Beyond glass bottles of maple syrup and small-town charm, though that's reason enough, vacationers seek out Western Massachusetts and Eastern New York for its outdoor activities. Both areas promise natural beauty, whether visitors hike the Catskill Mountains on the Yankee side or zip line the Berkshire Mountains on the Red Sox side. And that's just the beginning of things to do in this region of the United States.
Zip Lining
In the spring, summer and fall, the Catamount Adventure Park, located at the base of "Cat" mountain in the Hillsdale, New York/South Egremont, Massachusetts, features 5 acres of treetop courses. According to catamounttrees.com, it's "New England's largest high ropes aerial forest adventure."
Starting at 8 years old and older, the whole family can challenge themselves with 30 zip-line courses and 130 platforms, after being fitted with harnesses and a safety demonstration. Make the day even more special by hiring an on-site photographer who will capture bravery on film. Guests are also welcome to fish a stocked bass pond, hike and mountain bike the area.
Skiing
During wintertime in the Hillsdale, New York/South Egremont, Massachusetts area, the Cat ski resort has 30 trails for skiers and snowboarders. "Conquer the Cat" program is for experienced adult skiers who want to do drills with a coach-led team.
Interestingly, it first opened in 1941 but closed because of World War II. Reopened in 1946 to 1947, the owners, Bill Gilbert and Don Edwards, came together from owning separate mountains. "Gilbert created the first airless snowgun--a highly energy-efficient snow-making process that utilizes electrically powered fans, rather than compressed air, to create snow," according to the resorts website.
River Gorge
Tour a dense forest packed with 350-year-old hemlock trees when you visit the Mianus River Gorge Preserve in Bedford, New York. Open from April to November, it's the first Natural History Landmark by the United States, established in 1953. In order to protect the land, camping is not permitted in addition to biking, fishing or pets.
The Nature Conservancy, along with the Mianus River Gorge Preserve, share 750 acres of land. Make sure to see the Havemeyer Falls while you scout out foxes, bobcats and deer. According to Nature.com, "At the Hobby Hill Quarry in the middle of the preserve, 18th century mining left a gorgeous mosaic of mica, feldspar and quartz."
Rail Trail
"National Geographic Traveler" lists the Berkshires in Massachusetts as No. 7 on its World's Greatest Places: 133 Destinations Rated in 2009, according to Berkshires.org.
Load up the bikes, rollerblades or baby jogger and hit the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail--pronounced: ash-oo-will-ti-cook. Leashed pets also are welcome. According to Mass.gov, the Native American name means, "the pleasant river in between the hills. The name was adopted for the trail as a way to reconnect people to local history and the natural environment."
The 11.2-mile path runs from the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough through Cheshire until it ends in Adams. The picturesque route passes between Mount Greylock and the Hoosac Mountain ranges. Parking is free and is located along Route 8. Walkers may park at four different locations: the Berkshire Mall Road in Lanesborough; the Berkshires Visitor Center off 3 Hoosac Street in Adams; Farnams Road in Cheshire; and Russell Field in Adams.
Rafting
Test out the water by spending a few hours with CrabApple Whitewater Inc., a family owned business in Charlemont, Massachusetts. It runs half-day and full-day trips on Deerfield and Millers River in the Berkshires along with trips to Maine and Vermont.
Open from April to October, it offers a wide range of trips for children and adults, from Class I to Class VI rapids in inflatable rafts and kayaks. Snacks and cookouts take place at their base camp along the historic Mohawk Trail in Charlemont. According to MohawkTrail.com, "The early European settlers used the Indian Path to travel between the English settlements of Boston and Deerfield, and the Dutch settlements in New York."
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