While in Lenox and the surrounding area make sure to add these to your list:
Tanglewood: Tanglewood is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and has been since 1937. You can sit on the lawn or buy tickets for one of the music venues which include the Koussevitzky Music Shed or the smaller Seiji Ozawa Hall or Chamber music hall. You can explore the gardens, visit the Glass House Gift Shop or eat at the Beer Garden, Tanglewood Cafe, Tanglewood Grille or The Highwood Manor House for an elegant buffet dinner. Take out meals-to-go are available with an advance order. In addition to performances by the Boston Symphony, there are a large array of concerts ranging from The Boston Pops, classical, chamber music, jazz, contemporary and popular artists. There is also the Tanglewood Wine & Food Classic in mid-August featuring wines from around the world and food by regional chefs and locally-sourced foods.
Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Rd., Lenox MA: Just south of downtown, this is one of the largest Shakespeare festivals in the country that was founded in 1978. The company develops and performs Shakespeare’s classic plays as well as contemporary new plays of social and political significance. It also has an extensive actor training program. It has two indoor theaters as well as an outdoor venue in the summer. Performances are scheduled from May into November.
Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival: Jacob’s Pillow, a National Historic Landmark, was founded in 1933 by dancer Ted Shawn and is home to America’s longest-running dance festival. The 224-acre site contains 31 historic buildings, including dance studios, landscaped gardens and natural wetlands. There are several venues including the Doris Duke Theatre and the Ted Shawn Theatre. They offer pre-show talks, outdoor performances, dance classes and special exhibitions. There are also a number of dining options including the Coffee and Ice Cream Bar, the Pillow Pub and the Pillow Cafe. I enjoyed a wonderful evening of dance from Alonzo King Lines Ballet in the Ted Shawn Theatre.
The Mount, Edith Wharton’s house: South of downtown Lenox is The Mount which is well-worth the visit. Edith Wharton is considered one of America’s greatest authors and was the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. She wrote over 40 books in 40 years including The Age of Innocence, The House of Mirth and Ethan Frome. You can visit the grounds, gardens and take a guided or self-guided tour of her large home which Wharton designed and built in 1902. I was lucky to have been there during a sculpture show where the pieces were displayed throughout the lovely grounds. You might also check the website for a calendar of events. There was a poetry reading after hours the day I was there. You will also find art, theater, film, storytelling, French conversation classes, readings of Wharton’s short stories and lectures.
I enjoyed visiting Hoadley Gallery at 21 Church St. which carries crafts including blown glass and ceramics, jewelry and wearable art.
MacKimmie Co., 67 Church St.: This is a nice store selling blankets, throws, pillows and other accessories.
The Scott Barrow Photography Gallery, 17 Housatonic St.: Scott sells some wonderful prints of his work.
The Bookstore and its Get Lit Wine Bar is fun to explore as well. 11 Housatonic St.
