Williamstown is located in the deepest of the Berkshire Hills bordering Vermont to the north, New York to the west and is the north-westernmost town in the state of Massachusetts. This college town is one of the safest places to live in America and is home to Williams College, the Clark Art Institute and the Tony-awarded Williamstown Theater Festival.

Just take a little stroll down the main street of Williamstown and you’ll see what we are talking about. From small cozy coffee shops filling the air with delicious aromas of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods, to famous restaurants offering dishes of all kinds, Williamstown has it all. Everywhere you go you’ll be met by friendly faces, people are not shy to offer the biggest smiles.  There is a relaxed feel where seemingly the only worry for the day is simply how to enjoy it!

Williamstown is home to the elite, private liberal arts college Williams College ranked #1 in the 2020 edition of “Best Colleges” in “National Liberal Arts Colleges”. The campus of Williams spreads over 450 acres in rural northwestern Massachusetts and contains more than 100 academic, athletic, and residential buildings. The grounds of the college are stunning and definitely worth an afternoon or morning stroll.

Thompson Memorial Chapel located on campus was completed in 1904 in memory of Frederick Ferris Thompson. The tower was build as a replica of St. Cuthbert’s tower at Wells in the southwest of England. It is absolutely beautiful not only on the outside but on the inside as well. The Chapel is open to the public 7 days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 

Just down the road from the Thompson Memorial Chapel is where you can see perched by the side of North Main Street the stunning building of the First Congregational Church gloating in white standing tall like a giant surrounded by the dreamy blue Berkshire sky and hugged between dense greenery from the ancient tree surrounding it.

Take a self guided tour around the beautiful town of Williamstown with more than a few historic sites. Start with the Westlawn Cemetery and continue on to the Dr. Jacob Meack House. From here proceed on to the Site of the 1st Meeting of the West Hoosac Proprietors held on December 5, 1753. Than follow the markers to the Site of Fort Hoosac, to the Glen Female Seminary, the Field Park, the Site of First (1798-1866) and Second (1768-1798) Meetinghouses.

Make sure to stop and take a look at the 1753 House built in 1953 by volunteers aiming to recreate how a typical home is believed to have looked back in 1753, using 18th-century building materials and tools. The house was built as a reason to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the town’s founding.

Check out the Williamstown’s Historical Museum website for a detailed description on all the historic buildings in town and a map of their self guided tour.

The scenic Route 7 passes from north to south through the center of Williamstown, crossing into Vermont to the north and New Ashford to the south. The Massachusetts Route 2 also begins in the town, starting from New York State Route 2 at the Petersburg Pass and combining with Route 7 for a stretch before heading east into North Adams.

If you are spending more than a day in Williamstown, MA make sure to check out some of the most popular hikes that can be found around. Our personal favorites are Mt. Greylock, the Field Farm Reservation, The Hancock Village and March Cataract Falls each offering something different depending on what your interests are and all of them equity as stunning especially in Fall and early Spring.

And if you didn’t hear it from the locals we’ll have to tell you that a Wiliamstown day or a weekend trip would not be complete unless you visit the most popular Country Store in the area that will keep you coming back to the area by itself. 

The Store at Five Corners is a must, preferably on an empty stomach, as they offer the most mouthwatering quiches and pies, creamy tomato soup, cheddar scallion biscuit, banana bread french toast, chunkiest most delicious chocolate chip cookies, homemade fudge dipped apples, Ragin Cajun and other hot and cold deli sandwiches. They have a list of vegetarian options that are sure to delight, all served by the most pleasant family you’ve ever met (I’m sure that did not come as a surprise to you after hanging around Williamstown, right?) and all paired with the stunning views of The Berkshires either from the little windows inside the Store (if you choose to dine in) or from each and every direction surrounding the store if you choose to walk outside with your lunch. The Store at Five Corners  is open daily from 7 a.m to 7 p.m serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a very cozy atmosphere. 

We hope we’ve inspired you enough and you are already checking your schedule excited to be awed by some of this views!

Maybe that’s why it is so surprising that from all the places in the world where you can actually see and almost touch one hundred million year-old dinosaur footprints, one of those places is right here in the small town of Westfield, Massachusetts. 

The Town of Westfiled, MA first settled in 1660 and is located in Hampden County, in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. It transformed itself from an agricultural town into a thriving industrial city in the 19th century and had a population of over  41,094 as of 2010 census. Today Westfield is most known for its prominent position in the precision manufacturing industry.

