A week long trip was planned for the Catskills so it was time to see where to spend the days. Stockbridge, Massachusetts was just an hour away from where we were going to be and had all the things I like- little shops and history surrounded by beautiful nature. The first stop was at The Red Lion Inn, a perfect example of a charming New England Inn. We browsed around the gift shop and peeked in the places near to the ladies room. The Red Lion has been open for business for more than 2 centuries and has all the amenities of a historic hotel including the large porch, a sitting parlor and food and drink served in classic style. The inn offers 125 individual rooms, as well as, 9 cottages for rent along the streets near the inn. The newest guest house offers 17 eclectic rooms to choose from. There is an outdoor heated pool and hot tub that are opened year round and live entertainment every evening. I, honestly, could write a whole blog on this inn alone and maybe I will get that opportunity one day but for now it was just a stop in town.
The next stops were the little shops nearby where we purchased some wax bottles and candy cigs. There was plenty of other old fashioned candy and souvenir type sundries. There was a Yankee Candle Co. in the beautiful, brick old town offices building and a small courtyard that led to the Red Lion courtyard, as well as, some other little stores. The main street of town is small but a great place to stop for lunch in the courtyard and enjoy the view. There was also a beautiful little "reading" garden with a path and seating- 2 of my faves, a garden and reading!
The town also has sites off main. I visited Naumkeag, a 44 room "summer cottage", built in 1887 with extensive gardens and views across the valley to, another beauty, Monument Mountain Reservation in Great Barrington. The stories of the family and the architects that made this home and surrounding land what it is were well told on the 45 minute tour I took of the interior. Joseph Choate commissioned the building of this summer estate during the Gilded Age and and his daughter, Mabel Choate inherited the house in 1929. The other interesting property connected to Naumkeag is the Mission House, now located on Main Street in Stockbridge. The Mission House was built in 1742 and home to Rev. John Sergeant, who was given permission by the Mohicans to live among them. It was originally located on the same property as Naumkeag and between 1926 and 1930 it was carefully disassembled, moved and rebuilt by Mabel Choate. Mabel left Naumkeag to the Trustees of Reservations upon her death and the Mission House is also a Trustees property, open for tours. If you are a person that enjoys history visiting these properties should be on your Stockbridge to do list. Stockbridge was also the home of artist, Norman Rockwell for 25 years and boasts the Norman Rockwell Museum with the largest collection of Rockwell's work, as well as, his painting of Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. I would love to go back to visit the museum and stay at the inn, if I'm lucky!
The next time I'm around Stockbridge I may try lunch in the courtyard but this time we drove a bit to have lunch at a roadside stand in Great Barrington, MA. The Bistro Box draws a crowd, as it should. The menu had some new takes on lunch and some classics, too and made my stomach happy! They also have a big space behind the restaurant with frisbees, corn hole, and lawn dice. Great way to picnic on a nice day!