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Wedding Finds as Unique as You Are in Western Massachusetts
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art | Yermakov Photography
It’s hard not to think about wedding possibilities now that the holidays and Valentine’s Day have passed along with all of the successful engagements that come with them. Western Massachusetts has just the right amount of unique and quirky destinations and shops to complete your special day, whether you’re looking for the perfect venue, fun food options, or just some distinctive creative touches. And even if you’re not planning a wedding right now, we think you’ll still find something fun in this roundup. Special events this spring include the Atkins Wedding & Events Sampler in Amherst (March 7), Don Muller Gallery Bridal Jewelry Trunk Show in Northampton (March 21-22), and Eventiques in Easthampton (April 11-12).
11 New Things to Do in Western Massachusetts in 2015
Snow Farm | Williamsburg
With a new year comes new energy to get out there and try new things. In western Massachusetts, 2015 offers you a handful of new places to shop and eat, package deals, several special anniversaries to celebrate, and new class schedules at our hands-on destinations. Featuring Northampton's new spot, Con Vino Wine Bar, Signature Sounds Presents Backporch Festival, new breweries, packages at the Lord Jeffery Inn, and classes Snow Farm and Good Stock Farm.
Experience a Growing Beer Scene in Western Massachusetts
Malting Grains | Photo by Valley Malt, Hadley
Every day it seems like the scene for craft beer in western Massachusetts grows a little bit more—from new breweries and bars opening to a growing number of special events focused on beer tasting and pairing. Our region is essentially a one-stop beer shop, too. Not only are we home to a handful of breweries, but we’re also home to the state’s only malthouse, Valley Malt in Hadley, whose malts are used by the local breweries as well as those around New England like Boston’s Trillium. Also just north of us in Northfield is a farm focused on growing grains and hops, two of the four essential ingredients in beer. So if you’re a beer connoisseur or aspiring brewer, here are three ways to make the most of our burgeoning beer scene in western Massachusetts.
Enter to Win a Holiday Shopping Spree in Western Mass.
Thornes Marketplace, Northampton | Photo by Lynne Graves
Last week we posted a mighty tempting list of gift ideas. This week we’re giving away a mini shopping spree so you might be able to get even more of those gifts. We'll select one lucky winner on December 1, 2014 who will receive $100 in gift cards to go shopping in downtown Northampton and Amherst. Enter to win here!
Enter to Win Tickets to Columbus Day Weekend Events
Paradise City Arts Festival | Northampton
Mid-October is not only the peak of foliage season in western Massachusetts, but it’s also especially packed with things to do on Columbus Day Weekend. Since we’ve already told you about some of the awesome things to do this fall, we’d like to give you the chance to win tickets to attend a few of them! Up for grabs is a pair of VIP one-day passes to the 20th Annual Paradise City Arts Festival in Northampton at the Three County Fairgrounds (October 11-13) and a pair of full-access passes for the Northampton International Film Festival at the Academy of Music Theatre (October 10-12). Each is a separate prize so there will be two random winners notified on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. Click to read more and enter.
ICYMI from Visit Hampshire County September 23, 2014
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Mount Holyoke College | South Hadley | Photo by Michael Malyszko
In case you missed it, there's a pop-up shopping event happening in Northampton, new artworks in Easthampton, and a few lists we've made over the past couple weeks. Here's a roundup of our favorite finds elsewhere on the internet we've shared on Facebook and Twitter.
Pack Your Calendars with Fall Festivals and More in Western Massachusetts
Mike's Maze, Sunderland | Photo by Lynne Graves
Are you ready for fall? Well it’s here as the chilled temps have clearly proven recently. If you’re anything like us here in western Massachusetts though, fall is your favorite time of year. While fall can be all about celebrating the harvest and Halloween, there’s also a lot going on in the arts, nature, and on a bike here. (Though we’ve certainly got the harvest festivals and haunted happenings down this year!). We have to admit, even as we were compiling this list we were overwhelmed by the number of things to do in western Massachusetts this fall. But after we took a deep breath, we grabbed our calendars and started planning fall adventures galore. We hope you’ll find something you’d like to do, too!
Therapy on Wheels: Biking in Western Massachusetts
Someone may visit western Massachusetts for the biking, but it’s the things to do in Massachusetts after you hop off your bike that will keep you coming back time after time—from great restaurants, beautiful galleries, and fun shopping to the natural landscape and a unique blend of people. Learn why this visitor comes to western Massachusetts for her "therapy on wheels."
In Case You Missed It from Visit Hampshire County This Week
Herrell's Ice Cream, Northampton | Photo by Lynne Graves
Here are a few of our favorite finds from our quest of all things Hampshire County this week that we shared on Facebook and Twitter that you might have missed, from paragliding over the valley to TV show American Pickers coming to town!
6 Things to Add to Your Mid-Summer Bucket List
Chesterfield Gorge | Photo by Lynne Graves
Can you believe July is already half over? As the summer months continue to slip away, here are a few things to add to your things to do in Massachusetts summer bucket list, from sidewalk sales to swimming holes, Shakespeare to rock music and more!