Amherst Hidden Gems
By Grace Chai
Content
If you’re new to Amherst or even not new to Amherst, there are a couple of spots that everyone will tell you you have to try, and often for good reason. But I’m here today to tell you about some hidden gems that are underrated, especially small local businesses, because it’s always good to support those!
Masuda’s Cafe
Masuda’s Cafe is an Afghan fusion cafe that just opened a few months ago. It’s got delicious food at a decent price and some flavors that are hard to find elsewhere. The space is big with high ceilings, and the sage and burnt sienna color palette, along with cushy armchairs, bookshelves with aesthetic objects, and exposed brick and light fixtures make for a super aesthetic spot to grab a coffee with a friend or prop up your laptop. If you’re constantly on the lookout for a new cafe to try, I highly recommend giving them a try. If you’re wondering what to order, I greatly enjoyed their sheer chai and camel eyes cookies — shortbread filled with silky dulce de leche filling. They’re open from 7 am-5 pm Tuesday through Sunday as a cafe, and they’re open for breakfast and lunch until 2 pm on those days.
X-Change Amherst
If you didn’t know already, there’s a little thrift and consignment store tucked under the Works Cafe. It’s small but has all sorts of goodies from clothing to old records and trinkets. I always like to stop by when I take a trip downtown — bonus points if you go with your friend and treat yourself to bubble tea at Ten One afterwards. I love the peach tea, as well as the slushes: so good! It’s open from 12-8 Wednesday through Saturday and 12-6 on Sunday.
Mystery Train Records
Right behind Share Coffee sits a little blue house with yellow, green, and white accents, and if you go inside, you can discover a treasure trove of records. The inside is brimming with records, cassettes, CDs, and all sorts of goodies. If you’re into records and collecting old music, it’s a really fun place to spend an afternoon. It’s open from 12-5 Wednesday through Friday, 12-6 on Saturday, and 12-5 on Sunday.
Mead Art Museum and Beneski Museum of Natural History (Amherst College)
These places are a little bit more well-known, but definitely worth a mention because they are free to the public and have a great collection of things to see! The Mead Art Museum has a collection of all sorts of art, ranging from contemporary pieces to sculptures. It also houses the Rotherwas Room, which is a historic room originally commissioned by an English knight in 1611, which has gorgeous walnut paneling, an intricate fireplaces, and stained glass windows. It’s now a gallery space where people also like to read and study. The museum is open from 9-5 from Tuesday through Sunday.
The Beneski Museum of Natural History is a local gem for any science aficionado, filled with fossil skeletons, a dazzling collection of minerals and crystals, and dinosaur footprints. There’s a lot to look at with three floors filled with specimens, and there’s also a lovely study space on the third floor if you feel inspired to study with natural history surrounding you. The museum is open from 10-4 Tuesday through Friday and 10-5 on the weekend.
Amherst Farmers' Market
There are several artisans and farmers’ markets in the area, given that it’s so close in proximity to local farms, but the Amherst Farmers' Market is a real gem — and very local. Walking around, you can buy fresh flowers, delicious baked goods, and check out people’s handmade spa products or jewelry. There’s also plenty of fresh produce and the atmosphere is just very lovely. The farmers market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. until November 15 for the 2025 season—worth checking out before it reopens in the spring!
Whether you’re new to Amherst or a longtime local, these hidden gems are worth exploring. Make sure to make time to discover what makes Amherst truly special!
Featuring
Grace Chai
Grace Chai is a communications assistant in Commonwealth Honors College.
