As much as we all love Mount Holyoke and our lovely little hamlet of South Hadley, it is just that—little, and quite little at that. I come from a small town in California that is surrounded by amazing hiking opportunities, eateries, and the beauty that is San Francisco. The quaint size of my town never felt oppressive to me because of the wonderful things the area around it had to offer. Similarly, the Pioneer Valley area has some truly great places to visit, explore and eat. Before I go any further, it’s important to note that many of these were initially brought to my attention by MHC Outing Club, which is a super fun, helpful and low-key organization for anybody who wants to go to cool places, meet new people and have a good time.
I’ll offer up some ideas for people who would like to venture off the beaten track of downtown Amherst and Northampton. If you’re interested in yummy food and a laid back study atmosphere, look no further than the Esselon Cafe, (pictured above) which is just a fifteen minute drive down 47. It offers a delicious variety of brunch and lunch options, and their pastries are top notch. (Gluten free and vegan options available as well!) It’s a popular location, so it’s usually quite busy, but successful studying can still be achieved there, if that’s your goal. Another fantastic place to go if you have food and chill study vibes on the brain is the Montague Book Mill. This is my favorite place in the Pioneer Valley by far. It is a renovated book mill from the 1800s that has been converted into a bookstore, restaurant, and cafe trio with an adjacent art boutique and quirky TV/Music/Film store. Essentially anything you could ever need can be found here. It is located about half an hour to forty five minutes away from campus.
Another classic and beloved spot, Flayvors of Cook Farm is situated just past Hampshire in Hadley. It’s a five generation dairy farm established in 1909 that offers delectable ice cream and a fun environment to relax and pet some baby cows (who are incredibly cuddly by the way). For those who don’t have much of an interest in ice cream or animals, the gift shop attached to the farm is worth taking a walk through, as they offer a wide variety of goodies. Mount Holyoke can feel small at times, but I promise if you look hard enough, there are some wonderful opportunities in the Pioneer Valley waiting to be discovered.
If fresh produce is your game, look no further than the Red Fire Farm Stand, a local organic farm situated in Granby. The farm gets its name from a lightning strike fire that occurred in 1922 and devastated the original barn and farmhouse. Additionally, Ryan Voiland, the current owner loves “new red fire” lettuce and thus the name Red Fire Farm came to fruition in 2001. The land has been used for farming since the 1800s and boasts Hadley and Agawam soils which are among the most fertile in the world!
The Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens offers an idyllic retreat for friends, partners and butterfly lovers alike. The combination of beautiful butterflies, serene music and a picturesque waterfall solidifies the Conservatory’s place as a go to destination. A myriad of exhibits offer information on the various butterflies and their history. Fun fact: a butterfly egg is the size of a pinhead. It is located in South Deerfield, which is about half an hour from campus. You can visit year round, which means enjoying the 80 degree tropical environment with it’s lovely butterflies even in the dead of winter. The Conservatory also has it’s own Monarch Restaurant which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a range of casual to up-scale foods.
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