The years following the pandemic have seen incredible change in the culinary scene. There have been Several Michelin-starred restaurants dropped off this year’s list due to permanent closures. However, others thrived as we see 13 exciting new additions in this year’s 2024 California Michelin Guide.

What started as a marketing gimmick to sell tires to the first wave of French road trippers has grown to the most respected name in fine dining criticism, yet the Michelin Guide still retains its roots as the original road trip guide. There are 13 of incredible, newly-starred restaurants on the 2024 guide, many of which All Roads North has been recommending to our clients for years. As part of our 24/7 concierge service, we’ll recommend the perfect Michelin-starred restaurant to pair with your custom-designed luxury road trip, work our magic to secure a table at the most elusive and exclusive restaurants, and handle all reservations and logistics. All you’ll need to do is arrive and dine. With so many great restaurants to choose from, here are the ones to keep on your radar as you begin to plan your luxury California road trip.

North to South, 5 California Michelin-Starred Restaurants Profiled

Harbor House (Mendocino)

Drive past sloping vineyards, apple orchards and sun-dappled redwood trees to arrive at this serene sanctuary set atop a cliff overlooking the mighty Pacific. This historic property dates back to 1916, but thanks to an extensive renovation, it is now the very picture of laid-back luxury. The redwood-clad room’s windows frame postcard-perfect views of the gardens and crashing waves, while a fireplace adds to an already luring mien. Good looks aside, it is the highly original cuisine here that is worth savoring, so revel in the easy pace.

As one of the steadiest and consistent name on the Michelin-starred restaurants in California list, Chef Matthew Kammerer is devout when it comes to hyper-local and foraged ingredients, so much so that the fisherman’s name may casually be dropped into conversation or the apple orchard owner is likely seated next to you. Diners are bound to be smitten from the get-go, thanks to the chef’s compelling creations—replete with purity and grace. (2 Stars)

 

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Lazy Bear (San Francisco)

Head chef David Barzelay found his entre into the world of fine-dining by hosting elaborate dinner parties, and he’s kept that atmosphere through the first and second of Lazy Bear’s Michelin stars. Dining at the restaurant is treated like an event, and their long, communal table and ticketing system will certainly make your meal feel like one. Sit next to new friends at one of the two American elm tables feet away from the open kitchen. Courses and dishes are kept under lock-and-key, decided on before-hand, and consist of expertly executed new American cuisine. The entire experience is designed to transport diners and their tastebuds to a world all of Barzelay’s imagining, and though the menu may change, one thing is certain; you’ll remember your experience at Lazy Bear for a long time to come. (2 Stars)

 

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Californios (San Francisco)

Californios earned it’s two stars in 2017, and as one of the only Michelin starred Mexican restaurant in North America, it deserves special attention by all travelers wishing for a full culinary experience of California. Though originally from Texas, head chef Val M Cantu takes inspiration from the Spanish and Mexican roots of the city and state he now calls home to craft unparalleled cuisine in the Mission District of San Francisco, and an unyielding attention to quality and ingredients elevates his 16-course tasting menu. Using Mexican ingredients and flavors, yet focusing on new combinations and presentations, at Californios Cantu pleasantly surprises all familiar with Mexican fare. (2 Stars)

 

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Aubergine (Carmel-by-the-Sea)

A mainstay on the central Californian coast, the small dining room at the L’Auberge Carmel takes inspiration from the nearby sea. Fresh, local seafood is presented simply and elaborately, representing the perfect marriage of the subtle and robust flavors present in their dishes, and accentuated by deeply thought-out wine pairings. Under Aubergine’s current head-chef Justin Cogley the already exquisite dining experience has consistently elevated their Michelin guide status, and their newly-awarded two stars is well-deserved. (2 Star)

 

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Bell’s (Los Alamos)

This invitingly rustic dining room is nestled within a historic structure—a former bank—with a blue door flanked by potted palms. Inside, the furnishings exude a vintage vibe, as evidenced by weathered tile floors, whitewashed brick walls, and metal signs. An open window offers a peek into the kitchen, buzzing with casually dressed but attentive servers.

After cutting their teeth at top NYC kitchens, Daisy and Greg Ryan set sail for the west coast—settling into the confines of the Santa Ynez Valley. Dubbed as “Franch” (French with Californian accents), their particular skill lies in blending phenomenal product with focused flavors and methods. This is cooking that tastes as good as it looks, shining a spotlight on local purveyors. (1 Star)

 

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2024 Michelin 3-Star Restaurants in California

While 2019 was the first year for a dedicated California guide, the critics from Michelin have been coming to the state to review restaurants in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area as part of the larger United States Guide long before. Five years on, although we’ve seen many changes, there is a clear steadfastness to California culinary. There is a pedigree of incredible 3-star restaurants throughout the state, and any one would make an outstanding part of your trip.

Addison

Chef William Bradley has been the driving force behind Addison since 2006, transforming this Southern California gem into a world-renowned dining destination. His culinary approach blends global influences with a deep appreciation for Californian flavors. A standout dish, Koshihikari rice with sesame seasoning, applewood-smoked sabayon, and Regiis Ova reserve caviar, perfectly exemplifies this fusion. From inventive bites like chicken liver churros to finely crafted dishes like Kumamoto oysters with pickled green strawberry, the menu is a harmonious balance of playful creativity and refined precision.

 

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Atelier Crenn

It wouldn’t be a Michelin guide without a fair showing of French restaurants, the home of fine dining as we know it, and Dominique Crenn has done her heritage proud with one of the best restaurants in the entire United States, tucked unassumingly along the San Francisco Bay. Since opening the doors in 2011, Atelier Crenn has continued to dazzle diners with it’s unique take on cuisine. In lieu of a menu, diners receive an original poem, loosely linked to the natural ingredients that make up the multi-course tasting.

 

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Benu

Artistry is the word on the lips of Benu’s lucky diners, and an impeccable and uncluttered dining room allows full focus to fall on the masterpieces that Chef Corey Lee consistently crafts on any given night in his San Francisco restaurant. Taking from his Korean roots and refining everything from ingredients to process, Lee’s discipline has made Benu a San Francisco mainstay and a 3-star restaurant since 2014. Tasting menus are available, as is a full a la carte menu. The “shark” fin soup, a cruelty free take on the Chinese classic, is a must try. 

 

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The French Laundry

Chef Thomas Keller’s world renowned restaurant is the king amongst kings in the Michelin star-studded Napa Valley. Every element, from the height of the counter to the individually inspected, locally sourced ingredients, has been meticulously prepared to elevate the dining experience to once-in-a-lifetime heights. American-inspired French cuisine is perfected each night in two tasting menus with unique ingredients (vegetarian friendly!), and incredible wines from the region make great pairings for a much-welcome meal after a day at the vineyards.

