Western Massachusetts boasts a multitude of arts, entertainment, and recreational opportunities—for every taste and every season.
One of the best parts of living in New England is enjoying the four seasons!
Baby, It's Cold Outside!
But there are so many ways to enjoy western Massachusetts in the heart of winter. Check out some of our favorite ways to have WINTER FUN!
Fairs and Festivals
This 17-day autumn extravaganza of entertainment, exhibits and agriculture features New England traditions such as pulling contests, cow milking, and livestock judging. The Magic Midway—the world’s largest traveling midway—features the 115 foot high Giant Wheel and the Drop of Fear, and there are kiddie rides, carnival games, a circus, concerts, and the Grande Parade.
(West Springfield)
A weekend-long celebration of world class music, great local food, beer and wine, craft fair, and lots of family games and activities. We top it off with four hot air balloon launches and a spectacular Saturday night "balloon glow."
(Greenfield)
Each Spring and Fall this award-winning show features contemporary crafts for home decorating, personal adornment, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Discover original works of fine art in furniture, jewelry, art glass, sculpture, ceramics, fashion design, painting and more.
(Northampton)
The Great Outdoors
Year-round outdoor adventures include Thunderbolt mountain coaster, zip line canopy tours, mountain biking, whitewater rafting and float trips, skiing and snow tubing. Challenge yourself in the Aerial Adventure Park—a suspended challenge course featuring Indiana Jones bridges, Tarzan swings, rolling zip-lines, and TrueBlue free falls. There's a Tree House Trail for kids.
(Charlemont)
56,000 acres of protected watershed provide many opportunities for hiking, fishing, boating, cross-country skiing, and wildlife viewing—deer, wild turkeys, foxes, bobcats, bears, and an occasional moose or bald eagle can be spotted. It was created in the early 20th century when the Swift River Valley was flooded. A visit to Quabbin Park Cemetery reveals the history of the valley’s 4 lost towns.
(Belchertown)
The santuary's forest, meadows, grasslands, marsh, and wetlands are home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife and wildflowers. Experience nature via the rope-guided universally accessible Sensory Trail, and view sensitive wetlands habitat from the boardwalk and observation tower. Kids can build fairy homes, sit in a tepee made of branches, or master the stump jump in the Nature Play Area.
(Easthampton)
Attractions
40,000 square feet of basketball history, hundreds of interactive exhibits, skills challenges, and shooting contests. Come for Enshrinement Weekend, when new Hall of Fame inductees join b-ball's legends.
(Springfield)
This luxury resort covering 3 city blocks offers a 125,000-square-foot gaming floor, 250-room boutique hotel, spa services, dining by award-winning Chef Michael Mina. There's plenty to do with an 8-screen movie theater complex, 10-lane bowling center, huge rooftop pool, seasonal skating rink, and first-rate live entertainment.
(Springfield)
Experience pulse-pounding thrill rides like the new Harley Quinn's Spinsanity and the Skyscreamer—the tallest swing ride on the planet—or slow down and enjoy old-fashioned favorites like Thunderbolt, a classic wooden coaster, and the 1909 Grand Carousel. Cool off at Hurricane Harbor or take in one of our entertaining shows.
(Agawam)
Arts and History
Vast contemporary art galleries and performing arts venues located within the 16-acre grounds of a 19th-century mill complex. Exhibitions include all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, and theater.
(North Adams)
2022 is Seuss-iversary—a yearlong celebration of the museum's 20th anniversary featuring special exhibits and events, like Grinchmas. Explore the imagination of Dr. Seuss (aka Springfield native Theodor Geisel) through fully bilingual (Spanish and English) family friendly, interactive exhibits like Whoville and the Giant Marble Maze. A single admission also gets you into the other four world-class Springfield Museums housing collections on art, history and science.
(Springfield)
The summer home of the Boston POPS also hosts performances by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and jazz and popular artists. Bring a picnic and sit on the lawn, or enjoy front-of-house seating in the Shed and Ozawa Hall.
(Lenox)