Overview
Dalton is a town in the Berkshires, Massachusetts. Next to the city of Pittsfield, it is perhaps best known for Crane Currency, formerly Crane & Company, which produces the paper used in United States national currency. In addition to the architectural heritage of the Crane Currency mill buildings and associated housing, Dalton offers many outdoor activities.
7 sights · 16 things to do · 11 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Dalton
Crane & Company
One of the oldest papermaking businesses in Berkshire County, founded in 1801. It has the contract for producing United States currency paper. Many of the buildings of the complex are historic. Unfortunately, these build…
Cranesville Historic District
A complex of historic buildings associated with Crane & Company and listed on the National Register of historic places. The industrial buildings south of Main Street are generally near the Housatonic River and screen…
Crane and Company Old Stone Mill Rag Room
Built in 1844, it is one of the oldest buildings of the company still extent. Listed individually as a National Register of Historic Places building.
East Main Street Cemetery
One of the oldest cemeteries in the town, dating back to the 1780s. The last burial in this cemetery was in 1895. It is a National Register of Historic Place.
Main Street Cemetery
One of the oldest cemeteries in the town, with the earliest burials in 1788. Most of the cemetery was laid out in the 19th century. The most prominent burials are of the Crane and Weston families, owners of Crane & C…
Fairview Cemetery
Established in 1885, Fairview Cemetery was a major burial ground for Irish Catholic Americans working in the town. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Albany)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ALB Albany International Airport, Albany — 38 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 44 mi away (major hub). Directions
If coming from the west, take MA Route 9 from Pittsfield. This route starts in the center of the town at the junction of US Route 7 with East St. If on US Route 20, turn north onto South St, then go east on East St and this will become MA Route 9. If coming from the northwest, take either US Route 7 south to East St in Pittsfield to turn onto MA Route 9, or take Route 8 south and then turn left at the junction of Dalton Ave and Merrill Rd. Route 8 then runs concurrent with Route 9 into the center of Dalton. If coming from the northeast, take MA Route 9 west. In Windsor, Route 9 will then merge with MA Route 8A; continue west into Dalton. If coming from the south, take either US Route 20 north into Pittsfield and then turn east onto East St to join MA Route 9, or take MA Route 8 into Dalton.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $250–$250 a night (typical $300), from 2 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $20 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$290, mid-range ~$380, comfortable ~$420.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Crane & Company, Community Recreation Association (CRA), Flow on Main
- Lunch Dalton Restaurant
- Afternoon Main Street Cemetery, Cranesville Historic District
- Dinner Hot Harry's Burritos
- Evening Shire Tavern
Day 2
- Morning Wahconah Country Club, Housatonic River East Branch Wildlife Management Area, Duncan Brook Reservoir
- Lunch Manny's Pizza
- Afternoon Wahconah Falls State Park, Chalet Wildlife Management Area
- Dinner Sweet Peas Ice Cream and Catering
- Evening Zinky's Pub
Day 3
- Morning Fairview Cemetery, Fitch–Hoose House, Gulf Road Parking
- Lunch portaVia
- Afternoon The Boulders Reserve, Appalachian Trail
- Dinner Dalton HD Pizza
- Evening Silver Bear Distillery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Dalton was incorporated in 1784. It is bordered by Pittsfield and Lanesborough to the west, Cheshire to the north, Windsor to the northeast, Hinsdale to the east, and Washington to the south. Since its incorporation, Dalton has been a mill town. Crane Currency, established in 1801, is still the largest employer in the town and has had the contract to produce federal banknotes for the United States government. Dalton lends its name to the Dalton Plan educational concept and the Dalton School in New York City. Most of the built portions of the town are near and along the Housatonic River, with most of the rest of Dalton being park and preserve land.
Get in
By car
If coming from the west, take MA Route 9 from Pittsfield. This route starts in the center of the town at the junction of US Route 7 with East St. If on US Route 20, turn north onto South St, then go east on East St and this will become MA Route 9. If coming from the northwest, take either US Route 7 south to East St in Pittsfield to turn onto MA Route 9, or take Route 8 south and then turn left at the junction of Dalton Ave and Merrill Rd. Route 8 then runs concurrent with Route 9 into the center of Dalton. If coming from the northeast, take MA Route 9 west. In Windsor, Route 9 will then merge with MA Route 8A; continue west into Dalton. If coming from the south, take either US Route 20 north into Pittsfield and then turn east onto East St to join MA Route 9, or take MA Route 8 into Dalton.
On foot
The Appalachian Trail runs north-south through the center of Dalton and can be entered and exited from the town. The BRTA Route 4 bus line makes a stop at the Park Ave / High St trailhead.
By bus
Route 4 of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority runs from Pittsfield to Hinsdale and makes two stops in Dalton on both the inbound and outbound routes. See the website for the schedule: https://berkshirerta.gov/plan-your-trip/route-4-schedule-2/
Get around
The best way to get around Dalton is by car. The town center and much of the residential area is also fairly traversable on foot.
See
See Crane & Company (Crane Currency)
One of the oldest papermaking businesses in Berkshire County, founded in 1801. It has the contract for producing United States currency paper. Many of the buildings of the complex are historic. Unfortunately, these buildings are closed to the public. The associated museum now only does pop-up workshops. See the website if interested.
