One Of The Most Unique Towns In America, Stockbridge Is Perfect For A Day Trip In Massachusetts
By Melissa Mahoney|Published July 24, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Stockbridge is arguably one of the most beautiful towns in Massachusetts, and aside from that, it’s one of the most unique towns in America. Located in the Berkshires, the Norman Rockwell-esque Stockbridge is sure to charm all those who visit with its near-perfect mix of history, culture, and nature. Let’s take a look at what makes this town a unique day trip destination.
The idyllic town of Stockbridge was incorporated in 1739 and is located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. It is unique in that it has a near-perfect blend of culture with plenty of museums, art galleries, and musical events; history with its numerous preserved historic buildings and houses; and nature with parks, hiking trails, and breathtaking mountain views.
Although it's an ideal place for a day trip, you may want to spend more time here in Stockbridge.
Take a stroll down Main Street which is filled with shops, restaurants, art galleries, and historic buildings. You will gain an understanding as to why Normal Rockwell set up his studio here.
One of the biggest draws to Stockbridge is the Norman Rockwell Museum. Set on 36 picture-perfect acres worthy of one of the artist's paintings, the museum is home to the largest collection of Rockwell art in the world.
Norman Rockwell had spent a significant amount of time in Stockbridge. He set up his studio and home here in 1953 and died 25 years later in 1978. In 2008, he was named the official state artist of Massachusetts.
The charm of Stockbridge is only amplified by its vast number of preserved homes like the 1886 Gilded Age-style cottage of Naumkeag. Although it is much bigger than one would expect a cottage to be, this historic home and its lovely gardens are a must-visit here.
During a day or weekend trip, you may notice that there is no shortage of fantastic restaurants here in Stockbridge. The historic Red Lion Inn is not only a place where you can spend the night but offers classic dining in its Gilded Age restaurant.
There's no denying the natural beauty surrounding Stockbridge. One of the best ways to explore is by taking the 1.8-mile Laura's Tower Trail which meanders through forest, over a bridge, and a tower at the summit where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Berkshires.
Pictured here is The Inn at Stockbridge, a classic Georgian mansion built in 1906 boasting 16 luxurious rooms and wonderful amenities including spa services.
What do you think of the charming town of Stockbridge? Wouldn’t you love to take a day trip here? If you have another lovely town that’s perfect to explore in mind, please let your fellow readers know about it in the comments!
You can also plan a day trip to North Adams, which you can read about in this post.
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