To say it's been a tough year feels like the understatement of the century. Lockdowns and social-distancing made our homes feel like the only safe haven we had. But what do you do when that sanctuary starts to feel more like an asylum (asking for a friend...)?! You escape to the only spaces not closed — the great outdoors.
Nothing lately has been traditional, so enter the outdoor holiday gift guide. Who couldn't use the gift of a little more fresh air? Buy that someone a sled, a pair of second-hand snowshoes, or gift an unforgettable experience in the great wide-open. Shop local. Support small, and remember that nature is always open.
Here’s a guide to some outdoor-based businesses in Berkshire County. This list includes terrific places to purchase gear to get you and your family outdoors all winter long. Funds tight? Check out Instant Replay, Kidding Around Consignment, & Berkshire Baby to score great deals on gently-used, sustainable outdoor gear and more!
Many of these local businesses did a hard pivot and got themselves online this year, so you can shop The Gifted Child from the comfort of your own home, one of my favorite local shops for creative outdoor kids toys.
When you gift experiences you're creating an opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime and in the end, it's not the toys that most of us remember, it's the time spent with our loved ones that leave a mark. Gift an exciting family adventure at Ramblewild, an unforgettable week of nature camp at Flying Deer Nature Center, or youth archery lessons at the Lenox Sportsmen's Club. Do you know any stressed mama's or dad's in your life who could benefit from mindful nature connection? ( 🙋♀️🙋♀️ literally all of us!) — book them a Mom's Day-Out with Berkshire Camino or a relaxing afternoon of Forest Therapy with Daily Dose Wellness.
Local Outdoor Gear |
Berkshire Outfitters
169 Grove St., Rt. 8, Adams berkshireoutfitters.com
Nature’s Closet
61 Spring St, Williamstown naturescloset.net
Arcadian Shop
91 Pittsfield Rd., Lenox arcadian.com
Instant Replay
10 Lyman St., Pittsfield. Newest gear posted on FB page.
Berkshire Bike & Board
502 East St., Pittsfield, berkshirebikeandboard.com
Plaine's
55 West Housatonic St., Pittsfield, plaines.com
The Garden
148 North St., Pittsfield, gardenma.com
Kenver
39 Main St., South Egremont, kenver.com
Local Toy/Gift Shops |
The Gifted Child
72 Church St., Lenox, thegiftedchild.net
Where’d You Get That?
100 Spring St., Williamstown, wygt.com
Tom’s Toys
297 Main St., Great Barrington, tomstoys.com
Things That Work
Online, Pittsfield, thingsthatwork.co
Matrushka Toys & Gifts
309 Main St., Great Barrington, berkshiretoys.com
Berkshire Baby
8 Stockbridge Rd., Great Barrington, berkshirebaby.com
Kidding Around Consignment
700 North St., Pittsfield. Newest gear/toys posted on FB page.
Local Outdoor Experiences |
Berkshire Horseworks
101 Patton Road, Richmond, berkshirehorseworks.com
Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley
472 West Mt. Road, Lenox, massaudubon.org
Hancock Shaker Village
1843 West Housatonic St. Pittsfield, hancockshakervillage.org
The Mount
2 Plunkett St., Lenox, edithwharton.org
Naumkeag
5 Prospect Hill Rd, Stockbridge, thetrustees.org
Ramblewild
110 Brodie Mountain Rd, Lanesborough, ramblewild.com
Catamount Aerial Park
17 Nicholson Rd, South Egremont, catamountski.com
Berkshire Camino
Lee, MA, berkshirecamino.com
Notchview
Route 9, Windsor, thetrustees.org
Flying Deer Nature Center
122 Daley Rd, East Chatham, NY., flyingdeernaturecenter.org
Flying Cloud Institute
352 Main St Ste. 212, Great Barrington, flyingcloudinstitute.org
Bousquet
101 Dan Fox Drive, Pittsfield, bousquetmountain.com
Ski Butternut
380 State Road, Great Barrington, skibutternut.com
Daily Dose Wellness
Sheffield, dailydosewellness.com
Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center
1515 Savoy Hollow Road, Windsor, tamarackhollownatureandculturalcenter.org
Lenox Sportsmen's Club
258 New Lenox Road, Lenox, lenoxsportsmensclub.com
Jiminy Peak
37 Corey Road, Hancock, jiminypeak.com
TurnPark
2 Moscow Road, West Stockbridge, turnpark.com
Berkshire Botanical Garden
5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, berkshirebotanical.org
Spirit Ballooning
41 Moses Mead Rd, Canaan, CT., spiritballooning.com
Berkshire East Mountain Resort
66 Thunder Mountain Road, Charlemont, berkshireeast.com
Zoar Outdoor
Charlemont, MA, zoaroutdoor.com
What did we miss? Leave your favorite outdoor recommendations in the comments!
