Things To Do

1. Bay Path University (Longmeadow, MA)
A private women’s university located right in Longmeadow, Bay Path offers a charming campus and a calendar full of public lectures, cultural events, and performances. Visitors are welcome to explore the grounds or attend community programs.

​

2. Springfield College (Springfield, MA – ~5 miles)
Famous as the birthplace of basketball, Springfield College has a strong reputation for health sciences and education. Its campus is lively, and visitors can explore the wellness center or attend sporting events and theater productions.

​

3. Western New England University (Springfield, MA – ~6 miles)
A comprehensive university with programs in law, pharmacy, and engineering, WNEU also hosts public lectures, student performances, and athletic events that are open to the community.

​

4. Amherst College (Amherst, MA – ~25 miles)
A top-ranked liberal arts college known for its academic excellence and beautiful campus. The Mead Art Museum and the Beneski Museum of Natural History are free and open to the public.

​

5. Smith College (Northampton, MA – ~23 miles)
One of the prestigious Seven Sisters colleges, Smith is home to the renowned Smith College Museum of Art and the peaceful Botanic Garden. The surrounding downtown offers great dining and shopping.

​

6. Mount Holyoke College. (South Hadley ~19 miles)
Mount Holyoke College is a prestigious private liberal arts women's college founded in 1837. It's one of the historic Seven Sisters colleges and is known for its strong academic programs, beautiful campus, and notable alumnae including Emily Dickinson (who attended the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, the college's predecessor). The college is located about 20 miles north of Longmeadow. 

​

7. University of Massachusetts Amherst (Amherst, MA – ~25 miles)
The flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts system, UMass Amherst is a major public research university serving over 30,000 students. Known for its strong programs in business, engineering, computer science, and public health, the university offers a vibrant college town atmosphere in the heart of the Pioneer Valley. The sprawling campus features modern facilities, world-class research centers, and a championship-level athletics program competing in the Atlantic 10 Conference. 

1. George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum (Springfield, MA)

Home to 19th-century decorative arts, including ancient weaponry, Asian art, and beautiful stained glass.​

 

2. Springfield Science Museum

Family-friendly exhibits on dinosaurs, space exploration, and natural history. Don’t miss the planetarium!

​

3. Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History

Highlights the city’s rich industrial legacy, from Indian motorcycles to Smith & Wesson firearms.

 

4. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum

A whimsical and interactive tribute to Springfield native Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss). Explore recreated rooms from his childhood home and imaginative exhibits for kids and adults alike.

 

5. ​Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The building’s unique design mimics the shape of a basketball and is especially impressive lit up at night.

 

6. Historic Deerfield ~35 miles
An open-air museum with beautifully preserved 18th-century homes, period furnishings, and interpretive exhibits on early New England life. Especially popular with history lovers and school groups.

 

7. Emily Dickinson Museum
📍 280 Main St, Amherst, MA – ~25 miles from Longmeadow
Explore the birthplace and lifelong home of the reclusive American poet Emily Dickinson. Guided tours take visitors through the Homestead and the Evergreens next door, where her family lived. The museum offers poetry readings, literary talks, and a deep, personal glimpse into Dickinson's life and work.
🔗 emilydickinsonmuseum.org

 

8. Mead Art Museum (Amherst College)
📍 41 Quadrangle Dr, Amherst, MA – ~25 miles
A compact but impressive art museum located on the Amherst College campus. Features European and American paintings, ancient artifacts, and rotating exhibitions. Free and open to the public.
🔗 amherst.edu/museums/mead

 

9. Beneski Museum of Natural History (Amherst College)
📍 11 Barrett Hill Dr, Amherst, MA
One of the largest natural history museums in New England. Home to impressive dinosaur skeletons, minerals, and fossils—many from the Connecticut River Valley. Educational and fun for all ages.
🔗 amherst.edu/museums/naturalhistory

 

10. Smith College Museum of Art
📍 20 Elm St, Northampton, MA – ~23 miles from Longmeadow
An acclaimed college museum featuring a broad collection of European, American, Asian, and contemporary works. The museum is also known for its architecturally unique restrooms—each one a work of art.
🔗 scma.smith.edu

 

11. The Botanic Garden of Smith College
📍 16 College Ln, Northampton, MA
Not a traditional museum, but a must-visit living collection with stunning greenhouses, themed gardens, and guided walking tours. The Lyman Conservatory holds over 3,000 plant species from around the world.
🔗 garden.smith.edu

1. Greenwood Park (Longmeadow, MA)

A 15-acre natural sanctuary right in Longmeadow featuring well-maintained hiking trails through lush greenery. The park offers peaceful walking paths perfect for nature enthusiasts and families looking to explore local wildlife and native plant species in a serene setting.

 

2. Connecticut River Walk and Bikeway (Springfield, MA – ~3 miles)

A 3.7-mile linear park stretching along the Connecticut River with paved paths ideal for walking, jogging, and biking. The scenic waterfront trail offers beautiful river views and connects to various parks, making it perfect for extended outdoor adventures and wildlife observation.

 

3. Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge (East Longmeadow, MA – ~4 miles)

A dog-friendly wildlife refuge offering diverse outdoor activities including hiking trails, birdwatching opportunities, and nature photography. The refuge provides a peaceful escape with well-marked trails through varied habitats supporting local wildlife populations.

 

4. Mittineague Park (West Springfield, MA – ~8 miles)

Pet-friendly hiking trails featuring scenic paths along the Westfield River, including the popular Meadow Trail and Tatum Falls Trail. The park offers excellent opportunities for hiking, fishing, and enjoying waterfront scenery with cascading waterfalls and diverse terrain.

 

5. Mount Tom State Reservation (Holyoke, MA – ~12 miles)

A 2,082-acre reservation featuring the region's most challenging hiking trails, including routes to the summit of Mount Tom with panoramic views of the Connecticut River Valley. The park offers rock climbing, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing opportunities for adventure seekers.

 

6. ​Connecticut River (Longmeadow/Springfield area – ~2 miles)

Prime location for kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding with multiple launch points and calm waters suitable for beginners. The river offers excellent fishing opportunities and scenic paddling routes with chances to spot herons, eagles, and other waterfowl.

 

7. Scantic River State Park (East Longmeadow, MA – ~6 miles)

A hidden gem featuring hiking trails along the Scantic River with opportunities for fishing, birdwatching, and nature photography. The park's peaceful trails wind through forests and wetlands, providing excellent wildlife habitat and seasonal wildflower displays.

1. Six Flags New England (Agawam, MA – ~8 miles)

New England's premier theme park offering 200 acres of fun with more than 100 rides and attractions, including thrilling rides, a water park, world-class shows & entertainment, unique shopping experiences, and dining

 

2. Wilson Boundless Playground (Longmeadow, MA)

A state-of-the-art inclusive playground designed for children of all abilities, featuring accessible play structures, sensory play elements, and modern equipment. The playground offers a safe and engaging environment where kids can climb, slide, and explore together regardless of physical limitations.

​

3. Heritage Park (East Longmeadow, MA – ~4 miles)

Perfect for families with kids of various ages, featuring swing sets positioned between two play areas so adults can supervise multiple children. The park includes climbing walls and several play structures. Located on North Main Street, it's easily accessible and well-maintained.

 

4.  Molly's Playground at Greenwood Park (Longmeadow, MA) Features a playscape for little kids with three fun slides, a shaking bridge, tunnel, lots of stairs to climb, and easier climbing structures. Also includes free-standing riding toys, including an awesome blue car