North Adams Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Nestled in the picturesque Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, the charming city of North Adams offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant cultural experiences. With its stunning landscapes, thriving arts scene, and proximity to outdoor recreational activities, North Adams is an ideal destination for both nature enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

One of the highlights of North Adams is the renowned Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA). Housed in a sprawling complex of renovated 19th-century factory buildings, MASS MoCA is one of the largest contemporary art museums in the United States. Its cutting-edge exhibitions, immersive installations, and live performances make it a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts. The museum's industrial-chic setting adds to its allure, providing a unique backdrop for artistic exploration.

For those seeking outdoor adventure, North Adams offers access to an array of recreational activities. The nearby Mount Greylock State Reservation is home to the highest peak in Massachusetts, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, and picnicking amidst breathtaking vistas. The Appalachian Trail, which stretches over 2,000 miles from Georgia to Maine, passes through North Adams, offering hikers a chance to experience a small part of this iconic trail.

History buffs will delight in exploring the city's rich past. North Adams was once a thriving industrial hub, known for its textile mills and manufacturing industries. The Western Gateway Heritage State Park offers a glimpse into the city's industrial history, with exhibits on the region's mills and workers. Visitors can also take a scenic ride on the Hoosac Valley Train Ride, which takes passengers on a nostalgic journey through the Berkshire countryside aboard vintage rail cars.

North Adams is also home to a vibrant culinary scene, with a variety of dining options to suit every palate. From farm-to-table restaurants showcasing locally sourced ingredients to cozy cafes serving up artisanal coffee and pastries, food lovers will find plenty to satisfy their taste buds.

Alternative names: Settled: 1745Population: 13.3 thous.Area: 20.61 mi²Elevation: 702 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 42°41'58"N, 73°6'45"W

