Tanglewood
4.8(1.8K)google
4.3(155)yelp
Date SpotSenior-FriendlyHealingSlow-PacedSeasonalOutdoorLocal FavoriteLive MusicConcertPerformanceFestival
Overview
Tanglewood is a music venue and festival in the towns of Lenox and Stockbridge in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. It has been the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937. Tanglewood is also home to three music schools: the Tanglewood Music Center, Tanglewood Learning Center, and the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeThe absolute best time to visit is during the summer residency of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from late June through August. Opt for a weekend afternoon concert; gates usually open around 12:00 PM for a 2:30 PM performance, allowing you to picnic on the lawn under Berkshire trees while listening to world-class music in the breeze.
Getting ThereLocated in Lenox deep within the Berkshires. Driving is essential. From Boston, take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90 W) to Exit 10 for Lee/Lenox, follow US-20 W, and turn onto MA-183 S, which leads directly to the main Tanglewood gates and its expansive grass parking lots.
Travel Tips
- During the summer music festival season, gridlock paralyses intersections along SR-183; arrive at least 2 hours prior to concert time, and bring your own lawn chairs and picnic blankets.
- The open lawn area features zero structural canopy protection; mountain thunderstorms strike fast and temperatures plummet post-sunset, making waterproof rain gear and heavy fleece essential.
- Security bans glass alcohol bottles, corkscrews, drones, and oversized coolers exceeding back dimensions; all belongings brought onto the grounds must undergo manual checkpoint search.
Reviews
Positive
- As the summer home of the BSO, sitting on the endless rolling lawn under a cool Berkshire breeze while listening to world-class symphony is pure spiritual bliss.
- The infrastructure is flawless; the iconic Koussevitzky Music Shed offers premier acoustics, and public signs, restrooms, and waste bins are abundant and immaculate.
- Crowd management is exceptional; despite hosting tens of thousands of concertgoers, entry security, ticketing, and post-show parking egress are handled flawlessly.
- Lawn tickets are exceptionally affordable, and allowing guests to bring their own wine, picnic blankets, and food offers mind-blowing value for a summer music sanctuary.
Heads up
- As primarily an outdoor lawn experience, the comfort relies fully on weather; sudden downpours or sweltering humidity leave unshaded lawn ticket holders miserable.
- Lawn chair rentals are offered on-site but regularly sell out instantly due to high demand, leaving empty-handed seniors stuck on damp grass for hours.
- For star billing shows, the lawn gets densely packed with umbrellas and picnic spreads; the high crowd density means nearby chatter and wine pouring can disrupt the music.
- Located in rural Western Massachusetts with zero public transit, driving is mandatory, and boutique hotels in nearby towns become extortionately expensive.