Amanda’s guidebook
Food scene
Wonderful place for an upscale dinner or fancy cocktail at the bar. Follow them on Instagram for weekly specials – their smash burgers are a cheaper and delicious option when they have them. Seasonal outdoor dining.
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Mezze Bistro + Bar
777 Cold Spring RdWonderful place for an upscale dinner or fancy cocktail at the bar. Follow them on Instagram for weekly specials – their smash burgers are a cheaper and delicious option when they have them. Seasonal outdoor dining.
Historic hot dog stand with a grill that’s been in continuous operation for 105 years. Cheap food, local flavor.
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Jack's Hot Dog Stand
12 Eagle StHistoric hot dog stand with a grill that’s been in continuous operation for 105 years. Cheap food, local flavor.
Local fixture on Rte. 8 across from Walmart. Only open seasonally, but the first weekend they open is always the first sign of spring for the locals. Counter service fried food & the best milkshakes around, with picnic table seating. Cash only.
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Pedrin's Dairy Bar
1360 Curran HwyLocal fixture on Rte. 8 across from Walmart. Only open seasonally, but the first weekend they open is always the first sign of spring for the locals. Counter service fried food & the best milkshakes around, with picnic table seating. Cash only.
Best coffee option in town. There’s counter service in the MASS MoCA parking lot, or a full cafe on Spring Street in nearby Williamstown.
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Tunnel City Coffee
100 Spring StBest coffee option in town. There’s counter service in the MASS MoCA parking lot, or a full cafe on Spring Street in nearby Williamstown.
Best spot for Sunday brunch for miles; they also do a good dinner and have good drinks.
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The Break Room
508 State RoadBest spot for Sunday brunch for miles; they also do a good dinner and have good drinks.
This family-run cafe, located inside MASS MoCA (no need to pay admission to visit), makes their own ice cream and it is very good. They also have great lunch staples, from salads to sandwiches, and breakfast options as well.
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Lickety Split
1010 Mass MoCA WayThis family-run cafe, located inside MASS MoCA (no need to pay admission to visit), makes their own ice cream and it is very good. They also have great lunch staples, from salads to sandwiches, and breakfast options as well.
If you’re up for a drive, the Dream Away is an incredible destination in the summertime. Former haunt of Bob Dylan, it’s located in very rural Becket, MA (1 hour from North Adams) – stars, live music, a great bar, campfires, did we mention the stars?
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Dream Away
1342 County RdIf you’re up for a drive, the Dream Away is an incredible destination in the summertime. Former haunt of Bob Dylan, it’s located in very rural Becket, MA (1 hour from North Adams) – stars, live music, a great bar, campfires, did we mention the stars?
Groceries
Walking distance from 25 Jackson, cheap and wide variety. Their bakery is great – try the biscuits for a treat! Feel free to use our Silver Rewards card for discounts; we just ask that you return it for the next guests.
Big Y station
Walking distance from 25 Jackson, cheap and wide variety. Their bakery is great – try the biscuits for a treat! Feel free to use our Silver Rewards card for discounts; we just ask that you return it for the next guests.
The local co-op, with wine & beer plus local cheeses, meats, and prepared foods. Like a smaller Whole Foods. Located on Rte. 2 in Williamstown.
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Wild Oats Market
320 Main StThe local co-op, with wine & beer plus local cheeses, meats, and prepared foods. Like a smaller Whole Foods. Located on Rte. 2 in Williamstown.
Another grocery option, halfway between North Adams & Williamstown on Rte. 2.
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Stop & Shop
876 State RdAnother grocery option, halfway between North Adams & Williamstown on Rte. 2.
Located in the St. Anthony Church parking lot (across the street from the MASS MoCA parking lot) during the summer/fall season. Check out the Full Well Farm booth for the most gorgeous fresh flower arrangements!
North Adams Farmers Market
Located in the St. Anthony Church parking lot (across the street from the MASS MoCA parking lot) during the summer/fall season. Check out the Full Well Farm booth for the most gorgeous fresh flower arrangements!
Drinks
Homemade gin & rum in a cool spot that feels straight out of Manhattan.
