USVI-On-Line

Headed to Tanglewood for a James Taylor concert on July 1.

We're planning to drive out early Friday afternoon and spend the night.

Seems like most of the lodging in Lenox requires a 3 night minimum.

We're willing to have to drive ~30 minutes east for lodging; anyone know what towns may have something suitable.

And of course, there's the gourmet picnic. Any recommendations for one of the places in Lenox that provide picnics-to-go?

Right in downtown Lenox, as well as downtown Stockbridge, there is a place called "Nejaimie's Wine Cellar." They sell entire picnics assembled (you need to preorder), or you can pick and choose your own without preordering from their salads and things. I especially like their curried chicken salad. They sell sandwiches, breads, cheese, beer and wine also. Note they are closed on Sundays. You can also pre-order a picnic directly from Tanglewood. Here is a link to the picnic options for Nejaimies:

http://www.nejaimeswine.com/articles

Can't help with the lodging, we always rent a house.

Oooh, and if you have a sweet tooth, you have to go to Catherine's chocolates in Stockbridge/Great Barrington! They sometimes have chocolate dipped raspberries. The dark chocolate ones are awesome, and I really don't like chocolate! Their website is nothing much but here is a link:

http://catherineschocolates.net/

do you have a ticket for me?

I am only about an hour away and a wonderful hostess, so you can stay here for free...well for a ticket

Check out Lee for a place to stay
http://www.leechamber.org/index.php?nav_id=3

I had read about Nejaimes Wine Cellar; glad it has the Liamsaunt stamp of approval. And I love chocolate covered anything.

Sorry, MB, but no ticket (see below)

X - hmmm, let me see if I can lose the hubby for the night I'll check out Lee. Been looking around Stockbridge, Lenox and Great Barrington.

I would say that Lee is not really the quaint Berkshire town you picture, but there are more lodging options there, it is not a far drive to Tanglewood, and there is an outlet mall.

I have never stayed there but driven through it many times and it seems to be an older town that is trying to pull back the New England Charm and they are getting there, just slowly. We had a wonderful meal at a seafood restaurant right on the main street. It was on older restaurant, looked to have been there forever, the wait staff was all over 50 and motherly and the food was great.

Charlie's niece just got a job at Holiday Inn Express in Great Barrington if that helps you.

I know where that Holiday Inn express is--across the street from Catherine's Chocolates! There is a local brewpub on that same road. I remember they had at least one beer that I thought was pretty good. Great Barrington will put you about 20 minutes from Tanglewood--not factoring in traffic which is going to be brutal.

I thought of one place you absolutely CANNOT stay--some years ago we stayed there and we ended up not going to Tanglewood because it was raining really hard and our room got broken into while we were in it (and awake!)! It was really scary. Of course with my natural tendency to block out bad things I can't even remember the name of the town, let alone the name of the hotel, but it wasn't any town that we have been talking about. I think it began with a "C." Once I remember I will post it here.

http://www.silverleafresorts.com/resorts/oak-n-spruce

We've stayed here before when we've gone skiing.

Or you could always try the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge.

if you stay near Great Barrington stop by Monterey at the goat farm --they make the BEST goat cheese--i mean it's crazy good--there is also a (or used to be) a restaurant called Napa that we thought was quite good (in grt Barrington)

We just got our JT tickets to see him in Wichita, KS in April. We will be on STJ when you are in Tanglewood. That will be a great venue to see him.

JIM

PS Shhhhh! It's Valentines Day present.

Cheese, chocolate.......ohhhhh better plan a trip to see niece:)

What a great place to see JT.. You're in for a great show!!
I saw him there for a 4th of July show a few years back!! I tried to get tickets to Carnegie Hall in May to no avail but anxiously waiting to see if he comes to Mansfield, Ma.
Enjoy!!

Since we're just looking for a bed, Lee seems to have the most affordable options, with easy access to the Mass Pike.

Checked the Holiday Inn in GB and was surprised the rates were almost as much as the Red Lion, but since it's across the street from Catherines and near cheese, hmmm.

Jim - your secret is safe with us.

Fins - saw my first JT concert at Great Woods when it first opened:)

I think booking will be a fun thing to do on Saturday while the next foot of snow falls:(