Come Get a Scoop
Find us at 5 Railroad St in Great Barrington, right in the heart of the Berkshires.
Hours
Monday–Thursday: 12 pm–10 pm
Saturday: 11 am–11 pm
Sunday: 12 pm–10 pm
Friday: 12 pm–11 pm
Coming from elsewhere in the Berkshires
Great Barrington is the commercial center of South County, so for much of the region, we are the closest scoop shop.
If you are in:
Route:
Drive time:
Worth knowing:
Finding us and parking
Railroad Street runs off Main Street (Route 7) in the center of Great Barrington. There is limited parking directly in front of the shop. Park on Main Street, or in the town lots at the top of Railroad Street and on Castle Street, and walk over.
Why the Berkshires
This is not a national brand that happened to open here. The business started in Lenox in 1989, moved to this address in 1993, and was renamed for the region — SoCo is short for South County. The dairy comes from a family farm in Vermont, a few hours north. Berkshire County is where the shop is, where the ice cream is made, and who it is made for.
Railroad Street
Railroad Street is two blocks of independent shops running down from Main Street in downtown Great Barrington. No chains, nothing you can drive through. You park on Main Street or in the lot behind, and you walk.
That is the right way to arrive at an ice cream shop. On a summer evening, the line out our door is part of what the street looks like.
FAQ
Where do I park to visit SoCo Creamery?
Park on Main Street or Railroad Street, or in the town lots at the top of Railroad Street and on Castle Street, then walk over. Street spots downtown have short time limits and fill fast on summer evenings, so the lots are the safer bet.
Is SoCo Creamery open late?
Yes. SoCo Creamery in Great Barrington is open until 10 pm Sunday through Thursday and until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday, all year — late enough for a scoop after dinner on Railroad Street.
Can I get ice cream after a Tanglewood concert?
On Fridays and Saturdays, yes. SoCo Creamery is about 22 minutes south of Lenox on Route 7 and stays open until 11 pm, so there’s time for a scoop after an 8 pm Shed concert. On weeknights SoCo closes at 10 pm.
Is SoCo Creamery near Catamount?
Yes. SoCo is about 11 minutes (5.6 miles) from Catamount in South Egremont and stays open all ski season, so it’s an easy stop on the drive home from the mountain.
How far is SoCo Creamery from the Mass Pike?
About 19 minutes. Take Mass Pike exit 10 in Lee (formerly exit 2), follow Route 102 to Stockbridge, then Route 7 south into downtown Great Barrington. Railroad Street is off Main Street.
I’m in Pittsfield. Can I get SoCo closer to home?
Yes. SoCo pints are sold at Guido’s Fresh Marketplace on South Street in Pittsfield. The scoop shop itself is about 36 minutes south on Route 7.
Is there more than one SoCo Creamery location?
No. SoCo Creamery has one scoop shop, at 5 Railroad Street in Great Barrington, MA. SoCo pints are also sold at grocers in and around Berkshire County — see the Pints page.
When is SoCo busiest?
Summer evenings and weekends, when the line often runs out the door. To skip it, grab a pre-packed pint from the shop freezer.