<p>so i'm interested in williams, but i'm not big drinker/party person.
Are there lots of other things to do at williams?</p>
<p>I'm excited because Williamstown is a very artsy city so there's lots of concerts, plays, and shows to go to all the time! Also, there's always sports events to attend... and a gazillion other things. woohoo!</p>
<p>"I'm excited because Williamstown is a very artsy city"</p>
<p>I guess I missed the turn....North Adams (the closest population center within 100 miles) was a small boring insecure city, but Williamstown, perhaps artsy (somewhere), is a quaint, overrated village......I am amazed that Williams is rated so highly.</p>
<p>Williamstown is not overrated. Coming from the city life (LA) I find it refreshing to be in a small quaint New England town. It's a wonderful feeling to be in a smogless area where horns aren't blazing. The change of pace is a welcome change for me as well as an experience that will broaden my horizons. Besides isn't that what college is about, broadening horizons?</p>
<p>Plus, I feel being in a small town enviroment facilitates greater friendships...</p>
<p>ohh and regarding the artsy stuff in town, here's a list:</p>
<p>--Williams College Museum of Art</p>
<p>--The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. More Renior paintings held here then any other museum.</p>
<p>--Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) </p>
<p>--Not to mention the renownded Williams Summer Theatre Festival where broadway shows are premiered. </p>
<p>Nope, no dearth of artsy stuff here.</p>
<p>hey,</p>
<p>I'm a rising sophomore, and I'll be "summering" in Williamstown. Lessee...other things to do:</p>
<p>Theater: Go see some theater...or better yet, act in a production! The drama department, Cap and Bells, and (occasionally) the Asian Theatre Project put on shows on a pretty regular basis. I acted in two productions this year and had a great time! Furthermore, the 62 center is finally up, and it looks amazing!</p>
<p>Concerts: There's plenty of music on campus. There's the Berkshire Symphony, Student Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, several choirs, and around 7 or 8 a capella groups. You'll see many of them perform in the Jamboree when you arrive on campus.</p>
<p>Movies: ACE brings an in-between movie to Bronfman Auditorium every week. When I say in-between, I mean that the movie is in between theatrical and dvd release. Also, Images Cinema shows independent and some new movies on the cheap. 4 dollars for Williams students normally, and 2 dollars on Tuesdays. Also, students can rent movies from Sawyer for free.</p>
<p>Student performance groups: We've got most types of dances/performance things covered...(African dance, hip-hop, comedy, korean drumming, bhangra dance, Irish step, DDR, juggling,... etc.) AND! If Williams doesn't have it then the school will give you the money to form one. My friends and I decided to form an Asian dance group, and Williams gave us the big monies for a quality lionhead and instruction from a master.</p>
<p>My daughter will also be summering in Williamstown, with a research job. She's completed two years there. Been home for two weeks, is already bored with Philadelphia and ready to go back to the sticks. For her, it seems to be mostly about the people....she has way more friends at Williams than she did in HS (not that she was a loner, by any means), and many of them are going to be up there for the summer as well. I think the personalities interest her far more than any of the bright lights and activities of the city. I guess that I would say she has found a lot of true peers there, and it's very exciting and interesting for her. Plus, she loves the outdoors and the scenery.</p>
<p>Goodness gracious... You people talk about Williams as if it were situated in the middle of Alaska. </p>
<p>If you get cabin fever, go to the Williams Inn, get on the NYC bus, and spend the weekend in NYC. You can ever stay at the Williams Club in New York!!! Alternately, you can do a day trip to Boston. I've made it to Boston in less than 2.5 hours. Actually, when I was a senior, I dated someone in Boston, and did Boston day trips every other week.</p>
<p>Albany is an hour away. There are quite a few fun clubs in Albany, and the Crossgates mall is HUGE</p>
<p>all right.. no offense. but you said "go to NYC." But it's like 5 hours away. u also said Boston is only 2.5 hours away.. but for us who live right next to big city, 2.5 hours is a long, exhausting trip cuz we never go out that far. movie, mall, sports events, and everything is within 30 minutes..</p>
<p>and also, how're you supposed to go to boston/NYC in winter when snow blocks the whole mountain? i haven't been there, but isn't it dangerous/icy to drive through twisted,mountainous road in winter?</p>
<p>One more, do people really go see art exhibits at museums and all? i mean, i personally don't like them and can't imagine doing it as a leisure....</p>
<p>actually williams is less than a 3 hour trip from nyc? where are you from? what do you like to do?</p>
<p>hehehehe. It's rare that "snow will cover the mountains so that you cannot travel."</p>
<p>haha sorry. not familiar with NE. but still, 3 hrs is kinda long.
