'''Williamstown''' is a town in the Berkshire Hills at the northwest corner of Massachusetts. It shares a border with New York and Vermont. It is a true college town, having hosted Williams College since 1793.
Get in
From the South or West: From I-87, take Exit 6; drive 45 minutes east on NY/MA Rt. 2 into Williamstown.
From Taconic Parkway: Take NY Rt. 295 East to NY Rt. 22 North to NY Rt. 43 East (which becomes MA Rt. 43 North) to US Rt. 7 North into Williamstown.
From the North (Vermont): Follow US Rt. 7 South to Williamstown.
From the East (Boston): Take Mass. Pike (I-90) to Exit 2 (Lee); US Rt. 20 West. This will merge with US Rt. 7 North, which you follow into Williamstown.
There is a bus direct from Port Authority (New York City) that takes about 5 hours. Check Peter Pan Bus lines.
Get around
Williamstown is a small town, and most locations are reachable on foot. For further trips to Vermont or neighboring North Adams, you're best off with a car, although local public transportation can get you around too. Be advised that buses run infrequently, so plan well. The Berkshire Regional Transit Authority webpage, with schedules, is available at: [http://www.berkshireplanning.org/3/2/4/]
See
'''Williamstown Theatre Festival''', Phone: ''+1 413'' 597-3400 (or ''+1 413'' 458-3200 Sep-May), wtfinfo@wtfestival.org, [http://www.wtfestival.org]. Late Jun-Aug. The Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF) is a renowned festival that presents around two hundred plays, both classic and new productions, every summer on its stages, in addition to readings, workshops, and other special events. The festival was founded in 1954 and since then, a number of productions have gone to Broadway, Off-Broadway, and to theatres around the US. Roger Rees is WTF's artistic director, whom some television viewers may know as Lord John Marbury, the British Ambassador on the television show "The West Wing." Notable actors who have acted at WTF include Gwyneth Paltrow, Blythe Danner, Olympia Dukakis, Christopher Reeve, Marisa Tomei, Ron Rifkin, Richard Chamberlain, and Chris O'Donnell.
'''Williams College Museum of Art''', 15 Lawrence Hall Dr., Ste 2, Phone: ''+1 413'' 597-2429 fax: ''+1 413'' 458-9017, [http://www.wcma.org/]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Sunday 1PM-5PM. One of the finest college art museums in the country with over 10,000 pieces, including a significant collection of Prendergast paintings, a Sol De Witt installation, and paintings by Hopper and Warhol in the permanent collection. WCMA's building was once the Williams College library and features a unique octagonal rotunda. Free.
'''Clark Art Institute''', 225 South Street, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-2303, [http://www.clarkart.edu/]. An excellent museum with over 30 paintings by Renoir and canvases by Monet and Pissarro in their collection. In 1950 Sterling and Francine Clark chartered the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute as a home for their extensive art collection. Opened to public in 1955, the Institute has built upon this extraordinary group of works to become one of the most beloved and respected art museums in the world, known for its intimate galleries and stunning natural environment. One of the few institutions in the United States that combines a public art museum with a complement of research and academic programs, including a major art history library, the Clark is now a leading international center for research and discussion on the nature of art and art history. Building upon the founders' legacy, the Institute has recently unveiled its master plan for the twenty-first century, including its new wing, to be designed by Tadao Ando, which fosters the Clark's commitment to providing space for its expanding research and museum programs while maintaining the unique character of its beautiful rural setting.
Do
'''Lansing Chapman Skating Rink at Williams College''', Latham Street, Phone: ''+1 413'' 597-2433. Call for hours.
'''Williams College Tennis Courts''', Lynde Lane, Phone: ''+1 413'' 597-3151. Call for reservations.
'''Hiking: Pine Cobble''' There are countless hikes in the Williamstown area, but one of the most popular is certainly Pine Cobble. The Williams Outing Club publishes the North Berkshire Trails guide, available at Water Street Books (26 Water Street, ''+1 413'' 458-8071), the local bookstore, for $12. A trail description of Pine Cobble is available at [http://wso.williams.edu/orgs/woc/index.php?page=Pine_Cobble]. The trail (estimated time: 1 hour) climbs a hill north of Williamstown overlooking the Purple Valley and arrives at an expanse of quartzite rock exposed by glaciers long ago.
