Williamstown

williamstown a college town and then some

Tucked into Massachusetts’ northwest

corner, Williamstown is one of America’s first college towns; the town and the college both date to 1791. Williams College, consistently ranking at or near the top of America’s liberal arts institutions, is the town’s largest employer. You don’t have to have a connection to Williams, though, to enjoy what the town— and the College—have to offer.

You could begin on Spring Street, the commercial center, where you’ll find galleries, stylish clothing stores, coffee shops with fast Internet connections, and restaurants that cater to the tastes of college students, locals, and visitors alike. Nature’s Closet has Patagonia and a wide selection of outdoor footwear, and is also home to the popular Smoothie Spot. Check out the Greylock Gallery next door, which specializes in contemporary American landscapes by emerging and established artists. You could pick up a book at the light-filled Williams Bookstore or at Chapter Two Books, a used bookstore that benefits the town’s library. Dive into Spoon next door for a refreshing frozen yogurt, gelato, or sorbet, or an ice cream cone at Lickety Split. Coffee, tea, and baked goods can be found at Tunnel City Coffee across the street. A new arrival near the top of the street is Unlimited Nutrition, specializing in protein shakes and flavored teas, and, at the foot of the street is the newly built and well-appointed Williams Inn, which offers dining in its Barn Kitchen & Bar.

If you have recreational cannabis needs, Silver Therapeutics is ready to serve you seven days a week from a little mellow shop a mile east of downtown.

Williamstown is also home to the long-established but still adventurous Williamstown Theatre Festival; its 2021 season presents live productions, all outdoors in various locations around town. Images Cinema, on Spring Street, is one of the few remaining independent movie theaters still going strong. It’s a non-profit community theater that presents a wide range of independent, foreign and classic films. The theater is now open, but you can support it by viewing their virtual releases.

The galleries of the Williams College Museum of Art have re-opened, as has the The Clark Art Institute, with advanced timed-visit tickets required for non-members. Come enjoy its extraordinary permanent collection, groundbreaking special exhibitions, and striking architecture by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando. The Clark campus boasts 140 acres of lawns, meadows and walking trails.

There’s a lot of wild country around Williamstown, with well-maintained trails to get you out into it. The Williams Outing Club publishes an excellent guide to North Berkshire recreation, and the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation trail kiosk at Sheep Hill on Cold Spring Road south of town offers complete information on all local trails, including those in the Hopkins Forest, the nearby Mount Greylock Reservation in Adams, and Field Farm. For rural family fun, especially with younger children, Ioka Valley Farm, on route 43 south of town in Hancock, has approachable farm animals and farm-related activities to engage in. Williamstown eats well. Fine restaurants like Mezze, south of town on Route 7, source local foods. Coyote Flaco, also on Route 7, serves a Mexican menu. There’s Indian cuisine at Spice Root on Spring Street, and Thai and Japanese at Blue Mango next door. If you’re just looking for lunch, the Spring Street Market & Café and Pappa Charlie’s Deli are standbys for dining and takeout. The Neapolitan-style pizza at Hot Tomatoes on Water Street is exceptional, and you can enjoy it under the trees beside the Green River at picnic tables behind the restaurant. Looking for a watering hole? The Water Street Grill serves many craft beers on tap, good food, and a warm ambience. For Chinese fare, Chopsticks is just east of town on Route 2. Berkshire Palate, also on Route 2 east, is a good choice if you’re looking for lunch between museums or dinner. Right next door is Korean Garden, which recently relocated from North Adams. (Pro tip: get the hot stone bi bim bab.) If you’re cooking for yourself, stock up at Wild Oats on the same stretch of road.