 

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Quince

Contemporary cuisine presented in one of the Bay Area’s most upscale restaurants put Quince on the map, but it’s the quality and execution of Chef Michael Tusk’s cooking that brought the restaurant its coveted 3-stars. Flavor is the number one factor in Tusk’s Italian-French cooking, and his attention to the intricacies of his dishes and ingredients pays off-tenfold in the final presentation of the meal.

 

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SingleThread

The newest addition to the 3-star club, SingleThread burst onto the scene in December 2016 and has been the talk of the region ever since. Trained for years in Japan, Chef Kyle Connaughton has perfected traditional and inspired Japanese dishes cooked in Japanese earthenware (donabe). Extending past sushi and going above and beyond his peers, Connaughton has created one of the finest Japanese dining experiences in the country. What elevates SingleThread to 3-star heights is their impeccable service standards. The kitchen and waitstaff have adopted neighboring Silicon Valley technologies to increase communication and efficiency without losing a personal touch, and your meal will certainly become the benchmark of service all future meals will be compared to.

 

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Full List of  California’s Michelin Starred Restaurants 2024

Three Michelin Stars in California 2024

Addison (Sam Diego)

Atelier Crenn (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Benu (Bay Area & Wine Country)

The French Laundry (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Quince (Bay Area & Wine Country)

SingleThread (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Two Michelin Stars in California 2024

Acquerello (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Aubergine (Carmel-by-the-Sea)

Birdsong (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Californios (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Commis (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Harbor House (Mendocino)

Hayato (Los Angeles)

Lazy Bear (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Mélisse (Santa Monica)

Providence (Los Angeles)

Saison (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Sons & Daughter (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Vespertine (Los Angeles)

New California Michelin Two Star Restaurants in 2024:

Sons & Daughter (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Vespertine (Los Angeles)

Mélisse (Santa Monica)

Providence (Los Angeles)

One Michelin Star in California 2024

715 (Los Angeles)

Angler (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Aphotic (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Auberge du Soleil (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Auro (Calistoga)

Bell’s (Los Alamos)

Camphor (Los Angeles)

Caruso’s (Montecito)

Chez Noir (Carmel-by-the-Sea)

Chez TJ (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Citrin (Santa Monica)

Cyrus (Geyserville)

Gucci Osteria de Massimo Bottura (Beverly Hills)

Gwen (Los Angeles)

Hana re (Los Angeles)

Heritage (Long Beach)

Hilda and Jesse (San Francisco)

Holbox (Los Angeles)

Jeune et Jolie (Carlsbad)

Kali (Los Angeles)

Kato (Los Angeles)

Kenzo (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Kiln (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Kin Khao (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Knife Pleat (Costa Mesa)

Le Comptoir at Bar Creen (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Localis (Sacramento)

Madcap (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Meteora (Los Angeles)

Mister Jiu’s (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Morihiro (Los Angeles)

n/naka (Los Angeles)

Nari (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Niku Steakhouse (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Nisei (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Nozawa Bar (Beverly Hills)

O’ by Claude Le Tohic (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Orsa & Winston (Los Angeles) 

Osito (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Osteria Mozza (Los Angeles)

Pasta | Bar (Encino)

Plumed Horse (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Press (Sant Helena)

Protégé (Bay Area & Wine Country)

R|O-Rebel Omakase (Laguna Beach)

San Ho Won (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Selby’s (Atherton)

Shibumi (Los Angeles)

Shin Sushi (Los Angeles)

Six Test Kitchen (Paso Robles)

Soichi (San Diego)

Sorrel (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Ssal (Bay Area & Wine Country)

State Bird Provisions (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Sushi Bird Provisions (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Sushi Ginza Onodera (West Hollywood)

Sushi Inaba (Torrance)

Sushi Kaneyoshi (Los Angeles)

The Kitchen (Sacramento)

The Progress (Bay Area & Wine Country)

The Restaurant at JUSTIN (Paso Robles)

The Shota (San Francisco)

Taco María (Los Angeles)

The Village Pub (Bay Area & Wine Country)

Uka (Los Angeles)

Valle (Oceanside)

Wakuriya (Bay Area & Wine Country)

The post Michelin-Starred Restaurants in California – The New 2024 Guide appeared first on All Roads North.

That’s why All Roads North has spent years cultivating personal connections with locals on the ground in all of our favorite places. Whether it’s chefs, artists, conservationists, or historians, we will carefully pair you with people who are passionate experts in their fields. From venturing through Mississippi’s Deep Delta with a local captain, to hearing six generations worth of stories from the family members behind a small Sonoma winery, here are some experiences to provide a little inspiration for 2024:

Discover the Deep Mississippi Delta

With its enchanting tapestry of slow-flowing bayous, lush cypress swamps, and the haunting melodies of blues echoing through the warm, humid air, the Deep Mississippi Delta provides a glimpse into the cultural and natural richness that defines this unique, atmospheric corner of the American South. It is one of the largest alluvial floodplains in the world, but disappearing at an alarming rate as encroaching saltwater has sent the marsh into retreat.

Today you’ll meet a local captain, who has spent a lifetime on the bayous of Louisiana studying its wetlands, people, and economy. Together in a traditional Louisiana fishing boat, you’ll spend the day exploring both sides of the Mississippi River Delta; one of industrial development and humanity’s will, the other a connected ecosystem with diverse life and hope. You’ll stop at indigenous dwelling sites, Ghost Bayous, barrier islands where dolphins are frequent visitors and healthy wetlands that provide vital bird habitat. 

Explore Maine’s Wild Islands with Maine Island Trail Association

Since 1988, MITA (Maine Island Trail Association) has been dedicated to the protection of Maine’s wild islands. Through their stewardship and conservation programs, they not only protect these fragile ecosystems but also facilitate access to this special resource for sailors, paddlers, campers and nature lovers. 

Head out by boat to one of Maine’s wild islands to explore the area and assist in cleaning up the surprising assortment of marine debris that washes up on the coastline. Not only will you be leaving Maine having made a positive impact, you’ll get to experience a beautiful, seldom-visited part of the state.

Stay with the Family Behind Sonoma’s Beltane Ranch

With six generations of family-run and sustainable farming, Beltane Ranch is the legacy of many generations of strong female leadership. The story begins in 1892 with property owner Mary Ellen Pleasant, a Black woman who defied all odds to become a wealthy power mogul, successful business owner and civil rights leader. Fast forward to current day, and Beltane Ranch has been in the loving hands of the Benward family for six generations. 

