Blog
Special getaways for Valentine’s Day weekend at unique lodgings
30Boltwood at the Lord Jeffery Inn | Photo by Lynne Graves
Are you looking to extend your Valentine's Day celebration with your partner? How about spending the night at one of our unique inns or hotels? These packages have special inclusions like dinner or champagne and roses in your room.
Family Fun in February
Beneski Museum of Natural History | Amherst
Looking for things to do with the family during February School Vacation week? Check out some of the events happening around Hampshire County.
Discover Our Most Historic Theater
Located in Northampton, MA | Photo by Lynne Graves
A NEW SET OF DATES! Northampton is one historic city—it’s the place where U.S. President Calvin Coolidge lived and retired, as well as home to Sylvester Graham who gave his name to the one and only graham cracker. But it’s also home to the historic Academy of Music Theatre, on whose stage Anna Pavlova danced and Harry Houdini escaped, and whose seats were frequented by stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. In celebration of the theatre’s rich history and upcoming improvements (which will close the building for 8 weeks starting late summer 2014), the Academy is offering three rare opportunities to explore the significant historical and architectural features: three free tours on Wednesday, April 23, May 21, and Tuesday June 24!
Stick to your resolutions while dining out in Hampshire County
Paul and Elizabeth's | Photo by Lynne Graves
OK, so it's January and it's time for the traditional New Year's resolutions. High on most people’s lists are exercise and eating better, especially after the food fest of the holiday season. Our food blogger Don Lesser suggests a few places across Hampshire County where you can stick to your resolutions while dining out like the 100% vegan cafe in Florence or the 35-year-strong Paul and Elizabeth's in Northampton.
Win a Snowy Getaway in Western Massachusetts
Photo by Lynne Graves
We're already off to quite the cold and snowy winter here in Western Massachusetts! We know that in the winter it's easy to get stuck inside your home, so why not take a chance and make Hampshire County your home for a few nights? Enter here and you and a guest will enjoy a snowy two-night getaway. You just might find yourself cross-country skiing the back country and warming by a cozy fireplace at night. Sounds good, right?
Treat yourself well in Hampshire County
River Valley Yoga Center | Florence
We say it every year. We should really find a time to recharge and relax after the holidays and New Years. Well look no further because here in Hampshire County we know how to relax. There’s no shortage of yoga studios to stretch your body and mind, and there's plenty of spas and salons to give you that boost you crave after the hectic holidays. Check out places like The Pilates Studio in Hadley, River Valley Yoga Center in Florence, Brooks and Butterfield Day Spa in Northampton, and Elements Hot Tub Spa in Amherst.
Win a $100 shopping spree in Hampshire County!
Thornes Marketplace Decked for the Holidays | Northampton
We may have said this before, but you might just shop til you drop when you come to Hampshire County! Just in time for the holidays, we're giving away $100 to go shopping in Amherst and Northampton. This includes a $50 Downtown Northampton gift card (which can be purchased at the Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, online, or in Thornes Marketplace) and a $50 Amherst Gift Check (which can be purchased at the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce).
Christmas Tree day trips in the Hilltowns
Justamere Tree Farm | Worthington, MA
What better reason for a trip to Hampshire County than to get your holiday tree? Take a trip to Justamere Tree Farm in Worthington for the tree and lots of maple goodies or Hanging Mountain Farm in Westhampton for one of the best breakfasts in Western Massachusetts at its restaurant, the Strawbale Cafe.
International fare in Hampshire County
Banh Mi | King Street Eats
Our food blogger Don Lesser originally planned to write about a different set of restaurants this week, but after a devastating fire in Hadley destroyed his favorite Banh Mi and Pho place and a much beloved Mexican restaurant, plus a host of other small stores and eateries, he found himself searching for other places to feed his international food cravings all over Hampshire County in Amherst, Easthampton, Northampton and South Hadley.
Unique Places to Shop: DIY Spaces
Knack: The Art of Clever Reuse | Easthampton
The world is truly becoming a more creative place when everyone you meet makes something in their spare time from jewelry to homemade bread. It’s relaxing and fun to create, but sometimes we need a little help, an extra item here and there, or maybe just the space to get something done. Art Alive in Amherst, Beehive Sewing in Northampton, and Knack in Easthampton are three new spaces in Hampshire County that focus on creative reuse and do-it-yourself crafting, providing opportunities to learn a new skill or make someone a unique gift.