Blog / Family Fun
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!
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.
Pick your own pumpkins, and then…?
Fletcher Family Farm | Southampton
Fall is not only filled with delightful sights for the eyes but also for our taste buds. Farms across Hampshire County in Western Mass. offer an abundant selection of pumpkins, gourds and squashes, and our restaurants turn them into brilliant creations. But what about trying some of those famous recipes at home? Over the next few weeks, we’ll share some favorite pumpkin recipes from our local chefs right here on The Latest. Read more to see our list of where to pick your own pumpkins.
Fall festivals, corn mazes, and more, oh my!
Photo by Lynne Graves
It's nearly time to throw those hands in the air, full of leaves: it's almost FALL in Hampshire County! Like a true New Englander, we love fall just as much as you do, from the abundance of apples and pumpkins to the stunning foliage and crisper weather. Western Massachusetts has an abundance of can't-miss fun fall activities including the very popular McCray's Farm Haunted Hayrides, Belchertown's Austin Brothers Valley Farm annual corn maze and hayrides, and Southampton's Rolling Acres Farm corn maze and fall activities right here in Hampshire County.
Watch a movie outdoors, sidewalk shop, and eat in a field in Hampshire County this week
Sidewalk Sales in Northampton
There's always something happening in Hampshire County, but this week do something you would normally do indoors, outdoors! Amherst's Hot Summer Nights movie series begins Wednesday, July 24, Northampton has its annual Sidewalk Sales July 25-28, and Whole Foods is hosting a farm dinner right in the middle of the field at a neighboring farm on Saturday, July 27.
Free summer music from concerts in the park to concerts on the porch
Darlingside at Pulaski Park | Photo by Jamie Kent
There’s something special about summer nights that comes alive when there’s music in the air. There are definitely more smiles and probably even more tapping feet and clapping hands. A handful of communities provide these summer soundscapes at a multitude of weekly free outdoor summer concert series across Hampshire County. On Thursdays, check out the Angel Park's Summer Music Series in Williasmburg or the Music on the Porch Series in Florence, and on Fridays, there's Northampton's Summer Concert Series in Pulaski Park and Arts in the Park in Easthampton.