Westfiled, MA is where you’ll find Stanley Park named after Frank Stanley Beveridge. Stanley was born in Nova Scotia, Canada on April 17 1879. When he was only 21 years old he traveled from Pembrooke Shores, near Yarmouth, Nova Scotia arriving at Mount Hermon School in Northfield, Massachusetts with only a quarter, a dime and one Canadian dollar bill. Thirty one years later he founded Stanley Home Products, Inc. in Westfield, Massachusetts after resigning from his long position as a Director of sales at Fuller Brush Company in Hartford, Connecticut. Leaving a lasting legacy Mr. Beveridge established Stanley Park on twenty-five acres of nature land.

If you stick around long enough you might hear the bells ringing at The Stanley Park Carillon Tower. This 98 feet high structure was completed in 1960 and is faced with Indiana limestone topped by a gold leaf dome.

The gardens are plentiful at Stanley park including the Rose & Flower Garden, Asian Garden, a Rhododendron Display Garden, The Arboretum, Herb Garden, and Woodland Wildflower Garden.

The “Shrine Area” located next to the Acre Lawn houses two shrines donated to the Park – The Our Lady of Fatima hand crafter by native Westfield resident Rocco Calegari and the St. Fiacres Statue, long recognized in France as the patron saint of birds, animals and gardeners.

The waterfall that often dries out is best seen after rain or in winter months. Although Stanley Park is open to the public daily from May to November and  closed during the winter people can still enter the park at their own risk.

Wooden benches are located throughout the park for convenience where visitors can take a seat and enjoy the stunning scenery of this peaceful spot. 

The Lily Pond is straight out of a fairyland and often meets visitors with Lily pads, frogs and tadpoles synchronized (or not) to the tune of a frog opera. 

The Black squirrels that were brought from Michigan as a gift to Frank Stanley Berveridge from Hubert L. Worell and Alvah Elzerman are a Westfield phenomenon since the late 1940’s and are now found all over the Pioneer Valley and have since adapted to their new surroundings and thriving. 

The Duck Pond sitting in the center of the Colonial-era Village next to the Old Mill is the home to ducks, fish and swan. The Village consists an orchard, old mill and still functioning waterwheel, an old town meeting house, covered bridge, carriage shed, blacksmith shop, and arched bridges all with a backdrop of flowering azaleas and rhododendron.

The park has ample parking and consists of over 300 acres of wooded trails you can stroll through (some of which wheelchair accessible).

There are fountains at the side entrance of the park and a large playground with bathroom facilities and green fields at the main entrance of the park right across Westfield State University.

Stanley Park is a nature playground with all kind of wildlife, lowers, ferns and plants all resigning happily in the most beautiful setting.

Stanley Park offers variety of events and programs all of which you can find here. 

The Park is a local treasure and comes highly recommended you come and visit if you ever find yourself in this neck of the woods.

Knightville Dam which is an Army Corps of Engineers flood control facility in Huntington,Massachusetts offers visitors not only spectacular views, but so much more!

With it’s 2,430 acres of public lands including miles of waterways, 250 acres of old fields, wetlands and hundreds of acres of pine, hemlock and hardwood forests Knightville Dam is a important resource for preserving the natural areas within the flood risk management project.

The Dam which spreads on over 2,430 acres of undeveloped areas offers hiking trails, mountain biking and horseback riding along country roads and trails. Popular activities in the winter here are Cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. During this months of the year the water of the Dam is held back and released again in April for the annual Westfield River Wildwater Canoe Races.

Knightville Dam stood the test when Hurricane Irene roared through Massachusetts and the nearby state of New York by controlling the rapid rise of water.

Hunting and fishing are permitted at Knightville Dam with certain restrictions. The river around the Dam keep a steady supply of trout in the spring and offers excellent trout fishing and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts supplies good deal of pheasants in the fall months right on time for hunting season. Picnic tables and shelters, bathroom facilities and drinking fountains are located right below the Dam.

The bounty of plants and wildlife at the Dam present the perfect opportunity to enjoy the Nature at it’s absolute best. From deer, beavers, grouse, turkeys, waterfowl and coyotes, all kinds of songbirds and butterflies to blooming wildflowers in spring and summer Knigtville Dam is a nature enthusiasts paradise. 

Knightsville Dam offers a range of educational and recreational programs, trail walks and dam tours the list of which you can find here. They ask that you follow their rules and regulations while enjoying this beautiful area, carry out any trash you carry in, stay on the trails and keep a safe distance from wildlife.

And while here drive just a minute further down the road to the little known and hidden away Littleville Lake. This man-made, long and deep lake surrounded by wooded trails and stunning vistas is a wonderful place to put a chair down, sit by the slowly moving waters and get lost in time or lose track of it completely.

