A weekend expedition to this corner of New England can provide a surprisingly rich cultural experience rounded out with a breathtaking view of fall foliage in the Berkshires.
Plan a weekend trip around visiting three stunning museums of art that allow the visitor to take in a wide spectrum of art from the world’s most celebrated 19th and 20th century artists to the 21st century's well-known contemporary and newly-emerging artists.
Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art – MASS MoCA – North Adams
The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, also known as MASS MoCA, opened its expansive warehouse galleries in 1999 in renovated factory buildings along the Hoosac River in North Adams. According to their website, the museum came into existence when Thomas Krens, who was the Williams College Museum art director and who later became Director of the Guggenheim Museum in NYC, was looking for space to exhibit large works of contemporary art that would not fit into most conventional gallery spaces. It is now the largest center for contemporary arts in the United States with 19 galleries including one gallery that is the length of a football field.
The Clark Institute – Williamstown
The Clark Institute, opened in 1955 by Sterling and Francine Clark, houses the extensive collection that was begun by Sterling in 1910 and continued when the couple married in 1919. Their extensive collection remained private until they built the Institute. Their close association with Williams College had them choose Williamstown to build the structure to house their collection over property they had purchased in New York City. The Clark Institute recently opened the Stone Hill Center designed by Tadao Ando on the hill above the beautiful grounds that surround the Clark.
Williams College Museum – Williamstown
Williams College, chartered in 1793, established this teaching museum in 1926 that houses a surprising permanent collection of 12,000 works that span the history of art as well as exhibitions of contemporary work. According to their website it is "one of the finest college art museums in the country". A charming and delightful little museum. Admission to the museum is always free.
More Things To Do – Theatre – Music – Dance
Check out MASS MoCA's full calendar of performances as well as these other venues to round out this surprisingly sophisticated piece of small town New England:
- North Adams' Down Street Art which includes an additional 20 galleries, art spaces and studios.
- ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance at Williams College
- Williams College Department of Music – free concerts at the Bernhard Music Center
Restaurants – North Adams
- Cafe Latino - Mass MoCA campus - North Adams
- Freight Yard Pub - Western Gateway Heritage State Park - North Adams
- Gramercy Bistro - 24 Marshall Street- North Adams
- Lickety Split - MASS MoCA campus - North Adams
for morning coffee and a place to sit and read the paper:
- Brewhaha! - 20 Marshall St # 2 - North Adams
- Cup & Saucer - 67 Main St - North Adams
Restaurants – Williamstown
- Mezze - 16 Water Street - Williamstown
- Spice Root - 23 Spring Street - Williamstown
- Water Street Grill - 123 Water Street - Williamstown
for morning coffee:
- Cold Springs Coffee Roasters - 47 Spring Street - Williamstown
Note: Some of the restaurants in Williamstown and North Adams are open only in the evenings for dinner and the cafe at The Clark Institute is limited.
Hotels – North Adams & Williamstown
Hotels are limited in the area, but these two accommodations will provide a delightful stay:
- The Porches - 231 River Street - North Adams, MA 02147 - (413) 664-0400
- The Orchards Hotel - 222 Adams Road - Williamstown, MA 01267 - (413)458-9611
Fall Foliage Trip to Williamstown & North Adams in New England
Only 3 hours by car from New York City and Boston, and 1 hour from Albany NY, Williamstown and North Adams are easily accessible for a weekend trip or as part of a fall foliage tour of New England. Enjoy a culturally stimulating weekend in a beautiful part of New England in the Berkshire Mountains.
Barbara Shema - Barbara Shema is a freelance writer and artist from the USA currently living in Europe to teach English as a foreign language.
