<p>We’ve been invited to visit the Williamstown Theatre Festival later this summer by a family friend who will be performing there. If anyone is familiar with Williamstown and can comment on things we should do in addition to seeing the show there, I’d appreciate it. We’re hoping to make it a mini-vacation, along with seeing a couple of plays. Also, anyone know if The Orchards is a good place to stay? Thank you!</p>
<p>The Clark Art Institute–about a mile or so out of downtown W’town is wonderful. The Williams College campus is beautiful and worth walking around. If you like modern art, go to MassMoCa in North Adams. If local history appeals to you, there is a good historical museum at a state park in North Adams, relating to construction of the Hoosic Tunnel. There is an amazing view from the Summit, on Route 2 east of North Adams. Depending on how far afield you want to go, Hildene, the Robert Todd Lincoln home in Manchester, Vt, is fascinating and beautiful. Closer, just over the border in southern Vermont, Bennington Monument and the historic residential area and church nearby are also well worth a trip.</p>
<p>The Orchards is quite nice and has good breakfasts–better choice aestheticdally than the Willams Inn, but not quite as convenient.</p>
<p>Williamstown isn’t that far from Tanglewood, in Lenox, summer home of the BSO. If you are there during Labor Day weekend, it is Tanglewood jazz, which is just one fantastic weekend of jazz greats.</p>
<p>There is Jacob’s Pillow Dance, and the Shakespeare festival, down towards Lenox.</p>
<p>I’d echo MassMoca, which is about a half hour north of Williamstown.</p>
<p>There is the Hancock Shaker Village west, in nearby NY state.</p>
<p>Make sure to make dinner reservations in advance.</p>
<p>There aren’t THAT many restaurants, and they book up early.</p>
<p>Also, this looks like an intriguing place to stay, although it is in North Adams rather than Williamstown:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.porches.com/index2.html[/url]”>http://www.porches.com/index2.html</a></p>
<p>Favorite fun store, owned by two dynamic individuals, Michele and Ken.
“Where’d ya get that”, is right on Spring street near Williams college. Super store to spend a little time and a little money :-). It’s an intellectual toy store, for “kids” of ALL ages.</p>
<p>You might want to PM Momrath whose son is a junior at Williams as she undoubtedly has useful info on the topic.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your help! :)</p>
<p>The Clark Art Institute, but don’t forget the Williams College Art Museum - its collection of early 20th century art (Braque, Kandinsky, etc.) is among the finest of any college art museum in the country.</p>
<p>If you like to hike, the Hopkins Forest (just to the west of the campus) is a fine place to go, and there are loop trails, so you can plan your time and exercise level well. Antiquarians might love the rare book room at the Chapin library. </p>
<p>The Orchards is very nice. 1896 is nicer. I always stay at the Northside. It’s cheaper, a little rundown, but the staff are friendly. Moreover, it is within walking distance of the Clark, the campus, the Hopkins forest, and Spring Street, and about 300 yards from the Theatre. (By the way, if you walk up to the Hopkins Forest, you will pass Cole Porter’s old house on the right - and it was the one actually used in the film.)</p>
<p>I have always found food in the area rather disappointing - overpriced, and not particularly good. I haven’t eaten in the Brazilian place on Spring Street, though.</p>
<p>I usually stay at the Orchards. The restaurant there is very good, although a little fussy in style for a mountain location, IMO. The suites at the 1896 House are also very nice, although I haven’t tried the new restaurant there. Le Jardin has just reopened, and looks wonderful–I haven’t tried it yet, but sent my parents up there for a weekend and they loved both their room and the restaurant. </p>
<p>My favorite restaurant in Williamstown is Mezze Bistro at the corner of Water and Main Sts. Pick up a copy of the excellent trail guide put out by the Williams Outdoors Club at the bookstore next door if you’re a hiker.</p>
<p>I forgot to mention that if Hot Tomatoes is still around, it has great pizza (order ahead to take out) and if you get there early enough very good bagels and croissants.</p>