No matter how quickly 2024 passes, it can feel like time is just flying by until those amazing summer months arrive! Now that we're there, at least unofficially, some places in Massachusetts are coming to life more than others. It just so happens that two of those unique places are in Western Massachusetts.

Everyone's favorite travel magazine World Atlas has compiled a limited list of a handful of cities that really come alive in the summer. While there were definitely plenty of beach towns in the Bay State that made the list, Western Massachusetts is home to – and this really isn't a surprise – two of those cities. So get ready to make some amazing summer plans in these places!

Which towns in Western Massachusetts come alive in the summer?

World Atlas has more than enough reasons why you should definitely visit the Clark Art Institute this summer:

If there were no other attractions in Williamstown, the Clark Art Institute would suffice. As one of the few institutions in the world that is both an art museum and a respected research center – with a special focus on bringing art to the public – the Clark Art Institute is an art lover's dream. As the owner of TripAdvisorWinner of the Travellers Choice Award for 2022, this stunning museum is home to more than 30 works by French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, several Italian and Northern Renaissance masterpieces, and a dazzling collection of silver and porcelain. Outside, it's a pleasure to stroll along the scenic pathways and enjoy the museum's architectural elegance from different angles.

As for the other Western Massachusetts town that comes alive in the summer, we head south to…

You may have guessed where in the Berkshires is the hub for the other city that comes alive in the summer. World Atlas tells how a simple summer visit can become the experience of a lifetime:

Besides strolling down Main Street and admiring the historic architecture of downtown, Lenox offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. Kennedy Park, for example, offers numerous trails a hiker will want to try—plus views that no one could move for the world. However, Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1937, is Lenox's main attraction. Not only is Tanglewood a world-famous music venue that is home to three top-notch music schools, but it is also home to a festival of the same name that is one of the most popular music festivals in the world. Well, that festival takes place every summer.

It's no secret to anyone in Western Massachusetts that demand explodes in these two locations during the summer months because there's so much to do. Let's face it, there are more than a few other cities on this side of the state we could have added to this list. In the meantime, enjoy your summer, Massachusetts!