Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Holyoke, MA

Established in the 1840s as a well-planned industrial community, Holyoke produced paper, silk, and alpaca wool, demonstrating a unique grid layout uncommon in New England cities.

Notably, the cityscape is characterized by its impressive network of power canals. In the 1880s, this infrastructure supported advancements in hydraulic engineering that continue to influence modern practices.

These canals remain a sustainable energy source, contributing to exceptionally low energy costs in Massachusetts.

Long before its industrialization, Holyoke fostered a robust Irish identity, exemplified by hosting the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day Parade in the United States.

Furthermore, Holyoke is recognized as the birthplace of volleyball; William G. Morgan invented the sport in 1892 while serving as the Director of Physical Education at the local YMCA.

1. Mount Tom State Reservation

The Mount Tom Range, a 4.5-mile-long basalt mountain range, rises prominently at the northern end of Holyoke. This rugged terrain offers breathtaking views over the Pioneer Valley from its high western cliffs.

Part of the Metacomet Ridge, which extends 100 miles from Branford, CT to northern Franklin County, MA, this area is traversed by the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, incorporating unique flora attributed to the upper ridges’ dry conditions.

Autumn presents a particular allure, as numerous raptor species soar along the western slopes during migration, with an observation tower on Goat Peak offering a vantage point for birdwatching from mid-August to mid-November.

2. Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Holyoke has a significant Irish heritage, earning it the moniker “Ireland Parish” upon its incorporation in 1786.

The inaugural post office, established in 1822, was simply titled “Ireland,” reflecting the community’s strong Irish roots, further bolstered by the influx of Catholic Irish immigrants during the mid-19th century industrial boom.

This enduring heritage is celebrated annually with a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which attracts approximately 400,000 attendees. Originally launched in 1952, this event featured early participation from JFK.

The parade features numerous groups, including the Holyoke Caledonian Pipe Band, founded in 1910, representing the oldest operational pipe band in the United States.

3. Holyoke Canal System

Constructed between 1847 and 1882, Holyoke’s network of power canals spans 4.5 miles, serving as a critical source of energy, a significant visual element of the city, and a site dedicated to mechanical engineering history.

It was here that hydraulic engineer Clemens Herschel innovated the first large-scale Venturi meters, tracking water power consumption in various mills.

His advancements notably influenced the fields of carburetion, waterworks, and aviation instrumentation.

An informative 16-stop online tour allows visitors to explore waterfront parks, the fish lift at the dam, historic mills, and other significant sites within this remarkable canal system.

This tour provides insights into the scientific, historical, cultural, and ecological aspects of Holyoke’s unique canal system.

4. Holyoke Heritage State Park

Holyoke Heritage State Park commemorates the city’s industrial legacy on the site of the William Skinner Silk Mill, which was devastated by fire in 1980, opening its doors in 1986.

This park’s location provides spectacular views of the canal and the surrounding industrial landscape.

Within the park, visitors will find the International Volleyball Hall of Fame and Holyoke Children’s Museum housed in a surviving warehouse, along with a visitors’ center detailing Holyoke’s industrial history, and a beautifully restored carousel.

The Holyoke Merry-Go-Round, crafted by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, originally opened at Mountain Park in 1929 and was relocated and restored after the park’s closure.

This carousel features 48 intricately carved horses and a pipe organ from North Tonawanda, New York.

5. Wistariahurst Museum

To learn more about the Skinner family and the compelling history of Holyoke, one can visit the family estate, distinguished by the abundant wisteria vines adorning its eastern facade.

The main house, originally constructed in Williamsburg, MA in 1868, was relocated to its current site in 1874 due to flooding.

Well-preserved, this opulent mansion showcases an array of fine art, decorative arts, textiles, and period furniture collected by the Skinner family.

Moreover, the carriage house features exhibits detailing Holyoke’s history, focusing particularly on immigration and industry during the early 20th century.

Throughout the year, Wistariahurst hosts various events, including guided tours, workshops, lectures, concerts, and historical demonstrations.

6. Dinosaur Footprints

During the early Jurassic period, approximately 200 million years ago, the Connecticut River Valley was characterized by subtropical swamps and lakes.

Within this environment, various dinosaurs, some spanning 20 feet, left their tracks in mud that later hardened into sandstone. An eight-acre site along U.S. Route 5 preserves more than 800 of these fossils.

Notably, these footprints were first documented by Amherst College Professor Edward Hitchcock, marking them as the earliest scientifically recorded dinosaur tracks, predating the term “dinosaur.”

The site features over 20 trackways, including those of a bipedal carnivore believed to be a 15-foot ancestor of the Tyrannosaurus rex.

7. Ashley Reservoir

Engaging with the natural beauty surrounding Holyoke is easily achieved through the trails around the city’s reservoirs, established in the late 19th century.

The Ashley Reservoir, located near the Holyoke Mall, consists of two ponds across more than 200 acres. The margins feature stands of alder and red osier button brush, while oak, maple, and both red and white pine thrive on the slopes.

As a designated drinking water source, activities like pet walking are prohibited; however, walking and biking are permitted.

The scenic environment rewards visitors, boasting a 4.5-mile loop road that provides a tranquil habitat for observing turtles, beavers, milfoil, sunfish, and abundant waterfowl, including occasional sightings of black bears.