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The Distillery at Greylock WORKS - Forager Gin & Ski Bum Rum
506 State RoadHomemade gin & rum in a cool spot that feels straight out of Manhattan.
This swanky, high-end motel on Rte. 2 between North Adams and Williamstown has a great lounge that is open to the public, not just guests. In wintertime the giant fireplace can’t be beat, and the back patio is gorgeous and operational in most weather with patio heaters. Light food is also served. (*Note: requires proof of COVID vaccination for entry.)
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Tourists
915 State RdThis swanky, high-end motel on Rte. 2 between North Adams and Williamstown has a great lounge that is open to the public, not just guests. In wintertime the giant fireplace can’t be beat, and the back patio is gorgeous and operational in most weather with patio heaters. Light food is also served. (*Note: requires proof of COVID vaccination for entry.)
This sister establishment to TOURISTS is found on the same property – park in the same lot or across the street at Stop & Shop, and then go to the little white house on the eastern side. You can reserve the private rooms upstairs for drinks and dining ahead of time, or see what’s available in the living room like space downstairs. There’s a lovely outdoor space in the summer as well, near the suspension bridge that you can take to a short nature walk to some outdoors sculptures. (*Note: requires proof of COVID vaccination for entry.)
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The Airport Rooms at Tourists
861 State RdThis sister establishment to TOURISTS is found on the same property – park in the same lot or across the street at Stop & Shop, and then go to the little white house on the eastern side. You can reserve the private rooms upstairs for drinks and dining ahead of time, or see what’s available in the living room like space downstairs. There’s a lovely outdoor space in the summer as well, near the suspension bridge that you can take to a short nature walk to some outdoors sculptures. (*Note: requires proof of COVID vaccination for entry.)
Activities
Candlepin bowling, cheap beer, greasy pub food, arcade games, and occasionally an indoor bouncy castle. Located across from the Walmart on Rte. 8 in North Adams.
Valley Park Bowl
1274 Curran HighwayCandlepin bowling, cheap beer, greasy pub food, arcade games, and occasionally an indoor bouncy castle. Located across from the Walmart on Rte. 8 in North Adams.
Independent, one-screen movie theater on Spring Street in Williamstown. Beer and wine available.
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Images Cinema
50 Spring StIndependent, one-screen movie theater on Spring Street in Williamstown. Beer and wine available.
Open Fri-Sun only, with incredibly affordable antiques. Friday is typically busiest, as people queue up to get the week’s deals.
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Sanford & Kid
160 Houghton StOpen Fri-Sun only, with incredibly affordable antiques. Friday is typically busiest, as people queue up to get the week’s deals.
Fine arts
The nation’s largest contemporary arts center, with rotating exhibitions, semi-permanent installations, and a vibrant performing arts schedule. If you would like to visit the James Turrell installations, we recommend booking well in advance during peak seasons and weekends! These timed tickets are free with admission but do reserve quickly. You may purchase museum admission and reserve a Turrell appointment here: https://massmoca.org/event/museum-tickets/ (*Please note: MASS MoCA requires proof of COVID vaccination for entry.) Closed on Tuesdays during the off-season.
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MASS MoCA
1040 Mass MoCA WayThe nation’s largest contemporary arts center, with rotating exhibitions, semi-permanent installations, and a vibrant performing arts schedule. If you would like to visit the James Turrell installations, we recommend booking well in advance during peak seasons and weekends! These timed tickets are free with admission but do reserve quickly. You may purchase museum admission and reserve a Turrell appointment here: https://massmoca.org/event/museum-tickets/ (*Please note: MASS MoCA requires proof of COVID vaccination for entry.) Closed on Tuesdays during the off-season.
Rotating exhibitions and a permanent collection featuring heavy hitters from 19th century France and the US in Williamstown. Offering free admission for the month of January, 2022. (*Please note: requires proof of COVID vaccination for entry.) Closed on Mondays during the off-season.
Also offers visitors free snowshoe rental on a first-come, first-served basis in the winter (so arrive early!). The trails behind the museum are lovely and feature sculptures; the view of Williamstown from Thomas Schutte’s Crystal is spectacular.
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The Clark Art Institute
225 South StRotating exhibitions and a permanent collection featuring heavy hitters from 19th century France and the US in Williamstown. Offering free admission for the month of January, 2022. (*Please note: requires proof of COVID vaccination for entry.) Closed on Mondays during the off-season.
Also offers visitors free snowshoe rental on a first-come, first-served basis in the winter (so arrive early!). The trails behind the museum are lovely and feature sculptures; the view of Williamstown from Thomas Schutte’s Crystal is spectacular.
