Williamstown

Williamstown is largely built around the prestigious Williams College, a smallish but verdant campus bisected by Route 2. Williams is one of the "Little Ivies," and indeed there are ivy-covered buildings, a Gothic-style chapel, marble columns, and various other architectural features. Although "downtown" consists of just a few streets, two noteworthy art museums can be found near the town center, and there are enough upscale shops and restaurants offering international cuisine. In summertime, theatergoers replace college students for the Williamstown Theatre Festival; if you're lucky, you may catch a famous actor at a local bar.