The main ranch building has five rooms opening out onto the wrap-around balcony, looking out to sweeping views of Sonoma’s Valley of the Moon. The property is an idyllic composition of vineyards, open fields for the livestock, roaming chickens, and the occasional grazing babydoll lamb. Much of the produce used in the kitchen comes from their own gardens and the ranch itself is surrounded by flower beds, herbs and fruit trees.    

Experience the Remote Alaskan Way of Life at Tutka Bay Lodge

Carl and Kirsten Dixon were married in a log cabin amid a snowstorm to the tune of river songs in 1981.

One look at Tutka Bay’s location nestled in in a placid bay across Kachemak Bay from downtown Homer, and it’s clear that this wilderness lodge is a special place. Upon further investigation, it’s truly the heart of married duo Carl Kirsten Dixon and their family that make it exceptional. Kirsten’s commitment to French hospitality and quality cuisine and Carl’s commitment to preservation and conservation in the natural world define the Tutka Bay Lodge experience. 

You can enroll in the lodge’s daily “cooking school” in a historic crabbing boat with Kirsten and her daughter Mandy. You’ll dive into a culinary celebration of Alaska’s local bounty– all things wild foraged and grown from land and sea. Whether out in Tutka Bay in a sea kayak, exploring with a pair of binoculars, or tidepooling; this is a place to slow down and soak in the glory of nature. Don’t miss a flight across to the Katmai Peninsula, landing on a remote beach to watch coastal brown bears graze along the shoreline and in sedge grass fields.

Itinerary Inspiration: Back to the Future in New Mexico

New Mexico is a state like no other; between its refreshing lack of industrialization and intriguing cultural diversity it can feel very foreign to the United States you know. Its small-scale agriculture and farming systems have changed little in centuries and in a way seem to have come full circle, with global movements like organic farming, sustainability and artisanal craftsmanship being just business as usual in New Mexico. But don’t think this equates to being backward-looking and on this luxury New Mexico road trip you’ll meet ranchers, scientists, chefs and artists that all have their sights firmly set on the 21st Century and beyond.

See the full journey: Back to the Future in New Mexico

The post The 2024 Hotlist: Immersive Cultural Experiences appeared first on All Roads North.

At All Roads North, we believe that a place is nothing without its people. So often, when we ask our clients the most memorable parts of their journey, it’s not the Instagram-worthy landscape or acclaimed hotel that they mention, it’s the encounters they had along the way.  That’s why our trips are carefully designed to make those connections, providing you with an authentic and immersive experience. These experiences– whether it be with a local craftsman, musician, chef or marine biologist– are the inspiration for our Connections series, where we talk to friends of All Roads North to get an insider’s look at some of our favorite places across the U.S.

Tell us about your New Orleans story?

The first time I visited New Orleans was during Carnival, 1984. My mom came for a work conference so I tagged along. I was 20 years old, in college and had just started working on clarinet. I remember hearing a band in Jackson Square and the music really got under my skin because there was nothing electric, it was all coming straight out of the instruments and hitting my body. 

I came back for JazzFest in 1987 and ’88 and the second time I lucked into a house-sitting situation. Went home, got my clarinet, my bike, some clothes and about $100. Came back, got a restaurant job and started house sitting everywhere I could. Started Panorama Jazz Band with a couple friends to play a wedding in 1995.  It has gradually evolved into 2 bands (the other is a marching band, Panorama BRASS Band) plus a bunch of recordings under the name PanoramaLand (Check out our song-of-the-month club Good Music For You on BandCamp.com). We play every 1st, 3rd (and occasional 5th) Saturday of the month at The Spotted Cat Music Club, 623 Frenchmen St.

Ben Schenck on the clarinet

What’s something that New Orleans does better than anywhere else?  

Celebrate.

What major New Orleans attraction lives up to the hype?  

A real neighborhood second-line. There’s nothing else like it anywhere.

A New Orleans Second Line

What’s your favorite neighborhood to wander? 

I do wander around uptown with my dog a fair amount but I still love the Bywater. It has gentrified quite a bit since I lived down there in the 90s. It’s less authentic, less working-class, but spiffier and still very charming.

Underrated in New Orleans, overrated in New Orleans, personal favorite, and recent discovery?  

Underrated – the parks, the live oaks; Overrated – most of the tourist traps in the French Quarter; Personal favorite just riding my bike around a pretty day. Dropping in on friends. Recent discovery – A tiny Indian restaurant in Algiers called Plume. Unreal tastes.

What’s your Sunday morning in New Orleans?  

Lately, the New York Times with breakfast and green tea followed by meeting for worship at the Friends Meeting of New Orleans (I’m a Quaker).

What restaurant do you take friends from out of town for dinner, a casual local’s favorite, and a weekend brunch? 

Dinner: High Hat Cafe on Freret St. Casual local’s favorite: Sarita’s Latin Fusion: they’re like family over there. Weekend brunch: my house!

Where do you go to get into nature? 

New Orleans City Park

In City Park, some of the golf courses went to seed after Hurricane Katrina. So there are these wild, overgrown spaces with little sidewalks running through them. There’s also a disc golf course nearby and I like that.

What are the best places to hear live music in New Orleans? 

I can vouch for Frenchmen St. It can be hit-or-miss but you can sometimes catch a great band having a good night with an attentive, appreciative audience and you’ll never forget that.

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Where are we in the EV conversion?

Rolls Royce’s first all-electric vehicle, Spectre. Set to arrive in 2024.

In August of 2023, the electric vehicle revolution in the United States received another significant boost with a massive $12 billion in loans and grants from the US Department of Energy. Their goal is to assist U.S. carmakers and suppliers in transitioning to electric vehicles, aligning with President Joe Biden’s vision of electric cars constituting two-thirds of new vehicle sales by 2032. An additional $3.5 billion investment was also dedicated to accelerating battery production. California has stated that all new car sales must be zero-emissions by 2035. Policies like these really make it seem that an electrically focused future of driving is on the horizon– it’s a matter of when, not if.

The new models to look out for:

Lucid Gravity, set to deliver in 2024

Between the established auto giants and the up-and-coming, futuristic EV companies, there are a lot of cutting edge cars on the horizon to look forward to. Whether you’re a fervent car enthusiast or an environmentally-conscious driver, the imminent wave of EVs offers something for everyone to eagerly anticipate.

