North Adams, Mass.

The City of North Adams is a quintessential New England City (with a town like feel) nestled in the Hoosic River Valley surrounded by beautiful highlands in all directions. North Adams is located at the northern terminus of the Massachusetts section of the Appalachian Trail, to the south is Mount Greylock and to the north are the Green Mountains of Vermont.

The A.T. runs through the City via Phelps Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue before entering back into a natural trail setting in either direction. Hikers entering from the north are welcomed with views of Mount Williams and Mount Prospect while those entering from the south are welcomed with views of the start of the Green Mountains. As thru hikers enter North Adams they are greeted with “Bikes for Hikes”, a free bike service for exploring the City of North Adams.

Arriving in North Adams, hikers are within three miles of all the amenities one might need to restock supplies, grab a bed for the night, dine out, and the opportunity to explore Massachusetts’ smallest city. Throughout the summer months North Adams boasts a booming summer calendar of annual events that include a July beach party filling Eagle Street end to end with sand for a day of sand sculpting and family fun, and Motorama, closing out the summer with a massive car show filling the downtown with over 500 vehicles. The summer schedule also includes plenty of free live music. Wednesdays are Concerts at the Lake, live music located at the beautiful Windsor Lake where visitors can eat a picnic dinner, take a swim, even kayak or canoe while enjoying the weekly band from 6:30-8:00 pm. Thursdays are Party in the Park, live music with more of a rock and roll line-up located at Joe Wolfe Field Sports Complex with food trucks and classic cars on site.

Every fourth Thursday of the month, Downstreet Art is on Main St., featuring open Art Galleries and live music along with Saturday morning Farmers Market located in our historic downtown. North Adams host summer events that are throwbacks to days of the past; good crowds, live music and breathtaking views of lush green highlands.

North Adams became an art and cultural center with the 1999 opening of MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art), the largest contemporary art museum in the United States. Since it opened, MASS MoCA has been part of a larger economic transformation in the region based on cultural, recreational, and educational offerings. North Adams has become home for several smaller contemporary art galleries, and cultural organizations, in addition, once-shuttered area factories and mills have been rehabilitated as lofts for artists to live and work in.

This ground breaking museum also hosts a biannual Solid Sound Music Festival, curated by the band Wilco, and an annual FreshGrass Festival, celebrating 3 days of bluegrass and alt. country music every September.

North Adams is also great for section hikers and anyone else that is just looking to get outside for the day. The Greylock Club is located on the Mohawk Trail (Route 2) and allows anyone to park that is hiking on the Appalachian Trail, the location allows for those looking to hike north or southbound.

Along with the Appalachian Trail there are many hiking opportunities throughout the valley as well as the Mount Greylock Scenic Byway for those looking for a different kind of adventure.

Simply put, North Adams is a stop worth taking, so come take a visit and have an adventure (http://explorenorthadams.com/).

VISIT LOCAL TRAIL BUSINESSES

Get Involved

AMC Berkshire

AMC Berkshire’s ‘Massachusetts Appalachian Trail Management Committee’ is responsible for the maintenance, management, and protection of the almost 90 miles of Appalachian Trail within Massachusetts, coordinating the extensive volunteer effort that keeps the trail open and beautiful. Learn more and become a member today at amcberkshire.org/at.

ATC Volunteer Program

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is always looking for dedicated volunteers to help maintain the A.T. and assist in our visitor center and headquarters. Opportunities range from greeting visitors and providing information about local hikes to joining a Trail crew for week-long maintenance trips, gaining first-hand experience in what it takes to keep the A.T. open and enjoyable for millions each year. Learn more at appalachiantrail.org/volunteer.

Banner photo taken by Beyond My Ken. This photo is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This image has not been modified in any way.