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Amherst, MA: Where Fun is a Way of Life – Best Things to Do and Places to Visit!

Planning a trip to Amherst, Massachusetts and looking for things to do? You are in luck. This small college town is full of quirky, artistic and historical finds that will stay with you. Outdoor adventures through to educational ones, Amherst has a version of each.

For something offbeat, Amherst holds up. The town has a quirky side that shows in its unusual museums and art galleries. Take the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, which celebrates the work of the children’s author, or the collections at the Beneski Museum of Natural History. And do not miss the Yiddish Book Center, which covers the history and culture of Yiddish language and literature.

But Amherst is not only arts and culture. The town sits inside good country, and there is plenty to do outdoors. Hike the trails at Puffers Pond, take a slow bike ride through the countryside, or kayak the Connecticut River. And for something educational, take Amherst College, one of the oldest and most respected liberal arts colleges in the country.

Key Takeaways

• Amherst, Massachusetts is a charming college town with plenty of quirky, artistic, and historical gems to explore.
• From unique museums and art galleries to outdoor adventures and educational experiences, there’s something for everyone in Amherst.
• Don’t miss the chance to visit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, hike the trails at Puffers Pond, or explore the collections at the Beneski Museum of Natural History.

The Quirky Side of Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts is not another small town in New England. It has a quirky side worth working through. Here are two sections that give you the fun and the humor of Amherst.

Coffee Shops and Farmers Markets

Amherst asks very little of your legs and a fair amount of your attention. The Emily Dickinson Museum is two houses and a bedroom you can walk into. The Mead Art Museum holds over 19,000 works on the Amherst College campus. The University Museum of Contemporary Art carries over 3,500 more pieces again. And the Holyoke Range is there when you finally want the climb.

Coffee people do well in Amherst, which runs some of the stronger coffee shops in the area. The Amherst Coffee Shop is the one to find. The small shop keeps a strong selection of coffee and tea, and the pastries hold up. And take the North Amherst Farmers Market for fresh produce and local goods. It is a good place to meet locals and get the character of Amherst.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail

If children’s books are your thing, take the Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail. The trail is built on the classic children’s book by Eric Carle, who lived and worked in Amherst. It is an interactive way to work through the town. There are colorful caterpillar sculptures and murals all over Amherst. It takes you straight back to being small.

Amherst is a town full of surprises. The quirky side is what sets it apart from other small towns in New England. So put on the walking shoes, grab a coffee, and work through the fun and humor of Amherst.

Artistic Amherst

Art people will be glad to know Amherst runs a working artistic community. Museums through to art galleries, the town has a version of each. Here are the places worth finding for anyone who follows art.

The Eric Carle Museum

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is an unusual museum celebrating the art of children’s books. The museum holds a large collection of original artwork from some of the best-loved children’s books, including The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. It also runs temporary exhibitions and workshops and events for children and adults alike.

The Mead Art Museum

The Mead Art Museum, on the Amherst College campus, is a quieter find holding a serious collection of American and European art. The museum carries over 19,000 works, paintings, sculptures and prints among them. The Mead Art Museum also runs temporary exhibitions and educational programs for visitors of all ages.

University Museum of Contemporary Art

The University Museum of Contemporary Art, on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus, is one for contemporary art people. The museum holds a collection of over 3,500 works, paintings, sculptures and installations among them. It also runs temporary exhibitions and educational programs for visitors.

Japanese prints or contemporary art, Amherst has a version of each. And take the local art galleries and exhibitions for the working artistic community of the town.

Historical Gems

Amherst, Massachusetts is steeped in history, and there are plenty of historical sites to find. Here are two worth the visit for history people:

Emily Dickinson Museum

You cannot visit Amherst without the Emily Dickinson Museum, the birthplace and lifelong home of one of the better-loved poets in America. The museum is two houses: the Homestead, where Emily was born and lived most of her life, and the Evergreens, where her brother and his family lived.

