Great Barrington

Great Barrington's population was 7,104 in 2010, according to the US Census, and it does not feel like a tiny town at all, as it has a row of buildings around a half a mile long on Main St. (US Highway 7) and a few side streets, including a couple of nice churches. Great Barrington also has a claim to fame as the childhood home of the famous civil rights leader, W. E. B. Du Bois.

By car

From points south and north, take US Route 7 North and South, respectively. For points east and west, take I-90 (the Massachusetts Turnpike), which is a few miles north of town, and Exit 2 (from the east) or B3 (from the west).

By bus

Regular service on the routes up and down Route 7 from New York City to Vermont.

By train

There was once a passenger train to Great Barrington, as witness the name "Railroad St." However, it has been a long time since it was operational. The closest passenger train stops, nowadays, are in New York State and not worth going to for access to Great Barrington.

You can get around the downtown area fairly easily on foot. To go further than that, you will need a car or at least a bicycle.

• Appalachian Trail

• Monument Mountain

  address: Route 7
  This mountain, 1,739 feet (530 m) tall at its highest point, is popular with mountain-climbers of all levels of skill and experience.

• Ski Butternut

  address: 380 State Road, Route 23
  Known ski resort. They claim on their website to be "regarded as the number one Massachusetts ski resort." Butternut Mountain may be available for climbing off season; contact them if you are interested.

Great Barrington is home to a successful local currency experiment. The local currency is called BerkShares . You can use BerkShares at hundreds of stores and businesses throughout the Berkshires. Using Berkshares helps local businesses and community residents by increasing the local money supply. Visitors and shoppers benefit as Berkshares can be purchased at several local banks for 90% of face value and redeemed at full value at local merchants. Berkshares banknotes are beautiful notes featuring images of local artists and historical figures.

• Catherine's Chocolates

  address: 260 Stockbridge Road
  Catherine's hand-dipped chocolates has made it the sweetest spot in the Berkshires for four generations.

• Yellow House Books

  phone: +1 413 528-8227
  address: 252 Main St
  Small used and rare book seller with an eclectic selection of books crammed into the first floor of an old house.

• One Mercantile

  phone: +1 413 528-1718
  address: 8 Castle St
  Artfully curated selection of gifts and home goods, many locally made. Also carries a small selection of cookbooks and local food products.

• Robin's Candy Shop

  phone: +1 413 528-8477
  address: 288 Main St
  The candy shop of your childhood dreams. Robin's is so packed full of candy and toys that its hard to move around. There are even giant versions of some of your favorites like "the world's largest gummy worm."

• The Chef's Shop

  phone: +1 413 528-0135
  address: 31 Railroad St
  Cooking supply shop stocked with all the top brands. There is a space for demonstrations and they proudly feature the Berkshire's locally roasted coffee.

• The Bookloft

  phone: +1 413 528-1521
  address: 332 Stockbridge Rd.
  Local bookstore with a constantly changing selection of new books and a section for local authors.

Great Barrington has a wide variety of dining options despite the town's small size. Although the restaurants skew towards the pricey farm-to-table end of the spectrum, there are options to satisfy any price point.

Budget

• Great Barrington Bagel Company

  phone: +1 413 528-9055
  address: 777 Main St #1
  Old standby for fresh bagels and coffee. Also offers a variety of sandwiches.

• SoCo Creamery (formerly Bev's Homemade Ice Cream)

  address: 5 Railroad St
  Excellent ice-cream, pies and cookies. Also offers a few vegan sorbet options and some meal items like soup and sandwiches.

Mid-range

• Baba Louie's Organic Sourdough Pizza Company

  address: 286 Main St
  Italian, Pizza, Vegetarian. Very good thin-crust pizza with a wide variety of specialty toppings.

• Gypsy Joynt Cafe

  phone: +1 413 644-8811
  address: 293 Main St
  Funky cafe with live music on weekends. Sandwiches, baked goods, and over the top pasta dishes.

Splurge

• Allium

  phone: +1 413 528-2118
  address: 44 Railroad St
  Exactly what you'd expect from a restaurant in the Berkshires: salads, charcuterie, burgers, free range chicken. All sourced as locally as possible.

• Aroma

  address: 485 Main St
  This small restaurant serves amazing Indian Food. Try the chicken tikka masala or any of the korma dishes.

• Bizen

  address: 17 RailRoad St
  Japanese and Vegetarian.

• Castle Street Cafe

  address: 10 Castle St

• Koi

  address: 300 State Rd
  Chinese.

• Prairie Whale

  phone: +1 413 528-5050
  address: 178 Main St
  Farm-to-table restaurant with an ever changing menu. Prairie Whale is very busy on weekends so be prepared for a wait. Fortunately, the bar here has an expertly curated and has an original cocktail menu and local beers so you can always order a few drinks while you wait. The food is pricey, but you can eat here for a reasonable amount of money if you don't insist on ordering an entree for everyone.

• Shiro Sushi and Hibachi

  address: 105 Stockbridge Rd
  Somewhat expensive, but the food is quite good and the chefs put on a great show while preparing your meal if you order hibachi dishes.

• Barrington Brewery & Restaurant

  phone: +1 413 528-8282
  address: 420 Stockbridge Rd

• Fuel Coffee Shop

  phone: +1 413 528-5505
  address: 286 Main St
  Funky downtown coffee shop with good espresso drinks and food options.

• Gypsy Joint Jive

  phone: +1 413-644-8928
  address: 34 Bridge St
  Laid back barcade with cheap drinks, a small menu of bar food, and plenty of arcade games to choose from. There are also pool tables and air hockey.

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Great Barrington

  phone: +1 413 528-1810
  address: 415 Stockbridge Rd
  Suites, Jacuzzi Suites and Rooms, Free wireless Internet Access, Fitness Center, Business Center, Indoor heated pool, Free Parking, wheelchair accessible suites and rooms, Free breakfast.

• Travelodge Hotel

  phone: +1 413 528-2340
  address: 400 Stockbridge Rd
  Jacuzzi rooms, kitchenette rooms, free wireless internet access, free breakfast, outdoor pool, free newspaper.

• Monument Mountain Motel

  phone: +1 413 528-3272
  address: 247 Stockbridge Rd
  Pet friendly with family style extras.

• Comfort Inn & Suites Berkshire

  address: 249 Stockbridge Rd
  Offering comfortable rooms and fireplace suites, vacation packages and an array of amenities.

• The Windflower Inn

  phone: +1 413-528-2720
  address: 684 S. Egremont Rd
  Historic 12 room inn with private cottage on over 10 acres. Homemade breakfasts, fireplaces, and fresh baked afternoon treats.

• Lenox, where the Boston Symphony Orchestra has its summer home at Tanglewood
• Becket, a tiny town that is home to Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival