Massachusetts
Hemmed in by the daunting topography of its surrounding mountains, the Berkshire region of western Massachusetts is a world apart, blessed with abundant nature and an easygoing small-town character.
The region’s relaxed, rural charms and its location equidistant from Boston and New York City have long made it a magnet for writers and artists as well as a playground for the rich, so be prepared to experience a little of everything from natural splendors to high-society display. And remember, it never takes more than a few strategic turns to trade plush restaurants and music festivals for splendidly rural forests as deep and undisturbed as any in New England.
![Map of Appalachian Trail through Massachusetts.](https://www.roadtripusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/AppalachianTrail_05_04_Massachusetts-508x1024.jpg)