Inside the Homestead there are original furnishings, family portraits and personal belongings that open up the life Emily led. You can also tour her bedroom, where she wrote many of her poems. The Evergreens next door is a Gothic Revival-style house built for the brother of Emily. It opens a clear window on upper-class life in the mid-19th century.

Dickinson Homestead and The Evergreens

If you follow Emily Dickinson, do not miss the Dickinson Homestead and The Evergreens. The Homestead was her birthplace and childhood home, and it is where she wrote many of her poems. The Evergreens was built for her brother and his family, and it is a strong example of Gothic Revival architecture.

Inside the Homestead there are original furnishings, family portraits and personal belongings that open up the life Emily led. You can also tour her bedroom, where she wrote many of her poems. The Evergreens next door opens a clear window on upper-class life in the mid-19th century.

Both houses are open for tours, and there is a combined tour of both properties. Poetry reader or just someone interested in history, the Emily Dickinson Museum and the Dickinson Homestead and The Evergreens are the attractions to see in Amherst.

Outdoor Adventures

Looking for time outdoors? Amherst holds plenty, from quiet lakes to hard hikes. Here are a few of the outdoor options in and around Amherst:

Puffers Pond

For a slow day by the water, go to Puffers Pond. The small lake is a favorite for swimming, fishing and picnicking. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard and work the calm water, or just sit on the sandy beach in the sun. And with luck you spot a turtle or two.

Hiking the Holyoke Range

For something harder, take the Holyoke Range. The mountain range runs some of the stronger hiking in the area, with trails from easy to difficult. For a challenge, hike to the top of Mount Holyoke for the views over the surrounding countryside. And with luck you catch some wildlife on the way.

Kayaking on Connecticut River

For something different, try kayaking on the Connecticut River. The river runs some of the stronger kayaking in the area, with calm water and long views. You can rent a kayak and work it yourself, or join a guided tour for the history and ecology of the area.

Whatever kind of outdoor day you want, Amherst has it. So grab the hiking boots, pack a picnic, and get out in the sun.

With children along, the picture-book side of this town does the heavy lifting for you. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art runs workshops and events aimed at them. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail puts sculptures and murals all across the town. Puffers Pond then handles the swimming, the sandy beach and the turtles. And Atkins Farms Country Market has the apple cider donuts waiting for afterwards.

Educational Escapades

Are you the sort who likes learning things? Then Amherst, Massachusetts will suit you. Here are the educational stops that will keep you busy.

Amherst College Tour

First, take a tour of Amherst College, the third-oldest institution of higher education in Massachusetts. The liberal arts school is known for small class sizes and a highly selective admissions process. But you do not have to be a genius to enjoy the campus. Walk the green lawns and look at the architecture of the historic buildings. And the tour guides know their ground.

Hampshire College Campus

Next is Hampshire College, a small liberal arts school built on an experimental approach to education. The campus holds a range of unusual facilities, the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and the Bassett Planetarium among them. Art, science or just new ideas, there is a version of each at Hampshire College.

UMass Amherst Visit

And take the University of Massachusetts Amherst, one of the top public research universities in the country. With over 90 undergraduate majors and 70 graduate programs, the academic options run long. But it is not all work, because UMass Amherst also runs a serious NCAA sports program, so catch a game while you are on campus.

So there they are, three educational stops that will make you feel sharper. Lifelong learner or just after a good afternoon, these institutions hold up.

Unique Museums

On museums, Amherst holds a couple you will not find elsewhere. Here are two unusual ones worth the visit:

Beneski Museum of Natural History

If fossils and dinosaur footprints are your thing, the Beneski Museum of Natural History is the place. On the campus of Amherst College, the museum runs a serious collection of fossils, a complete mammoth skeleton and a cast of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull among them. But the dinosaur footprints found in the Connecticut River Valley are the high point. There are tracks from Stegosaurus and Triceratops, and a few that have yet to be identified.

