Mohawk Trail

The Mohawk Trail in North-Western Massachusetts stretches from the New York border through the Berkshires to the Pioneer Valley. Originally a Native American trade route, it is now a scenic secondary highway lined with state parks and quiet mill towns. Join us as we drop the convertible top and head out into this beautiful area of the North-Eastern US.

Greenfield is the Eastern terminus of the Mohawk Trail. Poet's Seat Tower offers an expansive view of this small city in Western Mass. Park at the bottom of the short trail that leads up to the brick tower. Look West to the foothills of the Berkshires.

In Western Massachusetts Greek-style pan-pizza dominates. For those who don't like Greek-style pizza, finding alternatives can be a challenge. Magpie fuels a woodfired oven for good pizza with tasty toppings like artichokes, sausage and pesto.

One of our favorite things to eat at Magpie are the oven-roasted vegetables. Chili carrots and broccoli rabe with hot italian sausage are on point. We get extra extra italian sausage with ours. Mixed drinks are creative and well made, including mocktails for those who don't consume alcohol.

The People's Pint is a Greenfield staple that brews a wide variety of flavorful craft beers. The space is warm and inviting. The food is almost all scratch made and/or locally sourced from the ginger ale to the dressings and house-made sausage.

Be sure to check the chalkboard for specials, including casked beers, smoked or cured meats and seasonal produce. Berry cobbler is good when they have it.

Heading west from Greenfield we lowered the top on the Beetle to enjoy the fall colors, clean air and autumn sunshine.

The small town of Shelburne Falls is quiet and a great place to strech your legs. Walk along the newly restored Bridge of Flowers with a coffee and admire the layout of this western hilltown. Leave a small donation for the organization of volunteers who maintain the beauty for all to enjoy.

At the Western termiuns of the Mohawk Trail is Williamstown, a small college town filled with cafes, restaurants, museums and exhibits. The 2,197 mile Appalachian Trail also cuts through Williamstown and can be reached by the Pine Cobble Trail. If like us you don't plan to hike the full AT just hike the Cobble and stop short at the summit for sweeping views of Willamstown.

Williamstown tailors itself to college students and the network that supports the industry of higher education. Restaurants are plentiful, but menus are often hit and miss. Plates Mediterranean Bistro falls into this category with fantastic mezze and cocktails but mains that leave something to be desired.

Don't forget to visit the plentiful shops that offer curious items for curious travelers. Where'd You Get That!? offers a good diversity of games to enjoy after a long day exploring. They likely have just the right gift for that hard to shop person as well.

We had mixed opinions about The Barn Kitchen and Bar. It is a beautiful location with comfortable seating for a crowd. Some of the dishes are tasty, some not so much. It satisfies the massess at the expense of identity and quality.

Traveling the Mohawk Trail opens the day to nature and brings the niceties of small town life into focus. For those that come from rural New England this region offers memories around every turn in the road. Old mills once the heart of invention trying to reinvent themselves, restaurants building connections to the local farms, and trailheads leading away from modernity. It's a great place to wander.

This happened to be our last family trip in the Volkswagen before we sold it - a great run!