AI suggested I come here after some research with a day off gap and it was kinda a life changing…read moreexperience for me. It is next level poshness. For I felt like the first time, art spoke to me in a way where it was interesting and I didn't feel confined to refined boundaries. Truly nouveau, some of it shiny, some of it interactive. While I didn't like all of it, I loved like 97% of it and would come back just for this but maybe with a concert thrown in too. I couldn't take pics but there was an exhibit you had to reserve and one was an all illuminated white world as if I was in some weird imaginary futuristic TV show with expensive production. To complement the light show was a dark show that I didn't care for and that one was a lot more popular apparently. I am probably the only one who went to the spaceship on this particular Wednesday, which was at the boiler house that not everyone realizes you can look at , no AC with 90ish degrees weather, and 2 flights of older industrial metal stairs lol. Not for the super fragile physically. I could not recognize any of the nouveau artists but I could understand why they were on display in all their visual unspoken statements and documentation. They were certainly artists of a very nature I could get used to and eventually groove to, in a nerdy sorta avant garde way that is, dare I say, a modern nod to Andy Warhol. It's not only a museum for modern patrons, but also the groundwork that has propelled North Adams to the inclusive community it has become. The art and the nice atmosphere to live in make for picturesque western Massachusetts expensive to live in and some surprising food variety for the size of the communities. There was also a tea experience this day where you did a calming practice and expressed an emotion thought anonymously via red leaves dropped on a box and a red ball was dropped in for a tree sculpture. I overheard the staff from there toward the end of the day it was attended so so. I think because you had to go all the way to the end of the building to experience it, maybe not everyone wanted to walk that far. Mass Moca truly is "Mass-I've".

Probably the most interesting art museum in Mass. If you're in the Boston area, it is a bit of a…read moredrive--we turned it into a weekend getaway, and it was worth it. The museum is massive, with tons of exhibits. You'll find a mix of contemporary art, immersive installations, plus regular live performances. We spent hours exploring/wandering. Some exhibits lean abstract or experimental, so it helps to go in with an open mind, but that's part of the appeal. Overall, it's a must-visit, and I hope to come back to catch their dusk/dawn exhibit, which seems to be a staple.

Excellent Renoir collection. Enjoyed permanent collection as well as special exhibit…read more Dont skip the smaller paintings; theyre fantastic.

This is a notable art institution, and while the area is not exactly a metropolis it is very artsy…read moreand there are multiple other museums in the area. I don't think I arrived at the best time. Construction and exhibit installation are of course expected parts of keeping a museum fresh, but as of this writing quite a lot of the museum is closed off for a major expansion which they project (optimistically, in my view) to take at least a year. What remains is a ring of galleries of classical European and early American art, and a special exhibition. The special exhibition didn't wow me personally, and the classics, while I'm sure they are objectively meritorious, are not my favorite. I found some pieces I liked, but for having made a trip to get here and paid a nontrivial entry fee, I wouldn't have been impressed. The outdoor experience, however, is part of it. A reflecting pool and seating are immediately outside, but there are also trails leading to a separate building (not open for exhibition when I visited) and a hill containing pastured cows that looks down over the museum and offers a totally different vibe. You wouldn't need a ticket to walk the grounds I don't think. I am certainly in favor of public art institutions, and clearly bringing a museum this size to a community this size was a considerable commitment. For those making plans, I might wait to visit in the hope that when the current add-on is completed the museum will have more diversity in the collection.

Great selection of beautiful stones. The owner, Donna, is knowledgeable about the qualities each…read morestone expresses. Also beautiful jewelry and clothing. It is worth going to the underground to check out

Great shop hidden in the underground at Allendale shopping center! Amethyst, jewelry, clothing,…read moretapestry, incense, and more. The owner is very knowledgable and friendly!