See Cranesville Historic District
A complex of historic buildings associated with Crane & Company and listed on the National Register of historic places. The industrial buildings south of Main Street are generally near the Housatonic River and screened from public view. More prominent on Main St is the 1816 home of Zenas Crane, the company's founder. Continuing east along Main St are some late 19th century houses. Most of these were built for company executives. Southwest along South Street, and then along Crane and Porter Aves south of the river, is old company-built worker housing. Most of these were built in the 1910s and 1920s. More worker housing is northeast of the Crane family estates off of Park Avenue; in this area the Cranes in the 1950s built some Capes for World War II veterans.
See Main Street Cemetery
One of the oldest cemeteries in the town, with the earliest burials in 1788. Most of the cemetery was laid out in the 19th century. The most prominent burials are of the Crane and Weston families, owners of Crane & Company. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Do
Indoor recreation and fitness
Golf
Trail and wilderness
Do Chalet Wildlife Management Area
Nearly 7,800 acres of mostly forest, sprawling across Dalton, Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Windsor. Plenty of opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, and trapping. The Appalachian Trail runs through the area. Hunting is not allowed on the AT; while on the trail or crossing it firearms must be unloaded.
Do Gulf Road Parking
access point to both the Appalachian Trail Corridor and the surrounding area that is Chalet Wildlife Management Area
Do Day Mountain Wildlife Management Area
382 acres of mostly hardwood forest. Open for hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting, trapping, and fishing. As a wildlife area, there are few maintained trails. The Appalachian Trail runs through the area; no hunting is allowed on the trail and when on or crossing the trail all firearms must be unloaded.
Do Housatonic River East Branch Wildlife Management Area
28 acres of wildlife preserve around the Western District Headquarters. The property includes the East Branch of the Housatonic River as well as fields mowed for access to the river. The old canal, used for a mill in the early 20th century, is now a wildlife corridor. The WMA also contains old apple trees and some vernal pools. Hunting is not allowed due to the proximity of the area to surrounding houses and the nearby school. It is a good fishing site, as the East Housatonic is regularly stocked throughout every spring.
Appalachian Trail
- The trail runs through Chalet Wildlife Management area and then the population center of the town. The BRTA Route 4 bus stops at the intersection of High St and Park Ave, which is concurrent with the trail. Helpful for resupplying in Pittsfield if needed. Trailheads and the trail campsites are as follows:
Do Appalachian Trail
Stay Crystal Mountain Campsite
Minimal site; has tenting space for about 8 tents. A group site. Has a privy and bear box. A water source crosses the main trail just north of the side trail to campsite; this may dry up in late summer.
Do Appalachian Trail NB at Gulf Road Parking
Trail head at a parking lot. From here, take Gulf Rd east into town.
Stay Kay Wood Shelter
Large shelter with a max capacity of 12; additional 6 tent pads. Moldering privy and a bear box. The water source is Barton Brook: go right of the shelter, past the tent pads down to a small stream on a blue-blazed trail.
Buy
Eat
Eat 813 Dalton Division Rd
Has two bakeries in it, see sub-listings below; shaded outdoor bench seating available.
Eat Shire Donuts
Made to order donuts; accepts preorder.
Eat Stacie's Cookie World
Bakery cafe and customized cookies
Eat Dalton Restaurant
Homestyle comfort food
Eat Dalton HD Pizza
Pizza shop with dine-in, takeout, and delivery. Menu link: https://allhungry.com/ma/dalton/restaurants/dalton-hd-pizza/menu/pizzas
Eat Hot Harry's Burritos
Dalton location of local burrito restaurant chain. Menu link: https://places.singleplatform.com/hot-harrys-fresh-burritos-10/menu
Eat Angelina's Submarine Shops
Dalton location of a local sub shop chain. The chain is credited with popularizing the sub sandwich in the Berkshires.
Eat Juice N' Java
Coffee shop serving breakfast and lunch
Eat portaVia
Italian-American restaurant
Eat Sweet Peas Ice Cream and Catering
Ice cream shop open during the summer season
Eat Manny's Pizza
Pizza restaurant. Menu link: https://places.singleplatform.com/mannys-pizza-22/
Drink
Drink The Stationary Factory
Live concert venue with attached businesses. Has a full bar except for a few events. A converted industrial building which most recently housed the Crane & Co stationary division.
Drink Silver Bear Distillery
Brewery that offers tasting and tours every Saturday. Weekdays by chance or appointment.
Drink Shire Tavern (Shire Breu-Hous)
Formerly Shire Breu-Hous. Operated by the catering company Berkshire Culinary Group. Food can be ordered online Tu-Sa 4:30PM-9:30PM. See the online ordering menu: https://shire.hrpos.heartland.us/menu.
Sleep
Stay Shamrock Village Inn
Nearby
Hinsdale
City / town · 21 listings · 3 mi away
Lanesborough
City / town · 30 listings · 5 mi away
Pittsfield
City / town · 39 listings · 5 mi away
Cheshire
City / town · 37 listings · 6 mi away
October Mountain State Forest
Park · 31 listings · 8 mi away
Cummington
City / town · 5 listings · 9 mi away
Hancock
City / town · 25 listings · 10 mi away
Lenox
City / town · 53 listings · 10 mi away
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