Yiddish Book Center

The Yiddish Book Center is a museum and cultural center dedicated to the Yiddish language and Jewish culture. The museum holds an extensive collection of Yiddish books, rare and out-of-print titles among them. But what makes it unusual is the work of keeping Yiddish language and culture alive for the generations coming after. The center runs Yiddish language classes, cultural events, and a summer program for college students. It opens up a culture that gets overlooked.

So for something other than the usual museum, take the Beneski Museum of Natural History and the Yiddish Book Center. Both hold up.

Tasty Treats

No trip to Amherst works without the local sweet things. Here are two spots worth finding for a sweet tooth:

Atkins Farms Country Market

You cannot visit Amherst without Atkins Farms Country Market. The family-owned market has been running for over 100 years and is known for fresh produce, baked goods and specialty foods. But the apple cider donuts are the reason people come. Those fluffy, cinnamon-sugar-coated things will have you buying a dozen to take home.

Homemade Ice Cream

Looking for something cold? Go to Homemade Ice Cream, a local favorite that has been scooping for over 30 years. With over 40 flavors, something will land. And for something bolder, try the unusual ones like lavender honey or maple bacon. Or take the Kitchen Sink, a sundae of eight scoops, eight toppings, whipped cream and a cherry. Bring friends to help finish it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some quirky and unique things to do in Amherst, Massachusetts?

Looking for something offbeat? Take the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. The museum is dedicated to the art of children’s books and runs exhibits from well-known authors and illustrators. Or for something bolder, try a goat yoga class at Bradley Farm. Yes, yoga with goats.

What are some hidden gems in Amherst, Massachusetts that tourists often miss?

For somewhere quiet away from city noise, take the Amethyst Brook Conservation Area. The spot runs hiking trails, a brook and long views over the surrounding forest. The other quiet find is the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, which runs educational programs and exhibits on sustainability and the natural world.

What are some fun outdoor activities to do in Amherst, Massachusetts?

There is plenty to do outdoors in Amherst. Walk the gardens at the Smith College Botanic Garden, or take the trails at Mount Norwottuck. And for something bolder, try kayaking or paddleboarding on the Connecticut River.

Where can I find the best local food in Amherst, Massachusetts?

For the local food in Amherst, go to the Amherst Farmers’ Market. There is fresh produce, baked goods and other locally made things in there. And for a sit-down meal, take Johnny’s Tavern for pub food or Osteria Vespa for Italian cooking.

What are some must-see museums in Amherst, Massachusetts?

No trip to Amherst works without the Emily Dickinson Museum. The museum is dedicated to the life and work of the poet and runs exhibits on both. The other one to see is the Beneski Museum of Natural History, which runs exhibits on geology, paleontology and ecology.

What are some fun day trips to take from Amherst, Massachusetts?

To go beyond Amherst, there are plenty of day trips. Head to the Yankee Candle Village for something fragrant, or take the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in nearby Northampton. And for history, take the Old Sturbridge Village living history museum.

Frequently asked questions about Amherst, Massachusetts

Which Amherst museum holds the deepest local history?

The Emily Dickinson Museum, without question. It is the birthplace and lifelong home of the poet, made up of the Homestead and the Evergreens next door, with original furnishings, family portraits and personal belongings still in place. You can walk straight into the bedroom where she wrote them. The Evergreens then shows upper-class life in the mid-19th century. Take the combined tour of both properties rather than choosing between them.

Which Amherst museum works hardest for younger visitors?

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. It holds original artwork from a great many beloved children’s books, The Very Hungry Caterpillar included, and it runs workshops and events for children and adults alike through the year. The Beneski Museum of Natural History is the other one for them. That one holds the mammoth skeleton and the dinosaur footprints. Do the picture books first, while the attention is still there.

Which Amherst museum preserves something you cannot see elsewhere?

The Yiddish Book Center, comfortably. The museum and cultural center holds an extensive collection of Yiddish books, rare and out-of-print titles among them, and it exists to keep the language and the culture alive for the generations coming after. It also runs Yiddish language classes and cultural events. And there is a summer program for college students besides. Give it more time than a museum of that size suggests.

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