North Adams is rooted in some serious history. Take MASS MoCA’s campus, for example: these buildings, connected via tunnels, suspended walkways, light wells, and courtyards, were home to Arnold Print Works from 1860-1942. Employing a hefty portion of the city, the textile manufacturing company was driven by large government contracts — one of which including supplying fabric to the Union Army. When Arnold Print Works dissolved, Sprague Electric moved in. The company operated as a “city within a city” from 1942-1985, researching, testing, and manufacturing cutting-edge electric components, some of which were used in the first atom bomb (Sprague Electric physicists were even borrowed for the infamous Manhattan Project). Today, acres of contemporary art lies within the same walls. You can even spot where the old bathrooms used to be — just look for the subtle tones of pink and blue in the Building 6 light well.
Like this 26-building complex, North Adams is dusted with a historical patina, so explore it through food and walking along Main Street and the The Monument Square–Eagle Street Historic District.
Steeple City Social is a community-orientated bakery, cafe, and cocktail bar with a retail space for vintage housewares and ephermera. A place to spend time with friends, get a great drink, eat delicious food, and find something fun for your home, all in the heart of Downtown North Adams.
Jack’s Hotdog Stand is where you’ll get a days’ worth of fuel. Since opening in 1917, Jack’s Hotdog Stand hasn’t changed much – same counter, same menu, same charm. The buns are always steamed, the burgers are always cooked the same way, and the guys behind the counter are always asking how the family’s holding up. The chili cheese dog is a must — they’re miniature so get a few — and the fries! Hand cut and fried to a crisp, you’re gonna be ordering more.
Digest the dog with a few block’s walk to Berkshire Emporium & Antiques. This place is a labyrinth of antiques, tchotchkes, and used furniture (it’s also sprinkled with local crafts and food by the entrance). You might even find some stuff from the Arnold Print Works-era. A little digging will unearth some real gems, so make sure you go to the basement.
Just steps away is Savvy Hive, a thrift store in North Adams with a curated collection of secondhand fashion, vintage treasures, and artisan-made pieces that offer a diverse and eco-friendly alternative to traditional retail.
The Plant Connector, co-founded by Emilee and Bonnie in 2020, is driven by a shared passion for fostering a sense of community and a mission to spread the joy of plants. From browsing for new plants for your home or as a gift, to botanical events and workshops, its no wonder this spot is known as “a community center disguised as a plant shop.”
Fed, fresh, and full of antiques, chug on over to the The North Adams Public Library, where you can learn – among lots of other things – about the Hoosac Tunnel. Surfeit of awesome ghost stories, the Hoosac Tunnel was — and still is — an incredible engineering feat. In 1851, workers began blasting through the Hoosac Range. More than 20 years later, the straight-as-an-arrow, 4.75-mile-long tunnel was completed, making it (at the time) the second-longest tunnel in the world. It remains the longest active tunnel east of the Rockies. The details, however, are gruesome: hundreds of deaths led to the tunnel’s morbid nickname, “Bloody Pit.” The producers of Lore released a great podcast about it that you can listen to here.
Alright. It’s been a long day. Get yourself a beer at Bright Ideas Brewing.