Posted on Fri, Sep 07, 2012 @ 09:00 AM
Kaylah Slattery
Now that summer is just about over and fall is already whispering at our ears it’s time for a fun family tradition to begin. I’m talking Apple Picking! If you are planning a trip to come check out the foliage this year why not add this to your list? Hilltop Orchards is approximately fifteen minutes away from the Yankee Inn and has a plethora of activities to offer the family.
I’ll start with the most obvious, Pick your own apples. Can’t think of a better way to welcome autumn, oh wait yes I can. The next activity on the list is free hayrides on the weekend. Take a little tour while you sip some hot cider that’s made right at the orchard while you take in the scenic view! Need more physical activity? Well you are still in the right place. Hilltop offers a range of trails/hikes from easy to moderate. You can even sign up for a guided tour so you don’t miss out anything spectacular or if you are feeling adventurous sign up for the Blue Moon hike at night. There is one once a month and September’s is coming up. Hurry!
Before you leave the orchard you must stop in at the winery farm store for succulent pies and sweet warm baked goods to take back to the Hotel and of course share with the friendly Front desk Staff….just kidding, but seriously. The Lemon Blueberry pie is to die for. Honestly, people should be warned. Be advised to purchase enough to share equally...or else.
Now I’m sure some of you reading that last paragraph notice “winery” immediately. Stop talking about pies and get on with the wine...I hear you. Obviously you are going to want to at least partake in the free wine tasting of one wine at your choice. Yes I said Free. Because it is! If you would like to try five more, which is always a great idea it’s just an additional five dollars. What a deal.
If you are thinking that this place must be too good to be true, check out the website yourself, just click below!
Posted on Thu, Sep 06, 2012 @ 09:00 AM
Kaylah Slattery
Baba Louie’s Pizza is one of my favorite pizza restaurants. Specializing in sourdough wood fired pizza crusts, their unique style has a full house any night of the week. The tantalizing tastes don't end with the crust either. It’s the foundation for a masterpiece. Every item that decorates the pizza is organic, fresh, homemade and delicious.
My personal favorite pizza is the Isabella Pizzarella which is topped with roasted sweet potatoes, roasted parsnips, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, fresh mozzarella, and shaved fennel, drizzled with reduced balsamic vinegar and parmesan. Mouth watering yet? I know mine is. Now if veggies isn’t your first choice fear not, there is something for everyone with the special pizzas. And of course no one can go wrong with a make your own pie with a list of toppings that puts Pizza Hut to shame.
Any food allergies that has stopped you or someone in your party from being able to enjoy sweet cheesy saucy goodness? Baba Louie’s is extremely accommodating with a gluten free crust and a non dairy mozzarella option. Try to think of this restaurant as a grown up pizza place for adults. The atmosphere is romantic and eases stress right out of you as soon as you sit down. The service is great and with as many exciting menu options what’s not to love? Trust me! You need to check out this Berkshire county treat. Whether you decide to head north or south from the Yankee Inn you’ll be able to find a Baba Louie’s. What are you doing still reading this? Go out and get some!
Check out the online menu and make your own decision, just click below.
Posted on Wed, Sep 05, 2012 @ 09:01 AM
Nataliia Riva
If you a big fan of American literature or history, you have to visit the house of one of the most important American writers – Herman Melville. Herman Melville, originally from New York City, was looking for some quiet place to put together his thoughts and be able to write. In the summer of 1850, the Berkshires and Pittsfield, in particular, became that perfect place, which inspired the big author to create his most famous works. He named the old farm house Arrowhead after the native relics he discovered as he was plowing the fields. The home would remain his for the next 13 years.
“Arrowhead influenced Melville greatly in his writing. The view of Mount Greylock from his study window, the one that brought him to Arrowhead, was said to be his inspiration for the white whale in Moby-Dick. He dedicated his next novel, Pierre, to Mount Greylock. His short story, “The Piazza,” begins at Arrowhead and takes a magical journey to the mountain.”
The Melville family owned the house until 1927. Today, Arrowhead is a house museum dedicated to telling Melville’s story, owned and operated by The Berkshire Historical Society.
