6 Indoor Reasons To Love Winter in Western Massachusetts
Sure, winters in New England mean more time spent inside. But we also think part of the fun of a New England winter is finding ways to have fun while staying warm without just surrendering under the blankets on our couches. While the Pixies’s famous lyric dubbed Western Massachusetts “the sleepy west of the woody east,” there’s still a lot going on even in the short days of winter and plenty of places to keep warm and cozy.
1. Indoor Entertainment Options Abound
The Northampton Arts Council's Four Sundays in February presents an array of arts performances on Sundays throughout the year’s shortest month. Most notable is the legendary a cappella event, The Silver Chord Bowl, which usually sells out its 2,000 seat venue. As part of Four Sundays, during school vacation week, you can catch free all-ages movies every day at the Academy of Music Theatre as part of the KidsBest and Youth Film Fest.
The Back Porch Festival in Northampton presents some of the best and rising bluegrass and folk artists. Browse a diverse schedule of live music all winter at our venues like the intimate Parlor Room.
In addition to special events, you can always entertain yourself indoors with vintage arcade games at The Quarters in Hadley or an awesome lineup of movies at our only independent theater, Amherst Cinema. The Cinema also has a great family-friendly film series. If it's thrills you're seeking, check out local go-karting for a high-mph ride.
2. Creative and Cozy Coffee Shops
We’re no stranger to the coffee shop—Northampton alone boasts more than a handful. Being surrounded by colleges, it only makes sense that there’s an abundance of coffee and tea houses for every type of person to get their work done while they get a caffeine fix. No two places are alike either, each offering something unique, from the atmosphere and playlist to the brewing method and specials.
If you want to completely envelop yourself with the scent of coffee, check out Esselon in Hadley on roasting days. You might just forget to order coffee because the aromas alone will awaken your senses.
Esselon Cafe | Hadley | Photo by Lynne Graves
3. Dimly Lit Bars
Something about a little low light can really warm your insides...or maybe it’s the adult beverages being consumed under them. In any case, we’ve got low lighting paired with exquisitely warming drinks down.
If whiskey is your drink of choice, Amherst Coffee’s Whisk(e)y Bar (open daily after 3 p.m.) is the the spot for you. They dim the lights with the sunset and have only the finest selection of whiskeys (with tasting flights available) and a rotating cocktail special that's usually out of this world.
If a martini is more your thing, you can’t miss The Tunnel Bar, a classic Northampton destination located literally in an old pedestrian tunnel below the old train station (now Platform Sports Bar and Union Station Banquet Hall).The walls are stone and the chairs are deep and embracing. It will be hard to keep track of time or the temperature outside in here.
4. Bright and Inviting Galleries
Museums and galleries are some of the best places to spend a cold afternoon, especially if you can find a perfect warm-weather landscape to bask in front of. And there’s usually one of those coffee shops we mentioned on site or right around the corner so you can grab a cup of something warm and browse right after—the Oxbow Gallery is right next to Northampton Coffee for example!
For evening gallery browsing, check out one of the three monthly art walks in Western MA where the galleries stay open until 8 p.m. and often offer snacks and beverages:
5. Indoor Hot Tubs and Fireplaces
We’re pretty lucky to have not one but two hot tub spas in our region in Western Massachusetts: East Heaven in Northampton and Elements in Amherst. Each has a variety of private hot tub rooms, all equally warm and inviting. You’ll just have to try them all to see which one is your favorite!
Elements Hot Tub Spa | Amherst | Photo by Lynne Graves
If you’d prefer to stay dry, there’s a few spots that tend to have a fire going in the winter. The historic Wiggins Tavern at the Hotel Northampton has a huge stone hearth surrounded by comfy smoking chairs, perfect for enjoying a classic cocktail and conversation. The Northampton Brewery now boasts two fireplaces, one in the main dining room and the other in the bar area. In Amherst, The Inn on Boltwood's library has a cozy fireplace which you can enjoy as a guest of the Inn or after dinner at 30Boltwood. When it’s not too cold, they’ll even turn on the outdoor fireplaces on the patio overlooking the Amherst Common.
6. It's Still Green on the Inside
If winter's lack of color gets you down, there's plenty of indoor spaces filled with greenery and life in Western MA for you. Both Smith College in Northampton and Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley have greenhouses open to the public bursting with life all winter, culiminating with their spring flower shows. Opened just last fall, Mill 180 Park in Easthampton is a brand new indoor park for the 21st century. Through the use of hydroponics, computerized sound, and HVAC systems, Mill 180 Park brings the outside in, surrounding visitors with green space and a remarkable sense of the natural world.
And if for some reason, you want to go outside, we have plenty of outdoor winter activities in Western Massachusetts, too!