NORTH ADAMS

North Adams is a small Berkshires city that has reinvented itself around Mass MoCA, one of the largest contemporary art museums in the world, which also programs live music and performance.

Mass MoCA hosts concerts, festivals, and performances in its converted factory campus, including the annual FreshGrass bluegrass festival and the Bang on a Can marathon. The museum's performance spaces range from the intimate Club B10 to larger courtyard and gallery stages.

North Adams is an art-world destination that happens to sit in a small former factory town. The contrast is part of the appeal — world-class programming in a setting that feels accessible and unpretentious.

Tip: Mass MoCA is on Marshall Street. Plan to spend time in the galleries before or after a show. The FreshGrass festival in September is a highlight.

Neighborhoods: Downtown • Marshall Street • Eclipse Mill