Location: Williamstown
Top Things to do in Williamstown
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Top 10 Things to do in Williamstown, United States
Williamstown is a town in Berkshire County, in the northwest corner of Massachusetts, United States. It shares a border with Vermont to the north and New York to the west. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 7,754 at the 2010 census. A college town, it is home to Williams College, the Clark Art Institute and the Tony-awarded Williamstown Theatre Festival, which runs every July and August.
Restaurants in Williamstown
1. The Clark Art Institute
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
The Clark Art Institute is best known for its French Impressionist paintings by Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro, and especially Pierre-Auguste Renoir, with more than thirty paintings by the artist. The collection is also rich in American paintings by Winslow Homer, John Singer Sargent, George Inness, Frederic Remington, and Mary Cassatt; Italian and Northern Renaissance masterpieces; portraits and landscapes by European masters; and an extraordinary collection of silver, porcelain, and furniture. An active program of special exhibitions brings great works of art from around the world to the museum. Designed by renowned Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando, the recently opened Clark Center is the centerpiece of the Clark's campus. The center includes special exhibition galleries as well as retail and dining spaces. It overlooks a dramatic three-tiered reflecting pool, integrating indoor and outdoor spaces and creating a stunning visual connection to the woodland surroundings and other buildings located on the campus. This sweeping new landscape design transforms the Clark's 140-acre campus and underscores new sustainability initiatives. In 1950 the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute was founded as a permanent home for the private art collection of Sterling and Francine Clark. In 1955 Sterling-who was an avid horseman with strong family ties to Williamstown and Cooperstown, New York-and his wife Francine presided at the official opening of the museum, sharing their magnificent yet little-known collection with the world for the first time. Since the founding, the museum has gained international stature for the quality of its collection, innovative special exhibitions, and Research and Academic Program.
Reviewed By kzsull01 - Windsor, Connecticut
My husband and I visited the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts on Monday, February 19, 2018. This museum is excellent and offers a comprehensive view of various types of art including a very large and impressive permanent collection of French Impressionist, Old Master, American and European paintings, all very beautifully curated and quite nicely preserved. We have visited this museum multiple times in the past and have always found both the permanent and changing special exhibits to be very enjoyable, interesting and educational. Each different type of art on display has a very nice overview describing the art as well as such aspects as its historical, cultural, political and social impact, depending on what is applicable. Our visit at the museum this time took about two hours, due to the amount of time that we had available, but it could easily have taken over 3 hours to be able to absorb and appreciate all the artwork on display. The gift shop is quite nice and free parking is also available. In addition, the grounds of the museum are very scenic, nicely landscaped and well-maintained, with the Berkshire, Taconic, and Green Mountain ranges surrounding them, making it a beautiful drive to the museum. It is definitely worth the trip to visit the Clark to see all it has to offer, which is quite a bit!! It is always a very enjoyable experience. We highly recommend this museum and we hope that you have the opportunity to visit and enjoy this museum as much as we did.
The many galleries that comprise the permanent exhibits include works by Homer, Inness, Renoir, Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Cassatt, Pissarro, Hassam, Sargent and many more artists as well as a collection of British Art. The European paintings in these galleries date between 1300 – 1900 and all still look vibrant and quite new. All paintings are beautifully framed. The American and European Decorative art collections are extensive with beautiful glassware, silverware, China and furniture all nicely on display. There are also multiple sculptures that are all quite unique. The permanent galleries change in terms of pieces being rotated in and out of them making each of our visits to the museum different. These galleries have much more different types of artwork than what I mention here.
The special exhibit ‘Drawn to Greatness’ was excellent with multiple galleries with beautiful drawings having great overviews explaining the story of the history of the evolution of drawings by time period from the Renaissance through the twentieth century. This exhibit was definitely very nicely done and was quite educational. The exhibit starts off with the ‘Rise of Drawing in the Renaissance’ with the dramatic change in the theory and practice of drawing during the 15th – 16th centuries, with the central element of Renaissance Art being intellectual approach. It goes into looking at the world in the 17th century with drawings of domestic genre scenes and landscapes, indicating intense study from life. It illustrates ‘Artists Drawing Everywhere’ with Rococo and Enlightenment in France through a repertoire of life studies. The exhibit shows ‘Contemporary Life and Fantasy in 18th Century Italy’, including the techniques that were used during that time period. It features ‘From the Everyday to the Subline Drawing in France after the Revolution’, where artists were politically engaged by giving a frank assessment of modern life. It goes into ‘Chartering New Territory’ with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist drawings where figurines and landscapes were studied along with experimentation, replication of compositions and reworking ideas using innovative techniques. Modern Forms are also illustrated through Pablo Picasso’s portraits, still lifes and landscapes, reflecting changing ways of seeing and thinking about space, time and movement. This included the Cubism of Picasso as well as new approaches and experimental techniques such as collage. In a separate building the exhibit continues with ‘Revolution and Romanticism in the 18th Century’ where there was a prolonged political and social conflict in France and Spain causing the art world to collapse and new systems to emerge for becoming an artist. The emergence of the prevalence of finished drawing sheets indicates the high standing drawings held during this time period, which is definitely reflected in this artwork. The entire special exhibit was very interesting and unique with all drawings nicely preserved.