Golf
'''Taconic Golf Club''', 19 Meacham St., Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-3997, Apr 15-Nov 15. Semi-private, 18 holes. A beautiful golf course, particularly in autumn when the leaves change. Trivia: Jack Nicklaus shot his first hole-in-one at the national junior championships on the Taconic's 14th hole (a small stone marker indicates the spot). In winter, the golf course is a favorite local cross-country skiing location.
'''Waubeeka Golf Links''', Route 7, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-8355, [http://www.waubeeka.com]. Public, 18 holes. Apr 1-Dec 1. Make reservations: Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-8355.
Buy
Eat
'''6 House Pub''', Rt. 7, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-1896, Email: celebrate@1896house.com, [http://www.1896house.com]. Daily 5PM to Close. Pub food.
'''Chef's Hat Restaurant''', 905 Simonds Road, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-5120. Tu-F 6:30AM-2PM, Sa 6:30AM-3PM, Su 7AM-3PM. Great breakfast place.
''' Chopstick's Restaurant''', 412 Main Street, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-5750. M-Th 10:30AM-10:30PM; F,Sa 10:30AM-11PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM. Fine Japanese, Korean, Chinese.
'''Coyote Flaco''', 505 Cold Spring Road, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-4240, [http://www.coyoteflaco.com]. Tu-Th 4PM-10PM; F,Sa 4PM-11PM. Mexican/Spanish. Margueritas!
'''Cozy Corner Restaurant''', 850 Simonds Road, (Rte. 7), Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-3854. M-F 11AM-9PM; Sa 11:30AM-9PM; Su Noon-9PM. Seafood, Italian.
'''Happy Star Chinese Restaurant''', 240A Main St., M-Th 10:30AM-10:30PM; F,Sa 10:30AM-11PM; Su 11AM-10:30PM.
'''Hobson's Choice''', 159 Water Street, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-9101. Daily 5-9:30PM.
'''Le Jardin Inn and Restaurant''', 777 Cold Spring Road, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-8032, Email: innkeeper@lejardininn.com, [http://www.lejardininn.com]. Daily. French.
'''Leo's Luncheonette''', 248 Cole Avenue, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-8098. M-F 6AM-2PM, Su 7AM-Noon. Home-style and inexpensive.
'''Mezze Bistro & Bar''', 16 Water Street, ''+1 413'' 458-0123, Email: nancy@mezzeinc.com, [http://www.mezzeinc.com]. Dinner daily 5PM. Excellent choice with imaginative offerings. $19-$24.
'''Michael's Restaurant''', 460 Main Street (Route 2), Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-2114, [http://hometown.aol.com/CNIKITAS/index.html]. Tu-Su 4PM-9PM. Homemade Italian and Greek.
'''Moonlight Diner & Grille''', 408 Main Street (Route 2), Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-3305, [http://www.MoonlightDiner.com]. Su-W 7AM-10PM; Th until 11PM; F-Sat until 12AM. Breakfast all day.
'''Pappa Charlie's Deli''', 28 Spring Street, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-5969. M-Sa 8AM-8PM; Su 8AM-7PM. Best sandwich place.
'''Spice Root Modern Indian Cuisine''', 23 Spring Street, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-5200. Lunch: Tu-Sa 11:30AM-2:30PM, Su 12PM-3PM; Dinner: Su,Tu.-Th 5-10PM, F,Sa 5-11PM. Fine Indian. Vegetarian available.
'''Sushi Thai Garden''', 27 Spring Street, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-0004. Lunch daily 11:30AM-10PM, Dinner daily 5PM-10PM. Thai/Japanese.
'''The Water Street Grill''', 123 Water Street (Route 43), Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-2175. M-Th 11:30AM-12AM; F.-Su 11:30AM-1AM.
