Blog / Restaurants
Toast the Good Life
Black Birch Vineyard Wine Tasting
Photo by Lynne Graves
The good life is especially worth toasting in Western Massachusetts during the summer. Here’s our top 10 list (in no particular order).
How to Enjoy Western MA Maple Season from Near and Far
Red Bucket Sugar Shack, Worthington | Photo by Lynne Graves
Here in Western Massachusetts, maple sugaring season is one of the first signs of our annual agricultural awakening. As soon as we start to see the maple buckets on trees and sugaring steam rising in the distance, we know spring can't be far off. Whether you plan to be near or far from Western Massachusetts, there are ways to enjoy the best that a Massachusetts maple season has to offer.
3 Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ this Valentine’s Day in Western MA
Amherst Cinema, Bistro Les Gras, & Luthier's Co-op | Photos by Lynne Graves
Looking for things to do on or for Valentine’s Day in Western Massachusetts? Hampshire County’s got you covered—from romance and relaxation to good laughs and good eats!
6 Indoor Reasons To Love Winter in Western Massachusetts
Amherst Coffee | Photo by Lynne Graves
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. From endless entertainment options, hot tub spas, & fireplaces to cozy coffee shops, bars & galleries, Western MA has plenty of ways to keep you warm this winter.
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.
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.
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!
Let Valley Wed Help You Say ‘I Do’ in Western Massachusetts
Love & Perry Photography and Films
Wedding planning can be a fun and fulfilling experience, especially when you have the right people on your team. Valley Wed will help you find everything you need to have an amazing wedding day, with the best vendors to help you plan one of the most important days of your life. Register today for a chance to win some fantastic prizes from western Massachusetts businesses!
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…