Itineraries

Explore Local Shopping

While visiting Western Mass it is always a good idea to scout out the local spots that residents love calling their own! These unique finds offer perfectly filled day trips!

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 160 scents to choose from in their Sampler Emporium. Interactive activities include Wax Works, where guests can make their own jar candles and wax hand.

Richardson’s Candy: A must-see for handmade chocolates and specialty candies, this candy shop is a favorite among locals and a perfect place to pick up a few sweet treats to enjoy long after you’ve left Western Mass.

Atkins Farms Market: Offering a variety of fresh bakery, fruit, and produce items as well as wine and gift baskets Atkins Farmers Market proudly serves the Western Mass all year long.  With locally grown peaches, apples, and produce from Western Mass this place is perfect when looking for a variety of local options to feast on.

Table & Vine: The East Coast’s premier fine wine, spirits, beer, and specialty foods destination located off Interstate 91 at the “Crossroads of New England”. Discover one of the world’s largest temperature-controlled wine cellars. Celebrate with their vast collection of spirits from the ordinary to the extraordinary, including the enormous variety of Cognacs, Armagnacs, and single-malt whiskies. Table & Vine carries nearly 4,000 varieties of wine, over 2,700 spirits, 1,700 domestic, imported, micro, and craft-brewed beers, 150 artisan cheeses and 1,500 specialty foods.

Frigo Foods: Small family-run business in downtown Springfield offering catering services, gourmet food, and gift baskets. Since 1950, Frigo’s has provided high-quality specialty foods to many satisfied customers throughout Western New England. From Dolo, Italy to the shores of the Connecticut River they have thrived on the challenge to please their customers.

Urban Food Brood: An avant-garde culinary haven nestled in Springfield. Delight in Monsoon Roastery's freshly roasted coffee, Nosh's artisanal bread, Urban Artisan Farm's vibrant greens, Corsello Butheria's premium meats, Happy Man's freeze-dried delights and the delectable vegan offerings from Wicked Wisk and Rocka Docka. This pioneering concept in Gasoline Alley revolutionizes business dynamics, forging an alliance among some of Springfield's most talented small businesses.

Randall’s Farm:  The finest fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and plants featuring locally grown. Home-Style Bakery and Full Deli. Elsie’s Creamery boasts homemade premium ice cream made on the premises.

Explore Local Dining

Western Mass is very well known for its diverse agricultural landscape. With so many fantastic restaurants utilizing the local farming community to serve up delicious menus, we wanted to make sure you enjoy the very best in homegrown foods while visiting the beautiful Western Mass.

30Boltwood: 30Boltwood delivers an intimate yet unassuming dining experience in historic Amherst. Simply prepared meals inspired by the abundance of locally sourced ingredients. 30Boltwood is a gathering place where old friends and new acquaintances quietly sip cocktails by the fire and celebrate all that is great about food, drink and camaraderie.

Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern: Located in the Deerfield Inn, Champney's Restaurant & Tavern has been inspired by the happy valley of its birthplace. If it's fresh straight from farm to table, it tastes better, and they have close relationships with area farmers and producers. Champney's features local draught beer, wines by the glass, and an affordable wine list, as well as fireplaces and comfy sitting rooms.

The Delaney House: The place to get together with friends for a drink, listen to live music, or compete in our weekly trivia contest. The menu always features an incredible selection of burgers and casual fare as well as weekly prime rib, Italian, and fish.

Lattitude: All menus are updated daily because “they will only serve what they feel is the best”. They purchase from local farms, serve products in the height of their seasonality, and have Certified Angus beef, and Day Boat seafood when available.

The Student Prince: A Springfield institution since 1935. Classic bar and dining room recently given beautiful renovation and upgrade, along with a new menu featuring seafood, steaks, German cuisine & seasonal items. Homemade desserts. Luncheon specials. Cocktails. Imported beers. Free valet parking daily.

