Glad to have woken up to a bright Saturday in early October, I and my husband embarked on a road trip with no destination in mind. We just wanted to enjoy the colors of fall. After driving on Route 7 and then turning on to Route 2, we found ourselves in Williamstown, also known as "The Village Beautiful". Resting at the foot of Mount Greylock, which by the way, is the highest peak in Massachusetts, this little-known town is surrounded by the blazing colors of Vermont's Green Mountains and New York's Taconic Range. Neat rows of houses decorated for Halloween, beautiful cathedrals, an art institute and a prestigious college stood amidst the rich hues of autumn's colors. Yes, we had to ditch our car and explore.
Our first stop was the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. Built next to a lily pond, the Institute has a huge collection of paintings and artefacts. An exhibition called "Like Breath on Glass" exemplifying the art of painting softly was a surprise find. After browsing through the galleries of the Clark, we walked down to Stone Hill Center, a welcome addition housing two more galleries, an art conservation center and a terrace with a killer view of the surrounding mountains. For more detailed information on exhibits and timing, please visit http://www.clarkart.edu/
The landscape allowed for scenic walking trails weaving in and out of the staid buildings. We took one such trail which led us to an open field. Splashes of purple, red, bronze and gold gleamed in the afternoon sun. Few horses with shiny brown coats grazed nearby. Many pictures and and as many cups of coffee later, we walked out of the grounds of the Clark, into the streets of Williamstown.
Here I would recommend skipping the gallery cafeteria (except for the occasional cup of coffee) and opt for one of the restaurants adjacent to the sprawling college campus. Williamstown offers a wide array of cuisines because of the resident college community, always eager to experiment. We stopped by at Spice Root, an Indian restaurant throbbing with people and colors and textures. The food was delicious and of course, spicy as the name suggests, but you can always order to taste. Ethnic wall hangings and mythical statuettes added a touch of Indian flavor to the ambience.
As we stepped out into the crisp autumn air and walked down a bridge lined with flowers, I looked around, at the people, the architecture and the natural beauty of Williamstown, effortlessly fusing small-town charm with urbane sophistication. Guess this is what makes Williamstown a unique destination.
Article and photos by Esha Samajpati
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