Top 15 Activities and Attractions in North Adams, MA

In the Hoosic River valley, surrounded by mountains, the smallest city in Massachusetts developed as a manufacturing center in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Over the years, North Adams has transformed itself into a vibrant hub of creativity, notably after the opening of the prestigious Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) in 1999.

This institution has revitalized grand industrial buildings, a narrative echoed throughout North Adams, where water-powered mills have evolved into spaces for artist studios, markets, restaurants, distilleries, and numerous other small enterprises.

While the town boasts a rich cultural scene, North Adams is also immersed in stunning nature, with waterfalls, a distinctive marble natural bridge, the highest peak in Massachusetts, and much more nearby.

1. MASS MoCA

This historic industrial complex in North Adams has been transformed into the largest contemporary art museum in the United States.

The factory buildings and courtyards have been converted into spacious galleries and performing arts venues, serving as a meeting point for painting, music, sculpture, dance, photography, film, theater, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

MASS MoCA is renowned for its transformative, large-scale installations that would be impractical in a conventional museum setting.

A notable ongoing exhibition is the Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing Retrospective, which presents more than 100 monumental drawings created by the artist throughout his career, spanning from 1969 to 2007.

Performance is also a focus here, with over 70 shows annually, encompassing contemporary dance, avant-garde theater, and silent movie screenings accompanied by live music.

2. Natural Bridge State Park

Located just east of downtown Adams, the Hudson Brook flows through rugged terrain rich in marble and various minerals, such as quartz, pyrite, and calcite.

During the last Ice Age, torrents of glacial meltwater carved this unique natural bridge from the 550-million-year-old marble bedrock.

At Natural Bridge State Park, visitors can admire this structure, as well as the intricately formed walls of the gorge, which descend 60 feet.

The park occupies part of a former quarry site and features a truly unique structure in North America—a man-made dam made entirely of white marble.

3. North Adams Downtown Cultural District

In addition to MASS MoCA, North Adams is infused with art, both permanent and ephemeral, featuring a year-round schedule of live performances.

The downtown area acts as an outdoor gallery, with historic brick walls embellished with stunning murals created by international artists.

While strolling along Main Street, visitors can view installations such as the bus shelter designed by Victoria Palermo and the parklet by Kathline Carr.

This creative energy is largely driven by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, which initiated the DownStreet Art project in the center and also manages its own gallery.

North Adams’ appeal as a cultural destination throughout the year is bolstered by a plethora of public events, exceeding a dozen, ranging from the Fall Foliage Festival and Parade in October to the vibrant Downtown Celebration in August.

4. Windsor Lake

The city owns this picturesque lake and the adjacent wooded parkland, situated just a few miles from downtown North Adams.

Windsor Lake is an accessible destination for outdoor activities without venturing into the mountain ranges. During the summer months, visitors can engage in hiking, swimming, fishing, and boating, and there is a renowned 18-hole disc golf course located in the woods west of the beach area.

On Wednesday evenings from early June through late August, Windsor Lake features the free Concert at the Lake series, inviting attendees to bring picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and refreshments. In winter, the park’s trails are maintained for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

5. Mount Greylock State Reservation

A significant portion of the northwestern region of Massachusetts is encompassed by the 12,000-acre Mount Greylock State Reservation.

Established in 1898, this area became the Commonwealth’s inaugural forest preserve, spreading across six communities, including North Adams.

Most visitors aim for Mount Greylock itself, which rises to 3,491 feet, making it the highest peak in Massachusetts. On a clear day, the views extend for miles, encompassing parts of five different states.

The peak is traversed by the Appalachian Trail, providing hikers access from Phelps Avenue in North Adams to the summit.

For those driving to the peak, a stop at the Adams Overlook provides a breathtaking view looking east, showcasing the town of Adams framed by the Hoosac Range.

6. Mohawk Trail

North Adams is situated along a historical Native American trade route that traverses a substantial portion of Northwestern Massachusetts, linking tribes from the coast with those in present-day Upstate New York.

Much of this traditional pathway corresponds to Routes 2 and 2A, which cross over the Hoosac Range and run alongside the Deerfield River and Millers River.

Offering stunning panoramas of the Berkshires, a wealth of history, and roadside attractions, this route is among the finest drives in the region.

North Adams is located near the western end of the trail, allowing visitors to easily drive to Williamstown, home of a renowned Theatre Festival.

Traveling eastward, one will encounter the Whitcomb Summit, which marks the highest point of the trail at 2,173 feet, providing breathtaking views extending far into Vermont and New Hampshire.

7. Hoosac Range Trail

Heading east from North Adams along the Mohawk Trail, one will find the trailhead for a remarkable hike along the ridge of the Hoosac Range, a subset of the Berkshire Mountains.

This three-mile out-and-back route, leading southward, culminates at Spruce Hill, offering breathtaking vistas to the west, overlooking Mount Greylock and North Adams.

The trail features picturesque ledges throughout, adorned with unusual vegetation shaped by years of wind and ice, making it unnecessary to complete the entire three-mile distance.

