We've been doing this for ten years:   (1) taking a hundred calls in September and October asking "are the leaves turned yet?, and (2)  getting 40 requests for our 14 rooms once they do…

So I am letting you know right now…..it's okay.   We are happy to steer you toward the perfect time to come….and remember….the leaves are no redder on Saturday.   If you have the flexibility to come mid-week, you'll save 30% here on our room rates.

First, our location, in case you run across this entry on the Internet (I hope you did), we are located in the Berkshire mountains….two hours west of Boston and 2 1/2 hours north of New York City.   We are in Lenox, the summer home of the Boston Symphony.    2.5 million people come to this area each year….so there are great restaurants, shops, galleries, museums, hiking, horseback….   and everything in Lenox is a two block walk or less from our door.

Here is the first report:   Over the past several years, the summer has been VERY dry and the cold came late…so the leaves turned in late October.

It takes rain and cold to turn leaves, so the first requirement is met……THIS was the rainiest summer on record.   As far as the cold…..yes…we've had some nights in the 30s and some trees are yellow.   So we are not quite there yet…but a cold snap will do it, I think.

The good thing about the Berkshires, is that you do not have to hit it perfectly.   The are mountains (Greylock is the second highest peak in New England) and there are valleys 4000 feet below..   Vermont is 45 minutes north and Connecticut is 30 minutes south (drives through historic villages and great vistas).    So depending on when you stay here, you can drive up or down, north or south and see the optimum pop of tree colors.

So beginning today….give us a call at 800-203-0656 or e-mail me at stan@hamptonterrace.com.   I will let you know how things look out my window….when I think things will be best….and look up our availability.

P.S.   We were just named by BedandBreakfast.com as "one of the 10 best undiscovered inns in New England for viewing foliage" and we are rated #1 by Trip Advisor in Lenox out of 30+ inns.   We look foward to hearing from you.

I am here to dispel the misconception that things close down when the Boston Symphony leaves Tanglewood at the end of August.   To the contrary, all of the theater groups continue right through October, the museums don't miss a beat, and in fact, it can be demonstrated that MORE things are happening, as the individual towns attempt to extend the "season" by holding festivals celebrating everything from apples to zuchinis (true!).

So before putting Tanglewood in the rear view window, let's talk about their annual Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend.   This year marks a 90th Birthday celebration for Marian McPartland, the ubiquitous host of NPR's Piano Jazz.   For the seventh year, she'll be taping her live show for broadcast.    Also during the weekend, Tanglewood will present jazz luminaries Mark O'Connor, Edmar Castaneda, Joe Locke, Elaine Elias, Nnenna Freelon, Spencer Day, Mulgrew Miller, Donal Fox, Christian Scott (pictured), Dianne Reeves, Eddie Daniels, Jane Monheit, and Terence Blanchard.     For a schedule, and ticket information, TANGLEWOOD JAZZ FESTIVAL.

For something COMPLETELY different, the 3rd Annual Rock, Rattle & Drum Pow Wow will be held at Eastover Resort in Lenox.   Subtitled the "Spirit on the Mountain Music Festival," the weekend includes an authentic American Indian Pow Wow, American Indian Grammy winners Bill Miller and Indigenous, and the 60's icon band, Jefferson Starship.   The setting will also include Native American arts and crafts, food and vendors.   For information, CLICK HERE.

This represents only two suggestions for Labor Day.   There are hundreds of other options, from Shakespeare & Company and Berkshire Theater Festival, to blueberry picking and bar hopping.   As always, as a future guest of Hampton Terrace, we provide a long list of advance information to help you plan you stay.

For the Labor Day weekend, it is still possible to stay at Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast in Lenox.   Unlike many of the local Berkshire inns, we only require a two night minimum.   That leaves single Friday and Sunday nights available as well, so if you want to catch the Sunday show, for example, it is possible to stay here.   We are very proud that Hampton Terrace is now ranked #1 in Lenox, based on TripAdvisor unsolicited guest reviews.

In 1937, when the Depression and taxation caused the gild to come off the Gilded Age, the great mansions and estates of Lenox were largely abandoned.   Many became institutional:   schools, asylums or monasteries, and some spent more than half a century empty.   But luckily, one was donated to the Boston Symphony…and the rest, as they say, is history.

Over the decades, as the audiences who attended concerts at Tanglewood grew, more and more of these great estates and historic "cottages" were able to be put back into service:   Cranwell, Wheatleigh, Blantyre…and even Hampton Terrace, one of the original "Berkshire Cottages."   In fact, most of the Lenox inns are the former second homes of the turn-of-the-century's rich and famous.   Tanglewood itself, one mile down the hill from Lenox town center, consists of multiple performance venues inhabiting a most embracing rural setting.   Lenonard Bernstein, a alum of the affiliated Tanglewood Institute always proclaimed that the Tanglewood property, and the Berkshires in general, had captured his soul. More on Music in the Berkshires: Tanglewood

When considering Lenox or the Berkshires, many people think Tanglewood and the Boston Symphony.   But of equal stature (and actually exceeding Tanglewood in total audience) are the local theater companies, including Shakespeare and Company, Berkshire Theater Festival, Williamstown Theater Festival, Jacob's Pillow (dance), Barrington Stage Company, and many others.   All are kicking off their seasons this week and next.

Shakespeare & Company, founded by Tina Packer, is in its 31st season, and is located just one block from Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast.   Their large campus includes multiple theater options, including their main stage, The Founder's Theater.   This year, they are opening with "The Ladies Man," a French farce that we saw last Thursday night.   It was GREAT!   At our Lenox bed and breakfast, we get feedback every morning at breakfast about what our guests did the night before, where they ate, etc.   At least eight of our guests have now seen "The Ladies Man" and agree with us.   It has all the things you would expect from this genre:   double entrendres, mistaken identities and maniacal (and I mean really maniacal) action.   I was exhausted from the energy on stage…no daily gym workouts needed for these actors.   "The Ladies Man" is being performed all summer, alternating with other significant productions including "Othello," "All's Well that Ends Well," "The Goatwoman of Corvis County," "The Canterville Ghost," "Bad Dates," and numerous free presentations on their outdoor stage.   You can see, this industrious group is not limited to Shakespeare.   Importantly, they are opening a new venue, The Elayne Bernstein Stage in August.    So for those of you who are looking to avoid the weekend crowds associated with Tanglewood, consider coming to the Berkshires Sunday to Thursday and entertaining yourselves with these exciting theater options.

And as always, combine at visit to Shakespeare and Company with a fine bed and breakfast experience by staying at Hampton Terrace Bed and Breakfast……located just one block from Shakespeare and Company.   Stay multiple nights mid-week and save up to 30%.