What to do in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts

by Brianne Miers
Springfield Museums

If you’re looking for what to do in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, you won’t be disappointed by all of the attractions and activities available. There’s something for everyone from history buffs to sports fanatics to nature lovers.

As much as I love living in Boston, I also love getting out of the “big city” from time to time and experiencing what the rest of New England has to offer. Fortunately I have a lot of fantastic road-trip destinations to chose from right here in Massachusetts. One favorite is the “Pioneer Valley,” a cluster of three counties that sits about two hours west of Boston. On my most recent trip there, I discovered it’s jam-packed with a wide variety of attractions certain to entertain travelers of all kinds. my first stop on my recent three-day tour of the Pioneer Valley.

What to do in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts: the Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts

Armory employment peaked at nearly 14,000 during World World II. At one point, more than 5,000 women were employed.

What to Do in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts

Learn about the Past 

Thanks to my dad being a history teacher, I’ve seen my share of cemeteries, battlefields and other important sites in our nation’s military history. Springfield Armory – my first stop – is one such site. The nation’s first armory, it pioneered the development of firearms for 200 years, and in doing so, helped establish Springfield as a hub of industrial innovation. Today it’s part of the National Park Service and houses one of the largest collections of military small arms in the world, along with displays of machinery and early life in Springfield. 

What else: You also can head about 45 minutes north of Springfield to Historic Deerfield, which still looks much like it did in the 18th century, and tour the 12 museum houses there. I previously weekend stay at the Deerfield Inn.

Get an Adrenaline Boost

Six Flags New England is the largest amusement park in New England and the oldest in the Six Flags system. However, due to a conflict, I wasn’t able to join my other Boston blogger friends, Yadira and Yamini of The Two Riveras and Alex and Bell of Wanderlust Marriage as they conquered rides like the aptly named Goliath, a “super coaster.” Being a total adrenaline junkie, I was disappointed to miss out, but I hope to get back this fall and experience the thrills for myself. (You can read what Wanderlust Marriage had to say about visiting Six Flags New England.)

What to do in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts: the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts

James Naismith was a young teacher at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield when he invented basketball to keep his students busy between football and baseball seasons.

Shoot Some Hoops

Springfield is the birthplace of basketball, and today fans flock to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to celebrate the biggest names that have coached, refereed and played the sport over the past 125 years. I enjoyed learning about the early days of the game, as well as checking out memorabilia like Shaq’s massive shoes, seeing how my wingspan measures up against players like Yao Ming, and shooting some hoops. The highlight was the chance to pay homage to Jim Boeheim, the head coach of the men’s basketball team at Syracuse University, my alma mater.

What else: There is no shortage of burger and bar eats nearby – check out Max’s Tavern, Samuel’s and b Springfield.

Forest Park in Springfield, Massachusetts

The Garden of Remembrance in Forest Park opened this spring. It commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising rebellion in Ireland.

Nature Lovers

I’ve been to Springfield several times over the years for work, but I never knew that the third-largest city in Massachusetts has been hiding one of the largest urban, municipal parks in the U.S. After lunch at Center Square Grill in East Longmeadow, Alex, Bell and I headed to Forest Park to get some fresh air and sunshine. We were pleasantly surprised to find more than 735 acres of hiking and biking trails, gardens and fields, in which we could have gotten lost for hours. Designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the park also houses a swimming pool and zoo.

What else: There are plenty of other places where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Pioneer Valley – head to Mt. Tom State Reservation in Holyoke or Skinner Mountain State Park in Amherst for great hiking and spectacular views.

Smith Art Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts

The Smith Art Museum (pictured here) has one of the largest collections of Chinese cloisonné outside of Asia, while the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts houses the nation’s largest collection of lithographs.

Cultural Connoisseurs

Good thing I visited the Springfield Museums by myself because I spent nearly four hours exploring room after room of treasures spread throughout the four-museum complex. My first stop was the Springfield Science Museum. With a planetarium, life-sized T-rex and replicas of African animals, it’s perfect place to go with young kids. Next stop was the G.V.W. Smith Art Museum, which houses the Smiths’ eclectic personal collection – everything from 19th-century American art to samurai armor to Greek and Roman sculptures.

I spent the bulk of my time in the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, taking in an impressive temporary exhibit of photographs from the pictoralist movement. Of the four museums that comprise the Springfield Museums, the only one I didn’t get to was the Wood Museum of Springfield History, so that’s on the list for next time! (Tip: One ticket will get you in to all four museums, so it’s a great deal.)

the Springfield Museums in Springfield, Massachusetts

The bronze sculptures were created by Dr. Suess’s step-daughter, Lark Grey Dimond-Cates.

Book Worms

The Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, located in the courtyard of Springfield Museums, honors Springfield native Theodor Seuss Geisel with a whimsical display of the author and his most beloved characters. (I took a selfie with my personal favorite, the Lorax). I can’t wait to come back and check out The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum (Update: The museum opened to rave reviews in 2017).

the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts

There is an arts and crafts room and a small library of children’s books.

My last stop in the Pioneer Valley was The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, which celebrates the work and life of illustrator Eric Carle, whose classic picture book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has been a favorite of both children and their parents for nearly 50 years. The largest gallery displayed Carle’s prints – you were encouraged to try and find the personal touches, like his kids’ initials, hidden throughout his works – while the other two galleries displayed the work of other children’s book illustrators, including Louis Darling, who illustrated 12 of Beverly Cleary’s early books. (Note: I think the museum is most appropriate for older children and teens with an interest in art and illustration.)

the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts

Here I am with Alex and Bell of Wanderlust Marriage and Yadira and Yaimani of The Two Riveras. We almost look like we know what we’re doing!

Where to Eat in the Pioneer Valley

The Two Riveras always know where to go for good eats, and they raved about Red Rose Pizzeria in Springfield and Burgundy Brook Café in Palmer. One of my favorite stops is Champney’s Restaurant & Tavern in Deerfield.

Where to Stay in the Pioneer Valley

On this trip were hosted by the Holiday Inn Springfield-Enfield, which actually sits on the other side of the Massachusetts border in Connecticut, and were particularly impressed by the on-site restaurant.

Do you have any recommendations on what to do in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts?

I was a guest of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism and the Valley Visitor Center, and thank them for the opportunity to discover what to do in the Pioneer Valley. All opinions are my own.

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3 comments

Alex August 17, 2016 - 6:40 pm

Great job highlighting this great region packed with diverse attractions! And I really love several of your photos in this post!

I’m really glad we had the opportunity to hang out in Pioneer Valley. It was a lot of fun and that photo at the basketball Hall of Fame says it all. Cheers, Brianne! 🙂

Reply
Brianne Miers March 21, 2017 - 10:13 am

Thanks, Alex! It was definitely a fun trip, and I enjoyed sharing the experience with you and Bell!

Reply
click here September 11, 2018 - 3:26 am

Sports Fanatics – Springfield is the birthplace of basketball, and today fans flock to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to celebrate the biggest names that have coached, refereed and played the sport over the past 125 years. I enjoyed learning about the early days of the game, as well as checking out memorabilia like Shaq’s massive shoes, seeing how my wingspan measures up against players like Yao Ming, and shooting some hoops. The highlight was the chance to pay homage to Jim Boeheim, the head coach of the men’s basketball team at Syracuse University, my alma mater.

Reply

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