i'm from sunny southern California. So it's quite common for students to travel outside Williamstown in the winter? Since the tour guide told me it gets really cold in the winter, i thought snow might cover the roads, making it dangerous for travel...
i like to go to movies, attend pro sports events (baseball, football), hit baseball at boomers, and other stuff related to sports.</p>
<p>There are always trips into NY or Boston, and if I'm not mistaken, the college often charters shuttles to these cities. There are three movie theaters within 15-20 minutes of Williams. There are cinemas in Bennington, Adams and Pittsfield. </p>
<p>When I was in Socal this summer, it took me 2.5 hours to get from Irvine to LA... Driving in Western Mass in the winter is probably less treacherous than driving on the LA freeways in the summer!!</p>
<p>Heck, it's prime ski country! They know how to keep the roads clear. We have more trouble in PA with 3 inches than they have with a foot. But yeah, it's cold and snowy in the winter, so you need to be ok with that. Xtreme sledding on Bee Hill, how's that for a weekend activity? Bring your helmet. But if you really need to be in the city a lot, maybe a rural college isn't for you.</p>
<p>thanks for all the response. i'm kinda looking for change for scene, and i don't wanna be in city. sounds like fun.</p>
<p>
[quote]
i thought snow might cover the roads, making it dangerous for travel...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>As a rule of thumb in New England, driving during a snowstorm can be pretty dicey, especially when it's snowing hard, and should generally be avoided. However, a few hours after it has quit snowing, driving is usually fine, at least on any decent size road. By the time you can get your car dug out, it's usually OK.</p>
<p>There were times in my five years living in Williamstown when the roads up the mountains to Boston or Albany were essentially impassible. But, only in the middle of a heavy snowstorm. </p>
<p>Actually, driving on a snowpacked road is not so bad ... if it weren't for the other cars you have to share it with.</p>
<p>hello12, Williams IS fun, but you have to know how to amuse yourself in the winter. If you're the kind of kid who hibernates when the temperature drops below freezing it's going to be a looonnngg six months! On the other hand if you ski, skate, snowboard, sled, tobaggan or just like to play in the snow you'll do fine.</p>
<p>Driving distances or safety shouldn't even be an issue. First, first years aren't allowed to have cars. Second, most kids stay on campus for the weekend. If your focus is on how to get away, then Williams isn't the right place for you. Once or twice a semester it's common for kids to go to Boston or New York. The school sponsors trips -- both social and academic -- to various places. They take care of the transportation. They also arrange buses to other colleges to support the Williams sports teams.</p>
<p>The roads are open all year. Of course, during blizzards, driving is not recommended, but you could say that about the snow belt in general.</p>
<p>There are tons of activities on campus -- arts related events, athletics, and just plain parties. Small colleges in isolated areas become very insular -- the sense of community is well developed and being involved in something outside of academics is encouraged.</p>
<p>You will become a big drinker, don't worry</p>
<p>hahahaha. hey wait... Aren't you going to Duke?</p>
<p>lol I just thought thats all people did at Williams...that, and the million art museums and displays around the area</p>
<p>HAHAH... Well at Duke, all people do is watch basketball and drink.</p>
<p>I guess theres no denying that.</p>
<p>I'm sure Williams has lots going on everyday; I mean, look at how interesting the people are that attend there</p>
<p>They have free school, lots of athletics, etc. and drinking is an option, but not the only one</p>