What to do in Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts

Western Massachusetts information about museums, zoos, libraries, family centers, parks and recreation, birthday parties and more in the Pioneer Valley.

Granby, MA 01033 Photos & History Granby Links Granby Calendar What to Do in Pioneer Valley

What to Do in Pioneer Valley

Have visitors or need a place to take the kids? How about Lupa Zoo, Magic Wings Butterfly Museum, or the Planetarium at Amherst College? Scroll down for links to museums, zoos, libraries, family centers, parks and recreation and more in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts.

PARKS AND RECREATION

Dufresne Park- Granby, MA. Playground, soccer fields, baseball field, picnic tables, pond, hiking trails, horses, open fields, gazebo, fenced dog run. No fee to park. Off Route 202 between Taylor St and Kendall St. GreyhoundOptions playgroup every Sunday. Click here for a map. See photos of Dufresne Recreation Area.
Mt. Holyoke Range State Park- Hadley to Belchertown, MA. Elevation 1,000 ft with hiking, horseback riding, hunting, picnicking, cross-country skiing, walking trails, and The Notch Visitor Center. Hiking and Batchelor Street Mountain Biking trails- click here for a map of over 30 miles of marked trails.
Forest Park- Springfield/Longmeadow, MA. Zoo, playground, picnic area, pool, fountain and spray structure, soccer field, football field, tennis courts, baseball fields, restrooms, ice skating at Cyr Arena, and Bright Nights during the holiday season.
Groff Park- South Amherst, MA. Playground, wading pool, sandbox, river path, open fields. No fee to park. Off Route 116.
Look Park- Florence, MA. Water spray park, lagoon bumper boats, pedal boats on Willow Lake, Steamer Railroad train ride, mini-golf, walking path, tennis, playgrounds, picnic area, the Christenson Zoo, and Richard S. Holden Visitor Center.
MassWildlife Fish Hatcheries
Mill River Recreation Area- North Amherst, MA. On Route 63.
Mt Sugarloaf State Park- South Deerfield, MA. Great view of CT River from tower, hiking trails, ladybugs, picnic areas, wildlife, scenic viewing area.
Norwottuck Rail Trail- Northampton, Hadley, and Amherst, MA. 8 mile path for bicycling, cross-country skiing, walking, skating, jogging with public restroom. Click here for trail map.
Quabbin Reservoir- Shoreline fishing, hiking, bicycling, walking trails, bird watching, snowshoeing, hunting, scenic views, picnicking, Visitor Center.
J.A. Skinner State Park- South Hadley, MA. Great scenic views of Pioneer Valley and the Connecticut River, hike to the Summit House, have a picnic, hand-gliding, hiking, hawk watching, fall foliage, and wild flowers.
Chicopee State Park- Chicopee Falls, MA. Swimming, fishing, picnicking, walking trails with restrooms.
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary- Easthampton, MA. Search for wildlife and explore 5 miles of walking trails through forest, marsh, and wetlands.
Buttery Brook Park- South Hadley, MA. On Route 33.
Collins/Moylan Skating Rink- Greenfield, MA
Mullins Community Ice Rink- Amherst, MA
Amelia Park Arena- Westfield, MA
Great Falls Discovery Center- Turners Falls, MA

LIBRARIES

Granby Public Library
Clapp Memorial Library- Belchertown, MA.
Jones Library- Amherst, MA.
Goodwin Memorial Library- Hadley, MA
Forbes Library- Northampton, MA.

FAMILY CENTERS

Belchertown Family Center
Amherst Family Center
South Hadley Family Center
Easthampton Family Center
Northampton Parents Center
Big Family Adventure - Westfield, MA. Indoor play and family fun center.

MUSEUMS AND ZOOS

Lupa Zoo- Ludlow, MA. Over 80 varieties of animals (zebras, giraffes, goats, deer, camels, ostriches, etc.) on 50 acres.
Holyoke Children's Museum- Holyoke, MA. Indoor play land with climbing structure, water play, village, shadow room, bubble play.
Holyoke Merry-Go-Round- Holyoke, MA.
Southwick Zoo- Mendon, MA
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art- South Amherst, MA.
Dr. Seuss National Memorial- Springfield, MA. Who doesn't love Dr. Seuss!!
Magic Wings Butterfly Museum/Conservatory- South Deerfield, MA.
Springfield Science Museum- Natural history, dinosaurs, live animals, planetarium, African Safari, seasonal exhibits.

MORE FUN

The Big E- West Springfield, MA. Eastern States Exposition
Six Flags New England- Agawam, MA.
Westover Air Reserve Base- Chicopee, MA.
Edaville Railroad- Carver, MA. Thomas the Tank Engine and other activities.
Berkshire Scenic Railway- Lenox, MA. Round trip from Lenox, MA to Stockbridge, MA or Lee, MA.
Massachusetts Big Rig Training Site- Sunderland, MA. East Plumtree Rd.
Bassett Planetarium at Amherst College
McCray's Farm and Country Creamery- Homemade ice cream, wagon rides, petting zoo, pick your own pumpkins, birthday parties, and special events during the year (including Haunted Hayrides on weekend evenings in October).
Atkins Farms Country Market
Mike's Amaizing Maze - At Warner Farm in Sunderland, MA.
The Rock, Fossil and Dinosaur Shop - South Deerfield, MA. Gemstone panning, mining, gift shop, exhibits for all ages.

KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTIES

ReelKool Birthday Party - Showcase Cinemas. ReelKool Party package comes with invitations, movie admission tickets, group photo, unlimited popcorn & soda, special seating, a Party Host, and much more!
Mud Spun Arts Center - Belchertown, MA. "Creative Clay Party" for Kids - Children learn how to handle different tools and crafting techniques as they pinch, shape, texturize, and form coils to create their very own clay forms by hand. Many project ideas to choose from. Event includes all clay, tools, glaze and firings.
Be Creative Kids - Westfield, MA.
Interskate 91 - Hadley, MA.
Clay Mates Ceramics - Belchertown, MA.
Children's Museum - Holyoke, MA.
Holyoke Merry-Go-Round - Holyoke, MA.
Mad Science Party