Western Massachusetts is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year, but it is especially perfect in the summer. There’s no better time to get out and experience everything that Western Massachusetts has to offer – arts, nature, food, and more. Here are some summertime ideas.
Northampton
Northampton is one of Massachusetts’s many hidden gems. Here, you’ll find everything you’d expect to see in a big city – incredible art, friendly culture, great food, and unique shopping opportunities – but in a distinctively welcoming small-town package.
If you love the outdoors, Northampton provides a great jumping-off point for everything Western Massachusetts has to offer. You can bike along the Norwottuck Rail Trail, which connects Northampton and Amherst. Love the water? Grab your kayak or canoe and head to the Connecticut River for some paddling. Or if hiking is your passion, you can’t beat the Mineral Hills Conservation Area.
But the best part about Northampton might be the art. Downtown Northampton is lined with galleries and unique shops where you can pick up something really special. If you’re a music fan, don’t miss performances at the Academy of Music or the Parlor Room Collective, which includes the legendary Iron Horse. There are often free concerts, movie nights, art showings, and more events at Pulaski Park. No matter when you visit, there’s sure to be something exciting happening.
Amherst
Amherst is primarily known as a college town, which makes it a unique place to visit – particularly in the summer. There are plenty of academic opportunities to find throughout the town, along with its unique feel and natural beauty.
History and literary lovers flock to Amherst for the Emily Dickinson Museum, where you can tour the house and garden where Dickinson lived and composed her poetry. Museum aficionados should also plan to stop by the Mead Art Museum at Amherst College (reopening August 27) and the UMass Fine Arts Center which includes several galleries and a contemporary art space.
Outdoors, you won’t want to miss Mount Holyoke Range State Park, a perfect destination for hikers and nature lovers that is full of spectacular natural views of the surround area. If you happen to love poetry and nature, then the Robert Frost Trail, named for the famous poet, is for you. A section of the 47-mile footpath in Amherst is a perfect way to experience the natural side of Amherst that has inspired so many creative people.
Easthampton
Easthampton offers plenty of opportunities to get outside and relax. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect place to escape into nature and go birdwatching, canoeing, or hiking. Or if you prefer something more suburban, then the hops and galleries of Cottage Street Cultural District are fun to explore. The town also regularly hosts events at Nashawannuck Pond and CitySpace Arts Center.
The food scene of Easthampton is also known as one of the area’s best. Don’t miss the local breweries and wineries: New City Brewery, Fort Hill Brewery, and Glendale Ridge Vineyard all offer amazing products and stunning views of Mt. Tom nearby.
Lenox
Lenox is most famous for Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony and the cultural center of the town. No stay is complete without attending a show at the legendary venue. To make the most out of a show there, pack a picnic, some wine, a blanket, and some lawn chairs and get ready to enjoy the talent of some of the world’s greatest musicians.
While you’re in town, don’t miss The Mount – Edith Wharton’s legendary 1902 estate that today also functions as a museum and a public park. Tour the grounds to learn all about the Gilded Age or grab a book and spend an afternoon reading in the garden. Itching for a spa day? Canyon Ranch is one of the Berkshires’ premiere spa destinations.
This is just a start to the fun you can find in Western Massachusetts every summer. See more ideas for your Western Massachusetts getaway from our friends at Visit Hampshire County and the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, and be sure to check out our Lodging and Restaurant pages.
