The drive alone to this well known and beloved town in The Berkshires is so spectacular winding through mountains, valleys, farmland, lush greenery and fine fall foliage that by the time you get to your designated location you would ask yourself “Can this get any better?”. We can say confidently that is certainly does once your arrive upon Williamstown, Massachusetts.
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!
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