In the emerging market of young EV companies, Lucid Motors first came onto the scene in 2007, initially focusing on creating electric car batteries and powertrains for other industry players. Later in 2021, they made a triumphant debut with their inaugural model, the Lucid Air. Now, their forward march continues with the imminent arrival of the Lucid Gravity in 2024, a spectacular SUV designed to comfortably accommodate up to seven discerning passengers. But Lucid isn’t the only rising star on this electric stage; enter Canoo, a relative newcomer to the EV landscape, making its entrance in 2021. 

Canoo Pickup Truck

Canoo’s distinctive, bold approach to design is captivating the imagination of the automotive world, with creations like the avant-garde Lifestyle Vehicle van and (succinctly-named) Pickup Truck. In addition to the well-known competitors in the EV industry, such as Tesla and Rivian, these emerging companies also face competition from established auto giants, like Ford and Jeep.

Among these, here are some of the models we are looking forward to. Chevrolet is bucking its petroleum-fueled tradition with an upcoming Chevrolet Corvette EV. Following the innovative C8 generation and the 2024 E-Ray hybrid model, the fully electric Corvette promises a powerful transformation. The iconic two-seat interior will likely remain, setting the stage for an electrifying race in the world of high-performance electric sports cars, with contenders like the Dodge Challenger eMuscle and a Porsche 718 vying for supremacy. Lamborghini and Rolls Royce have also announced their entrance into the luxury, EV market with the Lamborghini Lanzador set to arrive by 2028 and the Rolls Royce Spectre in 2024. Jeep has plans to remake their iconic, rugged Wrangler as an electric vehicle. Maserati, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz are just a few more that have exciting all-electric models on the horizon. 

Where are the largest charging networks?

Tesla Cybertruck, set to deliver Nov. 2023

According to the Department of Energy, there was a 4.0% surge in the total count of EV charging ports in the second quarter of 2023. The Mid-Atlantic region stood out with a substantial 7.1% uptick in public charging, although California maintains its position as the leader in the nation for the number of available public EV charging ports.

Custom Journeys in High Performance EV’s

There are many electric vehicles that have long been available to include in clients’ trips across the U.S. However, we are seeing a whole new age of high performance EVs on the market. Think: zipping between Upstate New York art galleries and farm-to-table restaurants in a Porsche Taycan or feeling the breeze in your hair along Pacific Coast Highway in a Rivian R1S.

These are some of the luxe electric journeys we are dreaming up right now with the best routes and charging-friendly hotels: Custom Journeys in High Performance EVs

The post An Electric Future Awaits the Great American Road Trip, Pt 2. appeared first on All Roads North.

Orange wine gets its ochre hue from macerating white grapes (aka soaking white grape skins in their grape juice)– a step that imbues the wine with tannins and flavor, and is used in the making of red wine. The country of Georgia has been known to practice this method of winemaking for thousands of years, leaving their wine on the skins in large clay vessels called Kvevri. 

The Rise of Orange Wine in the U.S.

Cellar Master Jarad Bivins washing out the Spanish Tinaja that produces the orange wine at Two Vinters.

Morgan Lee, winemaker at Two Vintners in Woodinville, Washington, says he was one of the first to begin producing orange wine in the state. The inspiration hit on a business trip to Baltimore when a distributor asked him if anyone in Washington was making orange wine. 

“I was still in my twenties, and at the time I had never heard of it,” Morgan Lee said. “I replied that we don’t grow citrus fruit in Washington, and he had a chuckle over that.”

After explaining that orange wine has nothing to do with the fruit, the distributor said he was seeing a growing segment of people asking for it. 

“I have an affinity for different things,” Lee said. “I really like making things that other people are not making.”

That very harvest in 2010, Lee made his first batch using Gewürztraminer grapes sourced from Yakima Valley for their aromatic nature. By the 2019 vintage, Lee was able to get his hands on some Spanish clay tinajas (giant clay pots) to use in the winemaking process, just like orange wine is traditionally made in Old World countries. 

“I really think it’s the best wine in our whole program,” Lee said, “But it’s not for everybody… I like to make wines that make people think, and some people love it and some just can’t wrap their head around it. 

Going Back to Basics

Orange Wines from AmByth Estate

Further south in Paso Robles, California, Gelert Hart is winemaker and vineyard manager for family-run, biodynamic winery AmByth Estate. 

“[Orange wine] is very much a big part of the market now since the last 10 years or so, and we are seeing a lot more producers get into it,” Hart said. “Especially from natural wine producers that seem to be more likely to embrace the significant flavor difference you find in orange wines.”

Even so, not all orange wine is natural wine, even though the two seem to be somewhat conflated in the public imagination. Perhaps this is because orange wine in the traditional sense, was left to ferment on the skins for long periods of time with no additives– a hands-off approach that natural winemaking shares. 

For George Nosis, winemaker at Atwater Vineyards located in the Finger Lakes area of New York, learning about orange wine was a source of ancient inspiration. Nosis said that learning about the Old World techniques of making orange wine reminds us to go back to basics. In an age where so much winemaking has become a large-scale production that lacks any soul, small-batch wineries such as Atwood don’t actually need to use as many additives as industrial producers.

Orange Wine Tasting Notes

Traditional Georgian Kvevri

It could be said that orange wine is an even more versatile and expansive category than red or white wines, according to Lee. The styles range from light wines similar to rosé to big flavor, Old World wines that are left on the skins for up to a year.

Phillip Hart, founder and original winegrower at AmByth Estate, shared the varied tasting notes from his first orange wines produced in 2006. 

“I made four different orange wines from our four [grape] varietals and discovered how very different orange wines are from each other,” Phillip Hart said. “Grenache Blanc – fairly big on the palate, quite forward. Viognier – the time on the skins brought out huge floral notes, extremely distinctive. Roussanne – the most delicate of the four. Marsanne – huge, monstrous, tannic, a beast.”

Since the early 2000s, Nosis has also experimented with several grape varietals in his orange winemaking. He said the best kinds of grapes tend to be those with low acid and high aromatics. He’s played with Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer, to name a few. The best part is discovering something completely new from a grape that had once been old hat. 

“You can taste that it’s a Gewurztraminer but now it’s this whole different expression,” Nosis said. “All of a sudden something you thought was mundane takes on new life. It’s like if you found out that your grandma was a rockstar.”

How to Pair Orange Wine

Atwater Vineyards

Most of the wine experts we spoke with emphasized that orange wine is extremely interesting to pair with food. 

“[Orange wine] works well with Indian and Thai curries with coconut milk,” Lee said. “In the Northwest here, it’s fantastic with seafood. Halibut with butter sauce. Things that have some fat to them.”

