10 Things to Love About Williamstown
Nestled quietly in the corner of Vermont and New York State, Berkshire County's northernmost town is no stranger to big city influence. From its multicultural dining opportunities to the internationally acclaimed acts and films brought to the area by Williams College, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Images Cinema, and The Clark, this sleepy college town has major cultural and academic pull. One thing we can't wait to explore: the brand-new Williams Inn and its restaurant, The Barn.
1. Restaurants: For such a small town, Williamstown has an extremely varied palate. Spring Street favorites include Spice Root (Modern Indian Cuisine), Blue Mango (Thai and Japanese), Tony's Sombrero (Mexican), and Pera Mediterranean Bistro, while in other parts of town diners enjoy Coyote Flaco (Mexican with a South American twist), Mezze Bistro + Bar (New American) and many other truly fine dining spots. Don't forget to grab a hot coffee and a cookie from Tunnel City this winter and a scoop of Purple Cow ice cream from Lickety-Split (across the street) come summer.
2. Images Cinema: Tucked between MASS MoCA by Design and West's Wine & Spirits, Images is the only single-screen, independent, non-profit theater in the Berkshires. It's also the oldest theater in New England, opening its doors for the first time on November 30, 1916! Along with selected weekly films, Images offers special event screenings and art shows in the lobby.
3. Williams College: From free performances and lectures, to world-renowned theater and dance events at the '62 Center, sky-viewing at the Hopkins Observatory, and the Williams College Museum of Art, the school brings much more than just top-tier education to the town.
4. The Clark Art Institute: Opened in 1955 to house and exhibit the collection of Sterling and Francine Clark, the museum has become not only the site of seminal works of art — both important permanent pieces and top-tier traveling installations — but also an important research center for scholars, museum professionals, and researchers from around the world. This month and next, The Clark will open the exhibits "Travels on Paper" and "Arabesque."
5. Williamstown Theatre Festival: The Tony Award-winning festival attracts big names to this small town, in the form of well-known stars of the stage and screen, award-winning directors and respected playwrights. Beyond the ticketed shows, WTF also offers free performances, first-look readings, late-night cabarets, and family-friendly workshops. The festival runs July through August in Williams College's '62 Center.
6. Holiday Celebrations: For a small town, Williamstown loves to go big when celebrating Independence Day and the winter holiday season. Each Fourth of July features readings of the founding documents by actors from the Williamstown Theatre Festival, a parade and free community picnic, concerts, film screenings, fireworks and more. The holidays see a busy schedule that includes a holiday walk complete with carriage rides, crafting workshops, free film screenings, the reading of "A Christmas Carol," live music, an adorable Reindog Parade (you guessed it, dogs dressed up as reindeer!), and more.
7. Nature: Whether you prefer a short, scenic walking loop or a strenuous snowshoe trek, the surrounding hills have a plethora of hiking trails. Scenery includes classic New England sights like old-growth forests, two-century-old rock walls (they make for good neighbors), open meadows, tranquil ponds, and bubbling brooks.
8. Field Farm & The Guest House at Field Farm: The Guest House is a vintage modern masterpiece you can sleep in from spring through fall, and Field Farm is a 316-acre nature preserve managed by the Trustees of Reservations that offers year-round trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
9. Wild Oats Market: This co-op, open since 1982, is the place to get your organic goods, including fresh fruits and veggies, cheeses, teas, beauty products and more; plus rice, nuts and other staples by the pound, beer and wine, and homemade gluten-free breads and desserts. They also offer a nutritious and delicious daily hot meal, plus sandwiches, salads (including a great curry chicken salad) and a wide selection of single-serving desserts. Be sure to check out the Little Free Library located outside (there's another one in front of the Williams College's president's house).
10. Local Farms: Cricket Creek Farm offers their own raw milk, cheese, grass-fed beef and whey-fed pork, along with other regionally made products in their farm store. Sweet Brook Farm sells maple syrup, maple cream, farm-fresh eggs and beef. Caretaker Farm is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm raising food and animals using sustainable and alternative energy methods.
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