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    Hancock Shaker Village

    4.4 (61 reviews)

    Hancock Shaker Village Photos

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    Elizabeth X.

    We had an amazing time here. Our group of 16 (bachelorette party) organized a private tour, and it was so worth it. They had some really fun interactive activities (weaving, butter churning, etc.) and some specialist craftsmen (e.g. blacksmiths, box makers). Our tour guides, Ruth and Julie, were super knowledgeable and fun. Also the animals were adorable!

    Baby Animals festival 2025
    Molly F.

    Great place to go to check out baby animals, see and learn some history and spend time with family. Expensive but definitely worth it!

    Patty L.

    So enjoyable to visit with the baby animals as well as the historic Shaker Village. Beautiful gift shop on the way out.

    Ting and Jerk Chicken Sandwich
    Krystyn P.

    So the Shaker Village is an interesting stop and the goats and sheep are exceptionally sweet. However, this rating is for the cafe. After departing the farm and the store, I expected either basic burgers or Shaker inspired food (there's recipe books in the store.) What I was not sure expecting was BB's Hotspot offering Caribbean inspired meals. Their jerk chicken sandwich was pulled chicken, but amazingly seasoned... and the fact they had Ting in the fridge was an amazing find in the middle of the Berkshires. The food was brought out quickly and it all hit the spot. Not what I was expecting- but a complete win in my book!

    Color pigments from nature at the Hancock Shaker Village

    Went on a beautiful autumn day. Learned so much about the Shaker Community I never knew about! There were exciting factoids everywhere - from their Shaker boxes with arrowheads to the fact they sold the first paper seed packets - and more! I had a wonderful time. The young gentleman at the cafe was very kind and had great manners. I enjoyed the Shaker box demonstration.

    Barn
    Cathy E.

    Hancock Shaker Village is a living history museum committed to bringing the Shaker story to life and preserving it for future generations. Called the "City of Peace" by the Shakers who lived here for 179 years until 1960, this community was the third of 19 major Shaker Villages located in New York, New England, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. There are 20 historic buildings on this site. The values that the Shakers embraced -- equality, pacifism, community, sustainability, responsible land stewardship, innovation, simplicity and quality in work -- still resonate here. The working farm is the oldest in the Berkshires. Visit the gardens and animals, meet the interpreters, see demonstrations, hike the trails, immerse yourself in unique art exhibitions, and explore. A farm-to-table cafe is on site.

    Round Barn
    Bill S.

    Visiting the Hancock Shaker Village is a highlight of just about any trip around the Berkshires. It offers an engaging peep into the past that is accessible to everyone and affords a glimpse of how the Shakers lived in the last century and before. There are structures and farm animals and plants and flowers that seek to keep the history alive along with a number of young guides who are informed and happy to talk about the village and answer questions. There are easy walking paths and lots of buildings, among them an unusual four-bay stone garage housing a 1923 Reo. Most notable is the striking round stone barn, the only one of its kind constructed by the Shakers and quite large. We had fun with the animals (donkeys, chickens, goats, pigs), all of whom seemed to us to be healthy and happy. There's also a gift shop and a small cafe with surprisingly good sandwiches, soups and salads. The ice cream is good, too, but beware it's nearly $6 for a mere four ounces. Way overpriced. Admission to the village is $20 for adults.

    Erica A.

    We decided to take a ride to the Hancock Shaker Village on Labor Day. We both love history and we're excited to go check this out. It has beautiful grounds to walk around. Everybody was very nice and informative. And it was the perfect social distancing activity because we got there early when there wasn't a lot of people and most of what you could do was outside. However the things that were inside they were taking good precautions with having hand sanitizer at the door and only letting one family in at a time. It was a great afternoon and we are looking forward to going back at some point.

    Calf
    Jean B.

    My family and I went on a crisp fall day as out first stop on our trip to the Berkshires. We had lunch at the on site restaurant. We had some excellent sandwiches with tasty cheese, fresh bread and arugula. The restaurant has plenty of high chairs for little ones. The village itself was not too busy, and we were able to hear some of the speakers talk about village life in small groups. We listened to the tour of the gardens and the barn, and then self explored the main living quarters, and other side shops like blacksmithing, woodworking etc. the main living quarters are divided down the center and is a symmetrical building, for men to eat, sleep on one side and women on the other. My husband has his PhD in American history and found the exhibits well curated. Spending some time here makes you really think about how life was back then.

    Shaker Round Stone Barn
    Madina F.