As for if orange wine should be served chilled or room temperature?

“It really depends on whether you are having it with food or not,” Gelert Hart said. “To better express the tannins we treat it like any good red wine, at room temperature. If they are being enjoyed on their own, they are really nice to have chilled.” 

However, the most important pairing for orange wine is curiosity and an open mind. The common thread between both wine experts and non-experts alike is that their introduction to orange wine provided a deeper insight into the world of wine. Winemakers saw the ancient practice as a stimulus to a new creative expression of their work. Everyday wine drinkers were invited into learning the process of winemaking in a way they may have never experienced before.

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At All Roads North, we believe that a place is nothing without its people. So often, when we ask our clients the most memorable parts of their journey, it’s not the Instagram-worthy landscape or acclaimed hotel that they mention, it’s the encounters they had along the way.  That’s why our trips are carefully designed to make those connections, providing you with an authentic and immersive experience. These experiences– whether it be with a local craftsman, musician, chef or marine biologist– are the inspiration for our Connections series, where we talk to friends of All Roads North to get an insider’s look at some of our favorite places across the U.S.

Tell us about your Santa Fe story?

My family settled in Santa Fe in 1692; I am the former historian for the city. I am the author of eight books on New Mexico history and the founding publisher and editor of La Herencia, a quarterly magazine on New Mexico history from 1994 through 2009.

What three words sum up Santa Fe for you? 

City of Holy Faith.

What’s something that Santa Fe does better than anywhere else? 

Santa Fe is a beacon for those in search of healing, self-discovery, and growth. (It has to do with the surrounding mountain vortex). 

Canyon Road

What major tourist attraction lives up to the hype? 

Canyon Road, which has the highest density of art galleries in the world.

What’s your favorite neighborhood to wander? 

The Barrio de Analco, which features the oldest church in the U.S., the San Miguel Mission Church built between 1605 -1608. The Barrio de Analco was given its name by the Tlaxcalan Indians who came as slaves from Mexico with the Spanish Conquistadors in 1598. Analco means “on the other side of the river” in Nahuatl, the native language of the Tlaxcalans. During the day, the Barrio Analco is buzzing with the activity of people visiting the San Miguel Mission. San Miguel is the oldest church in the U.S. built between 1605–1608. Just up the street is the New Mexico State capitol where people like to meander. Santa Fe is such an art town that you can visit the Governor’s Gallery on the top floor of the rotunda – New Mexico’s state capitol is the only round state capitol in the country. Most of the buildings on the east side of the neighborhood were built upon the San Miguel cemetery, the oldest cemetery in town. Throughout the decades there have been several instances of ghost sightings. Few people wander around the Barrio Analco at night for that reason but for those adventurous souls’ ghost hunting is always an option!

Underrated in Santa Fe, overrated in Santa Fe, personal favorite, and recent discovery? 

Underrated: The artist market at the Santa Fe Railyard. More visitors need to experience the work of local artists. Overrated: Some of Santa Fe’s high-end restaurants, too expensive with a lack of continuity—one great experience doesn’t equate to an exceptional second visit. Personal favorite: You can’t go wrong with a Frito Pie in Santa Fe. Recent discovery: This summer a street vendor was selling bizcochito ice cream sandwiches on the Santa Fe Plaza. The bizcochito is the New Mexico state cookie made with anise.

What restaurant do you take friends from out of town for dinner, a casual local’s favorite, and a weekend brunch? 

The Compound for dinner, Rancho de Chimayo for lunch and La Plazuela at La Fonda hotel for brunch. 

Where do you go to get into nature? 

Santa Fe is surrounded by parks and trails, so I just walk a couple of blocks from my home to enjoy the great outdoors. I like to walk along Alameda Street which runs parallel to Canyon Road and the Santa Fe River. In the autumn, the leaves of the cottonwood trees changing color and the smell of green chile roasting makes for the most enjoyable two-mile walk in Santa Fe.

What trends are you noticing in Santa Fe right now? 

An emphasis on modern art versus traditional and historic art forms.

From your perspective as a historian, what fascinates you the most about Santa Fe’s history? 

The history of this nation would not be complete without the story of Santa Fe. Santa Fe is the most historically significant city in this country that has impacted the world through different historical events during different centuries. For example, in 1943 the Manhattan Project and the atomic bomb had their genesis in Santa Fe. Both triumphant and tragic, the development of the bomb changed the course of world history. 

The post Connections: Sante Fe with Historian Ana Pacheco appeared first on All Roads North.

In Seattle and Portland, the past several years has seen the rise of Native American-owned eateries with a mission to share Indigenous foods, from cafes to food trucks to coffee houses. Three examples at the forefront of this movement are Off the Rez, Bison Coffeehouse and ʔálʔal Café. Not only offering delicious Indigenous meals, these restaurants are spaces where tradition is honored, stories are told, and support is paid back to the Native American community. 

Off the Rez: Seattle’s First Native Food Truck

Credit: KUOW Photo by Megan Farmer

Mark McConnell’s mother grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation in Browning, Montana. McConnell himself grew up in Seattle, but has many fond childhood memories of going back to Montana and spending time with family around traditional food.

Fed up with craving the Native comfort foods that his mom used to make and no restaurant in the area providing a place to buy them, McConnell took matters into his own hands.

“There wasn’t any market for [Native foods] here in Seattle,” McConnell said. “There wasn’t anyone doing it, so we wanted to be the first ones to share our culture’s food out here.”

Along with his partner Cecilia Rikard and childhood friend Chef Donovan MacInnis, the trio transformed an old linen truck into Seattle’s very first Native American food truck. They used several recipes that McConnell’s mom had passed down to him, such as bison tacos and frybread. In McConnell’s memories, the crispy, pillowy frybread was reserved for special occasions, and Indian tacos and sweet frybread were staples at birthday parties and powwows. Off the Rez created homemade preserves, jams and all types of toppings over the years to complement their best-selling frybread. 

As the first to introduce Native food to the area commercially, the food truck had several customers who were encountering this type of cuisine for the first time.  For Native people from other regions, the food evoked nostalgia and a connection to their own traditions.

“We try to collaborate with Native suppliers as much as we can,” McConnell said. Sometimes the team sources bison from Montana. When we spoke to McConnell, he had just bought fresh salmon from the nearby Muckleshoot tribe.

Beyond the infamous Off the Rez food truck, the brand has expanded to a brick and mortar location at the Burke Museum at the University of Washington. The museum has a focus on dinosaurs, fossils, Northwest Native art, plant and animal collections, and cultural pieces from across the globe– making it the perfect place to connect marry the culinary experience with a historical and cultural one.