Less than a mile into the trail, Sunset Rock also provides stunning views and, like Spruce Hill, is surrounded by wild blueberries in the summer.

Along the Mohawk Trail, near the trailhead, visitors can take a moment at the Top ‘O the World overlook for an awe-inspiring perspective looking east across Florida State Forest and beyond.

8. Cascade Waterfall

Another exquisite example of natural beauty is a waterfall and gorge located just outside the city, accessible via a trail that commences one mile west of downtown North Adams.

The Cascade Waterfall lies along Notch Brook, with the trail following the watercourse southward for a 90-minute out-and-back hike leading to the base of the falls, nestled beneath the imposing walls of the gorge.

The waterfall cascades down a series of ledges from a height of 45 feet, appearing as either a delicate curtain of water or a rushing torrent, depending on seasonal rainfall.

Significant effort has been made to preserve this tranquil spot from road traffic and development, and today it is managed by the Trustees of Reservations of Western Massachusetts.

9. Western Gateway Heritage State Park

Spanning through its namesake range, the Hoosac Tunnel was under construction for almost 25 years, from 1851 to 1875, and remains the longest active transportation tunnel east of the Rockies.

The challenges associated with this project were immense, as four tunnel segments had to be correctly aligned.

As time progressed, an originally estimated cost of $2 million escalated to $25 million. The history of the tunnel is preserved at the Western Gateway Heritage Park, established on a former railroad yard in North Adams.

Visitors can explore the tunnel’s considerable impact and the significant human cost, with 200 lives lost during its construction.

10. Appalachian Trail

Regarded as one of America’s premier hiking trails, the Appalachian Trail traverses North Adams over its extensive 2,200-mile journey from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Maine’s Mount Katahdin.

The trail extends along Phelps Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue on the western side of the city, ascending from the valley into Vermont’s Green Mountain Forest to the north or Mount Greylock State Reservation to the south.

North Adams represents the northernmost settlement along the Massachusetts portion of the trail, providing hikers with opportunities for a hot shower, a night’s stay in a bed, stocking up on supplies, or dining out before encountering the wilderness of the Green Mountains.

11. Bright Ideas Brewing

This craft brewery opened its doors within the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in 2016. Initially intended for museum visitors and North Adams residents, it has evolved into a regional operation, distributing to various package stores and restaurants throughout Western Massachusetts.

The taproom offers a rotating selection of a dozen beers on tap, focusing on hoppy IPAs while also catering to those who appreciate maltier ales and lagers.

Events are regularly held here, including live music performances, trivia nights, movie screenings, or televised sports events. Patrons are welcome to order from the numerous restaurants located around North Adams.

12. Berkshire Art Museum

A prevalent theme in North Adams is the adaptation of historic buildings for new purposes, frequently related to the arts. This is exemplified by the Berkshire Art Museum, established in 2012 by the Barbara and Eric Rudd Art Foundation.

From June through October, the main building at 156 E Main St showcases a variety of temporary and permanent exhibitions, including Eric Rudd’s Rudd’s Lexan/Iceberg and Robotic sculptures.

An additional component of the museum is an historic Gothic Revival church structure housing an extensive integrated work of contemporary sculpture, featuring 150 life-sized figures, 250 figures in bas-relief, and a memorial dedicated to 9/11.

The museum hosts a calendar of public programs, receptions, lectures, and guided gallery tours.

13. Greylock Works

Set against the backdrop of Mount Greylock, this 19th-century textile mill complex has been reimagined as a multi-use campus with a communal atmosphere.

Greylock Works includes 50 lofts with views of the mountains, a co-working space, a craft distillery, a culinary lab, and multifunctional event spaces in its Engine House and Weave Shed.

Visiting on weekends is particularly enjoyable, as you can drop by the distillery, which crafts small-batch gins and rums using locally foraged ingredients.

The Break Room restaurant serves as the communal hub of Greylock Works, offering a sustainable and seasonal menu that highlights local agriculture.

14. Norad Mill

Another significant repurposed mill in North Adams is the Norad Mill in Braytonville, notable for its well-preserved 1860s Italianate exterior, which remains largely unchanged after more than 150 years.

During its peak production era in the 1870s, the mill operated 50 looms and employed nearly 300 workers. In the 2010s, it was acquired by a commercial developer, and now hosts a diverse array of tenants.

At the current time, it accommodates artist studios, an independent publisher, a coffee roastery, a yarn shop, a recording studio, various beauty practitioners, and a large event space, as well as the Norad Cafe serving pastries, bagels, sandwiches, and more.

15. Downtown Celebration

North Adams boasts a cultural calendar on par with larger cities, ensuring that there is a strong likelihood of coinciding with a public festival or live performance during your visit.

One signature event occurs in the peak of summer: the Downtown Celebration, during which the lively core of downtown North Adams is closed to traffic for an evening of festivities.

A variety of organizations, local businesses, and community groups contribute to this vibrant event, offering an array of live music, delightful food, contests, and giveaways, set against the stunning backdrop of the city’s mountainous scenery.