Recreation

Outdoors

There are tons of conservation areas that are perfect for a light hike or a trail run, including Mt. Holyoke, Mt. Tom, Mt. Toby, and High Ledges. There are also bigger hikes available in the area, like Mt. Greylock in North Adams. New Hampshire, with its White Mountains National Forest, and Vermont, with its Green Mountains National Forest are also only a few hours away by car.

During the Fall, leaves turn stunning shades of orange, red, and yellow; during the Winter, new snowfall makes the landscape appear magical; during the Spring, nature awakens and the forest becomes embellished with bright green leaves; and for a few fleeting weeks in the Summer, fireflies emerge at dusk to illuminate the air in a spectacular display of bioluminescence. There is a special kind of transient beauty to New England that comes and goes with the seasons.

Indoor Athletics

The Central Rock Gym is very popular and there are a limited number of discounted memberships available to GEO members.

UMass gym memberships include access to fitness classes.

Planet Fitness (Hadley and Northampton) offers a cheaper gym option.

Northampton Athletic Club is pricier than most, but includes a rock climbing wall and access to fitness classes.

Cinemas

Amherst Cinema features independent films and classic repertory films, as well as some Academy Award Winners & Nominees. You can also sign up for a membership, which includes certain benefits like discounts on certain films and free popcorn!

The Cinemark Theater at Hampshire Mall (Hadley) shows new releases.

Greenfield Garden Cinemas is another option - all movies are $5 on Tuesdays! 20

Museums

Amherst College’s Beneski Natural History Museum (Amherst) is beautiful and has free admission. Well worth a visit!

Smith College’s Museum of Art (Northampton) – free admission between 4pm and 8pm on the second Friday of each month!

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (Amherst) – do you remember reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar? Admission for students is $6.

Yiddish Book Center (Amherst)

MassMOCA (North Adams) - the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is a little bit farther away, but worth the trip!

Basketball Hall of Fame (Springfield)

Bookstores

Montague Bookmill (“books you don’t need in a place you can’t find”): 400 Greenfield Rd., Montague

Amherst Books: 8 Main St., Amherst

Broadside Bookshop: 247 Main St., Northampton

Festivals

Mutton & Mead Medieval Festival (Montague)

Green River Festival (Greenfield)

Highland Festival (Northampton)

Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival (North Adams)