“There’s a lot of ties between the food and the culture and history [in the museum],” McConnell said. “It’s a great experience to come and try the food, but also go and see artwork and carvings from different periods in our culture.”

Bison Coffee House: A Symbol of Resilience

By Ashley Anderson

Loretta Guzman’s journey to founding Bison Coffee House began with a battle against cancer that led her back to her family on the Fort Hall Reservation in Idaho. Loretta herself was born in Portland, but spent her childhood going back and forth between the Oregon town and the Idaho reservation. 

While recovering, Loretta had a vision of a majestic bison approaching her. Her stepfather, recognizing the significance, assured her that it was her grandparents healing her in the spirit world. Miraculously, she went into remission, and the vision of the bison became the symbol that marked her coffee shop.

“For the Bannock, the bison are a big part of our history,” Guzman said. “Our Bannock people are bison hunters. So I thought, I have to represent the present and the past.”

When you walk into the coffee shop, a giant bison head holds court over the cafe as a symbol of the resilience of Native American peoples and of Guzman’s own personal journey. 

By Ashley Anderson

Along with help from her daughter and other family members, Guzman sells coffee and an array of fresh baked goods that are all made in house, such as espresso coffee cake and green chile pepper jack bacon biscuits. Her cafe is not just about coffee; it’s an avenue to give back to Native American communities. 

“Every year, I pick one of the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) organizations to donate to,” Guzman said. “But I make sure I research them and see it’s a legitimate organization, and that they are really helping our people.” 

Guzman has given to the MMIW Database, the Sahnish Scouts, and the Medicine Wheel Ride to name a few of the organizations making a difference. 

ʔálʔal Café: Decolonizing Native Food

ʔálʔal Café’s moniker, pronounced “All All,” is the Lushootseed word for “home.” The word perfectly encapsulates the vision of the Chief Seattle Club, which owns and operates the cafe. 

“We envision a future where our Native community is safe, healthy, housed, and connected to community that respects and celebrates Native cultures,” Akemi Boyd, Grant Writer for Chief Seattle Club, said. 

The cafe puts an emphasis on “de-colonized food,” meaning dishes and ingredients that take back the way Native food was prepared before colonization. Bison barbacoa tacos, rabbit stew, blue corn mush, three sisters wild rice grain bowl, and maple sugar mocha are just a few of the items on the menu.The cafe sources ingredients and products from tribes and Native businesses, such as bison from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, wild rice from the Red Lake Nation, and blue corn from Navajo Nation.

“Food is our most immediate connection to culture,” Boyd said. “Through colonization and attempted genocide, many Indigenous people lost connection to their traditional foods. Reintroducing those foods is a healing process and a small step in regaining a sense of self.”

Beyond food, ʔálʔal Café serves as a hub for cultural exchange. The café hosts workshops and events, opening doors to conversations about Indigenous experiences, sovereignty, and heritage.

“The ʔálʔal Café serves as a gateway for the Pioneer Square Community to interact with members and café staff,” Boyd said. “This is a great opportunity for people who may not understand the Native culture, to learn what culture looks and feels like from our perspective.”

Explore the Pacific Northwest:

The Pacific Coast and Willamette Valley: From your starting point in Portland, you will find yourself in a city ringed by old growth fir forests, snow-capped volcanoes, ancient cliffs adorned with tumbling waterfalls, fertile farmland and vineyards, and hundreds of miles of undeveloped coast ripe for exploration. This luxury Oregon road trip provides an unmatched concentration of stunning, diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes enriched by unique adventures and connections with local producers.

Olympic Peninsula and San Juan Islands: Coastal Wanderings: Experience the remote wonders of the Olympic Peninsula, the relaxed pace of life on the San Juan Islands and the buzz of downtown Seattle on this loop around Washington’s idyllic islands and verdant peninsulas. Charming waterfront inns and boutique hotels allow you to sample in style all of the natural wonders and culinary delights that this special corner of the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

The post The Native-Owned Businesses Championing Indigenous Food in the PNW appeared first on All Roads North.

Farnsworth Art Museum, in the small coastal town of Rockland, Maine, is the perfect example of this phenomenon. Founded in 1948, the museum displays approximately 15,000 works of American art from the 18th century to the present day, the quality of which could stand up to any major metropolitan collection. Particularly, the museum’s vast collection of works from three generations of Wyeths– the famous family of artists renowned for capturing the essence of the American experience. From the Wyeths to Edward Hopper to George Bellows, the museum’s perhaps most interesting aspect is the mission and tether that holds the impressive collection together: to celebrate Maine’s role in American art. 

We spoke with David Troup, who’s worked for Farnsworth Art Museum for sixteen years as Communications and Marketing Manager, to learn more about how the museum achieves this distinct mission. 

How the Farnsworth Celebrates Maine’s Place in American Art

The artists whose work is displayed at the museum have various levels of connection to the state, but all have something in common: Maine has at some point inspired their artistic works. 

“When you look at the names of the artists who have called Maine home or who have come to Maine in years gone by– including the 19th century, 20th century and still today– because of the lower cost of living, you’re dealing with some of the greatest names in American art history. From the Bellows and the Homers to Hopper,” Troup said. 

The lower cost of living and natural beauty are the two main draws that have long had artists flocking to Maine. 

“The great move that happened post-World War II when Alex Katz and so many of his contemporaries moved up to Maine, because they had been working in tiny lofts in New York City and suddenly found they could– for a tenth of the price– get a house with some land,” Troup said.

Instead of taking the subway for an hour to find a natural setting for plein-air painting, these artists could step into their own backyard and find immediate inspiration. So whether from artists who were born and raised in Maine or spent time working in the Pine Tree State, each of the Farnsworth galleries celebrate one aspect or another of their Maine-focused mission.

Three Generations of the Wyeth Family at the Farnsworth

Another notable aspect of the Farnsworth’s collection is their Wyeth connection. The museum displays artwork from three generations of the renowned family of American artists, from N.C. to Andrew to Jamie. Because of its association with the Wyeth Foundation of American Art, the museum has access to the 7,000 works by Andrew Wyeth, only 11% of which have ever been exhibited. Troup said over the next few years, Farnsworth Art Museum and Brandywine River Museum in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania will be exploring and revealing these works through many different themes.