During summer time, Arrowhead has multiple exhibits, readings, and meetings. Right now, they have 2 events going on:
June 17 – October 9, 2012: “So far from home: Whalers and Whaler Art”. “The exhibit explores how Polynesian artworks influenced the art of visiting whalers like Melville, with a display of images, text, scrimshaw, tattoos, and Polynesian art and artifacts.”
August 4 – October 15, 2012: “The Confidence-Man”. “The exhibit is a series of paintings by Douglas Paisley inspired by Melville’s last major novel, The Confidence-Man, which he wrote in the same house in Pittsfield where he completed Moby Dick.”
If you think that this is something you might be interested in, come and visit Arrowhead! The great thing is that it’s only about 1.5 miles from the Yankee Inn! I would recommend taking a guided tour because this is the only way to see the house from the inside. Open Daily Memorial Day Weekend to Columbus Day from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Tours Hourly from 10 am-4 pm. Tours are available off-season by appointment.
Posted on Tue, Sep 04, 2012 @ 09:00 AM
Mick Huska
One of the more secluded areas of The Berkshires is the town of Monterey. Located south of Lee and just to the east of Great Barrington, Monterey is a great little town that’s away from everything. I frequently visit my friend who lives there and I am upset every time I have to head back home.
Monterey is not well known amongst tourists and well… even the locals since it’s so far off the beaten path. But it does have a lot to offer those who want to step away from Lenox or Stockbridge for a while. The first thing you should do is visit the Bidwell House Museum on Art School road.
Per the Bidwell House website:
“The Bidwell House Museum, set in the Berkshire hills of Western Massachusetts, is an elegant Georgian saltbox originally built circa 1750 as a parsonage. Authentically restored, filled with antiques and surrounded by 192 acres of beautiful grounds and hiking trails, the museum tells the story of the early settlement of the Berkshires. The museum is open Thursday through Monday between 11 am and 4 pm from Memorial Day to Columbus Day, with tours on the hour.”
After a trip to the Bidwell House, stop and relax at Lake Garfield located on Tyringham Road in Monterey. Lake Garfield is a perfect place for swimming, fishing, kayaking, canoeing or just sunbathing on the beautiful public beach. There are life guards on duty from June through Labor Day. I must say that the views at Lake Garfield are incredible. Make sure to stop there in early October when the trees are at peak foliage.
Finally, before heading back to the Yankee Inn make a quick trip to Mrs. Duryea’s farm stand located at 495 Main Road. Her farm stand offers are variety of homegrown, organic fruits and vegetables such as peaches, tomatoes, corn, zucchini and eggplant. There’s nothing like bringing home some delicious locally grown and sold Berkshires produce!
So head on down to Monterey! The trip is worth your time, especially if you really want to get away from it all… at least for a few hours anyway!
Posted on Mon, Sep 03, 2012 @ 09:00 AM
Nataliia Riva
Last weekend, I wanted to do something special. Shopping or even going out for lunch did not seem enough, so I offered to my family to go to the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox, MA. None of us had been there before. What a wonderful and peaceful experience it was for us! It is a great nature center for the entire family.
Seven miles of trails that wind through hardwood forest, meadows, wetlands, and along the slopes of Lenox Mountain make this site an excellent location for hiking. We walked several of the easy trails enjoying the beautiful nature around us. The trails are very well maintained and marked. They have the broad variety of difficulty levels. They even have an "all persons" trail, which offers the opportunity for anyone to enjoy the great outdoors. We were fortunate enough to spend several minutes watching a beaver bask in the sun, before swimming away.
The educational programs are terrific. We have done canoe trips on the Housatonic River and a bat talk. There were children's camps going on while we were there. The counselors and the children were so polite and eager to share with us what they were experiencing out in the wilderness. My nephews also have done the day camp and they loved it.
It's a short hike from the main road to get the feeling you are deep in the woods. Be sure to check in at the office. There is a nominal fee to use the trails. It's free for Massachusetts Audubon Society members. See the white board outside the office to find out what kinds of critters have been spotted recently.
