Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Bliss in the Berkshires
The first time I visited Great Barrington, Massachusetts was for a moms' weekend with two friends who wanted to get away for an overnight in the early 2000s. We each got our own room at the Days Inn, enjoyed a nice hike up Monument Mountain, and had a delightful dinner out with no children's menus present. We ended the evening with a movie before turning in and having a peaceful night of sleep.
I had a few more visits in the years to follow, often when I was staying at the Kripalu Yoga Center in nearby Lenox. But it wasn't until my birthday this year, 2024, when Liz and I drove up for a day trip to Great Barrington to celebrate my 62nd revolution around the sun, that I realized how gay-friendly the town is. It was January and it was cold, but it was sunny and it was a weekday. That meant no crowds in the Berkshires.
GB Eats serves a varied menu in a relaxed setting
What a wonderful birthday it was. We began the day with lunch at GB Eats, a local diner-like eatery with a varied menu, including lots of choices for different dietary needs. We then strolled around the corner to the colorful Hart GB yarn store on Railroad Street, where Liz picked up some new knitting supplies. A few blocks north brought us to Extra Special Teas on Elm Street. The rainbow-colored Adirondack chairs outside drew us across the street, and what we found inside was indeed special.
Extra Special Teas provides opportunities to an inclusive staff of employees
You see, Extra Special Teas offers employment opportunities to neuroatypical individuals. Its inclusive and welcoming environment is seductive in its own way. You want to order something warm (and they will warm up a baked good for you, too!) and sit a spell in their colorful parlor. Extra Special Teas promotes belonging and value, and you can't help but feel both once you step inside.
Rubiner's Cheesemongers offers an impressive array of cheeses made from milks of every kind
Just when we thought we had satisfied all of our culinary yens, we found Rubiner's Cheesemongers on Main Street. I believe I may have been there before, but this visit felt like a cheese rebirth. Upon entering the store, I was greeted by a counter holding no fewer than 40 different kinds of cheese — and that's not including what was around the corner in the glass case. What better way to celebrate a birthday than to be in cheese heaven! I tried a few different varieties and settled on two sheep's milk cheeses, my personal favorites. I could not wait to get home and dive into them, although I knew that they would be gone in two days.
The colors of Great Barrington extend inside at Hart GB yarn and crafts store
As Liz and I traversed the streets of Great Barrington, we were greeted by rainbow crosswalks. The sun was shining, I had cheese in my belly, and I was on my way to the Great Barrington Dispensary. Yes, that's correct — one could not leave great Barrington without stepping inside the 1850s historic stone structure to take a peek at the edibles. After all, it was on our way home. Their selection was plentiful and varied. We were happy to support a local business. Buy local!!
Everything I have just told you about is just a few blocks from everything else. Yet there is much more to Great Barrington and to the Berkshire mountains in general. They sit cozily in the southwestern corner of Massachusetts, what I consider to be just up the road (a couple of hours) from our home. While we were gone for just seven hours or so, we felt like we had had a long weekend. There's nature, there are one-of-a-kind shops, there are restaurants, and most importantly, there are friendly people ready to welcome you. A visit to Great Barrington is one you will always remember. I know we will.
Rosie