23 Best & Fun Things to Do in Amherst (MA)

Looking for the best and fun things to do in Amherst, MA? There are quite some cool attractions and activities here for a fun exploration.

Amherst is a town located in the Connecticut River Valley in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States.

The city’s population was 39,263 during the 2020 census. As the most populated town in Hampshire County, Amherst is one of the most vibrant and active metropolises.

Amherst is considered a hub for academic excellence as it features Hampshire College, Amherst College, and the University of Massachusetts.

The town offers a unique combination of academics, fun, and relaxation through the diverse collection of attractions.

Some of the best places to visit in Amherst, MA, include the Emily Dickinson Museum, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Beneski Museum of Natural History, Yiddish Book Center, Amherst College, Elements Massage and Spa Services, and more.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Amherst, MA.

Things to Do in Amherst, MA

1. Visit Puffers Pond

How about exploring the biggest water body in the region? This is definitely one of the fun things to do in Amherst, MA.

Puffers Pond offers visitors and locals many outdoor opportunities for adults and children to engage in.

The Pond is open for activities such as birdwatching, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and picnicking, although motorized boats are highly restricted.

Having 20 feet of depth makes it an excellent place for swimming in the most shallow regions; there are no lifeguards available, so swimmers have to be careful.

After checking out Puffers Pond, you can take a glance at Puffers Dam, which assists in the maintenance of water flow from and to the streams nearby.

You can also decide to engage in some paddle sports or have a lovely picnic with your friends and family.

Address: Amherst, MA 01002, United States

2. Sweetser Park

Sweetser Park is owned and operated by the Dickinson Family as a component of the mainland which Sweeter’s family donated to the city.

The Park and Cook fountain were refurbished in the 1990s to regain its past glory, encouraging visitors to visit and explore.

The Park’s beauty and elegance provide a perfect setting for picnicking as visitors get to enjoy its scenery.

Every spring, the daffodil bulbs which were installed for the 250th anniversary always blossom beautifully.

Sweetser Park features several fruit trees, adding extra beauty and charm to it during their blossoming season.

The Park is surrounded by several restaurants offering a perfect chance for visitors to take a quiet walk through its gardens.

Address: Lessey Street, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

3. Emily Dickinson Museum

For those who are ready to learn some historical facts which you never knew before, add a visit to the Emily Dickinson Museum to your list of top things to do in Amherst, MA.

Emily Dickinson is a popular poet who was born and brought up in Amherst. The Museum is open to the public and consists of two homes.

Emily Dickinson Museum features the home of Dickinson and that of her brother; her home is known as the Homestead, while her brother’s home is called Evergreens.

There is a large art gallery featuring the works gathered by the Dicksons over the years. You will find the original artwork in the parlor of Evergreen.

Visitors are allowed to browse through original items owned by the landlords, as well as small writing desks and toys in Emily’s room.

Emily Dickinson Museum houses over eight thousand textiles, portraits, furniture, dinnerware, and artifacts.

There are a lot of things to see in the Emily Dickinson Museum, and you might spend a long time browsing through them.

Address: 280 Main Street, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

4. Yiddish Book Center

Yiddish Book Center was founded with the mission of enhancing the preservation and growth of Jewish education and culture.

The Center is more than just a library; it is an interactive museum that encourages visitors to come in and pick up their favorite books.

Visitors get a closer look at art, listen to fascinating history and learn everything relating to Yiddish literature.

Yiddish Book Center offers numerous programs, including translation, the Pak Treger, graduate fellowships, and English magazine.

The Center also hosts countless events throughout the year, such as Yiddish festivals. Don’t forget to check out the Hampshire college campus, a cultural center that conserves media and books in the Yiddish language.

Yiddish Book Center was established by Aaron Lansky, a young scholar, in 1980 as the world’s first Yiddish museum.

Address: 01021 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

5. Beneski Museum of Natural History

Beneski Museum of Natural History is often referred to as the Amherst College Museum of Natural History.

The Museum is found on the campus of Amherst College. It consists of three floors that showcase more than one thousand seven hundred specimens.

Visitors will be fascinated by the various life-sized hardened skeletons of dinosaurs and mammoths. If you eventually browse through the outstanding collection of dinosaur footprints, get ready to be blown away.

Aside from bones and dinosaurs, you will find the enormous collection of meteorites and geology of Beneski.

Beneski Museum of Natural History showcases evidence of the early ancestors of man, including minerals, anthropology, paleontology, and so on.

