Am hoping to have a full day to explore the two Williamstown, MA, art museums (The Clark and The Williams College museums) in the upcoming future. Assuming a full day total divided between both with walking travel time between, would the best use of time be half a day at each? Or is one museum larger than the other one? Most days, both are open from 10 am to 5 pm. Am prepared to get to one right when it opens and spend until closing time at the other one.

Have already been to Mass MoCA, so this will not be included.

Am also seeing mixed thoughts about Ventfort Hall (Museum of the Gilded Age) in Lenox, MA. Is this worth a visit in its current circumstance?

Thanks!

I would go to the Williams College Museum first and then have lunch downtown, where there are a number of places within five minutes walk of the museum. Depending on what the visiting show is, you may have an early lunch.

I would go to the Clark after lunch and plan to spend the afternoon between the permanent collection and whatever is visiting. Be sure to walk up the hill to the new gallery built over the conservation (art conservation) facilities.

Just south of Williamstown is a Trustees of Reservations building called the Bloedel house, a modernist vacation home owned by one of the principals of MacMillan-Bloedel Lumber Company. If it is light and the house is still open, it is worth a visit. The Trustees also operate a guest house (different building) on the property.

IIRC, Clark is quite a bit larger than Williams art museum. I don't know about you, but I tend to have more energy and better attention span in the AM, so I normally go to the "biggie" or "Must-see" in the morning.

And while at Clark, don't forget to visit the Stone Hill Center up on the hill. It's by Tadao Ando and usually has contemporary exhibition.

bachslunch, I'm with yk. I'd see the Clark early while I have energy and a clear mind. Their Rembrandt and Degas exhibit starts this weekend, btw. I'm heading out there over Thanksgiving for it.

Also nearish if you have a car, is the Norman Rockwell Museum, which I just loved. It is very manageable even after a day of museums since it is fairly small and consists of images you most likely have seen before in your life, just up close and in person!

I too would "do" the Clark early, definitely including the Stone hill Center.