Enjoy Lee MA Chez Nous at
Applegate Inn!
May 6, 2016 by Corey A. Edwards
The only thing bad about a great restaurant is that its popularity can keep you from being able to get into it! Our own, favorite, fine and perpetually booked local restaurant, the Lee MA Chez Nous Bistro, has found a wonderful workaround for this with their new “to-go” Ordering System!
Chez Nous Bistro is easily one of the best restaurants here in the Berkshires and absolutely our favorite, serving French country classic dishes and offering an extensive wine list, all in a cozy, romantic setting. We regularly suggest them when our guests ask who we recommend but with the caveat that, even with their outside seating, they are very often booked solid, so get there early!
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Plan Ahead to Enjoy the Fall Colors in the Berkshires
September 2, 2012 by
Fall foliage in the Berkshires…plan ahead for your fall viewing vacation at our elegant Lee, MA bed and breakfast.
Summer is coming to its end… which means the spectacular show of the Berkshires fall foliage is about to begin! Plan your relaxing stay at our Berkshires bed and breakfast during the height of autumn color in October.
There are so many ways to take in that beautiful explosion of red, yellow and orange! The cool crisp air of fall is the perfect time to be active. Take an easy nearby hike on the Appalachian Trail. A leisurely bike ride in town or country will reward you with scenic views of our lakes and hills. If you love to kayak, there’s nothing better than getting on a peaceful lake ringed by trees bursting with color. Go for pure nature by visiting our local parks or visit quaint Berkshires towns to see the harmony of New England historic buildings set against the backdrop of hills drenched in color.
The arts and culture of the Berkshires will also enliven you during your fall foliage vacation in the Berkshires. Live theater, musical concerts and visual arts of the highest quality are part of the Berkshires landscape year-round. See our Things to Do page for more ideas on museums, performances and outdoor activities you can enjoy during your stay.
September 21-23, 2012 Lee Founders Day
A fall visit to our Berkshires B&B is also well-timed to join in Lee’s annual heritage celebration. Don’t miss this chance to enjoy local culinary delights at the Taste of Lee, plus a colorful parade, live music and other fun events and activities. For more information on the Lee, MA Founders Day, please visit TownofLee.com/Founders_Weekend.asp.
You can also relax at our stately Berkshires accommodations with its grounds and gardens putting on their own autumn show. You can take in the view from your luxurious room or sit in a comfortable chair on the spacious screened-in porch. If you love the fresh air and the sight of the fall leaves outside, you can have your full gourmet breakfast on the porch too.
Fall will soon be here…Be sure to book your room today and experience fall in the Berkshires and the warm hospitality of our Lee, MA B&B near Stockbridge.
The Pool is Open
May 30, 2012 by
The pool is open at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast, and it’s a lovely 82 degrees. We encourage our guests to pack bathing suits, but if you forget yours, don’t despair. Several nearby outlet stores carry suits, as does the old fashioned department store in downtown Lee, Ben’s.
We keep our pool at the perfect temperature: 82 degrees.
Our gardens are in full bloom, with tree peonies and rhododendrons competing for the most colorful blossoms.
Isn’t it time you took a break from your routine? Come lounge by the pool at Applegate Inn.
Summer in the Berkshires
May 25, 2012 by Applegate Inn
Guests come to our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast during the summer to bask in the beauty of nature and enjoy outdoor recreation. They also come to immerse themselves in the extraordinary art and culture that’s found here.
Hike the Appalachian Trail this summer.
One day they can hike the Appalachian Trail. The next day they can visit world-renowned museums like The Clark and watch a performance by the Hong Kong Ballet. In between, they can dine in fabulous restaurants and lounge by the pool of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast.
Each summer brings a plethora of festivals to the Berkshires. Tanglewood and Jacob’s Pillow Dance, the two most widely known festivals, draw audiences from all over the world. Other festivals, such as the Berkshires Art Festival, are smaller but also well regarded. Guests of our Berkshires Inn find there is plenty to do during the summer, and also plenty of space in which to do nothing.
The truth is, the Berkshire region of Massachusetts is a marvelous place for a summer vacation. Come see for yourself.
Historic Homes of Western Massachusetts
May 17, 2012 by Applegate Inn
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
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.
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.
Jacob’s Pillow 80th Anniversary
May 8, 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.
Good Western Massachusetts Hikes
March 19, 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.
New England’s Mohawk Trail
March 12, 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.