Red Rose Pizzeria: In 1958 Nicola and Edda Caputo came from Italy in search of the American dream. Edda's dream of opening a restaurant came true in 1963. Red Rose features iconic pizzas and homestyle Italian entrees and desserts.

Storrowton Tavern: Storrowton Tavern is a landmark area restaurant located on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition. With over 45 years of experience in the hospitality industry, the staff’s goal is to treat their visitors as company and valued friends. Storrowton offers traditional New England & Continental cuisine in an elegant and historic setting.

bNapoli Italian:  Fine dining in the heart of Western Mass, inspired by the casual glamour and laid-back luxe of Italy.   The locally-sourced menu draws from the farming community of Western Mass and the ocean-fresh bounty of the bay.  Seasonal vegetables come straight from the farm, seafood is caught the same day and meats are both farm-fresh and expertly cured.

Lola’s Longmeadow:  Lola’s specializes in tacos, tequila, and oysters. Come to discover flavors that excite your tastebuds with traditional Mexican recipes and coastal influences.

Notch 8 Grille:  Named for the highest train throttle position or "Notch", and located steps above The Tunnel Bar within the timeless Northampton Union Station, Notch 8 Grille explores a new tier of upscale dining where classic elegance meets modern indulgence.

Explore Outdoor Fun

Western Mass is known for its unique adventures! With plenty to choose from during your stay, we have outlined some of the best that the whole group will enjoy! Buckle up and have fun!

Zoar Outdoor: Offers the best in New England white water rafting trips, kayaking clinics, zip line canopy tours, canoeing instruction, rock climbing classes and kayak rentals for adventurers of all abilities, from beginners to experts.

Lady Bea: Docked at Brunelle’s Marina in South Hadley, is the 53-foot, climate-controlled cruise boat.  Enjoy one of the day time excursions, or a nice evening on the beautiful Connecticut River, from late May through early October (full schedule runs from late June until Labor Day). The boat has inside seating, as well as outside sun decks, a restroom, and a full bar.

Six Flags New England: Home to world-class coasters, thrilling family rides, and three areas dedicated to children and Hurricane Harbor, this one-of-a-kind attraction is perfect for a day of fun.

Berkshire East Mountain Resort: Berkshire East Mountain Resorts features great skiing, amazing zip line canopy tours, ropes course, exciting white water rafting, the east coasts #1 downhill mountain bike park, North America’s longest mountain coaster, great lodges and mountain-side dining.

Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club:  Your riverfront recreation destination in Springfield. Featuring dragon boating, youth and adult rowing, and kayaking. 

Lupa Zoo:  Lupa Zoo is a 20-acre conservation and education institution demonstrating the value, beauty, and interdependence of all living things.  Exhibits include fennec fox, coati, pot-bellied pig, Aldabra giant tortoise, goat and pygmy goat, wallaby, prairie dog, bobcat, otter, bat, alpaca, zedonk, elk, American bison, donkey, tapir, Bactrian camel and more.

Forest Park Zoo:  The Zoo features exotic and native animals representing a large variety of species. The Zoo is dedicated to wildlife education, conservation, and rehabilitation.  The zoo is home to over 225+ exotic and native species, almost 90% are deemed non-releasable to the wild due to injury, illness, or permanent disability.

McCray’s Farm: Fun times for families with a petting zoo, hayrides, homemade ice cream, and snack bar.  The holiday season brings a spectacular holiday light stroll.

20170729 gscvb 0028[1]

Zoar Outdoor Zipline Canopy Tours[1]

Rafting 10[1]

Connecticut River MA Lady Bea[1]

Explore One-of-a-Kind Attractions

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame: One of the world's most beloved sports is lovingly enshrined at the 80,000 sq. ft. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.  Fans of the sport can see its history come alive with a series of interactive exhibits and rare artifacts. Guests can shoot baskets, play virtual reality and video games, try their hand at being a sportscaster, test their trivia knowledge and so much more.