N.C. Wyeth, Treasure Island, 1997

The Wyeths’ connection to Maine began in 1920 when N.C. Wyeth– legendary illustrator and patriarch of the artistic family– bought a country house in Port Clyde, Maine (about 20 minutes away from the current location of the Farnsworth). Thus the family spent their summers in the area, as the next two generations of Wyeths came of age into their own artistic careers. 

Andrew Wyeth, son of N.C., is celebrated for his realistic and detailed depictions of rural life and landscapes, particularly in the Brandywine Valley of Pennsylvania and coastal Maine.

“The works of Andrew Wyeth that we show here in our collection were all painted here in Maine,” Troup said. “If you go to the Brandywine in Pennsylvania, they showcase the works he did at Kuerner Farm and near Chadds Ford. So those are the Pennsylvania works and we’re split very clearly along those lines.”

Andrew Wyeth, Her Room, 1963

Son of Andrew Jamie Wyeth’s art has continued the family tradition of capturing the landscapes and people of rural America, but with a more contemporary and often surreal twist. 

Troup said Farnsworth’s relationship with the Wyeths goes back to 1944, four years before the museum opened to the public. Many times, a museum is started when an art collector dies and their personal collection becomes a museum. 

“That’s not what happened here,” Troup said. “What happened here was that Lucy Farnsworth left $1.3 million for a museum to be built, but there was no collection. A man by the name of Robert Bellows started purchasing works to add to the collection. And one of the first artists he zeroed in on was a young, still unknown Andrew Wyeth in New York. He purchased six works in 1944, four years before the museum opened.”

Planning a Visit to the Farnsworth

Lynne Drexler, Saha, 1959, Oil on canvas

Maine may be the common link between all the work at Farnsworth, but that inspiration manifested across a wide array of artistic forms. The museum is home to art of every style of work, from oil paintings to sculpture to video art. You have Lynne Drexler’s abstract bursts of color in oil paint. Jason Brown (also known as Firefly) is a member of the Penobscot Nation who works in digital film and composes his own music. Jeremy Frey is renowned as a skilled basket weaver, working out of Maine to create his masterpieces with ash and porcupine quills. The variety and creativity Farnsworth has on display truly has no bounds. 

Reflecting its setting in the small Maine town, the museum atmosphere is warm, personable and friendly. It’s primarily a gallery-centric experience with some immersive, video displays as well. 

Apart from the main museum, you can visit The Farnsworth Homestead, the 19th-century home of museum benefactor Lucy Farnsworth. Additionally, there’s the Olson House, a National Historic Landmark well-known as the setting of Andrew Wyeth’s “Christina’s World” and around 300 other paintings.

Andrew Wyeth, Christina’s World, 1948

As a New Yorker with an art background, Troup recalled visiting Farnsworth Art Museum for the first time when he and his wife moved to Maine. 

“I walked into Farnsworth and I really couldn’t believe the quality of the works that were on view,” Troup said. “It’s not what I was expecting in a small town on the seaside in Maine.”

Goes Well With This Journey:

Islands and Inlets: Maine Maritime Adventures: With thousands of miles of jagged coastline; countless rugged islands, inland lakes and ponds; a labyrinth of streams and rivers; and a culture still driven by nautical history, Maine is a place best discovered on the water. Whether pulling traps on a lobster boat, paddling deep-woods ponds in search of moose, or commuting between islands by mail boat, this adventurous Maine road trip offers a new experience on the water nearly every day. In the evenings, rest your head on dry land while listening to lapping water and loon calls from your secluded inn or lodge.

The post The Wyeths: Three Generations of Artistic Legacy in Coastal Maine appeared first on All Roads North.

At All Roads North, we believe that a place is nothing without its people. So often, when we ask our clients the most memorable parts of their journey, it’s not the Instagram-worthy landscape or acclaimed hotel that they mention, it’s the encounters they had along the way. That’s why our trips are carefully designed to make those connections, providing you with an authentic and immersive experience. These experiences– whether it be with a local craftsman, musician, chef or marine biologist– are the inspiration for our Connections series, where we talk to friends of All Roads North to get an insider’s look at some of our favorite places across the U.S.

All photos are courtesy of guide and family member Sean Holiday.

Tell us about your Monument Valley story? 

My Name is Garry Holiday. I was born and raised in Monument Valley. Monument Valley, although a small place, is rich in history and culture. As a Dine’ (Navajo), I feel fortunate to have been both born and raised in a location that is still connected to native Language culture and a rich family history. My family is originally from Monument Valley. Our family stories are entrenched in the landscape and that gives me a much deeper love and appreciation for the beauty of what I can share with others who visit. If I go away and return, I always feel as though I am in a holy place.

Sean Holiday

What three words sum up Monument Valley for you? 

An Ancient Playground

What is something Monument Valley offers that is like nowhere else? 

Monument Valley is rich in so many ways. The rock formations are arguably the most unique and beautiful formations in the world. There is never a day that the landscape looks the same. Nature changes sometimes from minute to minute as a quick storm can bring beautiful waterfalls; the clouds can change the lighting making it so photographic. I love the sunrise and sunsets in Monument Valley. At night, the stars are clear and many times you can see the Milky Way. It is one of the best places to stargaze. There are also more ancient sites in our area than anywhere else in the Nation. The Anasazi left beautiful rock art and structures in the rocks that are incredible. Many of these sites have been left untouched by archeologists. Some of these sites date to 12,000 years ago. 

What part of Monument Valley do visitors like most?

Monument Valley is iconic so most people want to come and experience where the films are made. They love the 2.5 to 3.0 hour experience. Although our most popular experience is the All day trip which includes Monument Valley as well as another location that is connected called Mystery Valley. This is where you can see many of the arches and ancient sites. 

Sean Holiday

Where is my favorite part of the park to wander?

That is a hard question. I love music and playing the flute or drums. The best place to do this is in the Natural Amphitheater in Monument Valley, a place called “the big Hogan.” I also like a place in Mystery valley called the pancakes. It is a small hike to where you can sit on the rocks, meditate, and look out at the panorama of Mystery Valley and Mitchel butte. It’s just amazing at sunset! The third and most beautiful place is on Hunts Mesa. It’s a place that only a few visit and I feel lucky to be able to hike the overlook view. Incredible!

What part of Monument Valley’s history do you find most fascinating?

A long time ago the cavalry rounded up the Navajo people to participate in the Long Walk which was a forced removal from our ancestral lands. but what you don’t know is that the People in Monument Valley revolted against the United States Cavalry at this time and were able to defend their home. They hid away from the Cavalry and were among the few that were never captured against them. They were able to use their resources and their surroundings to evade capture and they continued to live as a free people, able to practice our traditions and culture. And even help those that were captured by giving the food and resources they had. To help them subsist and inspire them during hard times. Monument Valley was also a strong hold from other Navajo people who came from other areas of Navajoland for protection. We still celebrate Navajo Independence Day due to this history. 