Littleville Lake has a large parking lot, boat launch and miles of hiking trails.

And while done embracing the serenity of this nice and quite spot get your fishing pool out, take a trail for a hike around the lake, push your canoe or kayak in the water from the boat lunch or just sit back in your chair and kick your feet up for the remaining of the day. With views like this you can spend the entire day here just listening to the silence of nothing else but the herons, blue birds and bald eagles flapping their wings while flying above you.

The most popular species of fish caught here are Largemouth bass, Rainbow trout, and Chain pickerel.

Don’t forget to stop by the Huntington General Store on the way back for a taste of their delicious baked goods, grinders, wraps, salads, hard ice cream and freshly brewed gourmet coffees as you shop the handmade country goods, gourmet chocolates and candy, stocking staffers, jewelry, wind chimes, baskets, Christmas ornaments and cards, toys and crystals, kitchen gadgets and pottery. The store has been family owned and operated for over 20 years. 

You can find Knightville Dam and Littleville Lake here:

If you’ve gone camping at any of their Campsites, how did you like the experience? Tell us more in the comments below. We would like to hear all about it!

Nestled among the beautiful hills of the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts in the small town of Hancock only minutes from Pittsfield, MA, and Albany, NY with population of only 717 residents, is where you’ll find this absolute treasure of a spot for kids of all ages with views like no others.

Even the drive to the Farm is stunning, winding through serene small towns and dazzling views of the Berkshires behind every corner, pass deer running by the woodsy roads and birds of every kind flying by the car as if they are greeting you and leading the way to what would be a great day in the Shire.

The ample parking lot at the farm is conveniently located right by the entrance so you are not expected to walk a ton if that is of a concern, but there is plenty to look at and wander around the Farm if you are looking to get some steps in.

There is so much to see and do here! From petting the animals (which are plenty) to a wonderful playground with multiple structures for all ages, hay maze inside and out, a corn play table where kids can fully let there imagination fly and use the toy machines to move corn around or hide the little animals and let their friends find them.

And as if the inside is not entertaining enough, the outside of Ioka Valley Farm is our absolute favorite. A massive playground structure for climbing is where our littles would spend half the day going up the wooded stairs and sliding down the huge tube slide. Hearing them giggle while coming down flying might be my favorite sound in the whole world.

Taking a break from the playground, they loved going around and feeding the animals and playing with the water pump racing to see which little ducky would make it to the end first. Or climbing and swinging on any of the other few smaller playgrounds, before taking a turn riding on the little cow train or bouncing on the bouncy cows and trying to see which one of them stays on it the longest. The smiles on their little faces are everything!

On a warm day we like to go inside from time to time and cool off in the creative play area and either read a book with our friends or color some of the farm inspired coloring pages or just play with some of the wooden toys on the shelves. The sand box is a huge hit especially with the boys as they can dig in the sand and play with the bulldozers and diggers for hours while the girls pretend to be going somewhere while taking a spin on the ride on cars calling the animals by their name and peting them as they go by. We love watching them use their imagination and come up with new ways to use toys that we do have at home but are put to a completely different use here.

Oh and then Fall at Ioka Valley Farm! It might just be our favorite! Every season here is enchanting but fall is something out of dreamy poem. Not only that you get to do all of the things that you can usually do here but you get to do them with spectacular views of the changing leaves surrounding you from each and every direction.

In the Fall when the air gets cooler and days get shorter, Ioka Valley Farm offers your very own pumpkin picking as well as wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, mini corn maze between the most colorful Indian corn, hay tunnels, dress me scarecrows and giant pumpkin house. At their sugar house you can pick and taste any of their maple syrup candies and enjoy some of there homemade cider donuts, cookies, whooping pies and grab apples and cider to take home.

In spring when the days are long and the nights are cold you can warm up by the fire at the sugar house and play a game of checkers while tasting their maple syrup pancake breakfast (on weekends) consisting of a breakfast choice of  home-made cake doughnuts with maple glaze, corn muffins, french toast and the fluffiest most delicious pancakes (plain, blueberry, chocolate chip or pecan) with bacon or sausage on the side. And then head outside where you can observe the process of how maple syrup is made. Watch the sap flow from the trees through transparent tubing, into the sugar house, and then getting boiled in their evaporators filling the shack with a sweet aroma.

In Winter when Jack Frost visits, Ioka Valley Farm offers four varieties of Christmas trees and a hayride in “Santa’s Cap” to the Christmas Tree Plantation. Inside the sugar house you can warm up your chilled bodies by the fire while waiting for Santa to stop by for a visit and browse through the farm and their great selection of wreaths, handcrafted decorations, gifts, pure maple syrup and specialty maple products to pick from and bring home.

