What to do in Pioneer Valley
Western Massachusetts information about museums, zoos, libraries, family centers, parks and recreation, birthday parties and more in the Pioneer Valley.
View from Mt. Sugarloaf

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.

  SUMMER CAMPS AND PROGRAMS

Ashfield Community Theater - Summer Arts Program
 

Northampton Community Music Center - Summer Music Program
 

Mad Science Summer Camps - Summer Science Camp and Vacation Programs
 

Small Ones Farm - Summer Farm Program
 

CSI Camp - Camp Science Investigators at Hampshire College
 

Amherst College Summer Youth Programs
 

Great Books Summer Reading Program
 

Summer Martial Arts - Kung Fu Adventure Week
 

  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

 

  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.  Click here for directions to Granby Recreation Area.  Granby Charter Days are held yearly in June.  GreyhoundOptions also has a playgroup every Sunday.

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

  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.

  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.
 

Interskate 91 - Hadley, MA.
 

Clay Mates Ceramics - Belchertown, MA.
 

Children's Museum - Holyoke, MA.
 

Holyoke Merry-Go-Round - Holyoke, MA.
 

Mad Science Party
 

Big Adventures - The Family Fun Center in Westfield, MA.
 

  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.

Local Links:

More Local Links:

The Candle Depot
Bulk Pillar, Taper, Floating and Votive Candles at
Wholesale Prices

Discount Medical Depot
Discount Medical Depot

Discount Shopping for Medical Carts, Equipment and Supplies

ShedWorks, Inc.
Quality Crafted Sheds, Barns, Garages and Storage Buildings

Ecommerce Partnership

Replacement Water Filters
Discount Water Filters, Refrigerator Filters, Cartridges and Systems for Home, Commercial and Industrial Filtration at Discount Prices

Nuts, Bolts, and Screws
U.S., Metric and stainless steel fasteners including nuts, bolts, screws, washers, hardware assortments and specialty auto body fasteners.

Industrial Storage Depot
Industrial Storage Depot

Industrial Storage Cabinets, Carts, Trucks & Heavy Duty Workbenches

Western Mass Chiefs of Police Association, Inc.

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Eighty Jarvis Restaurant in Holyoke, Massachusetts
Eighty Jarvis Rstaurant

Casual Fine Dining using locally sourced seasonal New England Ingredients!
80 Jarvis Avenue
Holyoke, MA 01040
413-534-4000

Pioneer Valley Local First - Buy Local

Mr. Rebates