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Romantic Berkshires Getaways
December 12, 2011 by Applegate Inn
You’ve heard Johnny Mercy, Ray Charles and Buddy Clark all sing “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” so convincingly. When it’s cold outside, it’s best to stay inside with someone you love. That’s why the winter months are ideal for Romantic Berkshires Getaways at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast.
Indulge in a Romantic Berkshires Getaway this winter.
The Applegate Inn is one of the “best places to kiss in the Berkshires.” Our grounds have many secluded spots where couples may steal a kiss during outdoor strolls. The parlor has a grand piano, for folks who like to woo their sweetheart with a song. Our fireplace rooms kindle romance.
The Romance Package of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast is a fine way to enhance a romantic Berkshires getaway. It includes two nights in one of our fireplace rooms, chocolate, and a split of champagne. We have a room with a steam shower and a room with a two person whirlpool tub – you’re choice.
Plan a Romantic Berkshires Getaway this winter. Squeeze one in before the holidays, or offer one as a gift to the person you love most in the world.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
December 5, 2011 by Applegate Inn
Holiday shopping can be stressful, or it can be fun. It can be tiresome, or it can be entertaining. With the Shopping Getaway at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast, our guests can complete all of their holiday shopping in a relaxing way while enjoying a few days in the beautiful Berkshires.
Need a gift idea? Try a gift certificate for Applegate Inn.
Western Massachusetts is known for its natural beauty and its strong arts communities. People travel here from Boston, Hartford, and New York City to admire fall foliage, hike, and ski. They come to watch world-class performances at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and Tanglewood in a stunning natural venue. They come to breathe in fresh air and visit museums like The Clark and the Norman Rockwell Museum.
At this time of year, they also come to shop. It’s hard to find more aesthetically pleasing places to shop than the picturesque New England towns surrounding our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast. And it’s hard to beat the convenience of shopping at nearby Prime Outlet Village. We’ll even supply Prime Outlet coupons to guests here for a Shopping Getaway.
Downtown Lenox is filled with interesting shops and art galleries. Wit Gallery, Lenox Gallery of Fine Arts, Church Street Art Gallery, Sienna Gallery, and Concepts Art feature fine art, hand-crafted jewelry, sculpture, paintings, Judaica, and more. Shops such as Berkshire Classic Leather & Silver and B. Mango & Bird are also full of fun items.
Many galleries and shops line the streets of Stockbridge and West Stockbridge. Visit An American Craftsman Gallery, Schantz Galleries, and Hoffman Pottery. Browse an eclectic mix of fine antiques and jewelry at Heirlooms Jewelry, and a stunning variety of CD’s, Wee Forest Folk, and Norman Rockwell items at Seven Arts. Admire unique items at Hotchkiss Mobiles and Inner Vision Studio, and load up on delicious maple syrup and miscellaneous sundries at Charles H. Baldwin & Sons
Shopping can spark an appetite; fortunately, there are excellent restaurants close to our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast. In Lenox, try Alta, where fresh, simple dishes are enhanced by fantastic wines. Church Street Cafe is a good spot for lunch or dinner enjoyed with a local beer. Firefly features tasty tapas, late night dining, and a full bar. In Stockbridge, try Michael’s Restaurant, Once Upon a Table (a cozy bistro), and the always-tasty Red Lion Inn.
Shopping can be fun when incorporated into a Berkshires getaway.
Thanksgiving Weekend in the Berkshires
November 23, 2011 by Applegate Inn
Bartholomew’s Cobble.
The best antidote to a day of feasting is fresh air and exercise. Both can be found in spades in Western Massachusetts. After spending Thursday in the kitchen and around the table, head to our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast with hiking boots in hand.
Snow accumulation from the amazing October blizzard has melted, meaning that hiking trails across Western Massachusetts are open. The forecast promises a sunny Thanksgiving weekend. In short, hiking conditions will be perfect.
Favorite Hikes Near Our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast:
- Beartown State Forest. Hike the easy Benedict Pond Loop Trail; follow a stretch of the Appalachian Trail for a hike of moderate difficulty; explore one of the forest trails for a more difficult hike.
- Brace Mountain. The views from the top of Brace Mountain are glorious on a clear day. Bring a picnic, for you’ll want time to rest after this invigorating hike.
- Bartholomew’s Cobble. Explore five miles of trails and stand atop Hurlbut’s Hill. Visit the natural history museum to learn about the area’s fascinating geography, and historic Ashley House to learn about its history.
