Nearly free in Western Mass
If you’re looking to explore Western Massachusetts, it certainly doesn’t hurt to get the most out of your trip! With plenty to do and see that is free or nearly free, we wanted to make sure you enjoyed your trip every step of the way, without breaking the bank.
Drive through Historic Deerfield
Founded in 1952, is an outdoor history museum that focuses on the history and culture of the Connecticut River Valley and early New England. It has a dual mission of educating the public about the lifestyles of the diverse people who lived here long ago and of preserving antique buildings and collections of regional furniture, silver, textiles, and other decorative arts. First settled in 1669, Deerfield is one of the few towns settled by English colonists along the eastern seaboard that retains its original scale and town plan. Visitors are offered guided and self-guided tours of 12 antique houses dating from 1730 to 1850.
Forest Park and Zoo
Forest Park is one of the largest urban, municipal parks in the United States, covering 735 acres of land overlooking the Connecticut River. Designed by the renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Forest Park features a zoo, aquatic gardens, and outdoor amphitheater, in addition to typical Olmsted design elements like winding wooded trails, and surprising, expansive views. During the holiday months Forest Park hosts a popular high-tech lighting display, known as Bright Nights.
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens
The Springfield Armory
For nearly two centuries, the US Armed Forces and American industry looked to Springfield Armory for innovative engineering and superior firearms. Springfield Armory National Historic Site commemorates the critical role of the nation’s first armory commissioned by The United States’ first president, George Washington. When visiting the armory, you will appreciate the impressive preservation and interpretation of the world's largest historic US military small arms collection, along with historic archives, buildings, and landscapes.
Yankee Candle Company
More than 2 million people visit Yankee Candle Company's flagship store in South Deerfield each year. The Scenter of New England will delight candle lovers everywhere with more than 200 scents to choose from in their Sampler Emporium. Make sure you check out Wax Works, an interactive feature where guests can make their own jar candles, wax hand sculptures and more, the Perscentality board, which allows visitors to see which scents are bound to appeal to them, based on their personality traits, and the Fragrance Mixology section, where shoppers learn how to create their own custom wax blend. You can’t go wrong at Yankee Candle.
Best of Western Mass
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