Address: 11 Barrett Hill Drive, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

6. Elements Massage and Spa Services

After a long while of having fun non-stop, Elements massage and Spa Services is the next perfect stop to make in Amherst.

Elements Massage and Spa Services is independently owned and operated by the local spa, which was established by Jeff and Diana Krauth in 2007.

The spa was newly purchased by local couples Todd and Sue Thibodeau, who have tried to teach their commitment to wellness and health.

They use only the finest ingredients in every product to offer an extraordinary experience that would make their guests feel refreshed and calm.

Elements Massage and Spa Services is concerned with offering the most outstanding, sensitive, responsible, therapeutic, and responsive treatment.

The spa offers facials through qualified and experienced aestheticians with certified massage therapists.

Address; 373 Main St, Amherst, MA 01002-2311, United States

7. Mead Art Museum

There are several historic sites in the city, and Mead Art Museum is among the most important.

If you’re a history fanatic, visiting Mead Art Museum is one of the top things to do in Amherst, MA. It is found on the Amherst College campus.

Mead Art Museum offers an abundance of opportunities for visitors to glance through intriguing art, including contemporary and old art.

The Museum features Japanese prints, sculptures, Tibetan scroll portraits, and artwork from different parts of the world.

You get the opportunity to watch artists creating art through classic and modern techniques and will be marveled at the beauty encompassing you.

The Mead Art Museum is free to the entire public with the latest exhibitions like Michael Mazur, Sonya Clarke, and Lillian Porter’s works.

Address: 41 Quadrangle Drive, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

8. Amherst College

One of the best things to do in Amherst, MA, is to explore Amherst College, a place that offers something more than a college education.

 Amherst College’s students are offered courses like architecture, computer science, black studies, neuroscience, anthropology, and so much more.

The College also features numerous museums, including the Bassett Planetarium, Beneski Museum, and the Mead Art Museum.

You get the opportunity to explore the house of Emily Dickinson, the Russian center art gallery, and the Eli Marsh Gallery.

Amherst College is considered the third oldest higher institution in the state that mixes effortlessly with the downtown region of Amherst.

The College enrolls about two thousand undergraduates annually. It is one of the most prestigious liberal arts schools in the world.

Address: Amherst, MA 01002, United States

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9. Osteria Vespa

Are you still looking for a great place to enjoy a delicious meal? If yes, dine at Osteria Vespa, as it is one of the best places to visit in Amherst, MA.

Osteria Vespa offers a locally crafted menu providing a good selection of drinks and traditional dishes. The restaurant offers a classic and elegant feel, which makes it easier for guests to fit comfortably in the environment.

They practice a nose-to-tail tradition while preparing their dishes, thereby using every part of the animal.

Every dish has a unique Italian twist which blows the minds of the customers due to the distinct tastes and appetizing look.

Order a plate of heirloom tomato salad, slow-roasted Porchetta, Apple Walnut Salad, Focaccia Bread, Fettucine, Kefta Burger, Chocolate Mousse, Pistachio Cookie, and more.

Osteria Vespa offers delicious cocktails like old English milk punch, terra incognito, Fontevecchia – Verdicchio, A To Z- Reisling, Lubanzi Chenin Blanc, J Lohr Chardonnay, Vermentino, Pecorino, Velante Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc Cantina Puiatti, Gulp and more.

Address: 28 Amity Street, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

10. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art was founded in 2002 by Eric Carle, the famous author of “The Hungry Caterpillar,” and Barbara, his wife.

They had the inspiration to do this after sighting a good number of them during their visit to Japan. There is always something new for everyone, no matter the time you visit.

The Museum has collected more than eleven thousand objects, and you can enroll your children in dance classes inspired by books.

You can also test your creative writing or try making your masterpiece. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art offers a lot more than just exhibits, including artistic escapes.

Eric Carle produced over seventy books and sold over fifty million copies which have been translated into sixty-six languages.

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art features three galleries presenting six exhibitions annually for international and national picture book artists.

It hosts numerous programs with a studio and library where little children can let out their creative sides.

Address: 125 W Bay Road, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

11. Mount Holyoke Range State Park

Mount Holyoke Range State Park offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy some comfort, fresh air, and several outdoor activities. Exploring this Park is one of the fun things to do in Amherst, MA.

The Park features trails of over thirty miles which are perfect for hiking, attracting hikers from different parts of the state.

