Overview
Lanesborough is a town of 3,000 people (2020) in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. Mount Greylock, portions of which are in the town, is probably the main attraction. There are plenty of places to sleep and eat, but no nightlife to speak of.
2 sights · 8 things to do · 7 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lanesborough
Pettibone Farm
A National Register of Historic Places site. It was built as the farmstead of Jonathan Pettibone, a leader of Lanesborough during the American Revolution. The present farmhouse dates to 1789, and was extensively built on…
Balance Rock State Park
A park in Pittsfield State Forest, featuring a large rock balanced on top of a smaller rock. Hiking, fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling.
Mount Greylock State Reservation
West Mountain Rd. to Cheshire Harbor Trail (for hike). Run by the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources, this 12,500-acre (50.6-km²) area features the state's only sub-alpine forest. About 70 miles (110 km) of tr…
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
A 10-foot wide, 11-mile paved rail trail path. The Ashuwillticook (ash-oo-will-ti-cook) Rail Trail runs parallel to Route 8 through the towns of Cheshire, Lanesborough and Adams. The southern end of the trail begins at t…
Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitors' Center
Has park trail maps and orientation and regional tourist information. Exhibits focus on the natural and cultural history of the park. There is a short trail through the meadow that is great for bird watching. The hillsid…
Ramblewild
Forest adventure park, with family and fitness activities available. Includes ropes courses and hiking and snowshoe trails.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Albany)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ALB Albany International Airport, Albany — 33 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 49 mi away (major hub). Directions
Lanesborough is just north of Pittsfield on Route 7 and Route 8. Coming from the north, it is south of New Ashford on Route 7 and southwest of Cheshire on Route 8. The town can also be entered from the west through Hancock along Brodie Mountain Road. The Hancock and New Ashford routes are quite scenic, with beautiful views of the Taconic Range.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $34–$70 a night (typical $54), from 4 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $11 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$60, mid-range ~$110, comfortable ~$190.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitors' Center, Mount Greylock State Reservation, Pettibone Farm
- Lunch Jake's Java
- Afternoon Old State Rd Parking, Bill Laston Memorial Fields
- Dinner Olde Forge Restaurant
- Evening The Tap Room
Day 2
- Morning Balance Rock State Park, Pontoosuc Lake
- Lunch Krisy Cones Ice Cream
- Afternoon Baker's Golf Center, Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
- Dinner Lanesboro Restaurant & Pizza
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
Lanesborough is just north of Pittsfield on Route 7 and Route 8. Coming from the north, it is south of New Ashford on Route 7 and southwest of Cheshire on Route 8. The town can also be entered from the west through Hancock along Brodie Mountain Road. The Hancock and New Ashford routes are quite scenic, with beautiful views of the Taconic Range.
By bus
Lanesborough is served by several intercity bus lines offering regular service to Boston, New York, Albany, Hartford and points in between.
Get around
By car
The main routes through Lanesborough are Route 7 and Route 8, which stretch parallel north-south all the way through Lanesborough. Rt. 7 and 8 are connected by the Berkshire Mall Road near Pittsfield city limits and Pontoosuc Lake. Additionally, Summer St, turning into Old State Rd., runs through Berkshire Village into Rt. 8 near Cheshire. Swamp Rd. off Summer St. turns into Old State Rd. and also connects with Rt. 8, and Partridge Rd. off Summer St. runs into Pittsfield near the Allendale Plaza. Rt. 7 is accessible from Brodie Mt. Rd., either directly near the New Ashford border or else from Brodie Mt. Rd. across Bailey Rd., which joins with Rt. 7 near the base of Mt. Greylock.
See
See Mount Greylock State Reservation Visitors' Center
Has park trail maps and orientation and regional tourist information. Exhibits focus on the natural and cultural history of the park. There is a short trail through the meadow that is great for bird watching. The hillside also has a beautiful view of the Pontoosuc Lake valley along the Pittsfield-Lanesborough border.
See Pettibone Farm
A National Register of Historic Places site. It was built as the farmstead of Jonathan Pettibone, a leader of Lanesborough during the American Revolution. The present farmhouse dates to 1789, and was extensively built onto in the 19th century. There are two 19th-century barns and outbuildings from the same period. The site now also has a summer camp, Camp Mohawk.
