Every winter, my girlfriends and I escape to a cozy destination for what we’ve coined our “Winter Sojourn” – a chance to do something fun and experience new things while fending off the winter doldrums.
In 2023, we hunkered down at a hip motel in the lower Catskills. It was nearly perfect – except for the part where my friend’s car died, we had to call a tow truck, and my father had to come pick us up.
In 2024, we ventured further afield – and in a more reliable vehicle. Our destination? New England – more specifically, North Adams, MA in the Berkshires. North Adams is home to TOURISTS, a motel-resort that had been on my travel radar, and Mass MoCA, a contemporary art museum I’d been eager to visit.
North Adams Itinerary At-A-Glance
- Day 0.5 (Thursday Night): Arrival to TOURISTS, dinner in The Lodge, Sing for Your Slumber concert/show
- Day 1 (Friday): Coffee/tea and crafting in The Lodge and morning massage, Lunch and shopping in Williamstown, afternoon candlemaking class and stargazing at TOURISTS, dinner at The Airport Rooms, evening S’mores
- Day 2 (Saturday): Morning Sculpture garden walk, Morning Hike at TOURISTS, Berkshire Cider Project at Greylock Works, Mass MOCA, dinner in North Adams.
- Day 3 (Sunday): Brunch at Greylock Works, drive by Hairpin turn, The Clark Art Institute
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Where To Stay: Tourists
Location: TOURISTS is a boutique hotel-motel just a 15-minute drive east to Mass MoCA in North Adams, making it a convenient home base for exploring the area. When we first pulled up to TOURISTS, we were surprised to find it located along a main road, directly across from a chain supermarket. From the photos we had seen online and the names of the rooms (Canopy, Caravan, Ramble), we had imagined the hotel tucked deeper into the woods. Though it was unexpected, it was certainly not a dealbreaker.
Our Ramble room was in a building facing the main road, but remained quiet. We felt sufficiently cocooned. TOURISTS is only a 15-minute drive east to Mass MoCA in North Adams, making it a convenient home base for exploring the area.
Promotions: We timed our stay just right, booking during a winter promotion that gave us 20% off the room rate, plus a $75 Food and Beverage credit. Winter is a great time to snag deals like room discounts, Stay X nights, get Y night free promotions, and F&B credits. I’m also subscribed to the TOURISTS mailing list, and I’ve seen them offer free merch (such as winter beanies) with bookings.
The Room: Our Ramble room was spacious, with high ceilings and a cozy outdoor porch. It was just a short walk from the suspension bridge, which connects guests to a network of trails and outdoor art installations and sculptures.
We were a group of three, and I highly recommend requesting to have the window nook made up as a bed in advance. (This worked out perfectly for us, as one of us wasn’t feeling great and needed a separate sleeping spot). While it was too chilly to enjoy the back porch in January, I’m sure it (along with the property’s outdoor pool) is lovely during the warmer months.
In-Room Amenities: As cozy as the room was, there’s no in-room beverage station, so you’ll need to head to the Lodge for complimentary drip coffee. While it wasn’t far to walk (just a few minutes), it did subtract from the in-room experience a bit. Tea is also available for purchase in The Lodge. (I always travel with my collapsible water kettle, which covered my morning caffeine fix.) The Ursa Major toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and soap) are a lovely touch and elevate the in-room experience.
Resort Amenities: The Lodge, which serves as the common area, has cozy but somewhat limited seating with a communal fireplace, perfect for a chill hangout. S’mores kits are available at reception, and staff will happily light a small outdoor fire pit upon request. In the summer, there’s also an outdoor pool to enjoy.
TOURISTS offers an Art & Adventure program with a rotating calendar of activities, from crafty and outdoor to more relaxing experiences. Some activities, like nature hikes, are complimentary, while others come with an extra cost. There’s a $15/night Art & Adventure fee added to your room bill to support the program, so if something piques your interest, definitely take advantage of the free activities.