- Sages Ravine. The waterfalls should be roaring at this time of year. For a moderate hike, drive to the top of Mount Washington Reservation and then follow the trail down tot he ravine. A more strenuous trail leads from the Undermountain Trail.
To make a reservation at our Bed and Breakfast in the Berkshires, please call 1.800.691.9012 or visit our reservation page.
Berkshires Festival of Trees
November 18, 2011 by Applegate Inn
Come to the Festival of Trees at The Berkshire Museum.
It’s hard not like Christmas trees. They’re pretty. They sparkle. They smell good. Christmas trees evoke the best of the holidays.
Surround yourself with Christmas trees the next time you come to our luxury Berkshires Bed and Breakfast this winter. “Under the Big Top: Festival of Trees 2011” runs at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield from November 18 to January 2, 2012. The more than 100 decorated Christmas are just part of the extravaganza.
The circus theme conveyed with “Under the Big Top” is underscored on November 18, during the Opening Night Party. As guests enjoy drinks and tasty appetizers, atmospheric aerialists, towering stilt walkers, and a nimble contortionist will move among them. Circus workshops take place the following day for children aged 8 to 16. Walls will be lined with circus posters, circus memorabilia, and circus photographs throughout the duration of the exhibition.
The circus comes to town again on December 31st for a Circus Spectacular at the Berkshire Museum. Acrobats, jugglers, and contortionists will take the stage at 11 a.m. What a cheerful way to bid 2011 farewell.
The Berkshire Museum has several interesting permanent exhibits as well. See toys created by Alexander Calder in 1927, walk through the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation, and gaze at the wondrous underwater world of their famous aquarium, recently renovated by Raleigh Aquarium Maintenance, on the museum’s lowest level.
Plan an enchanting getaway at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast sometime between November 18, 2011 and January 2, 2012, and stop by the “Under the Big Top: Festival of Trees.”
Christmas à la Norman Rockwell
November 10, 2011 by Applegate Inn
Soon Stockbridge will recreate the Norman Rockwell painting, "Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas."
Each December for the past 21 years, the town of Stockbridge has recreated the famous Norman Rockwell Christmas painting done of its main street. December 3 and 4, 2011 will be the 22nd year of this tradition. As in past years, guests of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast will arrive from various cities to experience a Norman Rockwell Christmas.
Norman Rockwell lived and worked in Stockbridge for the last 25 years of his life. His painting, “Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas,” took more than ten years for him to complete. Year after year, he visited Main Street in the weeks before Christmas and photographed what he saw. The resulting painting captured the essence of an American small town during the Christmas holiday.
In just a few weeks, classic automobiles will take their spots in front of festively decorated shops on Main Street. They’ll reflect the decade it took Rockwell to complete his painting, just as they do in the painting itself. Look for the 1955 red Mercury with a Christmas tree tied to its roof, and the wagon with the spare tire on it’s rear door.
While much has remained the same in Stockbridge since the sixties, there are a few differences between today’s reality and the canvas. The streets will undoubtedly be more crowded on December 3rd and 4th than they are in the painting. People will not be dressed the same. The historic Red Lion Inn will be well lit and cheerfully decorated for the holidays, not dark and closed for the season, as it is in the painting.
Yet these differences are insignificant. The essence of this historic town in the Berkshires is the same, just as the essence of Christmas is the same.
Spend the weekend of December 3, 2011 at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast, and step into a Norman Rockwell painting.
Mother Nature’s Mood Swings
November 1, 2011 by Applegate Inn
Blue skies, colorful fall foliage, and a thick base of snow… that’s what we see out the windows of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast these days.
The beauty of the Berkshires.
We’re enjoying the view while it’s here. The sun is expected to be with us for most of the week and temperatures are climbing. Already the snow is beginning to recede.
Nonetheless, this little taste of winter has invigorated everyone. Children and adults have been out in force with their sleds. People are lining up at ski areas such as Jiminy Peak, Catamount Ski Area, and Canterbury Farms Nordic Center. None of the ski areas are open yet (in spite of having received 12 to 18 inches of snow over the weekend) because ground temperatures are too warm, but we don’t think skiers will have to wait long.
In the meantime, let’s enjoy the wild mood swings of Mother Nature while we can. We encourage folks to take advantage of our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast Spur of the Moment Special. Arrive here within 24 hours of booking your 2 night stay and you’ll receive 15% off your entire stay. If you’re office is still closed due to lack of electricity or your home is cold and dark, hop in your car and find warmth at the Applegate Inn.