Their website is quite helpful and updated frequently to announce programs and activities at the sanctuary. I cannot wait to another weekend in October to try some of the other trails. It must be absolutely beautiful in the fall time!
Posted on Fri, Aug 31, 2012 @ 09:00 AM
Mick Huska
As many of you know summer is the busiest season in The Berkshires. People from all over the country and even the world make the trek here to see what makes The Berkshires so incredible. But many of you may be wondering what your favorite hotel staff does in the summer. Do we even get a vacation in the summer with all the visitors here? I’ll admit it… it’s tough, but we get to sneak in a trip here and there.
This year I was able to sneak in a weekend in New York City; it was my first time ever going to the city. It’s funny that I chose New York City because that’s where many of our guests are from. For me, it was very interesting to see the stark difference in lifestyles, attitudes and atmospheres between the two areas. I finally have a much better understanding of why The Berkshires are so attractive to many of the city folk.
Being a native of Dalton, New York City was an eye opening experience. I’m accustomed to the laid back atmosphere of The Berkshires, so the hustle and bustle of New York City was something new to me. There are hordes of people and street vendors everywhere. The cars seemingly went 100 MPH up 23rd street and Broadway, and the constant sounds of car horns and sirens any time that you set foot outside. There were more bright lights, advertisements and huge buildings than I could ever imagine in one place. For a first timer, it was a massive overload on the senses.
However, I loved the 24 hour accessibility in New York City. I could get anything I wanted at any time of the day in a quick walk from my hotel. Being from here where most everything closes by 11 PM on the weekends, it was fascinating that I could get an omelet delivered to my hotel room at 3:30 AM. The 4 AM last call at bars was an incredible, albeit painful, lesson in the differences between The Berkshires and the city. Not mention the slew of incredibly unique restaurants and stores anywhere that you would walk. It was fascinating for me.
The day I caught my train back north, I re-evaluated my weekend in the city. While the time spent there was a blast, I can certainly see why the city folk are anxious to come up here for their vacation. After only three days, I was more than happy to get back to the hills. It was a very fun, but overwhelming experience for me after just three days. I can’t imagine how people live their day to day lives in such a non-stop place.
In fact, I think more people should take more weekend trips to The Berkshires to recharge their batteries. It’s good for the mind and good for the soul. We, at the Yankee Inn, are more than happy to help you achieve the relaxing getaway you desire and deserve.
Posted on Thu, Aug 30, 2012 @ 09:00 AM
Nataliia Riva
Do you remember those movies about 1950s? Well, as a girl who did not grow up in the United States, I can say that going to the Misty Moonlight Diner was like watching those movies or even better- participating in them! I was amazed by the atmosphere it has and, of course, great food!
The concept of this Diner is simple – Classic cuisine in a 50’s theme. They serve everything from hand-pressed burgers, blue plate special, fresh seafood, large sandwiches, and of course, breakfast any time of the day!!!
For big lovers of omelets, they offer a special that’s called “The Godzilla”. You just have to eat a monster omelet that contains 12 eggs in it with no help or leaving the table! Eat all 15 items including home fries and toasts in 30 minutes – and win your T-Shirt!
I, personally, do not order “the Godzilla”, because I know I wouldn’t win a T-shirt anyway, but I love their breakfast and their sandwiches with names of old rock ‘n roll stars such as “Buddy Holly”, “The Jerry Lee Lewis”, or “The Marilyn Monroe”.
It’s comfort food that will remind you of those lazy Sunday afternoons at your grandmother’s house. Their food is made to order, so sit back, relax, and enter a time warp back to simpler times. You will enjoy their endless collection of memorabilia, including a Rock-Ola jukebox that still plays records and a custom Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Misty Moonlight has been voted Best Diner in the Berkshires for 9 years in a row and Best Breakfast in the Berkshires 8 years in a row by Berkshire Eagle readers. As they say, their philosophy will never change: courteous service, quality food and generous portions at reasonable prices.
So, if you are in the mood of plunging into the times of 50’s – The Misty Moonlight welcomes you!
