Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is a property of Mass Audubon.

If you are a city-dweller seeking a peaceful walk in the woods and a bit of fresh air, make sure to visit Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary – a property of Mass Audubon. With miles of extensive trails through a 1300 acre wilderness, it offers views, forests, wetlands, rare species, and terrain both friendly and challenging for walkers and hikers.

Kennedy Park – a town conservation property for miles of trails – is easily accessed from downtown Lenox by a moderate walk up past the Church on the Hill or via trail access from the Arcadian Shop parking lot. Trails here are open to dogs, mountain bikes, XC Skiers and snowshoers in the winter and is a great place for a traffic-free run. Maps are available at the Lenox Visitors Center.

Looking to get on the water? The Housatonic is a winding water walkway that twists itself around the Berkshires. Grab a friend and call ahead to the Arcadian Shop in Lenox. They’ll deliver two kayaks to Decker’s Landing and pick you up at Woods Pond after a few hours of paddling on the Housatonic and reconnecting with nature.

Want to climb to the stars? At 3,491 feet, Mt. Greylock is the highest peak in the state. With more than 50 miles of hiking trails and most summit trails with 2,000+ foot ascents, Mt. Greylock State Reservation ranks up there with any hiking destination in the Northeast. However, unlike many high peaks in the northeast, Mt. Greylock’s summit is also home to a rustic 1930’s lodge constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps. You can even sleep and eat there!

Lenox is the perfect place for a great meal or a night out.

When Edible Manhattan visited Lenox recently they may have said it best, “Without exception, every establishment I visited was remarkable, offering up vibrant, world-class meals in an idyllic rural setting.”

If you find yourself in downtown Lenox, a good choice is Brava, a European-style tapas restaurant and wine bar. There are nibbles like marinated white anchovies and Marcona almonds or more consequential plates like shrimp with garlic, crisp calamari, or an unexpected dish like Swiss chard with pine nuts and black garlic. Don’t overlook their bruschetta.  No matter the choice, they all pair well with a glass of craft beer or wine.

Around the corner on Church Street is Alta Restaurant and Wine Bar your group can choose from an extensive wine list, including over 20 wines by the glass. Enhance their experience by ordering a cheese platter: a selection of three cheeses from local farms. A delicious option to share with the table or nosh on solo.

The sign in front of Firefly Gastropub & Catering in Lenox says it best: “eat, drink, laugh…lounge.” Inside the newly renovated Firefly, cozy couch-style seating and a glowing fireplace offer a warm, welcoming vibe. The long mahogany bar curving through the center of the space offers the perfect setting for conviviality and casual conversation. Bartender Billy Jack Paul, who Firefly owner Laura Shack refers to as ‘one of the best mixologists in the Berkshires,’ serves up craft cocktails, craft beers and an extensive selection of wines.