Ioka Valley Farm is located right around the corner from Jiminy Peak Resort on 3475 MA-43, Hancock, MA 01237. You can check out their hours and events here and if you have any questions you can email or call Missy or Judy at info@iokavalleyfarm.com or (413) 738-5915.

We’ve always wanted to come and explore the abandoned farmland of Savoy Mountain and what better way we thought than a hike to one of the tallest waterfalls in Massachusetts located right in the middle of this 120 acres old growth norway and blue spruce forest.

After driving for a long time on what seemed like never ending rural road we finally reached this sign which we read was the starting point to the almost five mile long hike to the falls. We parked our car and proceeded the trek on foot. The road is not really suitable for small vehicles and we don’t suggest attempting to drive down it unless you have an off road vehicle, a pretty sturdy SUV or are driving a dirt bike or ATV.

Tannery Falls are located off Adams Road but we can’t promise the GPS would be of any use so maybe take a map with you or give yourself some extra time so when you get lost several times so that you still have enough daylight to do the hike back and forth to the falls.

Upon exiting the car and starting the hike on the dirt road that once was maybe a riverbed you can’t not notice how far away you are from the hustle and bustle of the not so nearby towns and feel completely removed from it all in the secluded woods surrounded only by huge lush eastern hemlock, red spruce, yellow birch, and sugar maple trees some of which are 150 to 400 years in age.

We followed the road along the long dirt path, passed an old cemetery listening to nothing else but the birds chirping while stopping for picture taking of the greenery surrounding us, the wild flowers blooming beautifully, the jumping frogs following us by the road and all the colorful butterflies flying around us.

The road gets muddy at places and we can only assume it gets much worse after rain so make sure you are wearing good hiking shoes and leave your favorite pair at home. Bring bug spray as well as they do like to feast on you if not prepared.

The wooden sign pointing to where you need to take a turn to the falls is easy to miss so keep your eyes open and make sure you don’t go right pass it like we did. And if you do, once you reach the parking lot that comes from the other side of the falls and is only sometimes open for use, turn around and follow dirt road back. We suggest you proceed ahead on the path by the stream, following the blue marks on the trees and tracking down the wooden steps and fencing to get to the first falls. You’ll be passing by multiple small cascades along the way. Take your time and stop to enjoy them.

Once you make your way up and down the many wooden stairs, passed the running stream, and lay your eyes on this majestic waterfall the latter of which is a 100-foot drop, you’ll be mesmerized by the beauty of it! You can feel the power of water cutting through the rocks like a sharp knife. With only the noise of the rushing water, the summer breeze and the birds singing Tanners Falls are a magical place. We sat for some time here enjoying the picnic we brought while sitting on a blanket by the water and watching our little one wadding in the pool of water that the waterfall creates before heading down the stone moss covered steps leading to the second waterfall which is even more stunning than the first (if that’s even possible).

It’s wonderful place to bring the kids and dogs and let them cool off in the freezing water on a hot summer day. I can only imagine the scenery in the winter while the falls are frozen and everything is covered in white. Take a moment and sit here and enjoy the beauty and serenity and calm down your busy mind at this amazing spot. We’ve seen so many waterfalls and have to admit this one is one of our favorites. It is so insanely beautiful and surrounded by so much calmness and tranquility which is rare these days as more and more people try to get outside and hit some of the more popular spots.

On the way back we followed the road we came up on and stopped for a few minutes at the cemetery we passed on the way to the falls and read some of the signs on the stones. It’s interesting to see how old some of them were.

We highly recommend you come and try to find Tanners Falls. Enjoy this peaceful area, settle for some time on one of the benches for sitting along the way and watch the stream flow by while clearing your mind and connecting with Nature. You won’t regret it.

There are over five miles of well marked and maintained walking trails around the property in a lovely setting pass a large pond, nicely groomed field with stunning views of the Berkshires and two very different architectural style houses, both very interesting. We had fun trying to spot the little fish in the pond and our little one was having a kick watching some of them jumping over the water and splashing back in.

The trails are super flat and perfect for walking with kids and although the Farm is not necessarily wheelchair accessible it is one of the easiest hikes we’ve done and you don’t necessarily need to be in great shape to enjoy it. It was a little overgrown at times in the woods but nothing unusual for mid-summer and it does get muddy if there has be recent rain so plan accordingly. Bring a hat as there is some shade between the trees on the wooded path but the trail while going through the fields is mostly in the sun. Bring bug spray as the hike mostly follows the pond where there are a lot of bugs around. If you are prepared however that would not be an issue at all and you’ll still be able to enjoy a lovely walk on an unbelievably quiet and beautiful piece of land, without being bothered to much by the bugs.

