National Public Radio called North Adams a “manufacturing town for art.” It’s a clever nickname, considering the former industrial town has been reinvented over the past 20 years as a booming arts center.
But art is only part of what North Adams has to offer. In 2017, Travel + Leisure named North Adams one of “10 Charming American Towns That Aren’t Famous Yet (But Will Be Soon).” Here’s why you should buy a home in North Adams, Massachusetts.
A World of Outdoor Recreation
Berkshire County is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty, and there’s plenty of opportunity for outdoor fun and adventure.
Seasoned hikers can test their endurance on the 14.2-mile section of the Appalachian Trail that runs from Mount Greylock to North Adams. Those looking for a more casual outdoor experience should visit the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail, a former railroad corridor turned recreation path that’s perfect for walking, cycling, and roller-blading.
Clarksburg State Park features 368 acres of hardwood forest and spectacular views; visitors can camp, boat, fish, and explore 9.5 miles of foot trails. Other popular outdoor attractions include Jiminy Peak, the Hoosac Range Trail, and the Mohawk Trail State Forest.
Year-Round Events with an Emphasis on the Unusual
From concerts at Windsor Lake to a Fall Foliage parade, North Adams hosts a variety of year-round events. But the small town in the Berkshires has a knack for emphasizing the unusual.
In mid-July, North Adams holds the Eagle Street Beach Party. More than 250,000 pounds of sand is donated by Specialty Mineral, turning the length of Eagle Street into a tropical paradise. Family-friendly activities run throughout the afternoon, and an adult-oriented fiesta complete with margaritas takes pace in the evening.
Part festival, part car show, Motorama takes place every August. In 2018, over 500 hundred vehicles—trucks, tractors, motorcycles, anything with a motor, in fact—filled Main, Holden, and Eagle Streets, turning North Adams into a scene from Mad Max. In addition to immaculately restored vehicles, Motorama features music, food, local brews, and 50/50 raffles.
A Town that Celebrates Culture, Sports, and the Arts
Located in a former factory complex, MASS MoCA is one of the largest centers for contemporary visual art and performing arts in the United States. Featuring 26 buildings, 19 galleries, and over 600,000-square foot of exhibition space, MASS MoCA isn’t your typical art museum. Along with its collection of evocative art, the museum’s mission is to stage more than 40 weekends of live events, including popular music, contemporary dance, and outdoor silent films with live music.
The arts scene in North Adams is matched only by its devotion to sports and athletics. The city is home to the North Adams SteepleCats, a collegiate summer baseball team that holds the NECBL record for the highest single-game attendance.
The Noel Field Athletic Complex and Alcombright Athletic Complex are designed to host youth sports and feature baseball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, and walking trails.
Easy to Reach from Boston and New York
Long considered the perfect weekend destination for Bostonians and New Yorkers, the Berkshires are roughly equal distance from the busy Northeast cities. This is good news for potential homebuyers looking for second homes who want to be far enough away from the office that they can’t get called in on summer weekends, but close enough to visit family and friends who haven’t given up the city for the country.
“Mass MoCA, North Adams” by MOTT is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