Sit by the grand fireplace in our parlor, where in the evening we serve a selection of wine and cheeses. Remember the best part of winter – cozy evenings by the fire after days of brisk outdoor activity. You’ll find yourself looking forward to the next snow fall.
Robots at the Norman Rockwell Museum
October 17, 2011 by Applegate Inn
Spend an afternoon walking among robots on the grounds of the Norman Rockwell Museum.
Autumn in the Berkshires is living art. The landscape is a canvas of colors – red, russet, orange, yellow, green, blue… It is interactive art at its finest.
The Norman Rockwell Museum has integrated this natural art into one of its exhibits. “An Outdoor Installation for the 21st Century” has been at the museum all summer and it lingers to stand against a backdrop of fall foliage. It will close October 31, 2011.
Have you seen the 2005 film Robots? If so, you have some idea of what you’ll find on the grounds of the Norman Rockwell Museum. Artists and craftspeople from all media were invited to submit sculptural robots inspired by the the film. The robots stand in stark contrast to the traditional paintings inside the museum, and the pastoral landscape surrounding it.
It’s worth a look.
Come spend a few days at our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast. The Applegate Inn is located in Lee Massachusetts, just a few miles from Stockbridge and the Norman Rockwell Museum. It takes about fifteen minutes to drive to the museum from here, and less than 45 minutes to bike there.
For more information about “An Outdoor Installation for the 21st Century”, please visit the Norman Rockwell Museum.
To book a room, please see our Berkshires Bed and Breakfast reservation page.
Rembrandt and Degas at The Clark
October 10, 2011 by Applegate Inn
Rembrandt: Self-Portrait in a Fur Hat.
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn lived from 1606 to 1669. He was drawn to art at a young age and quickly mastered all he was taught. By the time he was 22 years of age, he had developed a reputation as an excellent artist. Students flocked to him from that point on.
Edgar Degas lived from 1834 to 1917. He left school at a young age in order to study art. Degas spent years copying the works of Renaissance Masters, and had drawn and painted over 700 such copies by the time he was 13. Rembrandt, who made self-portraits throughout his life, was one of the masters studied closely by Degas.
Guests of our Bed and Breakfast in the Berkshires will soon have the opportunity to see many of the early works of Rembrandt and Degas at The Clark Art Institute. Rembrandt and Degas: Two Young Artists opens November 13, 2011. The exhibit runs through February 5, 2012, when it moves to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
The Clark is the first United States stop of the tour of Rembrandt and Degas: Two Young Artists. The exhibit comes to the Massachusetts Berkshires directly from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, where it originated. It is a collaboration of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Clark Art Institute, and the Rijksmuseum.
If you can’t make it to our Lenox Bed and Breakfast this October to see magnificent fall foliage, head here this winter to see magnificent art.
More information about the exhibit may be found at The Clark.
Reflections on Melville
September 7, 2011 by Applegate Inn
Herman Melville had deep ties to the land and deep ties to the sea. He loved the Berkshire Hills, where his uncle had a farm and where he spent many summers during his youth. Yet at the age of 22, Melville did not head to the Berkshires. Instead, he went to sea. Melville shipped out of Massachusetts on board the Acushnet, a whaler bound for the Pacific; he spent three years working his way through the islands, often on his own. The experience had a profound impact on his life and his writing.
Reflections on Melville is an exhibit at Arrowhead, Herman Melville’s home in the Massachusetts Berkshires.
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Concerts at Tannery Pond
August 19, 2011 by Applegate Inn
Each summer we look forward to a new season of Concerts at Tannery Pond. Held in an 1834 Shaker Tannery on the grounds of the Darrow School in New Lebanon, NY, the Concerts at Tannery Pond offer stellar performances in a low-key, uncrowded setting. If you love Tanglewood but sometimes find yourselves overwhelmed by crowds, consider a concert at Tannery Pond. Tannery Pond is approximately 20 miles from our Bed and Breakfast Berkshires.
Attend a Concert at Tannery Pond while staying at our Lee MA Bed and Breakfast.
Concerts at Tannery Pond run from the end of May to mid September. Only 2 performances remain in 2011:
the Arabella Ensemble on September 3 at 8 p.m., and the Harlem String Quartet on September 17 at 6 p.m. Both promise to be outstanding.
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