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Our Top Five Western MA Blog Posts of 2016
Here they are: the top five most read posts from 2016 about things to do in Western Massachusetts in case you missed something.
4 Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Western Massachusetts
First Night Northampton | Photo by Lynne Graves
Now that December's arrived, it's time to start thinking about how to celebrate the start of a New Year! These are our tops picks for things to do in Western Massachusetts on New Year's Eve no matter if you're looking to hang with the crowds or have a more intimate gathering at home.
9 Things to Add to Your Made in Massachusetts Shopping List
Heavenly Chocolate, Northampton | Photo by Lynne Graves
Looking for a little help on your holiday gift list? Here’s our list of 9 great gifts that are made in Western Massachusetts that you can find when you visit or even online in many cases.
Unique Places to Shop in Western MA: Museum Gift Shops
Smith College Museum of Art Shop Photo by Paul Shoul
For some, the museum gift shop is the best part of visiting the museum! The museum shop not only offers you an opportunity to take home a reminder of your visit, but also find unique items by other artists whose work could become your new favorite necklace, the next talking piece on your coffee table, or the best card you'll ever send. Don't miss all the fun gifts The Carle Bookshop offers at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and the unique and global artifacts at the Smith College Museum of Art Shop.
4 Unique Holiday Shopping Experiences in Western MA
Snow Farm Seconds Sale | Photo by Lynne Graves
If you're searching for a handmade gift but you don't have the time to make something yourself, turn to our local artists in Western MA! Visit Open Studios in Florence and Easthampton and special artisan sales like Seconds Sales at Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program in Williamsburg or Makers Market at the Parlor Room in Northampton. Meet the artists themselves, buy unique gifts for the holidays, and most importantly, support a booming local creative economy.
10 Ways to Make the Most of Late Fall in Western MA
Northampton International Cyclocross | Photo by Cycle-Smart
The leaves are falling fast, daylight savings ends soon, and the holidays are fast-approaching, but that doesn’t mean the fun stops between now and Thanksgiving. Before you slip into a holiday craze, take some time for yourself and plan a visit to Western Massachusetts. There’s a lot of great things going on all throughout the fall for foodies, culture vultures and everything in between.
4 Ways to Get Spooky in Western MA for Halloween
Amherst Cinema | Photo by Lynne Graves
With Halloween right around the corner, we figured some of you might want to get out there and have a little spooky fun in Western Massachusetts. And if spooks and horror aren't for you, everyone loves to have fun dressing up with a good party to attend. Haunted hayrides, ghost tours, costume parties and more this Halloween in Western Massachusetts.
Share Your Colorful Side of Massachusetts on Instagram
Leaves at Quabbin | Photo by Bruce Chambers
We we want to see your best fall photos photos from around Western Massachusetts. Read more about how to submit!
5 Reasons to Visit Western Mass. Any Day of the Week this Fall
We can’t deny that fall is truly one of our best seasons in Hampshire County of Western Massachusetts, but that also means it's one of our busiest! Between signature events like the Paradise City Arts Festival and Family Weekends at our schools, thousands of visitors flock to our region every October. But we don’t want that to discourage you! This year we’re inviting you to think about a different kind of getaway. Go ahead—extend your weekend and include a Thursday or Sunday night, or celebrate a little Mountain Day of your own with a midweek getaway!
22 New Things to Check Out in Western Massachusetts
Hitchcock Center for the Environment | Photo by Jessica Schultz
With the return of the school year and the changing of seasons among us, we’re heading into one of the best times of the year in Western Massachusetts. As you plan your fall visits to Hampshire County, be sure to consider adding some of these new places to eat, learn, shop and explore as well as events to your itinerary!