Lanesborough

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 south west 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 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 the Pittsfield border and Pontoosuc Lake. Additionally, Summer St, turning into Old State Rd., will run 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. From Hancock in the west, 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.

By bus

Lanesborough is served by several intercity bus lines offering regular service to Boston, New York, Albany, Hartford and points in between.

• 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 is Veterans War Memorial Tower, a 93 ft (28 m) tall Quincy granite tower with possible 90 mile views.

• Mt. Greylock State Reservation/Visitors' center

  address: 30 Rockwell Road
  Has park trail maps and orientation, regional tourist information. Exhibits focus on the natural and cultural history of the park.

Balance Rock State Park

address: Balance Rock Rd

A park in Pittsfield State Forest, featuring a large rock balanced on top of a smaller rock. Hiking, fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling.

• Ramblewild

  address: 110 Brodie Mtn Road
  Forest adventure park, with family and fitness activities available. Includes ropes courses and hiking and snowshoe trails.

• Donnybrook Country Club

  phone: +1 413 499-7888
  address: 775 Williamstown Road
  A golf course with scenic views of the Taconic Range

• Pontoosuc LakeBoating, fishing, swimming, and other water recreation. Boat rentals are available.

• Baker's Golf Center

  phone: +1 413 443-6102
  address: 658 South Main Street
  Mini-golf course and driving range. Established in 1943.

• Skyline Country Club

  phone: +1 413 445-5584
  address: 405 South Main Street
  Golf course with scenic views of Pontoosuc Lake and the Taconic Range

• Ashuwillticook Rail Trail

  address: Rt. 8. Old State Road
  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.

• Berkshire Mall

  phone: +1 413-445-4400
  address: Rt. 8. Old State Road
  The Berkshire Mall is a shopping mall, built in 1988. One of the main shopping centers of the region, though it's small, with only one story. It contains over 40 shops, half a dozen food establishments and a small arcade. It also has a 12-screen Regal Cinema location.

• Lanesboro Super Market

  phone: +1 413 442-6879
  address: 25 N Main St
  Local grocery and hardware store

• Dollar General

  phone: +1 413 347-4046
  address: 525 S Main St
  Various low priced groceries and accessories

• Olde Forge Restaurant

  phone: +1 413-442-6797
  address: 125 N Main St
  One of the staple dining locations in Lanesborough, known for its tasty wings and fried food, salad bar, and assortment of beer.

• Bob's Country Kitchen

  phone: +1 413 499-3934
  address: 42 S Main St
  A staple Lanesborough dining location, known for its home-style meals. Breakfast is served all day.

• Mad Jack's BBQ

  phone: +1 413 442-2290
  address: 126 S Main Street
  Bar and grill, also does catering.

• Rita Marie's Family Restaurant

  phone: +1 413 448-2742
  address: 685 S Main St
  Family restaurant and diner serving home-style cooking as well as ice cream. Breakfast served all day.

• Matt Reilly's Pub

  phone: +1 413 447-9780
  address: 750 S Main St
  Staple dining location of Lanesborough. Features Irish cuisine, with a bar & grill.

• Lanesboro Restaurant & Pizza

  phone: +1 413 442-0600
  address: 739 South Main St.
  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.

• Pasta's Arizona Pizza Co

  phone: +1 413 499-5562
  address: 660 Cheshire Rd
  Moderately priced pizza, with appetizers and meals also served

• Brookhouse Sports Pub & Restaurant

  phone: +1 413 499-3331
  address: 650 Cheshire Rd
  Formerly V's Doghouse, rebuilt and re-named by the previous owner. Bar & Grill. Reviews are mixed, especially toward the service.

• Lanesboro Wines & Spirits

  address: 162 S Main St
  On the former location of the Coyote Den, now Lanesboro Wines & Spirits. Note that this is a wine shop, not primarily a bar.

• Pontoosuc Package Store

  phone: +1 413 447-9556
  address: 731 S Main St
  A small package store with craft and brand name beer, along with wines and spirits.

• Lanesboro Country Inn

  phone: +1 413-442-1009
  address: 499 South Main St.
  Cozy sleeping accommodations, located a minute's walk from Pontoosuc Lake. Reviews recommend the cabins over the motel lodgings.

• The Weathervane Motel

  phone: +1 413 443-3230
  address: 475 South Main St.
  AAA approved, with special rates for AAA members. In-room phones, A/C, color cable TV, HBO, efficiency suite. Child and pet friendly.

• Old Stone School Cottage

  phone: +1 413 442-0996
  address: 736 N Main St
  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).

• Hidden Valley Campground

  phone: +1 413-447-9419
  address: 15 Scott Rd.
  Campground with a view of the Taconic Range. Will take reservations. Rates are calculated for a family of 5 (2 adults and 3 children up to age 18). Various on campus activities are available.

In addition, there is the Bascom Lodge, at the summit of Mt. Greylock, accessible from Lanesborough but on the Adams side of the mountain.

The nearby city of Pittsfield (south on Route 7 and Route 8) is the statistical population hub in northern Berkshire County, with numerous restaurants, lodgings, and cultural attractions, including the Colonial Theater. 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. 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.