'''The Williams Inn''', On the Green, Jct. Routes 2 & 7, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-9371, [http://www.williamsinn.com]. Daily 7AM to 10PM; Su Brunch 11:30AM - 2PM. A la carte. Also a Tavern with casual food. Has ''the'' Sunday brunch.
'''Yasmin's Restaurant''', 222 Adams Road, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-9611, [http://www.orchardshotel.com]. Breakfast: 7AM-10AM; Lunch: 12PM-2PM; Dinner: 5:30PM-9PM; Su Brunch: 10AM-2PM. Beautiful courtyard/garden setting. Gourmet cuisine and great wine list. $$$$
Dining Halls. illiams College. illiams College Campus. ttp://www.williams.edu/admin/dining/about/releases/?pr=2. -12. The dining halls at Williams College are open to anybody as far as I can tell. There are four dining halls, Greylock, Driscoll, Whitmans (Paresky), and Mission. Follow the link for menus and hours. All except Whitmans are all-you-can-eat buffets. These cost $12 for dinner and $7 for lunch. At Whitmans you can buy different courses separately, but the most expensive will only be $12 as well. At night, there is a snackbar in Paresky, and every night except Sunday and Monday there is pizza in the basement for $7 (really good).
Drink
'''The Red Herring''', 46 Spring Street Phone: 413-458-2808. Open every day. Located underneath the movie theater in town, its a cozy location to grab a beer after class. Dancing usually occurs on Thursdays, upstairs.
Waterstreet Grill. see above under food. Much classier (and expensive) than the Red Herring
Sleep
Hotels
'''The Orchards Hotel''', 222 Adams Road, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-9611, ''+1'' 800-225-1517, Email: hoteladmin@orchardshotel.com, [http://www.orchardshotel.com]. $170-$325.
'''The Williams Inn''', On the Green, Jct. Rtes. 2 & 7, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-9371, ''+1'' 800-828-0133, Email: innkeeper@williamsinn.com, [http://www.williamsinn.com]. $140-$280.
Motels
'''1896 House - Brookside and Pondside''', Route 7, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-1896 or 888-999-1896, Email: celebrate@1896house.com, [http://www.1896house.com]. 30 rooms. $69-$219.
'''Berkshire Hills Motel''', 1146 Cold Spring Road (Route 7), Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-3950 or 800-388-9677, Email: info@berkshirehillsmotel.com, [http://www.berkshirehillsmotel.com]. 21 rooms. $69-$159.
'''Cozy Corner Motel''', 284 Sand Springs Road (Route 7), Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-8006, Email: ccmotel@aol.com, [http://www.cozycornermotel.com]. 12 rooms. $50-$125
'''Green Valley Motel''', 1214 Simonds Road (Route 7), Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-3864, Email: GreenValleyMTL@aol.com, 10 rooms. $40-85.
'''Howard Johnson Express Inn''', 213 Main Street (Route 2), Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-8158, [http://www.berkshirehotelsgroup.com]. 37 rooms. $49-$225.
'''Maple Terrace Motel''', 555 Main Street, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-9677, Email: stay@mapleterrace.com, [http://www.mapleterrace.com]. 17 rooms. $55-$145.
'''Northside Motel''', 45 North Street, Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-8107, Email: northside@bcn.net, [http://www.northsidemotel.com]. 33 rooms. $49-$139.
'''The Stratton Inn of Williamstown''', 62 Stratton Road, Phone: ''+1 843 270-6157, Email: strattoninn@gmail.com, [http://strattoninnwilliamstown.com]. 2 Suites. $179-$229.
'''Villager Motel''', 953 Simonds Road (Route 7), Phone: ''+1 413'' 458-4046 or 877-98-MOTEL, Email: vivek@berkshire.net, [http://www.williamstownvillager.com]. $46-$135.
Get out
There is a Peter Pan bus to New York City on Sundays that costs $45. Buy tickets at the Williams Inn. Leaves at 4 pm.
You can take the Berkshire Transport to Pittsfield (about 20 minutes south) for many more transportation options, including a train. The bus to New York City also stops in Pittsfield.
If you are a student at Williams then log onto WSO and check out the rideboard.