Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Easthampton, MA

Situated beneath the 1,202-foot Mount Tom, Easthampton is an innovative and artistic community, bordered by renowned college towns such as Northampton, Amherst, and Hadley.

From the 19th century until the period shortly following World War II, Easthampton served as a hub for the textiles industry, resulting in a distinctive townscape adorned with historic mill complexes.

These grand brick structures now house artist collectives, studios, restaurants, craft breweries, live music venues, indoor parks, recreational facilities, and much more.

In addition, the ponds that once powered these mills now frame delightful urban parks, featuring walkways, boat rentals, and spaces for outdoor entertainment during the summer months.

1. Mount Tom State Reservation

Unmistakably present on the eastern side of town is the tallest traprock peak in the Metacomet Ridge. Ascending to 1,202 feet, Mount Tom forms part of a 100-mile chain of peaks that extends from the northern reaches of Franklin County to Long Island Sound in the south.

Like all summits along the ridge, Mount Tom is traversed by the 110-mile Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, which offers breathtaking views that stretch for miles from the mountain’s western cliff face.

This trail represents just one of many paths winding through the mountain, leading to destinations of stunning natural beauty such as Goat Peak.

The lookout tower provides a comprehensive panorama of the Connecticut River Valley and serves as an excellent vantage point for observing migrating raptors during early autumn.

2. Nashawannuck Pond

A defining feature of downtown Easthampton is this winding pond, constructed in the mid-19th century to provide power for the town’s mills, fed by Broad Brook, White Brook, and Wilton Brook.

Nashawannuck Pond represents one part of a pervasive system of water bodies located in the heart of Easthampton, which subsequently feeds into Lower Mill Pond where an additional series of mills can be found along Pleasant Street.

Along the northern shore, at the western end of Cottage Street, there is a picturesque boardwalk, completed in the 2010s, equipped with docks and benches.

Nearby, Valley Paddler offers kayak, canoe, and pedal boat rentals throughout the summer months.

On the southern shore, one can find the wonderful Nonotuck Park, filled with amenities including a water spray park, children’s playgrounds, four pavilions, over 20 picnic sites, fishing areas, an outdoor pool, and sports facilities for soccer, baseball/softball, tennis, basketball, bocce, and sand volleyball.

3. Millpond.Live Festival

Every summer, Millside Park on Lower Mill Pond serves as the setting for a grassroots festival series, organized by a local creative agency and supported by a dedicated group of volunteers and local sponsors.

These culturally varied free events, featuring performers from across the globe, aim to attract visitors to the town while also catering to the diverse community of Easthampton.

Participants can enjoy exceptional music, local food and beverages, along with numerous innovative and engaging art experiences.

Some performers featured at the time of this writing included Reyna Tropical, Judith Hill, Freelance, Beau Sasser, Misty Blues, and Puuluup.

4. Eastworks

Since 1997, the five-story Stanley Home Products factory building along Pleasant Street has served a new purpose, evolving into a versatile center for entrepreneurs, artists, designers, craftspeople, nonprofits, and community organizations.

Visitors can attend live entertainment events, exhibitions, dining experiences, shopping opportunities, classes, workshops, and open studio events at Eastworks.

A notable location within Eastworks is Riff’s Joint, a casual eatery offering American comfort food underpinned by ethical principles.

This establishment prides itself on using humanely raised meats that are free from antibiotics and hormones, with all menu items being homemade or locally sourced.

Additionally, the West End within Eastworks provides over 2,100 square feet of space for community events and performances, complete with a wine and beer license.

5. Manhan Rail Trail

Inaugurated in 2003, this six-mile trail runs through the downtown area of Easthampton, following an abandoned railbed that was in operation until the mid-1980s as part of the Pioneer Valley Railroad.

The Manhan Rail Trail is intended to be a segment of a continuous 104-mile route known as the Mass Central Rail Trail, which stretches from Northampton to Boston.

Currently, this trail offers an excellent means of navigating around the heart of Easthampton, closely following Main Street, Nashawannuck Pond, and the revitalized mill complexes along Cottage and Pleasant Streets.

The trail bifurcates at the eastern end of Pleasant Street, with a northern branch connecting with Northampton’s own trail system.

6. CitySpace (Old Town Hall)

The historical commercial core of Easthampton extends along several blocks of Main Street, from Northampton Street in the north to Center Street in the south.

This district has served as the civic and commercial heart of the town since its incorporation in 1785, featuring several buildings that reflect Easthampton’s prosperity during the 19th century.

None exemplifies this better than the Old Town Hall, which was constructed in a theatrical Renaissance Revival style in 1869 and features a 133-foot campanile.

Since 2006, the first floor of this iconic building has been operated by the nonprofit organization CitySpace, which raises funds for its restoration while also hosting vibrant live performances in the Blue Room.

7. Nashawannuck Mills Historic District and Cottage Street Cultural District

Dominating the northern shore of Nashawannuck Pond is an extensive complex of interlinked mill buildings, constructed between the mid-1840s and 1870.

These structures were initially established for the Williston Elastic Suspender Company, which later became the Nashawannuck Manufacturing Company, known for producing elastic fabrics for suspenders and webbing, along with rubber components for footwear.

The elastic manufacturing operation ceased in 1970, and the complex now accommodates a diverse array of occupants, from light industry to a martial arts training facility, and an artist cooperative.

To the east lies the vibrant Cottage Street Cultural District, characterized by a long succession of independent restaurants, bars, performance venues, and shops, all framed against the backdrop of Mount Tom.