This gem of a museum is always free admission and features rotating exhibitions and a small but stellar permanent collection. Check out their programming calendar – they always offer a great summer event series with wine and appetizers on the patio. If their small parking lot is full, you can park on Southworth Street across Rte. 2.
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Williams College Museum of Art
15 Lawrence Hall DrThis gem of a museum is always free admission and features rotating exhibitions and a small but stellar permanent collection. Check out their programming calendar – they always offer a great summer event series with wine and appetizers on the patio. If their small parking lot is full, you can park on Southworth Street across Rte. 2.
A bit further afield in rural Ghent, NY (~1 hour 10 min drive), but a great spot for a socially-distanced picnic in a sculpture park on your way in or out of the Berkshires. Free admission with a suggested donation.
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Art Omi
1405 Co Rte 22A bit further afield in rural Ghent, NY (~1 hour 10 min drive), but a great spot for a socially-distanced picnic in a sculpture park on your way in or out of the Berkshires. Free admission with a suggested donation.
Nature
A short, easy hike with a great payoff – a beautiful waterfall in any season. Park at the North Adams YMCA (same parking lot as Brayton Elementary School), and follow the trail signs through the neighborhood to the trailhead at the end of Marion Avenue.
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Cascade Trail
22 Brickyard CtA short, easy hike with a great payoff – a beautiful waterfall in any season. Park at the North Adams YMCA (same parking lot as Brayton Elementary School), and follow the trail signs through the neighborhood to the trailhead at the end of Marion Avenue.
Greylock Glen: Flat walking (& snowshoeing) trails at the foot of Mt. Greylock, accessible via Gould Rd. in Adams. If you’re here in the fall, stop by Jaeschke’s Orchard for apple picking and incredible cider donuts.
Mt. Greylock proper: hike (all seasons) or drive to the top (summertime only). The Bascom Lodge at the top has great burgers, coffee, and snacks; or you can call ahead and make a dinner reservation. The tallest mountain in Massachusetts (and supposed home of Ilvermorny – the American Hogwarts – according to Pottermore).
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Mount Greylock
Greylock Glen: Flat walking (& snowshoeing) trails at the foot of Mt. Greylock, accessible via Gould Rd. in Adams. If you’re here in the fall, stop by Jaeschke’s Orchard for apple picking and incredible cider donuts.
Mt. Greylock proper: hike (all seasons) or drive to the top (summertime only). The Bascom Lodge at the top has great burgers, coffee, and snacks; or you can call ahead and make a dinner reservation. The tallest mountain in Massachusetts (and supposed home of Ilvermorny – the American Hogwarts – according to Pottermore).
A small parking fee applies if you drive to the top, but it’s a short, easy walk up the hill if you park for free at the entrance right by the Beaver Mill. Incredible views of a water-worn marble bridge, plus a 15-20 min “heart healthy trail” in the woods.
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Natural Bridge State Park
McAuley RoadA small parking fee applies if you drive to the top, but it’s a short, easy walk up the hill if you park for free at the entrance right by the Beaver Mill. Incredible views of a water-worn marble bridge, plus a 15-20 min “heart healthy trail” in the woods.
18-mile, flat rail trail from Adams to Lanesborough. Village Bike Rentals in downtown Adams is steps away from the trail; if you bring your own bikes, you can park at the Adams Visitor Center. Our tips: hop off to buy picnic supplies (beers, panini, fresh produce & more) at Whitney’s Farm Market, or take the trail all the way to the former Berkshire Mall, which still has an active movie theater to check out the latest films.
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Ashuwillticook Rail Trail
Rail Trail18-mile, flat rail trail from Adams to Lanesborough. Village Bike Rentals in downtown Adams is steps away from the trail; if you bring your own bikes, you can park at the Adams Visitor Center. Our tips: hop off to buy picnic supplies (beers, panini, fresh produce & more) at Whitney’s Farm Market, or take the trail all the way to the former Berkshire Mall, which still has an active movie theater to check out the latest films.
Outdoor equipment rental -- will rent kayaks and drive them to Cheshire Lake for you, and pick them up again at the end of the allotted time!
Berkshire Outfitters
169 Grove StOutdoor equipment rental -- will rent kayaks and drive them to Cheshire Lake for you, and pick them up again at the end of the allotted time!