North Adams: Art, History, and Hiking

North Adams offers travelers several areas of interest: contemporary art, industrial and transportation history, and a hike on Greylock. You can weigh these themes against one another when planning a stay. MASS MoCA combines a contemporary art museum with a year-round events program; the North Adams Cultural District brings together arts organizations, historic sites, venues, and community events in a downtown district. Also on offer are exhibitions and programs at the RUDD Art Foundation and the history of the Hoosac Tunnel at Western Gateway Heritage State Park.

Art and Programs in North Adams

MASS MoCA is a contemporary art museum in North Adams. Its industrial campus began as Arnold Print Works and later became the Sprague Electric Company. This places contemporary art and the campus’s former industrial use in a chronological sequence.

The museum hosts more than 75 performances and artist residencies year-round. Its program includes contemporary dance and theater, concerts, comedy, and festivals such as Wilco’s Solid Sound, FreshGrass, and Bang on a Can. That means there is more to choose from than exhibitions: when planning your trip, you can also consider whether a performance or festival suits your interests. Check the dates for specific events.

The RUDD Art Foundation, formerly the Berkshire Art Museum, presents rotating and permanent art exhibitions across 25,000 square feet in two repurposed buildings. Guided gallery tours are offered for adults and youth groups; the Foundation also offers special programs and lectures. Dates may vary. If a tour or a particular program is a deciding factor for your trip, check the dates in advance.

The formats differ: MASS MoCA combines the museum with performances and artist residencies; the RUDD Art Foundation complements its exhibitions with tours, special programs, and lectures. If you want to plan your trip around a particular format, check the respective dates.

Culture and History

The North Adams Cultural District is a vibrant, walkable downtown district and the center of the city’s creative and community life. It brings together arts organizations, historic sites, venues, and community events. Participating organizations and events may change.

Western Gateway Heritage State Park is located on a former railroad site in North Adams. There, you can learn about the controversial and dangerous construction of the Hoosac Tunnel, which took place from 1851 to 1875.

Hiking on Greylock

The DCR hiking guide, updated in 2011, lists Notch Road in North Adams as the starting point for the Wilbur’s Clearing to Summit hike. The route follows the Appalachian Trail south along the ridge to the summit of Greylock. Check trail conditions and access before your hike.

Discover more destinations: Lenox, New Marlborough, Lee, Pittsfield, Egremont, Otis, Great Barrington, Williamstown

For the broader travel overview: Berkshire.