Simply put, RJ Stohr Jewelers excels. Several weeks ago, I was in town visiting family, and my…read morecladdagh ring broke. On a recommendation, I brought it to Stohr for the repair. While there, we also asked them to take a 36" strand of pearls which my wife inherited from her mother and make two 18" strands for our granddaughters. Frankly, I was surprised at the prices of the pearls and the repair. Fast forward a few weeks and we were back in town and brought in several pieces for cleaning and repairs. Yeah, these folks are so good at what they do, and so reasonable in their pricing that we now save our jewelry issues for RJ Stohr Jewelers. I'd like to think, of all their customers, we travel the furthest to do business with them. But, given how good they are and how well they treat their customers, I'm sure they have many long-distance customer relationships. Keep up the good work, Rick, Ben, Norm, and everyone at RJ Stohr Jewelers!

Rick was very friendly and helpful. My daughter's bracelet that was engraved with my parents…read morehandwriting broke in half. This bracelet was extremely special to her as my parents have passed away. I figured it wasn't going to be able to be repaired but Rick was able to duplicate the writing on another bracelet and helped to get just the right fit. We have definitely found our go-to Jeweler going forward. Highly recommend!

Awesome project that was made over several years celebrating all of the achievements of a non…read moreprofit volunteer group that hand carved and hand painted all of these beautiful carousel horses. Now that it is finished it is simply a joy to visit and fun for families and kids of all ages to ride and enjoy.

What a fun stop. Hand carved horses on a restored carousel…read moreframe. Only $2 per ride. Helpful and well trained staff. Fully handicapped accessible. Wonderful example of a community project. Over 400 volunteers labored 1800+ hours per horse. Bring the whole family.. Did I forget to say it's air conditioned???

This is a really interesting living museum and a good place to bring the kids. The round barn is…read morevery interesting. It feels like a carousel when you first walk in. A docent by the entrance is there to tell you about it's construction and answer questions. We headed to the annex to see the animals: baby goats, lambs, piglets and chicks! The Discovery Barn is the place to be for the kids. They have a 'cow' mock-up that you can 'milk'. There are plenty of arts and craft projects there and a staff member to answer any questions. Although not a kid, I did give the cow a try and the staff member answered a bunch of questions about the museum and the local area. The Brick Dwelling has *so much* information! you could spend a lot of time in there reading about the lives of the Quakers. They also have a broom making shop, butter making shop, furniture shop, blacksmith, dorms for non-Quaker workers and so much more. We were given a map of the property with our admission and a list of events happening on site during the day of our visit. Definitely make a plan to see the demonstrations. A very interesting day.

Do visit the vast 750 acre well-preserved Shaker Farm Village in Hancock. Beautiful buildings, each…read morewell maintained and served a purpose in the past. Heritage farm animals abound - (some you can pet!) - we saw Goats, Sheep, Cattle, Hens, Donkeys and Piggies... ** $20 admission ** ** Tour Guides available ** *** Gift Shop & Café *** Thank you!

Great toy store. Like Toy Joy or Terra Toys in Austin, TX…read more Fun and brainy games for adults and kids, snow globes, cards, puzzles, puppets, and studies. Free gift wrapping upon request. Knowledgeable and friendly staff.

This is one of those places that remind me of days when I was not introduced to shopping malls or…read morechains but a nice friendly neighborhood stores. If you think about it, the person who is in charge of purchasing in this store can control how many options you will have for that birthday card or a gift for your nephew. I think this place has a good choices in almost all departments. They are a little overpriced but that comes with being and independent store in the neighborhood. I did not buy anything here but enjoying looking around.

PRESS: LetterPRESS as a Public Art Project is a gallery, but also a classroom for college kids and…read moreadults on letterpress printmaking! In the center of the space there is a fully operational old press (Vandercook Universal III), quite impressive. At the walls you can see a variety of artworks and exercises made with the machine. The gallery staff is always happy to show how a single sheet of paper strapped into the machine's cylinder gets printed and punched. Definitely an experience to do, after visiting MASS MoCA! Just few steps away, downtown North Adams.