The town of Florida, ironically one of the coldest spots in Massachusetts, is near Whitcomb Summit, the highest point along the Mohawk Trail (2,240 feet). The first overnight cabin in New England was built on this summit. Florida is the the gateway to the Hoosac Tunnel, a 4.7 mile railroad tunnel completed in 1873 at the cost of 196 lives. The tunnel workers nicknamed the burrow "Bloody Pit." It was on the Hoosac that nitroglycerin was used for the first time in an industrial application.

When the tunnel was completed, the nearby town of North Adams took off. This old factory town is to 19th century industrial archeology what Deerfield is to the colonial period: a fascinating relic. Unlike Deerfield, it's been only recently that the town has been appreciated for what it is. Western Gateway Heritage State Park makes for an interesting stop. This state park was created out a North Adams freight yard, and features many 19th century structures renovated to house exhibits. The building the Hoosac Tunnel is fully explored, along with other aspects of the region's industrial history.

New England's only natural bridge is found at nearby Natural Bridge State Park. The park is situated in a large marble quarry that was active from 1810 until 1947. The quarry is probably the most interesting feature of this park. The natural bridge is displayed as a tourist's curiousity - with chainlink fencing all around and a walkover with handrail and steps.