Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Wilbraham, MA

This outlying eastern suburb of Springfield is bordered to the north by the Chicopee River. Historically, the northern section of the town was industrial, while the southern portion primarily focused on agriculture.

Today, Wilbraham predominantly features residential areas; however, numerous farms still exist, offering opportunities for fruit picking, purchasing freshly harvested produce, and enjoying homemade ice cream.

Prominent in the town’s center is the esteemed Wilbraham & Monson Academy, established in 1804 and distinguished by the remarkable Rich Hall.

The grounds serve as a backdrop for Wilbraham’s long-standing Peach Blossom Festival in June, and nearby is the region’s oldest Methodist meeting house, which now operates as a museum dedicated to local history.

1. Spectacle Pond

A popular summer destination for Wilbraham residents, Spectacle Pond features the town beach, with lifeguards present from mid-June to mid-August. During this time, a small fee applies for both residents and non-residents.

This access provides a surprisingly expansive sandy area, clean water regularly inspected, a concession stand, restroom facilities, two swim rafts, and a spray park for younger visitors.

Outside this swimming season, the beach remains open, but swimming is prohibited. Adjacent to the pond is a spacious recreation area that includes a playground, picnic space, basketball courts, and a multipurpose field.

2. Old Meeting House Museum

Adjacent to Wilbraham Monson Academy in the town’s center, this is the oldest extant Methodist meeting house in New England.

The structure, erected in 1794, served as a worship site until the 1830s when a new meeting house was constructed to accommodate the expanding Methodist congregation in Wilbraham.

Subsequently, it functioned as a family residence until the 1970s when it was acquired by the town and subsequently restored.

The museum showcases local artifacts that showcase life in Wilbraham throughout the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, with many items generously donated by local families.

Visitation is welcome on the second Sunday of each month from May through October, in addition to a special holiday event on the first Sunday of December.

3. Fountain Park

This magnificent public area covers 144 acres and was formerly utilized as the Massachusetts State Game Farm from 1913 to 1984.

After the closure of this facility, the grounds fell into disrepair until a dedicated group of local citizens rallied to raise funds for its restoration as a park.

Approximately two-thirds of Fountain Park consists of woodlands with trails, greatly appreciated by hikers, dog walkers, and cross-country skiing enthusiasts during winter months.

The remaining area is lush grassy space, serving as a habitat for meadow birds and hosting various community outdoor events. The bandstand at Fountain Park is the venue for a cherished summer concert series, drawing crowds from across Western Massachusetts.

4. Crane Hill Disc Golf Course

Offering a professional-standard disc golf course, Wilbraham invites both residents and visitors to enjoy this free amenity. If you have an interest in this recreational activity, the Crane Hill Disc Golf Course serves as an ideal starting point.

No booking is necessary; you simply need to bring along three discs and a scorecard to play.

The course features 18 holes, skillfully integrated within wooded areas and open fields, with a stream designating an out-of-bounds area. Each hole is distinctly labeled, and players can choose between A and B baskets based on their skill level.

5. Interskate 91 South

At the heart of this family entertainment center is a spacious roller skating rink, a nostalgic venue for many local residents.

Interskate 91 South is a popular choice for children’s birthday celebrations and offers numerous public skate sessions along with special events, all accompanied by professional DJs.

Both inline and quad skates are available for rental, and if you are accompanied by children who are still mastering the art of skating, training aids are available for safe participation on the rink.

Adjacent to the rink, you will find a multi-level soft playscape for younger children, while older kids can enjoy a laser tag arena, available during public skating sessions.

6. Rice Preserve/Sunrise Peak Trail Walk

An expansive area of elevated terrain in rural Wilbraham is accessible to the public, consisting of a nature preserve and associated conservation land to the east.

Access to this space can be gained from the end of Highmoor Drive in the west or from Hollow Road in the east.

Approaching from the west, a vigorous ascent will lead you to the peak of Rattlesnake Peak, offering stunning vistas over Springfield and Amherst, extending out towards the Berkshires.

Additionally, located 1.3 miles east of Highmoor Drive is Sunset Peak, which provides scenic views toward Monson and Hampden. Between these observation points, hikers will traverse mature woodlands featuring exposed formations and glacial erratics.

7. Wilbraham Children’s Museum

A valuable resource for parents with children aged five and under, the Wilbraham Children’s Museum has been operational since 1981.

Featuring both indoor and outdoor settings, the museum offers various play areas designed to stimulate creativity and imagination among young visitors.

Exhibits include a dress-up box, a spaceship, a replica kitchen, a castle complete with a slide, and two race cars, in addition to numerous Lego sets, musical instruments, and a model train setup.

Outside, you will discover the town’s premier public playground, equipped with diverse climbing structures, swings, a pirate ship, and a clubhouse.

8. White Cedar Swamp

A unique aspect of Wilbraham that often goes unnoticed is its delicate Atlantic white cedar swamp, recognized for its regional significance.