Do
Do Balance Rock State Park
A park in Pittsfield State Forest, featuring a large rock balanced on top of a smaller rock. Hiking, fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling.
Do Mount Greylock State Reservation
West Mountain Rd. to Cheshire Harbor Trail (for hike). Run by the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources, this 12,500-acre (50.6-km²) area features the state's only sub-alpine forest. About 70 miles (110 km) of trails traverse the mountain, including the Appalachian Trail. Five lean-to shelters are available for backpacking. The summit features Bascom Lodge which was built from local materials in the late 1930s and offers lodging and hot food. Also at the summit in Adams is the Veterans War Memorial Tower, a 93-ft (28-m) tall Quincy granite tower with possible 90-mile views. Rockwell Road past the Visitor's Center is closed during the winter.
Do Pontoosuc Lake
Boating, fishing, swimming, and other water recreation. Boat rentals are available.
Do Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
A 10-foot wide, 11-mile paved rail trail path. The Ashuwillticook (ash-oo-will-ti-cook) Rail Trail runs parallel to Route 8 through the towns of Cheshire, Lanesborough and Adams. The southern end of the trail begins at the entrance to the Berkshire Mall off Route 8 in Lanesborough. The northern end is at Adams center. The trail passes Cheshire Reservoir, the Hoosic River, and several wetland habitats with abundant wildlife. Parking lots and restrooms are available along the way. A pamphlet with maps is widely available. Bicycles are welcome.
Do Bill Laston Memorial Fields
Public park and sports fields. Seecum Brook flows through the park and is available for wading and swimming. No dogs allowed.
Buy
Shop Lanesborough Local
A family-owned farm shop. The deli serves sandwiches and smoothies. Menu: https://www.lanesboroughlocal.com/deli
Eat
Eat Olde Forge Restaurant (Old Forge)
One of the staple dining locations in Lanesborough, known for its tasty wings and fried food, salad bar, and assortment of beer.
Eat Bob's Country Kitchen
A staple Lanesborough dining location, known for its home-style meals. Breakfast is served all day.
Eat Mad Jack's BBQ
Bar and grill, also does catering.
Eat Lanesboro Restaurant & Pizza (Lanesboro Pizza House)
Family owned and operated restaurant since 1996, specializing in pizza and Greek cuisine. The pizza is not recommended. Located near the shores of Pontoosuc Lake, with a view of the lake and the Taconic Range.
Eat Brookhouse Sports Pub & Restaurant
Bar & grill. Reviews are mixed, especially toward the service.
Eat Krisy Cones Ice Cream
A popular summer activity for families. Open seasonally.
Eat Jake's Java
Cafe for breakfast and lunch
Drink
Sleep
Stay Old Stone School Cottage
A quaint bed and breakfast. Built in 1832, it served as a schoolhouse until 1950. Lodgers will have the entire building to themselves. 2-bedroom cottage, can house four (plus accommodates 2 floor mattresses).
Go next
South:
The nearby city of Pittsfield (south on Route 7 and Route 8) is the hub of northern Berkshire County, with numerous restaurants, lodgings, and cultural attractions, including the Colonial Theater. The next town further south is Lenox, the home of Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony Orchestra's summer home.
North:
Williamstown is about twenty minutes north on Route 7, and contains several cultural attractions, including the Clark Art Institute and the historic Williams College. From there, the state of Vermont is a short drive to the north, and North Adams a short drive to the east.
West:
To the west of Lanesborough is Hancock, where Jiminy Peak, one of the prime ski resorts in the area, is located on Brodie Mountain Road.
Nearby
Cheshire
City / town · 37 listings · 5 mi away
Pittsfield
City / town · 39 listings · 5 mi away
Dalton
City / town · 51 listings · 5 mi away
Hancock
City / town · 25 listings · 5 mi away
New Ashford
City / town · 11 listings · 6 mi away
Hinsdale
City / town · 21 listings · 8 mi away
Adams
City / town · 14 listings · 9 mi away
New Lebanon
City / town · 21 listings · 9 mi away
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