Visitors – About the Area
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in the heart of the beautiful Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts. The University, along with four major colleges, Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith, constitute the Five College community, noted for its extensive educational resources and activities. The Amherst campus is two hours by car from Boston and three and a half hours from New York City. Bradley International Airport is less than an hour's drive and provides convenient connections to major destinations.
There is a great deal of activity in the Pioneer Valley, however, particularly among the 5-Colleges, which include Amherst College, Hampshire College, Smith College, and Mount Holyoke College in addition to UMass. Please see the Five College Events Calendar for a list of activities.This monthly calendar lists the cultural, academic and social events at the 5-Colleges. Look for copies in the Department Mailroom.
Culture and the Arts
In number and variety, the cultural opportunities and recreational activities of the area equal those normally found only in large cities. The University of Massachusetts and the surrounding colleges offer forums for many cultural events. The Fine Arts Center hosts a visual and performing arts series with discounted tickets for students. Check out The Advocate for listings. The Mullins Center offers state-of-the-art sound, lighting, acoustic and theatrical systems, as well as an ice rink, and hosts concerts, family shows, sporting events, trade shows, conferences and theatrical performances attracting people from all over Western Massachusetts, Northern Connecticut, Vermont, New York and New Hampshire.
The surrounding community supports an extraordinary variety of events in education, the arts, and recreation. In addition to an active arts calendar at the University, the area attracts a large variety of music, dance and art including the renowned Tanglewood and Jacob's Pillow summer series in the Berkshires. There are local weekly publications and websites that list upcoming cultural events, art exhibits, and visiting speakers to the Five College Area. Gazettenet, MassLive, and the Five College Calendar are a few of these.
Outdoors
The Pioneer Valley offers beautiful landscapes and outstanding recreational
opportunities, including hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and whitewater
rafting and other river sports. The UMass-Amherst Outing Club (a
student organization: 413.545.3131) offers trips to both members and non-members,
as well as very affordable equipment rentals to members.
Amherst is less than an hour's drive from Vermont, New Hampshire, and the Berkshire
Mountains in Massachusetts. These destinations offer further recreational opportunities
including hiking, camping, kayaking and canoeing, and downhill and cross-country
skiing.