This location boasts the finest example of cedar wetlands throughout the entire Connecticut Valley, featuring several distinct clusters of white cedar trees.

Access to the wetland area is possible by traversing a half-mile trail from the parking area on Decorie Drive, which includes numerous spurs and dead ends for exploration.

The swamp and surrounding woodlands provide habitat for rare and protected species, including the Hessel’s hairstreak butterfly, two types of salamanders, and the eastern spadefoot toad.

9. Rice Fruit Farm

The storied history of this beloved farm stand in Wilbraham stretches back to the late 19th century. Presently, patrons will find a thriving country store featuring numerous specialties.

The homemade ice cream is especially popular, available in over 30 flavors ranging from vanilla to stracciatella.

Customers can enjoy soft-serve, flurries, sundaes, shakes, and floats, with a highlight being the locally produced maple syrup as a topping.

Rice Fruit Farm also provides breakfast and lunch options; patrons often visit specifically for breakfast sandwiches, featuring two eggs served on a choice of bagel, ciabatta, or croissant, grilled to order.

A notable selection is the California sandwich, made with avocado, pepper jack cheese, tomato, and red onion, providing an excellent vegetarian option.

10. Wilbraham Peach Blossom Festival

A standout event in the summer for Wilbraham is the festival held at the historic Wilbraham Monson Academy campus in mid-June.

This heartwarming community celebration features a craft fair with over 80 artisans displaying their crafts.

In addition, there is a carnival for children, live music performances, and various entertaining competitions, including a frying pan toss and a spouse-carrying race.

Food trucks and non-alcoholic beverages are available, while attendees are welcome to tour the beautiful Georgian Revival Rich Hall at the academy.

11. Silver Bell Farm

On weekends during the fall, a visit to this charming farm located just over in Monson offers a plethora of seasonal festivities.

At Silver Bell Farm, guests can find a produce stand featuring a variety of pumpkins and gourds, enjoy wagon rides, interact with friendly goats, take barrel train rides, bounce in a bounce house, and navigate a corn maze complete with a scavenger hunt.

A delightful assortment of food and beverages is available, including hot apple cider, ice cream, homemade pies, apple cider donuts, and an array of local gourmet products in the farm store.

Additionally, as the year progresses, the farm reopens to offer fraser fir and balsam fir trees along with Christmas decorations and accessories, while young visitors can meet Santa Claus.

12. Titanic Historical Society

The unassuming jewelry store located at 208 Main Street, Indian Orchard, serves as the headquarters for the Titanic Historical Society.

This organization was established in 1963 by historian Edward Kamuda (1939-2014), who devoted a significant portion of his life to the study of the RMS Titanic and its infamous sinking.

Kamuda acquired numerous rare artifacts from survivors, many of which are loaned to esteemed institutions nationwide.

At the society’s headquarters, visitors can observe various items, including accounts from James Cameron’s Titanic (1997), as well as artifacts such as the bell from the sister ship, RMS Olympic, a drawing of the iceberg by Fred Fleet (1887-1965), and the first-class dinner menu from the rescue ship, RMS Carpathia.

13. Fenway Golf

Located just moments away in East Longmeadow, Fenway Golf features a variety of facilities, including several family-oriented attractions.

Among these is a well-designed 18-hole mini golf course, complete with a cascading waterfall and a challenging water hazard. Children will also delight in the pitch & putt course, an excellent opportunity to practice their iron swings.

For those seeking a more traditional experience, Pine Knoll offers an 18-hole par 3 course situated conveniently near Fenway Golf.

Additions include a driving range that extends up to 300 yards, featuring multiple target options, as well as batting cages equipped with six different speed settings. A snack bar serves soft serve ice cream, frozen yogurt, and savory items such as burgers and hot dogs.

14. Keep Homestead Museum

For those interested in delving deeper into the region’s history, this historic residence in Monson is accessible on the first Sunday of the month, from April to December.

The Keep family, among the initial European settlers of the area in the early 18th century, has strong historical ties to Monson.

Dating back to 1749, the Keep Homestead underwent two transformations in the 19th century, occurring in 1820 and 1863.

Since then, the structure has remained largely unchanged and was owned by the Keep family for 150 years until the last resident, Myra Keep, transferred ownership to the town in the 1980s.

An avid collector, she curated numerous historical artifacts and geological specimens that can be viewed throughout the homestead, providing a personal glimpse into the everyday life of the local community in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

15. Echo Hill Orchards & Winery

Founded in 1948, this family-operated orchard offers an extensive pick-your-own season while producing a diverse selection of wines and spirits that are available on-site.

At Echo Hill Orchards, visitors will find apples, pears, peaches, pumpkins, and sunflowers, alongside a variety of wildflowers.

The picturesque scenery can be enjoyed on a tractor ride to the picking areas, and the gift shop presents an array of products, including apple cider and handmade candles.

Wine tastings are offered for a nominal fee at the winery/distillery, which specializes in various whiskeys, moonshines, and other spirits. This location remains open until around Christmas and frequently welcomes local food trucks on weekend evenings.