Touring College Towns With Teens: A Visit To Williamstown, Mass.

Forbes

a day ago

Not enough is written about taking teens on trips. Whenever you search on travel with families, or travel with kids, it's all about entertaining the elementary school and younger set. When my girls were little, a stop at an unfamiliar playground and ice cream was all we needed to set a jolly mood. Now, we may need an iced matcha latte or a book store—but always a thrift store. And ice cream still rules.
Williamstown is a delightful stop — whether or not you have a teen touring colleges. getty
Having recently embarked on the classic college visit rite-of-passage, I thought I would share some tips gained from overnights in New England college towns. My first stop is Williamstown, Mass., home to Williams College. It is tucked into the northwest corner of Massachusetts – take a wrong turn and you'll end up in Vermont or New York. Surrounded by the Berkshires, the town has four-season appeal, from summer hikes and fall foliage to winter skiing and spring flowers. Not to mention the famous Mass MoCA art museum just one town over in North Adams.
Here is a cheat sheet for enjoying some family time with your teen between foot-weary campus tours and admissions lectures.
The Williams Inn sits on the edge of campus, and a brief walk from Williamstown's charming main street. Ryan Bent Photography
Sleep: The Williams Inn, in a stone farmhouse on the edge of campus, has a design-style that I would call modern-colonial. Pencil-post headboards, extra-comfy beds with Eurotop mattresses and common areas decorated with local Berkshire stone and timber elements soothe anxious parents while being hip enough for teens. There's a fireplace and board games in the lobby, and fire pits outside for debriefing after a tour. A complimentary self-serve beverage station on each floor of the 64-room property offers both sparkling and still water, as well as coffee and tea round-the-clock. And the fitness center is surprisingly well-equipped for such an intimate property. It anchors Spring Street, the main shopping and dining destination in Williamstown.
The tiny downtown has everything a teen needs — a movie theater, a thrift store, and matcha lattes. getty
Student eats: For 49 years, Pappa Charlie's Deli has been feeding diners on a hearty menu of breakfast omelettes, waffles and bagels, and more than 60 different sandwiches at lunch. Several offerings are named for the celebrities who invented them – many became regulars while performing at the storied Williamstown Theatre Festival. Apparently Neil Patrick Harris enjoyed grilled chicken, coleslaw, pickles, mustard and BBQ sauce on a toasted roll. Also represented are the mother-daughter duo of Gwyneth Paltrow (eggplant parmigiana with a side salad) and Blythe Danner (tuna, sprouts, tomato, swiss, avocado, and mayo on whole wheat). Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Matcha Latte: Tunnel City Coffee is always hopping – but there's usually space to sit down and enjoy that matcha latte or a coffee frappe. The beans for this locally owned spot are roasted down the street in North Adams, and the bakery serves up luscious croissants, muffins— stop by three times a week at 11 a.m. for chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven.
The Clark Museum combines thoughtful exhibits with spectacular outdoor space. getty
Experience: The Clark Institute, opened originally in 1955 to display Sterling and Francine Clark's extensive art collection, houses European and American paintings and sculpture, extensive collections of master prints and drawings, English silver, and early photography. While it was too hot for us to stroll the 140-acre campus, which includes miles of hiking and walking trails through woodlands and meadows, dotted with outdoor sculpture, we loved 'A Room of Her Own,' an exhibit happening through Sept. 14 featuring 25 female artists who were working in Britain during Virginia Woolfe's time.
Shop: The hours are pretty limited at ABC Clothing Shop, but the mission is sound at this delightful thrift store. Since opening its brick-and-mortar shop in early 2024, the completely volunteer-operated shop donates all proceeds to local charities like Berkshire Food Bank North Adams and ROOTS Teen Center. At ROAM A Xtina Parks Gallery shoppers learn about the land, people, and wildlife of Africa while browsing a meticulously curated African Fair-Trade contemporary art space, dedicated to showcasing the craftsmanship and stories of African artists and artisans. Admire contemporary paintings, sculptures, fine art photography, furniture, jewelry, and home décor.