The Area

Monterey is a rural and scenic town located half way between Great Barrington and Otis, south of Lee and Stockbridge. Monterey is a few minutes away from Exit 2, off the Mass. Pike. It has three lakes accessible to the public. The Appalachian Trail runs through Monterey and can be accessed from a trail across the street from Forest Gate, which borders the 12,000 acre Beartown State Forest.

Lush and green in the summer, snowy wonderland in the winter and dazzling colored leaves in the fall - you can get it all here.

For shopping, there are many antique stores and boutiques in the region and the Prime Shopping Outlet Stores in Lee are only about 15 minutes away.

The most well known destinations in the area include the Norman Rockwell Museum, Tanglewood (featuring the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops), and Jacob's Pillow Dance Theater. However, there are numerous theaters, performance venues, arts centers and historical homes/sites of interest. The Berkshires are known for their cultural activities, offering year round music, dance and art for all tastes and budgets. The area is rife with history with museums and house tours from different historical periods, from the utilitarian homes to the opulent manses.

Town Beach at Lake Garfield

The region boasts an array of trails and hikes for all different ability levels, some with magnificent views of the Berkshire Mountains. For information on hiking and other outdoor activities, visit this excellent site: www.berkshirehiking.com.

Want to start your day with a hike or nature walk? Go out Forest Gate's driveway and GO!

Click here to see more local pictures.