    The Shaker Museum in Hancock was one of the many highlights of visiting the Berkshires over the years. It was a terrific educational experience that gave me an awareness of the Shaker community. Shaker Village, established by 100 Believers around 1780, reached its peak in the mid-1800s: over 300 people lived in this communal village. By the late 1950s, the population of the village dwindled: the Shakers practiced life-long celibacy, and, at the same time, it was becoming increasingly difficult to convert new Believers. The Shakers, known for their religious beliefs, pacifism, simplicity, hard-working lifestyle, and honesty, also made significant contributions in the field of design, innovation, and craftsmanship. They were very prolific at metalsmithing, furniture, tools, basketry, weaving, and broom making. The quality of the items made by the Shakers was always exceptional. I purchased a straw Shaker hat from the Museum Shop. It happens to be my all-time favorite summer hat.

    Pet, don't chase the chickens

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    Excellent historical museum. Great for families and a lot of stuff for adults. The animals are always a big hit.

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    Review Highlights - Hancock Shaker Village

    My family and I went on a crisp fall day as out first stop on our trip to the Berkshires.

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    The Mount

    The Mount

    4.6
    (58 reviews)
    7.5 mi

    Be prepared to be awed as you enter the 50 acre estate and sanctuary of the famous author Edith…read moreWharton, named The Mount, it is a rather remarkable example of the magnificent oasis she created in 1902, during the height of the Gilded Age. The Mount located in Lenox, MA, served as her primary sanctuary when she was in her 40s, and at the peak of her fame as a Pulitzer prize winning Author, which was extremely rare for a woman at the time. Wharton penned literary classics such as, 'The House of Mirth' here. Today, the property operates as a vibrant cultural center featuring guided house tours, art exhibitions, and sprawling formal gardens which are oft rented for large weddings. We were thrilled to get a glimpse of the vast well-maintained garden grounds and mansion. It is definitely worth a visit whilst in the Berkshires. Entry is $20, which includes a one hour guided tour, but do stay to linger and explore the magnificent grounds of this stunning estate that was refurbished to its glory after millions of dollars were donated in the 1990s, and are continued in the present. Please enjoy my photos, and thank you for reading.

    Took the tour. It feels like you are rushing through - so much information is given. The tour lasts…read moreand hour and it hardly seems enough to cover three floors of house. After the tour we were free to wander at our leisure. The gardens are well manicured. A video in the house shows the history of the property and photos of restoration inside and out. Gives a real appreciation of the restoration work done here. Amazing. The woodland path is lovely, shaded and serene. There were childrens programs going on along the path during our wander. There is also a sculpture event happening with pieces scattered along the paths. Park in the dirt lot by the stables where you can purchase tickets and watch an orientation video. It's about a five minute walk to the house from here. A book walk begins here too-a series of signs, each one page of a childrens book. If you need handicap parking, buy tickets online, drive past the stable and park near the house. Very informative tour. An abunfance of information throughout the house. Cafe with prepared food on the terrace overlooking the grounds. Plan to spend two to three hours.

    Photos
    Tea set - - 6/28/2026
    Tea set - - 6/28/2026
    Early 1920s publications - - 6/28/2026
    Early 1920s publications - - 6/28/2026
    Gardens

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    Gardens
    Animagic Museum of Animation Special Effects & Art

    Animagic Museum of Animation Special Effects & Art

    4.1
    (26 reviews)
    9.7 mi

    I'll second that this is totally the place for a beginner and kids will thoroughly enjoy…read morethemselves. Eugene Mamut has an interesting collection of special effects, and asked some good questions of my 6 year old to let him explain what was going on with each. He showed us some differences between different styles of animation. The video that W made was uploaded on his website for sharing and Will had a great time!

    I was researching things to do in the Berkshires while my classmates and I were vacationing. This…read morepeaked our interest as we're all tech-fascinated people, and my husband was an animation major. It's a free museum visit, but because it's privately run, you have to call them and make special arrangements for them to come and open the museum. The pros: you get a private tour, and hours aren't limited to your usual 9-5. The cons: since it's only run by 2 people, you're really at their mercy when you show up and they may or may not be on there way there still. Admittedly it's nothing fancy, but if you're legitimately into animation, it's a really fun casual tour. They go very old school on some animation techniques. They have a gift shop with some animation trinkets you can buy. For extra money if you have time, you can also create your own animation with them. We opted out of that one. If you're in the area anyway, it's a great place to stop by. Otherwise, I wouldn't go out of your way to travel to the area just for this.

