Overview
Hancock is a town of 700 people in Massachusetts in the Berkshire region. Its two most notable attractions are Jiminy Peak ski resort and the historic site of Hancock Shaker Village.
2 sights · 5 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 9 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hancock
Hancock Shaker Village
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. Thi…
Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort
Jiminy Peak Resort is an alpine ski resort. In addition to the winter offerings of skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor pools, in the summer the resort has an alpine super slide, a mountain coaster, and hiking and mountain …
Taconic Crest Trail
Taconic Crest Trail is a 37-mile-long trail beginning in Hancock and running through Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont.
Mount Sinai Holy Shaker Site
A former holy site used by the Shakers during a period of revival in the 1840s-1850s.
Ioka Valley Farm
3475 Route 43, Seasonal activities: Uncle Don's Barnyard, maple syrup, pancake breakfast, strawberries, pumpkins, Christmas trees.
Shaker Trail
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…
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 — 28 mi away (major hub). Directions
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 53 mi away (major hub). Directions
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).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $96–$167 a night (typical $134), from 4 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$140, mid-range ~$210, comfortable ~$330.
Options are grouped as Hotels, Jiminy Peak, Campground in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hancock Shaker Village, Shaker Trail
- Lunch Anna's Pizza Restaurant
- Afternoon Taconic Crest Trail, Mount Sinai Holy Shaker Site
- Dinner Henrick's Summit Lodge
- Evening John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House
Day 2
- Morning Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, Ioka Valley Farm
- Lunch Bluebird & Co.
- Afternoon Berry Pond & Berry Pond Trail
- Evening Christiansen's Tavern
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
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.
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. An alternative southern route via Lanesborough and Pittsfield is Brodie Mtn. Rd.→Bailey Rd.→US 7 and then either Bull Hill Rd →Balance Rock Rd→Pecks Rd→Dan Casey Memorial Dr→left onto Churchill St→left onto West St→Fort Hill Ave→left onto US 20 or Hancock Rd→left onto Churchill St→left onto West St→Fort Hill Ave→left onto US 20.
See
See Hancock Shaker Village
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.
Do
Do Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort
Jiminy Peak Resort is an alpine ski resort. In addition to the winter offerings of skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor pools, in the summer the resort has an alpine super slide, a mountain coaster, and hiking and mountain biking, as well a high ropes course. Various lodging, dining, and shopping accommodations are on the property as well. In 2007, Jiminy Peak was the first private United States company to invest in its own megawatt wind turbine, and in 2012 it installed a cogeneration unit in the Country Inn to provide both heat and hot water from the same energy source.
Do Shaker Trail
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.
See Mount Sinai Holy Shaker Site
A former holy site used by the Shakers during a period of revival in the 1840s-1850s.
Do Berry Pond & Berry Pond Trail
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.
Buy
Jiminy Peak
Eat
Eat Bluebird & Co.
Pub food and some Asian-American offerings. Menu link: https://checkle.menu/bluebirdco_hancock. Reservations link: https://resy.com/cities/hancock-ma/venues/blue-bird?date=2025-12-04&seats=2.
Eat Anna's Pizza Restaurant
At Liberty Plaza, off Rt. 20
Jiminy Peak
Eat Henrick's Summit Lodge
Cafe at the summit of Jiminy Peak. It is in the town of Lanesborough, but it's part of, and only accessible via, the Jiminy Peak property. Open seasonally only.
Drink
Drink John Harvard's Brewery & Ale House
Live music, bar, & restaurant. Open seasonally only.
Drink Christiansen's Tavern
Pub and deli. Open seasonally only.
Sleep
Hotels
Jiminy Peak
Stay Disney Magic at Jiminy Peak
Campground
Go next
Visit neighboring Pittsfield, Lanesborough, or Williamstown to the east, or New Lebanon across the western border in New York. Further afield in Berkshire County are North Adams, Great Barrington, and Stockbridge. From there, you can go east to Springfield. West, less than 30 miles away, is Albany and the Capital District.
Nearby
Lanesborough
City / town · 30 listings · 5 mi away
New Ashford
City / town · 11 listings · 6 mi away
New Lebanon
City / town · 21 listings · 7 mi away
Pittsfield
City / town · 39 listings · 7 mi away
Cheshire
City / town · 37 listings · 8 mi away
Dalton
City / town · 51 listings · 10 mi away
Adams
City / town · 14 listings · 12 mi away
Hinsdale
City / town · 21 listings · 13 mi away
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