Volleyball Hall of Fame: Showcases the history & achievements of the world's #2 sport with large-scale graphics and interactive exhibits. Visit Holyoke - the Birthplace of Volleyball.

Springfield Armory National Historic Site: 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 by preserving and interpreting the world's largest historic US military small arms collection, along with historic archives, buildings, and landscapes.

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory: Open all year round this incredible stop is a favorite among visitors. Opened in October of 2000, it consists of an 18,400-square-foot facility that includes an 8,000-sq. ft. glass conservatory filled with butterflies, moths, and tropical vegetation

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.

Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum:  devoted to Springfield native Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss! The fully bilingual (Spanish and English) first floor features family-friendly, interactive exhibits exploring Dr. Seuss’s Springfield roots and providing opportunities to experiment with new sounds and vocabulary.  

Springfield Museums:  Travel back to the time of the dinosaurs, see classic Indian Motocycles, marvel at art from the ancient world, fly to the stars in our planetarium, view Impressionist paintings and play among life-size Dr. Seuss characters.  The second floor, curated by Geisel’s two stepdaughters and great nephew, recreates Geisel’s studio and living room (with the furniture and art materials he actually used) and features never before publicly displayed art, family photographs, and letters.

Eric Carle Museum: A museum devoted to the art of the picture book and especially the children's book.  Eric Carle was an American author, designer, and illustrator of children's books. His picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, first published in 1969, has been translated into more than 66 languages and sold more than 50 million copies.

20180908 gscvb 0044[1]

20210807 gscvb 0036[1]

20220419 gscvb 0037[1]

20220818 SF 0009[1]

Explore Signature Events

Western Mass is home to unique events that are well worth planning a trip around. 

The Big E:  America's Premier Exposition and world's only multi-state fair, representing all six New England States, with entertainment, unique foods, rides, and shopping.

 st Park:  New England's single most popular holiday destination and largest holiday lighting display. From the day before Thanksgiving through the beginning of January, historic Forest Park is illuminated with a celebration of the multicultural fabric of Springfield. The young and the young at heart will be enchanted by Toy Land, North Pole Village, Seuss Land, and dozens of other holiday scenes.

Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival:  Jazz & Roots Festival in the heart of downtown Springfield.  A free two-day event featuring rising stars and legends of American music.  This internationally heralded festival has become a powerful expression of civic pride, uniting our region’s diverse cultural communities through music, art, and revelry.

Paradise City Arts Festivals:  One of America’s top-ranked shows of fine craft, painting, and sculpture, Paradise City features 250 outstanding artists and makers in three buildings, sensational cuisine, and live music in the big tent, creative activities, demonstrations, a benefit art auction and an outdoor sculpture promenade. Memorial Day Weekend and Columbus Day Weekend.

Brimfield Outdoor Antiques Flea Market:  The largest gathering of antiques and collectibles dealers in the world, with more than 20 fields of merchandise. Shows are held in May, July and. September.

Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Road Race:  Annual parade which has become a regional event attracting over 400,000 on-street spectators and a quarter of a million television/live-stream viewers.  Parade weekend also includes a  10k Road Race, receptions, and dinners for renowned local and international award winners.

Silver Bell Farm:  A family-friendly, seasonal farm and event venue with locally grown pumpkins and Christmas trees. Exciting events include Easter Bunny Adventure, Christmas in July, Fall Harvest Weekends (don't miss the homemade cider donuts!), Santa visits, and the spectacular holiday light show experience, Silver Bell Nights.

Six Flags New England Fright Fest:  Fright Fest features frightful haunted houses, eerie scare zones, and spine-chilling top-notch live entertainment.

4Y9A3909[1]

BigEMardiGrasParade[1]

Bright Nights 1[1]

Deweys Jazz Fest 2023 15[1]

Fright Fest 1[1]

IMG 8308[1]