Hancock

The Round Stone Barn at Hancock Shaker Village

Hancock is a town of 700 people in Massachusetts in the Berkshire region. It is bordered to the north by Williamstown, to the east by (north to south) New Ashford, Lanesborough, and Pittsfield, to the south by Richmond, and to the west by the New York towns of (south to north) Caanan, New Lebanon, Stephentown, and Berlin. Its two most notable attractions are Jiminy Peak ski resort and the historic site of Hancock Shaker Village.

Get in

Hancock is unusual in that the town is a long strip divided in the middle by a mountain range that is difficult to access and with no road connecting the northern and southern portions of the town. The southern portion is accessible via Route 20, and the northern portion is accessible via Highway 43 and Brodie Mountain Road (the latter is off of Route 7 in Lanesborough).

Get around

There is no direct road connecting north Hancock with south Hancock - to go south either take Highway 43→Highway 22→East St.→Darrow Rd→US 20 through Stephentown and New Lebanon in New York, or go through Lanesborough down to Pittsfield on Brodie Mtn. Rd.→Bailey Rd.→US 7→US 20.

See

Brethren's Shop, Hancock Shaker Village

• 1 Hancock Shaker Village, 34 Lebanon Mountain Rd., south Hancock (on Routes 20 and 41; the entrance is 1/2 mile from the Pittsfield city limits), ☏ +1 413 443-0188, toll-free: +1-800-817-1137. A widely acclaimed destination named The City of Peace by its residents, this Shaker community disbanded in 1959 and sold the buildings and over 900 acres to a group that formed a nonprofit preservation organization. This Shaker site is in remarkable shape, and features a unique round stone barn. It now encompasses about 1,200 acres and 20 restored buildings. While the Village is based in Hancock, and that town gives the Village its name, a substantial part of the Village is in Pittsfield. See other Shaker villages in the northeast United States through the itinerary Touring Shaker country. 
• 2 Taylor Memorial Library, 733 Main St (on Main St. Main Rd is Rt 43, Main St. runs parallel), ☏ +1 413-738-5326. Public library, mainly of interest to genealogists or historians. (updated Sep 2016)

Do

• 1 Jiminy Peak The Mountain Resort, 37 Corey Rd, ☏ +1 413 738-5500. Off Brodie Mountain Rd. Three terrain parks and a half pipe for skiers and snowboarders; 43 trails, day and night skiing. Summer activities for the whole family including the Alpine slide, euro-bungee, climbing wall, zipline, mini golf, lift-served mountain biking, and scenic summit rides. Shopping and dining in the Village Center and Country Inn. Outdoor heated swimming pool. 
• 2 Ioka Valley Farm, 3475 MA-43, ☏ +1 413 738-5915, fax: +1 413 738-5564, iokavalleyfarm@taconic.net. 3475 Route 43, Seasonal activities: Uncle Don's Barnyard, maple syrup, pancake breakfast, strawberries, pumpkins, Christmas trees. 
• 3 Shaker Trail, HANC-025-010.0-0000, Pittsfield (trailhead starts at Hancock Shaker Village, on the north side of Route 20). A walking and hiking trail which begins at Hancock Shaker Village and loops through Pittsfield State Forest. Highlights include a reservoir constructed by the Shakers, the foundations of some buildings from the Village's North Family, and the sacred sites of Mount Sinai and Holy Mount, where the Hancock and Mount Lebanon Shakers, respectively, held special services. The entire trail loop is 6.5 miles, and includes some strenuous portions. Directions and historical interpretative materials are available at the listed url as well as being provided at the ticket desk of Hancock Shaker Village. Admission to the historic site is not required, however, it is recommended that you check in at the ticket desk across the street. Maps are available there. Parking is available near the trail head on the north side of Route 20, as well as at the historic site on the south side of the highway. (updated Aug 2020)
• 4 Taconic Crest Trail, Route 20, Hancock (the access point in Hancock is on Route 20, practically on the border between Massachusetts and New York). Taconic Crest Trail is a 37-mile-long trail beginning in Hancock and running through Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont. (updated Aug 2020)
• 5 Berry Pond & Berry Pond Trail, Cascade Street, Hancock (in the middle of Pittsfield State Forest). A pond and hiking trail on Berry Mountain in Pittsfield State Forest, deep in the hills of Hancock. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. Trail information can be found here. It's accessible on foot via Taconic Crest Trail in Hancock off of Route 20, or by vehicle via Cascade Street in Pittsfield. (updated Aug 2020)

Buy

• 1 Liberty Package Store, 177 Lebanon Mountain Rd (Along Rt. 20), ☏ +1 413-443-6900. Package and liquor store. (updated Sep 2016)

Eat

• 1 John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House (John Harvard's Jiminy Peak), 37 Corey Rd., #3 (at Jiminy Peak, 3rd Floor of Country Inn & Suites), ☏ +1 413 738-5500 ext 3780. Live music, bar, & restaurant $30 and under. (updated Jul 2016)
• 2 Powder Hounds (Hanson's), 137 Brodie Mountain Rd, Hancock (take either Highway 43 from the west or Route 7 from the east to access Brodie Mountain Road, along which is Powder Hounds), ☏ +1 413 7385660. Italian-American cuisine. (updated Aug 2020)
• 3 Anna's Pizza Restaurant, 175 Lebanon Mountain Rd, ☏ +1 (413) 447-7119. At Liberty Plaza, off Rt. 20 Under $10. (updated Jul 2016)

Drink

• 1 Christiansen's Tavern, 37 Corey Road, ☏ +1 413 738-5500. M-F 11:30AM-7:30PM, Sa Su holidays 8AM-7:30PM. Pub and deli, located at Jiminy Peak ski resort (updated Aug 2020)

Sleep

Hotels

• 1 Country Inn (Jiminy Peak), 37 Corey Road, ☏ +1 413 738-5500. 101 suites. 
• 2 Vacation Village at Berkshires, 276 Brodie Mountain Road, ☏ +1 413 738-2000, fax: +1 413 738-2100. 214 two-bedroom suites. Pool, on-site restaurant and lounge. 
• 3 Wyndham Bentley Brook, 1 Corey Rd (if coming north, take a right off Brodie Mtn. Rd., it's the first address on Corey Rd.), ☏ +1 413 738-8600, toll-free: +1 800 989-6901. Family friendly, with pool, tennis courts, hot tub, and wi-fi. Does not accommodate pets. $100-$400. (updated Jul 2016)
• 4 Berkshire Valley Inn, 2541 Hancock Road (on Route 43, on the border of Hancock and Williamstown; many address listings give Williamstown as the location), toll-free: +1 800 537 4246, info@berkshirevalleyinn.com. Located in North Hancock on the border with Williamstown, Berkshire Valley Inn nestles among the forests in rural Berkshire County. Free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi in all rooms, free parking, and use of the pool during summer time. Also accommodates pets. $96-201. (updated Sep 2016)

Campground

• 5 Berkshire Vista Clothing Optional Resort, 312 Kittle Road, ☏ +1 413 738-5154, info@berkshirevista.com. Clothing optional resort with 140 sites. 
• 6 Berry Pond Campground, Cascade Street, Hancock (via Cascade Street in Pittsfield, or also by foot via Taconic Crest Trail). A primitive-style campground near Berry Pond in Pittsfield State Forest, deep in the Taconic Hills of Hancock (updated Aug 2020)