    Photos
    Animagic Museum of Animation Special Effects & Art
    Located across the street from Lee Library and a Church
    Located across the street from Lee Library and a Church
    Mass Illusion was a special effects studio in the Berkshires

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    Mass Illusion was a special effects studio in the Berkshires
    Steepletop

    Steepletop

    4.5
    (4 reviews)
    9.2 mi

    Steepletop was poet Edna St Vincent Millay's home before she passed away in 1950. According to the…read morenice man we spoke to here, the Millay Society opened the house and grounds up to the public in 2009-ish. What's here now is the house itself, which is only open for guided tours, the gardens, a small historical gallery with the poet's family tree, photographs, and heirlooms, and a Poetry Trail into the woods, leading to Millay and her family's burial site. Admission was a bit more than I expected, but I'm not sure why (why it surprised me, that is... not why it was more than I thought). Maybe it's just been a while since I've been to a historical site, but it was $10 to view the gallery and grounds; guided tours of the garden or the house would have been $16; and a combination of the two comes to $25. According to the website, reservations are required for the tours. Walking the Poetry Trail alone is free. As you come up East Hill Rd from Rte 22, you'll see the Millay Colony for the Arts on the left. That's not it. Keep going until you see the sign for the Millay Society at Steepletop. The gravel driveway is very tight, but I don't think they get a lot of traffic. There are signs directing you to the side of the house, where you enter and go up some stairs to the office. My friend and I did the gallery/grounds thing. The man working there was amazingly informative and loved to tell us everything he knew, but he was also happy to step back and let us browse on our own. The family tree that sprawled across an entire wall, though it was packed with information, seemed a little chintzy, created with printouts and typed with not always the best grammar -- a bit disappointing for an author's home. In addition to the family history, you can find books from Millay's own collection, a piano she grew up with, a couple of garments -- one real, one a replica -- and a few other family mementos. When we had fully saturated the gallery's displays and our host's brain, he pulled out a big cardboard map to show us the layout of the gardens. It wasn't until then that I realized the building we were in as not the actual Steepletop house. But it was not going to be hard to find. We memorized the map (why they don't have a version you can take with you, I have no idea) and ventured across East Hill Rd and up a soft incline to the house. All we could do was wander around the outside, but we were interested enough to do so. The Millay Society is in the process of restoring both the house and the gardens to their previous condition, and at the moment the gardens are in an odd in-between state where some bits are meticulous and well maintained and others are rustic and overgrown. But the swinging gates, the weather-stained sundial and other stone features, and grassy areas like the one that used to be a circular badminton court all still have a quaint and beautiful feel, even in their disrepair. The swimming pool has seen better days. And hopefully will see better ones to come. One intriguing stop in the garden area was Millay's writing cottage. It's small and musty and was the only building we encountered that didn't have its windows blocked from the inside, so we peeked in. A couple of desks are inside, one with a pile of papers and a composition book. The Poetry Trail is charming. It takes about 20 minutes to roam from the road to the burial area. Every so often, a passage of poetry by Millay appears on a post. The distance between poems is just right for letting the previous one sink in. Eventually we reached the burial site and found Millay and her husband Eugen Boissevain's graves easily enough. Millay's mother, sister, and brother-in-law are supposed to be there, too, but we didn't spot them right away (and it had started raining, so we weren't going to spend much time searching). Millay and Boissevain's flat gravestones were scattered with leaves and fit right into the unmanicured grove. I'm in this area once a year and might try a guided tour at some point. Whether you're a Millay fan or just Millay-curious, this little historic site is worth coming a little bit out of the way to check out.

    I had a great experience at Steepletop with a very informed, very passionate guide (and I was lucky…read moreenough to be on a private tour). I did the combo tour of the house and grounds; when I called to reserve my spot, I was told this was the best way to visit, and I can't help but think she was right. The house itself is somewhat small but the outdoor space is substantial. Most of my traveling is for literary tourism and I aim to visit as many author homes as possible. Often, I'm disappointed because the tour makes it seem like any old house, rather than the home of an author. This tour guide was sure to highlight Edna St. Vincent Millay's life, her relationships, and her work. It was much better than what I call an "inventory tour" ("This is a chair!"). I even enjoyed the outdoor walking, though I'm not usually interested in gardens and plantings. This tour made those details seem relevant, rather than just pretty things. Oh, and the most important part: She read poetry! I mean, why visit a poet's home if you don't hear poetry? The price was a bit steep -- which I'm sure is at least partially due to the need for income despite relatively small visitation numbers -- and it really is in the middle of nowhere. It was a tad long (especially because I stayed to watch the film) and some folks might be overwhelmed by the bugs during the outdoor portion. Still, I think it was worth the trip and the fee.

