Day trips and Itineraries

Also check our Specials page for seasonal events, such as Maple-Sugaring, Bright Nights, Corn Maze Madness,etc.

Northfield Wild Ways

Looking for some summer fun to get you through the dog days of summer? Then take a look at Northfield Mountain's August program and activity lineup. Along with the popular QII riverboat cruise, camping, canoeing and kayaking at Barton Cove, there is a full line up of summer activities for all ages and interests. How about the "Happy Valley Locavore", or a popular program repeat from last year, "Unlock the Mysteries of Canning"? Have you ever been Electrofishing with Mass Wildlife? Or how about a special evening program of hoop dancing and drumming to celebrate the river?

Keep this in mind for winter: Northfield Mountain offers Cross Country Skiing and Ski Conditions on Snow Phone
Northfield Mountain has an extensive trail system which magically turns into Northfield Mountain Cross Country Ski Area in winter--featuring fabulous cross-country skiing. There are over 25 miles of trails designed specifically for cross country skiing and groomed for both classical and free-style skiing. These trails offer some of the finest Nordic skiing in the region. Trails vary from beginner trails to the demanding 800-foot vertical climb of Tenth Mountain Trail. During the winter season, trail system is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. Hikers, dogs and other pets are excluded from our trails during the ski season. Always call ahead first to our 24-hour Snow Phone for the most current conditions: (800) 859-2960. (Conditions will also be up-dated on Trails Report, though there may be a time-lag.)

Deerfield Doings

While on the way to and from your Riverboat cruise, or Cross Country Skiing, you can stop at

The 8,000-square-foot Magic Wings conservatory is planted with exotic vegetation and holds within it butterflies that are both native and tropical. Imagine if you will, hundreds of butterflies (more than 4,000) silently fluttering by, unaware of their grace and beauty and the delight that they bring to all ages. Do not be surprised if a buttefly alights upon you; a truly magical moment. The grounds have one and a half acres of gardens with native trees and flowers along with quiet little resting places to view nature’s bounty. Reptiles, birds, and bugs are recent additions...

The Yankee Candle Company began in 1969 in a kitchen here, and the rest is history—at least, the company thinks so. At this complex that seems to sprout new buildings every season, you can dip your own candles, visit a Bavarian Christmas vilage (a toy factory with Santa and Mrs. Claus), and a museum that demonstrates candle making through history. Of course, selling candles is the main focus of the Yankee Candle Company, and there’s a huge variety. Chandler’s Restaurant is on site if you get hungry. Call for a schedule of special events.

Don't miss a ride or hike to the top of Mt. Sugarloaf for breath-taking views over the Connecticut River Valley toAmherst and beyond!

Twelve of the restored houses along The Street form an association called Historic Deerfield. These spectacular examples of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century architecture, design, furnishings, and lifestyles will probably be most interesting to older kids, who can appreciate the work that has gone into these houses, as well as the rich history of the town and its inhabitants. Don’t try to see more than three houses in one day; they’re all worth visiting, but more than three would be too much for any but the most ardent historic preservationist, let alone a family with children. The Flynt Center of Early New England Life is a modern museum building with two floors of exhibits that include the Helen Geier Flynt Textile Gallery on Fiber Arts that is everchanging. On weekends and one month of the summer, there are activities for families (the special activity days are found on their Web site), which could vary from “Chocolate Day” near Valentine’s Day to “Maple Sugaring.” A children’s history workshop is offered periodically.

Dine at the Chandler restaurant on site, or cruise down to Northampton for other trendy offerings.

Amherst Amble

Start with a visit to Schoen Books at the Old Firehouse in South Deerfield, and a view from Mt. Sugarloaf (hike or drive up) followed by a visit to the

Dickinson was born and spent most of her life in this house. Her gravesite, at West Cemetery on Triangle Street, is not far from the house. Ask for directions, and recite one of her poems over her grave, as do the UMass American poetry students. Don’t forget to go next door to visit the Evegreens, home of Emily’s brother, Austin, and sister-in-law, Susan, which remains as it once was, untouched by time! The tour entitled “This Was a Poet” is the most captvating for kids.

This museum contains more than 40,000 square feet and features picture book art from around the world. Founded by Eric Carle, author and illustrator of the popular and beloved children’s books The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Tiny Seed, the museum will fascinate your children while subtly encouraging a love of books. Guest picture book artist exhibits are on display; see if you recognize any of your favorite books! Book signings, lectures, creative crafts, and storytelling all bring the process of illustration and the art of the story to life. Pick up a family guide upon arrival for the best ideas on exploring the museum. There are a nice cafe, library, and museum shop on-site. Insider tip: Eric Carle still does an annual book signing in the summer.

Take the Lady Bea Riverboat from Brunelle's Marina for an afternoon or sunset cruise;

Sportsman's Marina Boat Rental Company
1 Russell Street Route 9
P.O. Box 154
Hadley, MA 01035
Tel: (413) 586-2426
and go swimming from one of the islands or beaches along the Connecticut River, or ...

Let us cater your picnic basket for a twilight plein air picnic, ravishing views and a concert at:

A road and several hiking trails lead to the summit of Mt. Holyoke and extend to the Holyoke Range State Park. The summit is a great picnic spot, with tables, a few grills, and a superb view of the Connecticut River Valley. The Summit House at Skinner State Park (413-586-0350; open weekends May through October) is a recently restored old mountain inn that’s now the site of summer concerts.

Berkshire Cultcha

Repeat two or three days running to encompass all these attractions and fine dining.

Mohawk Trail Circuit

In the riverside village of Shelburne Falls, a quick detour off Route 2, see the Bridge of Flowers. It’s a 400-foot retired trolley bridge that has been planted with flower beds. The best time for viewing the bridge is in July and August. Don’t miss the nearby Salmon Falls, with the country’s most numerous glacial potholes, which were formed by retreating ice from the glaciation period.

