The Berkshires, a mountainous region in western Massachusetts, offers a unique blend of culture, nature and excellent food, all roughly two and a half hours from Boston and New York City. This area, like Newport, was once the summer playground for wealthy tycoons like Andrew Carnegie, the industrialist responsible for building some of the area’s Gilded Age mansions. Although the Berkshires offer plenty of winter sports, summer is one of the best times to visit, when Tanglewood is in session and the weather is warm enough to hike or canoe. For the perfect Berkshires day, base yourself in Lenox, hire a rental car and get ready to eat, hike and enjoy art.