Sean Holiday

What is a recent Discovery and personal favorite? 

Many of our discoveries are found away from our daytime trips to the Park. There are thousands of ancestral dwellings that scatter across the Monument Valley area that are protected by the Navajo Tribe and our local People. It truly feels like finding treasure every time we discover something new. Within the last year two of our guides went on an adventure to a place no one had been to for a very long time that took a full day of hiking. They found a very large ruin, and even more magical, a baby’s cradle board. It was still mostly intact and you can imagine the feeling of history that there was a little baby who was so cared for. This was found in an Anasazi ruin however it was a Navajo cradle board that had been left behind long ago. There are clues to our people connecting with each other and these are the discoveries that make us so passionate about learning of our history and culture even more. We keep everything as it was and don’t touch anything when we find these discoveries but even being in the presence is a sacred experience. We know others are not allowed to these locations so these experiences are ones that we are so honored to have.

Where do you take friends from out of town to eat in the Monument Valley area? What about a casual local’s favorite spot?

Our favorite restaurant is just about 25 minutes from Monument Valley in a little town called Kayenta, AZ. It is called Amigo Cafe and is run and owned by a Navajo family. They are wonderful and you can watch their journey on Restaurant Impossible. We take all our friends and family here while also stopping in at our local Flea Market which happens every Wednesday in Kayenta, AZ. This is where you can find all the authentic Navajo foods that you can hardly find anywhere else. It is a little niche spot that mostly locals know about. We always tell anyone we can to stop in and enjoy the traditional food.

Sean Holiday

How can visitors be sure to support the Navajo community when visiting Monument Valley?

We always recommend stopping at the local stands and shops in Monument Valley. There are some amazing artists on the Navajo Nation and most of them can be found on the side of the roads selling their crafts. You can learn so much from them but also support them by buying directly from them. I have met elderly grandmothers and grandfathers who make their own juniper necklaces for protection, or the most talented silversmiths, rug weavers, basket weavers or potters who make the most unique and traditional pieces just off the sides of the highways and in Monument Valley Tribal Park as well. We always advise to buy directly from the source. 

Pairs Well with These Journeys:

Luxury Winter Road Trip Through the Southwest: Taking a winter road trip through the Southwest is a magical experience with crisp, clear days and a coating of snow giving an entirely new perspective to these dramatic red rock landscapes.

An Odyssey Through Utah’s National Parks: Experience the best of Utah’s national parks on this road trip through the heart of some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet.

The post Connections: Monument Valley with Garry Holiday appeared first on All Roads North.

You probably know about Upstate New York’s creative mecca, Hudson Valley, but have you heard of the nearby Massachusetts Berkshires?

A rural region in the mountains of western Massachusetts dotted with villages and towns, the Northern Berkshires is known for its rich cultural and artistic scene, as well as its fall foliage and overall rustic idyll. 

We spoke with Nina Keneally, a former theater producer and gallerist and friend of All Roads North, to get the intel on this flourishing artistic oasis.

“You could probably find a new trail to hike every day of the year for at least three or four years because there is so much nature, but especially in the summer season, you also couldn’t begin to do everything that’s offered here artistically,” Keneally said. 

Jacob’s Pillow

History of the Arts in the Berkshires

The Berkshires’ convenient location just a few hours away from Boston and New York City has long provided the perfect country escape for wealthy city folk. Where the money went, the arts soon followed. 

“Especially in the Southern Berkshires, a lot of arts developed here because people had summer homes here. It’s always been a summer escape for those artists– classical artists, musicians and dancers,” Keneally said.

Centers of education like Williams College also contributed to the cultural scene by supplying strong arts programs and attracting young creatives. Thomas Krens was director of the Williams College Museum of Art and an integral figure in the Berkshires’ artistic renaissance. During his time at Williams, inspiration struck him for an unlikely contemporary art museum in the Berkshires.  

“Thomas Krens knew about this building in North Adams, which had once been an electric plant but had been vacant since the 70’s,” Keneally said. “He had the idea to put this contemporary art museum there that could handle very large works of art that really didn’t have anywhere else to go. That was the genesis of MASS MoCA.”

Krens’ latest vision is for a new museum focused on model railroads and architecture in the Northern Berkshires, which is currently under construction. The project, called the Extreme Model Railroad and Contemporary Architecture Museum, promises to deliver a “museum-theme park” experience, completed as early as 2025.

Our Favorite Art and Music in The Berkshires

The Clark Institute

As for now, the galleries, museums, festivals and showings in the Berkshires are endless across seemingly every artistic category– from visual arts to dance to music. From monumental museums to trendy galleries, here are a few of the top attractions: 

• Massachusetts Museum of Modern Art (aka MASS MoCA): A modern art museum in North Adams housed in a former electric plant with an emphasis on large-scale, immersive works
• Tanglewood: The famed summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and one of the world’s most beloved music festivals.
• Ferrin Contemporary: A 40-year old modern ceramic art gallery, located on MASS MoCA’s 16-acre campus.
• Jacob’s Pillow: The 220-acre home to America’s longest-running international dance festival which hosts performances, talks, and events, as well as dance training.
• The Clark Art Institute: Both an art museum and a distinguished center for research and higher education. Keneally said The Clark is the best in the area in regards to the landscape and architecture.
• MCLA Gallery 51: Run by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Gallery 51 exhibits art from an international mix of both emerging and mid-career artists.
• Bang on a Can: The Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival at MASS MoCA is a 3-week musical fest dedicated to adventurous, contemporary music.

Suggested Itineraries in The Berkshires:

MASS MoCA

Explore the captivating artistic scene in the Massachusetts Berkshires yourself. All Roads North will pair you with artists and expert guides to introduce you to the heart of the region. 

Start with some inspiration from these itineraries: 

Luxury New England Road Trip – Meet Boston academics, Maine lobstermen, and brewers from Vermont, while staying in style at some of the region’s top hotels.

New York to Montreal Road Trip: Where Past Meets Present – Whether exploring the Great Camps of the Adirondacks, cheering on your horse at Saratoga Springs or biking amongst the outdoor exhibits of a forward-thinking art center in Hudson Valley, this New York to Montreal road trip balances the glamor of an era gone by with the area’s forward-thinking, contemporary heart.

The post New England’s Cultural Mecca: A Luxury Guide to The Berkshires appeared first on All Roads North.