The Misty Moonlight Diner is located at 565 Dalton Ave in Pittsfield, MA 01201
Posted on Wed, Aug 29, 2012 @ 09:00 AM
David Krok
5 Guys Burgers and Fries is the newest addition to the many restaurants located on Merrill Road in Pittsfield. From the Yankee Inn, just head down to Park Square, then down East Street, which will turn into Merrill Road and you will see it.
This restaurant has a selection of delicious hamburgers and cheeseburgers that are made custom for you. They serve lunch and dinner every day of the week. While they may seem a bit pricy for a burger stand, you do get exactly what you pay for. The burgers are enormous compared to an average burger you may see at any other franchise restaurant that serves this kind of food. And along with the large burgers, when you order fries, they basically drown your burger in the same bag with fries. Sometimes you have to eat your way to the bottom of the bag just to get your burger.
It is typically very quick to take your order and serve you your meal, but if you think there may be a long line (because it does get pretty busy), then you have the option of placing your order online and picking it up when you get there. It’s very simple to do too. Just go to http://www.fiveguys.com/ and click on Order Online, then enter 01201 and choose your order.
They do serve rather greasy food, so it is not recommended to someone who is trying to stay on a strict diet. But, if you want a filling meal that tastes great and will fill you up, then definitely go try this restaurant.
Posted on Tue, Aug 14, 2012 @ 09:00 AM
Mick Huska
Whenever I go on a trip I always need to visit a music shop. Not just one that sells albums, but also one that sells instruments. Sometimes, you never know what you can find in terms of new and used instruments. There’s always a chance you can stumble across a vintage instrument, piece of equipment or even an instrument with an unknown brand name that puts the big names to shame.
If you’re a musician like me, then I recommend taking a trip to The Music Store Plus located on Railroad Street in Great Barrington. The wide variety of instruments they offer appeals to musicians of many different genres. If you’re doing rock, blues, folk, classical or even trying to create your own sound, The Music Store has what you need.
Their inventory includes electric and acoustic guitars, dulcimers, banjos, harmonicas, cellos, violins, washboards, upright basses, and even didgeridoos. Also, they have handcrafted violins, luthier handmade guitars and a wide variety of international percussion.
The Music Store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM until 6 PM and on Sunday from noon until 5 PM. The Music Store is closed on Mondays.
So when you’re staying with us at the Yankee Inn make sure to take a trip down to Great Barrington and check out The Music Store. Make sure to have some extra money on hand just in case you find a new instrument that you cannot live without!
Posted on Mon, Aug 13, 2012 @ 09:00 AM
Nataliia Riva
Every time I want to go out with my friends or my husband I try to think about a place where I haven’t been yet, but I always return to my favorite Shiro Restaurant. You definitely can’t go wrong with it! Shiro has 2 locations in the Berkshires – one in Pittsfield and one in Great Barrington. Shiro is the only Japanese restaurant in Berkshire County that offers all three styles of Japanese cooking.
The Japanese believe that food should satisfy all the senses. Food is always prepared with great care and beautifully presented: sometimes very simply, and sometimes in an intricate array. The freshest ingredients are combined in ways that delight the eyes as well as the taste buds.
Love Sushi? Come to Shiro Sushi Lounge for the freshest fish in Berkshire County. There are many special rolls (cooked or with fresh fish) that are available only at Shiro.
In Great Barrington they also have a Hibachi Table, where you can witness how your dinner is being cooked! That’s an amazing show! In Pittsfield they offer the same Hibachi menu, but they cook it in the kitchen.
There's also a wide variety of appetizers and dinner entrees prepared by the headchef. You will definitely find something that fits your taste from Seafood to Beef, Pork or Chiken. They also offer great Noodles and Soups.
New to Japanese food? Try the light and crispy tempura. You'll want to return time after time to enjoy all the delicious flavors and dishes. They also offer great Lunch menu! You can get any 3 rolls for only $10.95 Or any 2 rolls for only $8.95! Add your soup or salad for only $1.95!!! Lunch is served Monday through Friday from 11.30 am to 3 pm.
It is also easy to get to the restaurant from the Yankee Inn and it will take only about 5-7 minutes.
Come to Shiro! You'll be glad you did!