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Make the Most of Summer’s Final Days in Western MA
Farm Fresh | Photo by Lynne Graves
We tend to associate Labor Day with the end of summer, but it doesn’t have to be that way! There’s still so many ways to enjoy the best that summer has to offer in Western Massachusetts until the season officially ends September 21, 2016. From outdoor concerts and festivals to celebrations of our farm fresh abundance, check out what’s going on these final few weeks of summer in Western Massachusetts.
How to Spend a Weekend in the Hilltowns of Western MA
William Cullen Bryant Homestead, Cummington | Photo by the Trustees of Reservations
When you visit Hampshire County of Western Massachusetts, the bustling downtown destinations only make up half the equation. There’s so much to discover beyond our city lines, particularly in the Hilltowns of western Hampshire County—Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Planfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg and Worthington. This part of Hampshire County is home to Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program and countless other artists finding inspiration…
8 Places in Western MA with Serious Foodie Cred
Burger by Bistro Les Gras, Northampton | Photo by Lynne Graves
It turns out you don’t always need to visit the big cities to sample the best of the best in the culinary world. Here in Western Massachusetts, we’re home to several James Beard Award winners and nominees, a nationally recognized cheesemonger, and some seriously celebrated bakeries and breakfast spots. Here's a roundup of some of our most recent foodie accolades.
6 Ways to Play It Cool This Summer in Western Mass.
Kayaking in Goshen | Photo by Lynne Graves
As if you thought you already had a lot of plans this summer, there are so many things to do in Western Massachusetts during this truly magical season. Check out summer concerts, theater productions and free outdoor movies; rent a kayak, sip on fresh beer, and enjoy delicious eats from our food trucks and roadside stands!
8 Unique Drop-In Fitness Classes to Try this Summer in Western MA
Vortex Dance & Fitness Metal Yoga | Photo by Shaina Mishkin on MassLive.com
If you’re looking to shake up your fitness routine this summer and try something new even while you're traveling, there’s plenty of unique options in Hampshire County in western Massachusetts! There are weekly drop-in group cycling rides, hooping classes, and certainly no shortage of daily classes at our yoga studios and even a handful of unique classes in famous gardens, breweries, and more. For the more adventurous and experienced, there’s even aerial yoga at the local circus training studio!
Share Your Best of Western MA
This summer on your Instagram, share awesome pictures of the the places you've been (or want to go!) in Western Massachusetts. Tag your photos #gowestMA for a chance to be featured on the @VisitMA Instagram and massvacation.com blog. Additionally if you're sharing any pictures of destinations and places in Hampshire County, tag #othersidema and you'll be entered into a contest for a $100 Downtown Northampton giftcard!
Sip Your Way Through Summer at Our Breweries & Wineries
Black Birch Vineyard, Southampton | Photo by Lynne Graves
With Memorial Day weekend behind us, summer is officially almost here! Check out a few quick notes about events happening at breweries and wineries in Hampshire County of western Massachusetts. New this summer is Western Mass Beer Week June 11-18 and a brand new beer and wine festival at Look Park in Northampton July 30!
Win Tickets to Beers & Spears at Hadley Asparagus Fest
Western Massachusetts knows its libations, and some of the region's most creative brewers will be on hand to pour their best pints from inside the Beers & Spears tent at WGBY’s Asparagus Festival on the Hadley Town Common Saturday, June 4. Enter to win a pair of tasting tickets (valued at $20/each), which will give you up to 25 tastes and special VIP view of the Festival's live musical guests The Ballroom Thieves, Cabinet, and The Salvation Alley String Band.
6 More Five College Alums Who Call Western MA Home
During commencement and reunion season at the five colleges in western Massachusetts, we’re reminded just how many students have called our region home for even a few years. We know that those few years at school in western Massachusetts are special for many, but our local alums confirm that getting to stay or return is something else entirely. Last year we reflected on some of the alums who shape our local food scene but here’s a few more who are running creative businesses from body modification shops to homemade ice cream parlors.
Bird Walks, Hawks & More in Western Massachusetts
New England Falconry, Hadley | Photo by Melissa Breor
Look up in the sky! It’s a bird… it’s a plane… no, actually, it's just a bird. And for anyone with avian interests, a bird sighting can be just as exciting in western Massachusetts. Given that spring is the prime season for birding in western Massachusetts, here's a few events and experiences you might not have known about.