8. International Volleyball Hall of Fame

Recognized as the birthplace of volleyball, established in 1895, Holyoke is home to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, located at the north end of Holyoke Heritage State Park.

The venue occupies a historic warehouse, constructed in 1949 to store silk fabric produced at the now-razed Skinner Mill.

As of this writing, there are 146 inductees, which includes 57 male players, 40 female players, 26 coaches, and 23 officials.

The museum allows enthusiasts to revisit the accomplishments of Hall of Famers while showcasing enhanced exhibits tracking the sport’s evolution over time.

The annual induction ceremony occurs in October, accompanied by a busy schedule of tournaments held on-site.

9. Holyoke Children’s Museum

Adjacent to the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, the Holyoke Children’s Museum first opened in 1981 and moved to its present site in 1985.

An exceptional resource for parents, the museum features over 20 permanent exhibits fostering open-ended play for children.

The Curvy Climber, with its intricate network of suspended platforms, is sure to draw children’s attention immediately.

Other engaging attractions include a Dinosaur Dig, Puppet Theater, Mail Room, Art Studio, Shop & Scan Grocery Store, Kitchen and Diner, alongside a Grooming & Vet Clinic.

The World of Motion Room, featuring state-of-the-art STEM-oriented activities, complements the Tot Lot, designed for younger visitors to explore in a calm environment.

10. Whiting Street Reservoir

Situated at the base of Mount Tom, Whiting Street Reservoir encompasses 114 acres and was created in the 1880s by damming Raging Brook.

A packed dirt road was established in 1897 for maintenance access and is open to hikers, offering a pleasant 3.7-mile walk with stunning mountain views and ample wildlife viewing opportunities.

Due to its function as an auxiliary water supply for Holyoke, activities such as fishing, pet walking, water sports, camping, horseback riding, and motorcycle use are prohibited.

This restriction enhances the serene atmosphere and increases the likelihood of encountering local wildlife, such as great blue herons or black bears (observed from a safe distance).

11. Holyoke Mall

The Holyoke Mall serves as a significant shopping hub for the Pioneer Valley and is the second-largest mall in New England by retail area. Established in 1979, the mall underwent a substantial interior renovation recently.

Among its array of shops are Target, JCPenney, Macy’s, Burlington, Best Buy, Hobby Lobby, Foot Locker, Gap, H&M, Hollister, Loft, Old Navy, Sephora, Victoria’s Secret, and Yankee Candle, among many others.

In addition, entertainment options like escape rooms, a trampoline park, an indoor children’s playground, and a bowling alley/arcade have been introduced in recent years.

For dining, the food court features popular options such as Sbarro and Charleys Philly Steaks, along with an extensive selection of chain restaurants available in the nearby Holyoke Shopping Center.

12. High Street

High Street, the principal thoroughfare in downtown Holyoke, stretches between Essex Street in the south and Lyman Street in the north. This vibrant street is filled with locally-owned businesses.

The area offers a diverse selection of dining options, including pizza, Mexican, Colombian, Mediterranean, fried chicken, and classic American cuisine.

Noteworthy is Holyoke City Hall, constructed in the Gothic Revival architectural style in 1871, crowned with a distinguished clock tower.

The blocks situated between Dwight Street and Lyman Street fall within the North High Street Historic District, preserving significant commercial architecture built between 1850 and 1885, marking a time when Holyoke was at its pinnacle.

13. Valley Blue Sox

Located just a few blocks along Beech Street from Wistariahurst, Mackenzie Stadium is a 4,100-seat baseball venue established in 1933, named in honor of a local Medal of Honor recipient.

This stadium has hosted various teams since the 1970s, with the Valley Blue Sox, a collegiate summer baseball team founded in 2001 and relocated to Holyoke in 2007, currently occupying the field.

The Blue Sox compete in the New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL), with regular season games occurring in June and July, followed by playoffs in early August.

Known for their competitive spirit, the team secured league championships in 2017 and 2018, making games a family-friendly experience with affordable tickets and traditional ballpark refreshments.

14. Pulaski Park

Once a riverside settlement for immigrant workers who constructed Holyoke’s canals, Pulaski Park was designed in the 1880s and 1890s by the Olmsted Brothers, retaining its foundational layout.

In 1901, John Olmsted proposed the construction of a retaining wall, which now provides stunning views of the Connecticut River, Holyoke Canal Gatehouse, Hadley Falls Power Station, and the First Level Canal from the parapet.

The park is adorned with mature trees providing shade and amenities, including a children’s playground and a skatepark.

In 2004, Pulaski Park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is named after Casimir Pulaski (1745-1779), a notable figure in the Revolutionary War known as the “father of the American Cavalry.”

15. Victory Theatre

Located at 81-89 Suffolk Street, the Victory Theatre is a splendid Art Deco venue that remained dormant for over four decades but is anticipated to reopen in the coming years.

Initially constructed for vaudeville performances and silent films, it transitioned to a full-time cinema from 1931 until its closure in 1979.

The large auditorium has retained many historic elements despite the removal of the marquee and blade sign after its closure, accommodating up to 1,680 guests.

The theatre has been managed by the non-profit Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts since 2009, and renovations commenced earnestly in 2021 following extensive fundraising efforts.