Get ready; you might come across wildlife, thickets, and streams which would definitely gladden your heart. Mount Holyoke Range State Park offers activities like snowmobiling, hunting, and picnicking.

Mount Holyoke Range State Park is crossed by the Metacomet-Monadnock trail, which consists of a visitor’s center and restrooms.

The gorgeous backdrop of this Park makes it a perfect place for photography. If you’re a fan of mountain biking, horseback riding, and other extreme sports, this should be your best location.

Address: 1500 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

12. Metacomet-Monadnock Trail

Often called the M & M trail, the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail stretches for 114 miles long.

Metacomet-Monadnock Trail’s tallest level is Mount Monadnock, soaring 3,165 feet; the Trail is also completely marked.

These marks reveal the other paths that must be used due to the altering conditions or weather. Metacomet-Monadnock Trail is maintained through the support of volunteers.

The Trail is said to be an easy hike, although the mountainous region is highly challenging, especially for amateurs.

Metacomet-Monadnock Trail features wildlife roaming the area, such as black bears, spot skunks, dogs, and more.

Address: Amherst, MA 01002, United States

13. Hampshire College

Hampshire College occupies a property of exactly eight hundred acres offering over fifty various majors such as game design, psychoanalytic studies, queer studies, and more.

The major spotlight of the area is the campus, including the yurt, which features a radio system for students.

The College focuses on being completely self-sustained, using fossil fuels, and taking crucial steps to reduce greenhouse emissions, like the installation of solar panels, converting parking areas to meadows, and more.

Hampshire College was established in 1970, and it follows an unorthodox curriculum, independent academic vocations, and more.

Address: 893 West Street, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

14. Sunset Farm

Sunset Farm is located on ten acres of privately-owned property, which has been in existence since the early 70s.

The Farm, known as a neighborhood farm by its owners, is open to visitors to come in and pick their produce and flowers.

Visitors can stop by their market stand during weekends and purchase their locally grown veggies and honey.

Sunset Farm grows everything from pansies, fruits, vegetables, and chestnuts, including several varieties of cilantro, tomatoes, golden beets, and parcels.

Address: 20 Brigham Ln, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

15. Amherst Historical Society and Museum

Founded in 1916, the Amherst Historical Society and Museum is operated by the Amherst Historical Society, created in 1899.

Amherst Historical Society and Museum is housed in a Simon Strong House dating back to the 1750s taking visitors on an adventure from the city’s colonial era to its industrial period and then the computer era.

The Museum is packed with household implements, paintings, decorative arts, agricultural tools, and so on.

It features a collection that ranges from the common to mind-blowing, which grasps a perception of lifestyles missed in history books.

Amherst Historical Society and Museum showcase temporary exhibits and offer unique programs, including educational tours for students and school kids all year round.

The city of Amherst is appreciated by the Amherst Historical Society using an annual lecture and offering worthy citizens awards that are due to them.

Address: 67 Amity St, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

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16. UMass Fine Arts Center

UMass Fine Arts Center is an entertainment center in Amherst. It is the fine arts center of the University of Massachusetts,

This Center offers several shows and events such as dances, festivals, shows, and other performances led by students.

For those who want to listen to great music, the concert hall is a place with ensembles of jazz, orchestras, and bands.

There is a movie screen, prime sound system, and orchestra pit with the Bowker auditorium, which hosts huge performances and events.

UMass Fine Arts Center is made up of three different art galleries such as Augusta Savage Gallery, the University Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Hampden Gallery.

Visitors are allowed to tour the campus if they wish to and explore all the essential spots within the area. Touring this Center should be on your list of what to do in Amherst, MA.

Address: 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst, MA 01003, United States

17. Antonio’s Pizza

Antonio’s Pizza originally opened its doors in 1991 to serve the large number of college students referred to as the five college area.

Despite focusing on just students, they realized that even the older ones in the community enjoy their treats.

Without much hesitation, Antonio’s Pizza decided to invent a perfect and distinct pizza that lifted its reputation.

Antonio’s Pizza has been rated by the Springfield newspaper, the Advocate’s readers for 21 years in a row as the Best Pizza.

After growing greatly in Amherst, they expanded to other locations like Rhode Island, Illinois, Texas, and Massachusetts.

Antonio’s Pizza was proclaimed the best in Rhode Island, including featuring as a Hidden Jewel on the Phantom Gourmet.

