Western Massachusetts

[Here's the express route to sign up for our mailing list and a chance to win a great Hampshire County getaway weekend]

Greetings! We’re Hampshire County, Massachusetts. With only two other Hampshire counties in the world (Hampshire County, West Virginia and Hampshire County across the pond), it shouldn’t be that hard to remember us. Your next question may be, “Is Hampshire County near Boston?” This a common question to which residents almost always proudly reply, “No, we’re on The Other Side of Massachusetts.”

Sure, we’re not a new destination—we’ve actually been around since 1662, and originally comprised the entire Western part of Massachusetts which is now four separate counties. But this website and newly established Regional Tourism Council mark the first time Hampshire County has ever been marketed as a travel and tourism destination.  Championed by State Senator Stanley Rosenberg (D-Amherst), the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council was formed in August 2010 with its inclusion in Governor Deval Patrick’s economic development bill. One of 16 Regional Tourism Councils in the state, the Hampshire County RTC is a partnership of the Amherst Area, Greater Easthampton, and Greater Northampton Chambers of Commerce, who until this point have served as the primary source of information for visitors.

Those of us that live here love it and probably fell in love with it after just visiting like you might soon, whether it was just for a day of holiday shopping, dining out for a special occasion, or a longer visit like four years of college at one of the region’s renowned schools. It doesn’t take long to realize that something special is happening here, and it might be just where you belong, too, even if just for a weekend.

And now about that getaway. To celebrate our launch, we’re offering you the chance to win a weekend here in Hampshire County, The Other Side of Massachusetts. Our first package includes two nights for two at the historic Lord Jeffery Inn on the Amherst Common and $300 in gift certificates for dinners at 30Boltwood (exceptional Amherst dining in a contemporary style) and the Eastside Grill (a little New England… a little New Orleans).  This incredible getaway package also comes with your own personal trip planner to find the activities to create an escape that’s perfectly suited to Your Side. We want to know what you like to do, and we’ll show you all that Hampshire County has to offer your desires.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for our mailing list to enter our first contest. The winner will be randomly selected on August 30, 2013. And in the meantime, start collecting your favorite places in Hampshire County!