We signed up for a few experiences during our stay: stargazing and a nature hike (both free) and candlemaking ($35 + $10 for a cocktail add-on).
Sing For Your Slumber Concert Series. One of the coolest things about TOURISTS is their Sing For Your Slumber program, where touring musicians can stay as complimentary guests in exchange for a live performance. We made sure to grab seats early at The Lodge, since it’s first-come, first-served.
That night, Hank Wonder and his band played a mellow, intimate set while we enjoyed bites from The Lodge menu (separate from The Airport Rooms’ menu). We dug into spinach artichoke dip and oversized, warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies (a few of which made it back to our room). After the show it was just a short walk back to the room and straight into pajamas.
Review: Tourists’ Art & Adventure Program
Candlemaking. I’m a sucker for a scented candle. I was all in for this activity, the first of three Art & Adventure programs we’d signed up for at TOURISTS. Two of the three of us have worked in beauty and cosmetics, so it’s no surprise we geeked out over fragrance blending. The workshop cost $35, with an option to add a cocktail for +$10—a total steal, in my opinion. I think we all got the same drink – a pear-flavored sparkling cocktail.
No one else had signed up for the activity, so we, in essence, had a private class. I’d dabbled in DIY candlemaking before, but I was hoping to learn more about achieving the perfect “bloom”—something to do with flash points and when to add the fragrance oil. This class wasn’t that technical, but it was super convenient: pre-mixed soy wax, fragrance oils ready to go, and plenty of time to obsess over concocting our signature scents.
I took full advantage of the blending process, layering grapefruit, white musk, and fir. The final product came in a sleek black frosted glass with a wooden lid—a stylish and practical souvenir. Since the candles needed time to set, TOURISTS held them at reception for pickup upon checkout.
Stargazing. Saturday was a big activity day for us. After candlemaking, we had a short lieabout in our room before meeting a larger group at The Lodge for stargazing. It was a good intro to the grounds of TOURISTS, one of my favorite “amenities” on the property. Once darkness fell, we crossed the bridge into an open field, where we had an expansive view of the night sky.
I didn’t retain much about constellations (but I did learn about an app that helps identify them). Standing in that quiet field and looking up at a starry sky was enough. We dipped out a little early to make our dinner reservation at The Airport Rooms.
Morning Hike. We met our guide in the lobby at 9:00 AM, ready to get a small taste of the Appalachian Trail. The route took us up East Mountain, following the peaceful waters of Sherman Brook.
TOURISTS recommends coming prepared with proper footwear and water, and if needed, you can borrow a Topo Designs backpack and/or hiking poles from the hotel (just arrange it in advance). The hike is advertised as a moderate, under-three-mile trek, and while an hour isn’t enough for a deep wilderness excursion, it was the perfect amount of movement to stretch our legs and soak in the scenery. By the time we made it back, we had definitely worked up an appetite.
Where To Eat
The Airport Rooms at TOURISTS: The best part about this dinner was that we could roll straight in from stargazing—and later, roll straight back to our room. The Airport Rooms is right next to TOURISTS, and feels like dining in someone’s cozy home. It was the restaurant was completely booked on a Friday night.
We kicked things off with a round of cocktails—I went for the Burning Down The House, a bold mix of smoked pineapple spirit, Lillet, passionfruit, and sesame. Then, we really went for it on food, starting with shared poutine and ricotta (served with Berkshire Mountain Bakery bread). For entrees, we covered all the bases—steak frites, chicken, and salmon.
The Airport Rooms sometimes hosts collaboration dinners with local restaurants, so if you’re planning a visit, keep an eye on their Instagram for special events.
Public Eat + Drink (North Adams): Honestly, this dinner is a bit of a blur—likely because we were starving after long afternoon at the museum and then getting completely soaked before CAVU. I do remember us sharing a flatbread. I ordered the mussels in a tomato broth, served with thick slices of grilled bread. If you’re looking for a place to have dinner in North Adams close to Mass MoCA, this fits the bill.
