hudson valley vs berkshires

[Anonymous]

Like others have been posting lately, we’re trying to keep our summer travels to a drive from DC.

We’re deciding between these two locations for spouse, me, hs/college aged kids, and dog.

We like nature, pretty views, hiking and walking, history and good food (although part of our fun on vacation is to cook - spouse and I love to do it and never have time at home - so I guess good food shops and farmers markets are more important than restaurants 😊). Being on or near water is a nice bonus.

Which would you recommend? What areas/towns do you like?

[Anonymous]

Berkshires because of the cooking, ie, you could rent a place far from restaurants. Plan ahead where you’ll shop. Go to Tanglewood. I’d also consider situating yourself closer to Northampton for restaurants. I enjoyed visiting Deerfield.

Hudson Valley has some interesting history/art, but in the towns (Hudson for example) the vibe seems squarely Brooklyn couples coming up for expensive weekend getaways on the train. Fancy artisanal hotels/restaurants. For whatever reason it has always seemed to me very expensive for what lt is and at the same time a little crummy.

[Anonymous]

Consider the area around Saratoga Springs too. Or Catskills.

[Anonymous]

Berkshires and Pioneer Valley are great.

I enjoy Lenox, Great Barrington, Amherst, Northampton, Williamstown. Lots of great museums and hiking in the area as well as Tanglewood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Berkshires because of the cooking, ie, you could rent a place far from restaurants. Plan ahead where you’ll shop. Go to Tanglewood. I’d also consider situating yourself closer to Northampton for restaurants. I enjoyed visiting Deerfield.

Hudson Valley has some interesting history/art, but in the towns (Hudson for example) the vibe seems squarely Brooklyn couples coming up for expensive weekend getaways on the train. Fancy artisanal hotels/restaurants. For whatever reason it has always seemed to me very expensive for what lt is and at the same time a little crummy.

Accurate, from one half of a Brooklyn couple, although we drive.

We did go to the Berkshires once, in the fall, and loved it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Berkshires and Pioneer Valley are great.

I enjoy Lenox, Great Barrington, Amherst, Northampton, Williamstown. Lots of great museums and hiking in the area as well as Tanglewood.

+2

[Anonymous]

They aren’t far apart, so you can pick one and do day trips to the other. I’d probably stay in Great Barrington. I love the local market there (Guido’s) and there are so many great little local spots to grab a bite to eat.

PP’s comment about Hudson is spot on - three blocks of gentrification surrounded by a run-down, high-poverty former mill town. A similar dynamic exists in a lot of the trendy towns in the Catskills.