Longview Tower is the highest steel observation tower in Massachusetts. From here you can see the three states of Massachusetts, Vermont and New York.

Destination: the Clark Museum and a trendy evening of film, music or performance art at MASS MOCA.

At 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts. Rising above the surrounding Berkshire landscape, dramatic views of 60-90 miles distant may be seen. It became Massachusetts' first wilderness state park, acquired by the Commonwealth in 1898, to preserve its natural environment for public enjoyment. Wild and rugged yet intimate and accessible, Mount Greylock rewards the visitor exploring this special place of scenic and natural beauty.

Holyoke Hullaballoo

The Children’s Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4:00 p.m. and emphasizes family participation in educational games and interactive exhibits. Make your own paper or try your hand at one of the mock-ups of local businesses, including a “working” TV station.
The Holyoke Merry-Go-Round is open weekends noon to 4:00 p.m. from September through May and daily from noon to 4:00 p.m. in summer and during Holyoke school vacations. The antique merry-go-round is housed in a colorful new building near the entrance to the park; the large carousel has forty-eight horses and two chariots, all carved by hand, plus a loud, cheerful band organ. The Volleyball Hall of Fame is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m.

Complete your day with a visit to the Holyoke Mall, largest Mall in New England, and trip to the movies at the Showcase Cinemas in West Springfield. That was fun!

Springfield Spree

Winner of the Commonwealth Award in 1999, the Springfield Museums at the Quadrangle, a complex that incorporates four museums and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, is a nice place to spend time. Parking is free at the museums’ lots on Edwards Street and State Street.
The Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden includes eighteen bronze sculptures, which are a tribute to Theodor Geisel, author of the Dr. Seuss books.
Museums at the Quadrangle include:
Connecticut Valley Historical Museum—more than 365 years of Pioneer Valley and Springfield history and the Seussscape playroom for young children (a small gallery with books and toys on the Seuss theme)
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum—Middle Eastern rugs, largest collection of Chinese cloisonné in the West, Shinto shrine, nineteenth-century American paintings, and the Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center for Families
Springfield Museum of Fine Arts—European and American paintings, sculpture, and paper mediums.
Springfield Science Museum—The African Hall focuses on the diverse wildlife of the African continent, and Dinosaur Hall (the kids’ favorite) includes a full-size replica of a towering tyrannosaur. Other attractions include a hands-on Exploration Center, an aquarium, an observatory, an antique airplane, and a planetarium

While there, take in a walking tour of Mattoon Street's historic townhouses, a Middle Eastern lunch or dinner at Café Lebanon next to Springfield's Greco-Roman City Hall and Symphony Hall and the new Mass Mutual Convention Center, take in a "Broadway" show, City Stage theatre or a symphony performance...or

Springfield Armory National Historic Site
One Armory Sq
Springfield,
Massachusetts 01105
(413)734-8551

site chosen by General Washington. Museum features huge firearm colletion, interactive exhibits, introductory film, and bookstore.

Jaunt out to the
Titanic Historical Society
208 Main Street,
Indian Orchard,
Massachusetts 01151
(413) 543 4770

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is an entertainment center/museum that will beinteresting to any visitor who’s ever had even a remote connection to the game. A state-of-the-art museum doubling its size opened in 2002. The exterior architecture of the museum is a sphere with a tower beside it. On top of the tower is a perpetually lit orange ball that serves as a beacon to beckon and attract those traveling down Interstate 91 to visit. The main showpiece of the new museum is the Center Court, which features a full-size basketball court and scoreboard visible from balconies on each of the museum’s three levels. All of your favorite Hall of Famers are on display, timelined with world history and great moments in basketball. The second floor fetures a coach’s gallery honoring high school, college, national, and international teams. The Game Gallery is very interactive and showcases the game and the evoltion of the equipment from its earliest humble beginnings to the present. The Media Gallery allows you to relive broadcasts, have a photo of you e-mailed, or act out an interview and be taped. Challenge your basketball knowledge. Shoot hoops of varous shapes, sizes, and heights. Play Jason Kidd or Cheryl Swoopes in the Virtual Reaity game. Or compare your height and arm span to those of the game’s biggest players. The newest addition to the Basketball Hall of Fame is the Hooperactive Zone, a kids’ area that features the latest hands-on activities and hoop action. Legends of the game will be brought in to lecture and conduct clinics. Enshrinement into the Basketball Hall of Fame is in September.

Then go local with Italian food and pastries in the South End and a visit to the farmer's market and free concerts at Stearns Square on Thursday nights.

Forest Park Heights Historic Hysteria

Don't drive! We'll pick you up at Amtrak or Peter Pan Bus, and you can relax and recreate right here in the neighborhood, strolling our Victorian avenues, feeding the ducks or photographing the lilypad ponds, covered bridges, rose gardens and wildlife of Forest Park across ths street or playing tennis for free on its 16 courts. Take the kids to the splash fountains, the zoo, and the playground. Walk to the Farmer's Market and to delectable Italian restaurants in the neighborhood, or let us cater a picnic in our back yard.Then pop some corn and relax with one of our hundreds of movies or snuggle up with a cup of tea, a good read from our libraries, and Toesey the kitty for a best friend.

Bring your bikes, and ride up along the riverwalk and bikeway to Chicopee or across the South End Bridge and down along the Connecticut River (also a great place to rollerblade or walk. See the trails at our link for "Car-less vacations." Enjoy!

Day Trips and Half-Day itineraries!

Want to go skiing nearby?

We'll add more according to your interests, so please email us for suggestions or call 413-736-6414.