8. Park Hill Orchard

Located in the countryside, just a few miles from the center of Easthampton, is a fruit farm that also serves as an outdoor art exhibit.

Park Hill Orchard cultivates nearly 100 varieties of fruit, including several types of blueberries, raspberries, plums, pluots, blackberries, peaches, cherries, pears, and apples.

The orchard features close to 48 different apple varieties, with pick-your-own opportunities available from late summer to fall. Additionally, all produce is available for purchase at the rustic farmstand, which remains open until Thanksgiving and is famous for its apple cider donuts and slushies.

Furthermore, Park Hill Orchard is recognized as an art venue, hosting juried biennial installations along with an annual invitational exhibition, typically featuring two artists. This artwork can be enjoyed along a half-mile trail that weaves through the orchards and fruit gardens.

9. New City Brewery

Within that historic line of textile mills on Pleasant Street resides New City Brewery, which has been crafting ales and lagers since 2013.

In 2015, the brewery transitioned into this evocative space and currently offers a dozen varieties on tap. A standout option, which is hard to find elsewhere, is a pre-Prohibition style hard Ginger Beer, which also excels as a mimosa when mixed with grapefruit juice or fresh orange juice.

Among the offerings are various IPAs, Lagers, and malty ales, including the New City Mule that pairs wonderfully with Quiver Hibiscus Tea in an Hibiscus Mule. Additionally, New City Brewery features a kitchen that serves hearty bar fare, including both vegetarian and vegan choices.

10. Luthier’s Co-op & Backstage Bar

This unique and cherished local establishment prides itself on being “the World’s First Full-Service Guitar Bar.”

During daytime hours, Luthier’s Co-op operates as a musical instrument store specializing in string instruments, buying, selling, and repairing used and vintage guitars, basses, ukuleles, banjos, mandolins, and amplifiers.

As night descends, the venue transforms into a vibrant performance space, hosting multiple acts on any given night, in addition to open mics, spoken word presentations, and stand-up comedy shows.

The Backstage Bar features crafted cocktails, freshly ground and brewed coffee, alongside a selection of local beers and ciders on tap.

11. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in the northern section of Easthampton, this 734-acre Mass Audubon sanctuary is perched on the ecologically rich floodplain of the Connecticut River, encompassing forests, wetlands, marshes, meadows, and grasslands.

The network of four miles of trails within Arcadia includes an exceptional rope-guided All Persons Trail, featuring tactile, large-print, and braille interpretive signage.

An extensive boardwalk and observation tower enable visitors to survey the sanctuary’s delicately balanced habitats, while a nature play area allows children to leap over the stump jump and construct fairy houses.

The floodplain’s fertile soil supports an array of wildflower species that bloom vividly in spring and summer, including a native flower garden at the trailhead of the main loop originating from the visitor center.

12. Fort Hill Brewery

Established in 2014, this craft brewery was founded by a graduate of Chicago’s Siebel Institute, an institution renowned for training brewers globally since 1872.

The general manager and head brewer, Eric Berzins, conducted an extensive search to identify the ideal location for his brewery, ultimately selecting Easthampton due to its high-quality water.

Fort Hill Brewery adheres to traditional German brewing methods and maintains historic purity laws that limit brewers to four essential ingredients, emphasizing the necessity of exceptional water quality.

The brewery features a tasting room with an outdoor patio set against the backdrop of Mount Tom by the Manhan River. Some of the flagship brews include Red Prince (Marzen), Lager Not a Fighter (Festbier), Hera Pils, Bill the Butcher (Imperial Stout), Fresh Pick (IPA), Doppelbock, and Lager Beer.

Live music is performed up to four nights a week (Thursday to Sunday), complemented by local food trucks offering arepas, charcuterie platters, Italian American street food, and more.

13. Prodigy Minigolf & Gameroom

Located on the ground floor of the Eastworks Mill, an indoor mini golf course and game room awaits, accessible to patrons aged 13 and older.

This challenging 18-hole course draws inspiration from video games and prides itself on being among the most rewarding courses available.

Additionally, this venue features nearly 60 different video game consoles, spanning from the 1970s to the 1990s, with some contemporary consoles included as well. Moreover, patrons can enjoy table games such as pool and air hockey, along with over 200 board games for an engaging evening of competition with friends.

14. Chicoine Family Farm

Situated in the tranquil western part of Easthampton, the Chicoine family has operated a farm here since 1933.

Originally established as a dairy farm, William Chicoine transitioned to beef cattle farming during the 1970s, well before concepts like farm-to-table and grass-fed meat gained popularity.

The herd, comprising approximately 70 cattle, is exclusively grass-fed, with no steroids, growth hormones, or antibiotics used, and the resultant quality is unmistakably superior.

The store at Chicoine Family Farm is open on Sundays, offering organic chickens and pork that are raised on-site.

15. Dinosaur Footprints Reservation

This region of the Pioneer Valley holds a significant place in paleontological history, being the site of the first dinosaur footprints ever scientifically described.

In the early Jurassic period, approximately 200 million years ago, the area now known as the Connecticut River Valley was a subtropical landscape dotted with lakes and swamps.

During this era, bipedal dinosaurs up to 20 feet long left their tracks in the mudflats, which eventually solidified into sandstone.

Discovered in 1802, these footprints were initially thought to have been made by birds that escaped from Noah’s Ark, until the scientific community eventually acknowledged their true significance later in the century.

The 20 or so tracks, made by smaller herbivores and larger carnivores, can be examined at an 8-acre property managed by the Trustees of Reservations in nearby Holyoke.