Again we highly recommend this museum and will definitely go back again..
2. MASS MoCA
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 723 reviews
Housed on a restored 19th century factory campus, MASS MoCA is the largest center for contemporary visual and performing arts in the country. Open year round with full schedule of live events, changing exhibitions and Sol LeWitt Wall Drawing Retrospective.
Reviewed By carol p - North Adams, Massachusetts
I am lucky that MassMoCa is down the street from me.....I am so proud to have this museum in my backyard...The installations are absolutely fantastic.... ....their events (movies under the stars my favorite) are terrific.....MassMoCa has put North Adams on the map and people from all over the world come to visit...Lickety Split is a terrific eatery with delicious food to please everyone....Tunnel City Coffee has delicious lattes, etc. as well as great regular coffee...for the young at heart, Bright Ideas Brewing is very popular.....all this on the grounds of MassMoCa and very accessible....
3. Mount Greylock
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 220 reviews
Reviewed By pamelamurphy180 - Pennsylvania
We spent the day exploring Mount Greylock. It was a clear day and we had great views of the surrounding area. At the summit is the Veterans Memorial that has spiral stair case for views on all directions. The Visitor Center is a must stop. The people there were very informative and had great suggestions for hikes. There is a lodge at the summit and has a restaurant (although I think it is for those staying at the lodge). One thing to be aware of is that there is a parking fee at the summit. Otherwise, other areas are free. There is parking at one of the trailheads at the last turn before the summit if you are lucky to find a spot but you'll be walking uphill.
4. Williams College Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 212 reviews
WCMA sparks new ways of thinking about art and the visual world through its innovative exhibitions, programs, publications and projects. At the heart of the Williams College campus the museum draws on the collaborative and multidisciplinary ethos of the surrounding college to enliven the more than 14,000 works in its growing collection. The museum and its collection is a catalyst for student learning and community engagement. Situated in the rich cultural landscape of the Berkshires, WCMA is free and open to all.
Reviewed By ctp1513 - Nashua, New Hampshire
We enjoyed touring this museum, which offered free admission. We would have liked to see more of the displays, however several galleries were undergoing renovations. We would also recommend touring the older Chapin Library on the Williams campus and the new library as well.Hello ctp1513, Thank you for visiting WCMA. We're happy to hear you enjoyed touring WCMA and the surrounding Williams College Campus. We hope to have you back soon for our fall exhibitions. Thank you for the review!
5. Natural Bridge State Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By gl0baltr0tter - New York, NY
Here is what you will see: 550 million year-old ago, living organisms died and turned into fossils. 13,000 years ago sun and wind pressured them into marbles and carved an arch, a gorge, and a brook. 100 years ago man built dam to slow the flow of the brook and quarried away the marble.
6. Williamstown Theatre Festival
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
This famous theater, located in the Berkshires, presents several productions each summer.
Reviewed By jacquelinerose5 - Philadelphia
The Festival always has high-end productions and many have "famous" actors starring in them. The theatre, itself, is beautiful and well-designed. The public spaces are pleasant and there are also many outdoor spots for you to enjoy while waiting for the house to open. The theatre seats are spacious and I imagine all seats have a good view of the stage. Of course, some plays are not as successful as others. But this is an excellent theatre and festival.
7. Bright Ideas Brewing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By Ester C - Cambridge, Massachusetts
After visiting MassMoca we decided to stop at the brewery to stay warm and for some beer tasting. We spent a couple of hours there and the bartender, Aaron, made great recommendations on what to visit, where to eat and which farm to visit in order to get raw milk and cheese. We managed to try 2 of the recommended restaurants, visit the farm and do the Pine Cobble hike! Everything was really worth it, thanks for the recommendations Aaron, it was a great weekend!
8. Williams College
Overall Ratings
5 based on 106 reviews
Reviewed By eitravel76 - Westbrook
The art museum at Williams College is a gem -- small and marvelously curated. And the gift shop is a definite find. Unusual and decent value.
A walk around the campus is serene as the architecture and grounds are lovely -- just what we all dream a NE town's college ought to look like
9. Cascade Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By heatherr1976 - Somerset, PA
This was a nice easy hike for our three young children, all under the age of five. Some support needed for them walking over rocks and small streams. The waterfall did not have much water flowing at the time. But it's still very nice! Probably took us about an hour and a half round-trip.
10. Field Farm
Overall Ratings
4 based on 23 reviews
From a pair of Modernist houses nestled against a hillside, you'll admire Mount Greylock rising across the valley. Follow trails past fields and marsh and wander through manicured gardens graced by sculptures.
Reviewed By EagleEyeBoston - Boston, Massachusetts
If you don't stay at the guest house, just park and walk around the (new) trail through the fields and forests. Very flat hike -- no climbing -- the mountains are there, but to be seen not climbed! Some unusual outdoor artwork near the guest house, and a natural pond. To help you out on your hike, download the GoTrustees app, which has trail maps of scores of The Trustees of Reservations places, including this one. You can bring your dogs (on leashes).
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