Boston [1] isn’t called the “Athens of America” for nothing—it’s one of the country’s premier outlets of art and culture. You can craft a whole itinerary from the art and theater in New England’s cities and college towns. Boston’s art scene gets hopping in the fall and spring; in the summer, the action moves to the southern shores and the Berkshires.
Spend your first day in Boston taking in the world-class collection at the Museum of Fine Arts [2]. At night, take in a pre-Broadway show in the Theater District [3] or a show at a rock club.
On your second day, stroll along Newbury Street in the morning, checking out its many art galleries [4]. In the afternoon, visit the one-of-a-kind Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum [5] or the new waterfront Institute of Contemporary Art [6].
Head south along I-95 to Providence [7] (one hour), where you can check out the cutting-edge modern art museum at Rhode Island School of Design [8] and browse the funky shops around Brown University [9]. At night, catch an experimental performance at the acclaimed Trinity Repertory Theatre [10] or, if the timing is right, attend the Waterfire [11] performance on the river.
Head up Interstates 295, 90, and 91 back into Massachusetts [12] to visit Northampton [13] (2.5 hours), one of the most delightful college towns in New England. Visit Smith College [14], treat yourself to a wide selection of ethnic food, and take in a folk music performance at night.
Head down I-90 and up Route 20 to Lenox [15] (2 hours), where, depending on the season, you can catch the Boston Symphony Orchestra [16] at their summer home of Tanglewood [17], a performance at the annual Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival [18], or a production by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company [19] at their reconstructed Rose Playhouse. While you’re there, don’t miss the flower gardens at The Mount [20], a work of art to rival any museum.
Another day, another college—head up Route 7 to Williamstown [21] (one hour) and tour beautiful Williams College [22]. While there, take in the college art museum and the spectacular collection at the Clark Art Museum [23]. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a performance at the Williamstown Theatre Festival [24], which has drawn such actors as Ethan Hawke and Marisa Tomei.
While staying in Williamstown, take a side trip down Route 2 to North Adams [25] (20 minutes), a rejuvenated mill town that’s home to the gargantuan Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art [26] and countless galleries. After dinner, stick around for the town’s funky nightlife.
Drive up Route 7 to Bennington [27] (30 minutes) and check out the famous folk art of Grandma Moses at the Bennington Museum [28]. Then cross southern Vermont [29] along Route 9 to Brattleboro [30] (one hour), home to a thriving café and gallery scene [31]. If the season’s right, take in a traditional music concert in Marlboro [32], or one of the acclaimed barn concerts in Putney, before bedding down in Brattleboro. Tomorrow, take the express trip back to Boston [1], along I-91 and Route 2 (2 hours). Leave room in your luggage for your own unique art finds!
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/sights/fenway/museum-fine-arts
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/sights/theater-district
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/shopping/art-galleries
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/sights/fenway/isabella-stewart-gardner-museum
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/sights/seaport-district/institute-contemporary-art
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/rhode-island/greater-providence/providence
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/rhode-island/greater-providence/providence/sights/downtown
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/rhode-island/greater-providence/providence/sights/brown-university
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/rhode-island/greater-providence/providence/entertainment
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/rhode-island/greater-providence/providence/events
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/pioneer-valley/northampton
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/pioneer-valley/northampton/sights
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/southern-berkshires/lenox
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/entertainment-and-events/classical-music
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/southern-berkshires/lenox/tanglewood
[18] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/southern-berkshires/lenox/jacob-s-pillow-dance-festival
[19] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/boston/entertainment-and-events/theater/theater-companies
[20] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/southern-berkshires/lenox/other-sights
[21] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/northern-berkshires/williamstown
[22] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/northern-berkshires/williamstown/williams-college-museum-art
[23] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/northern-berkshires/williamstown/the-clark-art-institute
[24] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/northern-berkshires/williamstown/events
[25] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/northern-berkshires/north-adams
[26] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/massachusetts/western-massachusetts/northern-berkshires/north-adams/massmoca
[27] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/southern-vermont/southern-green-mountains/bennington
[28] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/southern-vermont/southern-green-mountains/bennington/bennington-museum
[29] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont
[30] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/southern-vermont/brattleboro-and-vicinity/brattleboro
[31] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/southern-vermont/brattleboro-and-vicinity/brattleboro/gallery-walk
[32] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/southern-vermont/brattleboro-and-vicinity/marlboro-and-wilmington