    Photos
    Welcome sign and visitor center at Steepletop.
    Welcome sign and visitor center at Steepletop.
    The Edna St Vincent Millay Society Home at Steepletop
    The Edna St Vincent Millay Society Home at Steepletop
    A rear view of Steepletop from one of the gardens.

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    A rear view of Steepletop from one of the gardens.
    Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum

    Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum

    3.0
    (7 reviews)
    7.3 mi

    Cute if you're in the area - no long train rides but they do little minute long rides and blow the…read morehorn which is fun. Very pretty overlooking the pond out back. The little museum inside the old train station is cute, not a ton to see but it is interesting to learn about the trains in the yard. $5 for adults

    Apparently a review for the BSRM could mean the museum itself, the old train ride (pre-2016), or…read morenew train ride out of North Adams, MA (2016+). Having heard that it was scheduled to open, I tried to go in 2015 but they apparently only had one weekend of trips. So, when they announced a scheduled run in 2016 the same weekend as my birthday (Memorial Day) I jumped on it. I am a train nut, so even a bad train yet will still garner a couple of stars here. However, based on our trip in May I can only give it three. Here is why: 1.) It was HOT. VERY HOT. Riding in the train/RDC with no air conditioning, or the ability to open windows, led to most people on our train ride being very uncomfortable. People were visibly sweating. No water was sold on the train, which would have helped. Waiting for the train, there wasn't a "station" of sorts so people gathered in line on the ballast in whatever shade could be found. The only breeze came when the train was moving through the front and rear door, but it just isn't enough. An open riding car would help a lot. And that was just May. 2.) A conductor read from a script about the things we were passing by as the train rolled along. It was nice, but it was hard to hear, even though the entire train is one car long! The speakers need to be turned up. BUT... he also read for nearly the entire trip. Without stopping. It was just a wall of noise that we tried to tune out as we wanted to talk on the train, not listen to someone read something for 80 minutes or so. On the return trip, it seemed like (from the bits and pieces we could make out) that he was just reading the paper in reverse. Some interesting commentary is nice, but it needs to be cut back and louder. I hope they do well. I have heard that the AC was repaired, which would be great. Also, the scenery was less than spectacular (some old factories, some old roads, some trees, etc.) but perhaps in the fall when the leaves change colors it would be really nice I bet. I probably would come back and ride it, but as train rides go it wasn't one of the better ones.

    Photos
    Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum
    Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum
    Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum

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    Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum

    Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum

    4.2
    (37 reviews)
    6.2 mi

    I am so glad I added this house to our itinerary. Thankfully the house was saved so we can all…read moreenjoy it! Sadly, it occurred after some of the interior demolition was begun. Our docent tour guide was very enthusiastic and informative. She made the tour so much fun. The tour includes a history of the property from it's construction, to it's use as a dorm for musicians, a dance school and movie set. Very interesting. The staircase with it's musicians gallery, the butler safe and original bathrooms are all part of the 'modern' amenities included in this home. There is an unimaginable amount of restoration that has been done to this property and restoration continues, including on the day of our visit when the salon, used as the gift shop, was having it's floors restored. The home's furnishings are, for the most part, donated or loaned to the museum and they are doing a nice job staging everything. The visit begins with a short film after which you begin your guided tour. The collections on display includes some beautiful clothing items. Really lovely. The fireplaces throughout the house a beautiful as well. The kitchens have not yet been restored and they are working on some of the upstairs rooms as well. It is truly amazing what they have been able to do, bringing this home back to life. The museum hosts fund raiser events, including 'Tea's' and you can rent the facility for private events. Definitely check that out! I would love to attend a Tea here.

    As the owner of another Gilded Age mansion in the Berkshires, Holmesdale, I have a deep…read moreappreciation for the history, architecture, and dedication required to preserve these remarkable estates. My visit to Ventfort Hall exceeded every expectation. The staff was exceptionally professional, knowledgeable, and welcoming, providing outstanding service while sharing the fascinating history of this magnificent home.The ambiance is perfectly suited to the Gilded Age, transporting visitors back to a time of elegance and grandeur. Every detail reflects the care and commitment that has gone into preserving this historic treasure. Whether you're passionate about history, architecture, or simply want to experience one of the Berkshires' finest landmarks, Ventfort Hall is an absolute must-visit.

    Photos
    Sarah Morgan's bedroom
    Sarah Morgan's bedroom
    Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum
    Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum

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    Hancock Shaker Village - museums - Updated July 2026

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