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MassachusettsUnited States

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North Adams Top Attractions

North Adams Attractions - What to See and Explore

North Adams offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: MASS MoCA, Museum of History & Science, Western Gateway Heritage State Park, Hillside Cemetery. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Acclaimed museum for new art
MASS MoCA
The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is a museum in a converted Arnold Print Works factory building complex located in North Adams, Massachusetts.
Specialty museum • Museum
Museum of History & Science
The North Adams Museum of History and Science is located on State Street in North Adams, Massachusetts as part of Western Gateway Heritage State Park. The building it inhabits was originally built in 1880 as a coal distribution center. The museum, however, was established by the North Adams Historical Society in 1988.
State park • Visitor center • Park
Western Gateway Heritage State Park
Western Gateway Heritage State Park is a history-focused Massachusetts state park in the city of North Adams managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Cemetery
Hillside Cemetery
Hillside Cemetery is a historic cemetery on West Main Street between Brown Street and Charles Street in North Adams, Massachusetts, United States.
42°41'13"N • 73°5'33"W
Windsor Lake
Natural attraction • Body of water • Park
42°41'53"N • 73°6'32"W
Houghton Mansion
The Houghton Mansion is the former home of Albert Charles Houghton and his family in North Adams, Massachusetts. It was later used as a Masonic temple, but is now empty.
Synagogue
Congregation Beth Israel
Congregation Beth Israel is a Jewish congregation located at 53 Lois Street in North Adams, Massachusetts. The congregation was founded in the early 1890s as House of Israel by Eastern European Jews recently immigrated to the United States.
42°42'2"N • 73°6'18"W
Windsor Print Works
Windsor Print Works is a historic textile mill at 121 Union Street in North Adams, Massachusetts. Founded in 1829, with buildings dating to 1872, it was one of the first textile mills in western Massachusetts, and the first place in the United States to create printed cotton fabric.
42°42'26"N • 73°6'44"W
Armstrong House
The Armstrong House is a historic house located in North Adams, Massachusetts. Built about 1875, it is a well-preserved example of a locally idiosyncratic Italianate style. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 25, 1985.
42°42'8"N • 73°7'18"W
Johnson Manufacturing Company
The Johnson Manufacturing Company was a historic mill complex at 65 Brown Street in North Adams, Massachusetts.
42°42'13"N • 73°7'12"W
Hathaway Tenement
The Hathaway Tenement is a historic tenement house located in North Adams, Massachusetts. A row of six apartment units, it was built in about 1850, and is a rare surviving example of worker housing dating to the early period of North Adams' industrial development.
42°41'39"N • 73°6'33"W
H. W. Clark Biscuit Company
The H. W. Clark Biscuit Company is a former industrial complex in North Adams, Massachusetts. The bakery that Herbert W. Clark built at this site began at a facility on Liberty Street, and expanded into a shoe factory building that Clark had operated with a partner.
42°42'4"N • 73°6'31"W
St. Joseph's School
St. Joseph's School is a historic former school building located at 85 Eagle Street at the intersection of Union Street in North Adams, Massachusetts.
42°41'32"N • 73°6'20"W
The Boardman
The Boardman is a series of rowhouses at 39-53 Montana Street, occupying an entire city block between Hoosac and Blackinton Streets in North Adams, Massachusetts.
42°42'12"N • 73°5'55"W
Beaver Mill
Beaver Mill is a historic mill located in North Adams, Massachusetts. With a construction history dating to 1833, it is the oldest surviving mill building in the city, and was the first local acquisition of Sprague Electric, a major local employer in the 20th century.
42°41'33"N • 73°6'17"W
MCLA Freel Library
Library
Neighbourhood
Freeman's Grove Historic District
The Freeman's Grove Historic District is a residential historic district in North Adams, Massachusetts. It encompasses a neighborhood north of the city center that is a well-preserved instance of a working class area developed during its industrial heyday in the late 19th century.
Greek Revival architecture
Crowley House
The Crowley House is a historic house located in North Adams, Massachusetts. It is one a small number of houses in North Adams built in a transitional Federalist-Greek Revival style, and one of its relatively small number of early 19th-century houses.
42°41'55"N • 73°8'20"W
Norad Mill
The Norad Mill is a historic mill located in Braytonville, North Adams, Massachusetts. It is the oldest mill complex in North Adams that has not had its exterior significantly altered, making visible much of its Italianate styling.

Day trips

North Adams – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of North Adams, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Clark Art Institute (Williamstown), New York State Capitol (Albany), Times Union Center (Albany).

5.2 miW
European and American art on display
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown
Nestled in the picturesque Berkshires of Williamstown, Massachusetts, the Clark Art Institute stands as a beacon of culture and education. Known simply as "The Clark," this art institute is not only a museum with an exceptional collection of European and American...
33 milesW
Grand government building
New York State Capitol, Albany
The New York State Capitol, located in the heart of Albany, is a stunning architectural masterpiece and a beacon of political life in the state. Completed in 1899 after a prolonged construction period that began in 1867, this grand edifice stands as a testament to the...
33 milesW
Arenas and stadiums, Sport venue, Sport
Times Union Center, Albany
The Times Union Center stands as a bustling hub of entertainment and sports in the heart of Albany, New York. This indoor arena, with its capacity to accommodate up to 17,500 spectators, has been a landmark of the city since its opening in 1990.
5.1 miSW
Natural attraction, Park, Trail
Mount Greylock, Adams
Mount Greylock is a 3,489-foot mountain located in the northwest corner of Massachusetts and is the highest point in the state. Its summit is in the western part of the town of Adams in Berkshire County.
33 milesW
Monuments and statues
Statue of Philip Schuyler, Albany
A statue of Philip Schuyler by J. Massey Rhind is installed outside Albany City Hall in Albany, New York, United States. The memorial is slated for removal, as of June 2020.

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Best Time To Visit North Adams

Learn when is the best time to travel to North Adams weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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June and July are the busiest months in this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in August.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in January and February. Most of it rains in April, May, June, July, August and November.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in North Adams?

The top attractions to visit in North Adams are:

What is the best time to visit North Adams?

June and July are the busiest months in this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in August. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.