We grabbed a trail map at the kiosk and began our exploration pass fields, lush forest, few rickety small food bridges and a wide variety of wildflowers. It is so peaceful and secluded you can hear the birds singing and nothing else around you. There were no benches around for a stop, but plenty of spots to throw a blanket on the ground and sit for a minute or few while basking in the sunshine, reading a nice book or just enjoying the quiet of the nature surrounding you before walking some more.

We passed by the guest house named “The Folly” which had a very unique design and is filled with many mid-century furnishings. The mid-century modern cabin is surrounded by many angles and curves in a tranquil setting with gorgeous view. We were told you can stay overnight in one of the houses, which seems like it would be an ideal place to stay with the picturesque grounds surrounding the house where you can sip a strong freshly brewed coffee in the morning or enjoy a herbal tee in the afternoon.

The house offers guest rooms, it has a communal living room for gatherings, a breakfast area and a outdoor swimming pool for summer out in the garden. The breakfast is always freshly made and known as one of the best in the area. You’ll be delighted by the taste of fresh baked quiche, strata or french toast, fresh eggs and vegetables cooked to order always served fresh and the highest quality bacon and breads sourced from our local suppliers. The Inn at Field Farm is a very unusual and lovely place to stay and would never disappoint with the hospitality and friendliness of  long-time staff members.

The trail we took circled back to the main house. Inside you can find examples of what are some of the things visitors can spot while exploring the the trail. We suggest stopping here first before heading out on the path.

There are no facilities available here like restrooms, water fountains, food and drink vending machines or picnic benches so plan before embarking on this hike. During our entire visit here we did not see anyone else on the trail so you’ll pretty much be sure to have it all to yourself. Although in the winter this spot is well known and popular for cross county skiing so it does get busy.

You can find Field Farm here:

We took a minute browsing around with a hot fresh brewed coffee and homemade blueberry scones in hand while our little one was crunching on a delicious chocolate chip cookie before heading back to the car and to our intended destination.

Chapel Brook Falls is a little known spot right on Williamsburg Road pass the idyllic small town of Ashfield, MA. It consists of a beautiful set of small waterfalls in a secluded but easily accessible area if you take the road to the right and a hike to spectacular views on the top of Pony Mountain taking the Ledge trail on the other side of the road.

The trail to Chapel Brook Falls is relatively easy and short. Right as we parked the car to the side of the road we “climbed” uphill for about 5 minutes to a wooden bench where we took a short break (little man wanted a sip of water), before going straight downhill mostly walking by the side of the stream before reaching the first of the few beautiful sets of waterfalls that cascade into pools that are deep enough to swim in.

We found ourselves in an absolute tranquil state surrounded by the blend of steep and deep forests and the soothing sound of the waterfalls. The sun was peaking through the leaves of the massive green trees and lighting up the falls with summer colors. The water felt nice and refreshing and we couldn’t wait to dip our toes in it. The rocks makes for a great slide to splash down into the water and despite than none of the falls are more than 20-30 feet high the pool that the running water creates is surprisingly deep enough for a nice refreshing swim.

Come here in the summer and you’ve found yourself a swimming hole most likely to enjoy all by yourself. We only encountered one couple that was leisurely sunbathing during the whole time we were here so I’m pretty sure you won’t have to fight crowds at this spot.  Each of the falls had it’s own style and character and each had something different to offer.

We swam in the first one, let our little one splash by the other while we were catching up and had a picnic on a fallen tree log by the other one while listening to nothing other than the sound of the singing birds and of course the casual shrieks from our toddler.

We were pretty tired by the end of the day and didn’t attempt any of the other hiking trails available here, but if you are in the area and have more time to spare we highly recommend checking out the Bullit Reservation, taking a hike to DAR, or up to the summit of Pony Mountain to see the panoramic views of the Highlands and the foothills of the Berkshires.

The hike to the top of the mountain is exhilarating. And although it is only 1,420 feet high we suggest you only attempt to do it if you are an experienced hiker, in good shape to tackle this trail, have plenty of water and good footwear. It’a about half a mile of moderate hiking, strenuous at places  to the top of Pony Mountain, but well worth the exertion.

The trails are open daily, year-round from sunrise to sunset. Allow yourself a minimum of an hour and a half to explore onsite and about 3 hours if you set on hiking the D.A.R. Trail or the Two Bridges Trail.