The Break Room at Greylock Works (now permanently closed): Breakfast at The Break Room was delicious. I went for something unexpected: a breakfast chili packed with hominy, topped with two perfectly poached eggs, and served with half a sliced avocado (a very generous portion, by the way). It was warm, hearty, exactly what I wanted. Unfortunately, The Break Room has since closed, and has been replaced by State Food + Drink.
Arts & Culture
Mass MoCA (North Adams, MA). As an avid museum-goer, Mass MoCA had been on my list for ages. The museum is housed in a sprawling complex of interconnected industrial buildings, which adds to its raw, immersive feel. Having grown up within driving distance of Dia Beacon, I was first introduced to Sol LeWitt’s large-scale works there, so I was especially excited to see Mass MoCA’s collection.
Several exhibitions require timed entry, so I highly recommend making advance reservations (they’re free on the MassMoCA website). We planned our visit for the mid-to-late afternoon, leading up to our dusk tickets for James Turrell’s CAVU—a stand-alone installation on the museum’s grounds. In the meantime, we made a quick detour to Turrell’s Perfectly Clear installation, where we essentially stepped into our own Drake music video.
With time to kill before CAVU, we grabbed a beer flight at Bright Ideas Brewing, a brewery conveniently located on-campus. I also picked up a $5 print from the art vending machine outside. Fun.
When it was time for CAVU, we gathered in the lobby with our group, waiting for the guide to lead us to the installation. Though it wasn’t a long walk, the skies decided to open up right before dusk, and we all got completely soaked on the way.
The Clark Art Institute (Williamstown, MA): With free admission, stopping at The Clark Art Institute was a no-brainer before hitting the road home. I was not aware that the museum is also home to a network of hiking trails (which will have to wait for next time). The museum is known for its impressive collection spanning centuries, including works by John Singer Sargent and contemporary pieces by Jenny Holzer.
Our visit was unexpectedly peaceful, possibly because it was early on a Sunday morning—a perfect time to wander the galleries without crowds. With its blend of art and nature (and free admission!), The Clark is a must-visit if you’re in the Berkshires.
Things To Do (Other Than Art) in North Adams
Exploring Williamstown: An Easy Afternoon Excursion
As tempting as it was to spend the entire weekend at TOURISTS, we knew we’d be heading to Mass MoCA for Sol LeWitt’s large-scale installations and James Turrell’s light sculptures—so we made sure to spend some time exploring off-campus.
Williamstown is a quick drive from North Adams, home to Williams College. The downtown area is small but picturesque, marked by a classic clock tower and Louise Bourgeois’ eerie eye sculptures. To switch things up from our weekend of New England comfort food, we grabbed lunch at Blue Mango Thai (it was a pad thai lunch special kind of day).
Before heading back for our afternoon candlemaking class, we made a pit stop at Provisions Williamstown to stock up on room snacks: local cheeses, Brewer’s crackers, and—of course—wine. We also squeezed in a quick browse in Where’d You Get That? toy store, where my friends grabbed a few gifts for their kids.
Hairpin Turn: A Quick, Iconic Stop
One of the most picturesque stretches of Route 2, the Hairpin Turn is an scenic stop when passing through North Adams. Part of the historic Mohawk Trail, this sharp curve offers sweeping views of the valley below—and even made an appearance on the vintage postcards in our room at TOURISTS.
Though technically a gateway to North Adams, this ended up being one of our last stops before heading home. We parked, snapped a few obligatory photos, and took in the views before continuing on our way.
Whether you’re looking to unwind in comfort or dive into the art scene, North Adams and TOURISTS offer the perfect mix of both. We enjoyed the laid-back vibe of a winter weekend, but the scenic views and world-class art give you more to explore. This town is a great home base for a girlfriends’ getaway. I’ll definitely return to this charming corner of Massachusetts one summer.
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