welcome 2012.
Spend a quiet New Year's Eve in the Berkshires with the person you love.
The New Year’s Eve special at our luxury Berkshire Bed and Breakfast includes champagne and hors d’oeuvres on New Year’s Eve, candlelit gourmet brunch on New Year’s Day, and a decanter of Brandy and chocolates in your room. Guests who stay more than one night will be treated to wine and cheese the other evenings, and candlelit breakfasts the other mornings.
Curl up next to the person you love and watch flames flicker in the fireplace. Talk quietly together of your dreams and aspirations, your shared memories, and your future plans. Indulge in hour after hour of each other’s company. Delight in one another.
Let someone else do the partying this year. Leave the boisterous New Year’s Eve parties behind in the city. Embrace tranquility and romance in the Berkshires.
Please call 800.691.9012 to speak with us about our New Year’s Eve Specials.
Tags: Berkshire B and B, Berkshires Inns, brandy, candlelit breakfast, champagne, chocolates, Mass Bed and Breakfasts, most romantic New England inns, New Year's Eve Specials
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