DansDeals Forum > Trip Reports

Corona Time 3 Day Getaway to the Berkshires

(1/19) > >>

kivabb:
With Quarantine blues, some of the kids camps cancelling, and trying to bring some fun as we try to transition back into normalcy, I tried to find a 2-3 day getaway to have some good family time outside the house.

I was hoping Busch Gardens Williamsburg would open as that has been a fun safe getaway for us in the past, but they kept delaying their opening so I ruled that out.

With just about everything indoor closed, and many hotels closed, we needed to find something outdoors where in the same area we could find normal (affordable) lodging....but we kept encountering closures.

In the end, we managed to find a real nice getaway, so my wife and I (and 8 kids) headed north to Massachusetts. I literally spent 10+ hours planning this short getaway, so I'm sharing in the hopes that if someone is in my situation that they will benefit from my research.

Transportation - We departed from Lakewood with both our cars. My oldest daughter drives, so that allowed my wife and I some quality time together in the front seat (which is almost non existent when the kids are practicing to drive and we're travelling as a family).

Lodging - With absolute divine intervention, I came across a Fairfield Inn & Suites in Williamstown MA, for 5K Marriott points a night! We needed 4 rooms for 2 nights, which was a total 40K point total. The hotel opened in December and it was clean and comfy and a great base to some of the places we planned to visit. The pool and fitness room were closed, and they make you wear face masks in the public areas. Overall, I felt I finally some good usage for my Marriott points. https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/albfw-fairfield-inn-and-suites-williamstown/

Food - Fairfield Hotels only have mini fridges and I'm always wondering if those things really work or not, so thanks to our trusty bear bags (we brought 3 of them) we're able to keep everything cold or frozen without the fridge. We got one of these Portable Gas Grill from Walmart (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Expert-Grill-17-5-10-000-BTU-Portable-Gas-Grill-Black/238454155) with a few mini propane tanks. We also brought a sandwich maker. So sandwich makers and homemade muffins for breakfast, cold-cut sandwiches and wraps for lunch, and marinated shnitzel, hot dogs and hamburgers for dinner. We usually bring a few cases of Tradition Soups as well as an insurance policy. The hotel served a grab and go breakfast that consisted of a OUD granola bar and muffin as well as a water bottle. For us it was was a waste of time, but they did say it varies by day.

Activities -
Day 1 - We departed Lakewood at about Noon. The drive direct to the hotel was roughly 4 hours, so I was looking for something en-route that we can break up the drive. Literally 10 minutes out of the way I came across Minnewaska State Park that was the perfect find. Entrance fee was $10 per car. We did a beautiful 1 hour small hike to Awosting Falls. It's beautiful and the kids loved it! We also did a 2 mile walk around the Lake Minnewaska Loop. Both would be accessible with a decent stroller. We then had a picnic dinner before heading towards the hotel. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g47994-d105820-Reviews-Minnewaska_State_Park_Preserve-Kerhonkson_Catskill_Region_New_York.html

Day 2 -
Natural Bridge State Park - Literally 10-15 minutes from hotel, this (free) stop was beautiful and fun. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g41715-d218997-Reviews-Natural_Bridge_State_Park-North_Adams_Massachusetts.html
Berkshire U-Drive Rent-A-Boat on Pontoosuc Lake - Just 25 minutes from hotel this was also a great find. 10 person pontoon was $206 including tax for 2 hours. The kids got to jump in the water and it was great fun. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g41769-d14138048-Reviews-U_Drive_Rent_A_Boat-Pittsfield_Massachusetts.html
Burbank Park by Onota Lake - The locals told us to park alongside the road that takes you to beach access where we'll find picnic tables by the water to make our BBQ dinner. Pretty.

Day 3 -
Jiminy Peak - Alpine Slides, Mountain Coasters, Zip Lines. $39 and $29 unlimited depending on your size and you only pay if you ride, but you do have to reserve ahead of time a 4 hour slot. (This is tomorrows activity as I'm here in the hotel typing this as I had some down time. I hope we'll have a blast. ) https://www.jiminypeak.com/Summer/Attractions/Mountain-Adventure-Park
BBQ at Jiminy Peak and then head back home.

I hope this helps :)

yitzgar:
Excellent, thanks

Luvtotravel:
sounds great! have fun and stay safe

Luvisrael:
The hotel is now 7,500 points a night

BKisraeli:
Thank you for the post. we have been looking for a trip just like this. :)

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page