They serve Buffalo Chicken Pizza, Veggie Pizza, Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza, Avocado Nacho Pizza, Chicken Pesto, Buffalo Blue Cheese Pizza Slice, Caprese Pizza, pies, and more.

Address: 31 N Pleasant St, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

18. Atkins Farms Country Market

Atkins Farms Country Market is located by Hampshire College at the edge of Holyoake Range as a massive energetic country market.

Whenever you run out of groceries, don’t panic; just take a walk to Atkins Farms Country Market. The Market began when George Atkins relocated to the region where he planted an orchard way back in 1887.

The store grew immensely from the 1960s to the 1970s and doubled in the 1990s before eventually becoming as big as it is today.

Atkins Farms Country Market offers the freshest apples and other apple items from trees grown not too far from Belchertown.

You get to purchase deliciously baked goods and apple cider donuts with a deli counter and salad bar.

The vendors and locals you meet here are a total representation of their tradition and lifestyle, plus the great show of hospitality.

Address: 1150 West St, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

19. William D. Mullins Memorial Center

If you’re clueless about what to do in Amherst, consider checking out the William D. Mullins Memorial Center with your loved ones.

The William D. Mullins Memorial Center is found on Massachusetts University’s campus, comfortably accommodating about 9,500 viewers and offering an all-round concert.

At the Center, you will find UMass hockey and basketball games, including other shows like walking on dinosaurs, Disney on the ice, and Cirque du Soleil, which are hosted only during the touring season.

Address: 200 Commonwealth Avenue, Amherst, MA 01003, United States

20. Works Cafe

Works Cafe originally began in Vermont. It was founded in 1988 with about eight cafes throughout New England.

The Cafe’s owners had the vision of serving the people healthy and delicious meals and drinks. Visitors to the Cafe will currently find disposable cups and reusable mugs. 

The restaurant inspires the community, including its employees, to participate in green living, donating their resources and food to charities.

Aside from their philanthropic act, Works Cafe serves the finest dishes in the area, which is another reason why you should visit.

Works Cafe offers Chocolate Peanut Butter, Smoothie Boosters, Mango Pineapple Chicken, Kale Quinoa Chicken Caesar, Feta Greek, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and so on.

The staff is said to be one of the most friendly and attentive individuals in the region, who are dedicated to making patrons feel welcome.

Address: 48 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

21. Amherst Public Library

The Amherst Public Library, also known as The Jones Library of Amherst, consists of three locations.

The Library was established in 1919, offering free programs which are available throughout the sessions, which include children’s free learning language and Summer Saturday Movies, and more.

There are several books for visitors to pick from, including free online classes and free digital magazines.

The Amherst Public Library offers members discount passes to several local museums encouraging them to get involved.

Address: 43 Amity Street, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

22. Amherst Cinema Arts Center

Amherst Cinema Arts Center is a nonprofit organization founded as a four-screen movie theater found in Amherst Center, which has been in existence since 1926.

It was previously an ancient stable before it was transformed into what it is today. It became a second-run movie house in the 20th century.

The was shut down in 2000 before it reopened once more as a three-screen movie House in 2007 for independent films.

In 2012, Amherst Cinema Arts Center added a fourth screen making it one of the best places for classic Films, documentaries, Hollywood releases, and more, including independent and global features.

Amherst Cinema Arts Center offers delicious popcorn, which is freshly made, along with wines, beers, and cider.

The theater offers an intimate, relaxed atmosphere with a contemporary and fantastic projection and sound system.

The Center offers more than two hundred and seventy-five innovative programs in over twenty languages to inform, inspire and entertain.

Address; 28 Amity St, Amherst, MA 01002, United States

23. The Moan & Dove

A place where you can enjoy a delicious bottle of beer in Amherst is Moan & Dove, one of the happening places in the town.

The Moan & Dove provides visitors with a unique, intimate environment for them to feel at ease and have a nice rest after a long day.

The bar offers an impressive selection of crafted beers on tap, plus a variety of specialty cocktails and mixed drinks.

There is cozy outdoor seating which is also pet friendly. It is highly recommended you call before visiting to ascertain if it’s available.

The staff is down to earth and hardworking, always welcoming their guests with a broad smile and offering fast services.

Address: 460 West St Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

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Plan Your Trip to Amherst

Amherst is a great place to visit, there are several mindblowing places to explore, which implies that there is definitely no dull moment in Amherst.

Get ready to get outside, have fun, try delicious traditional foods, and learn more about the city.

Start planning your trip today, Pin this guide!