Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Westfield, MA

In the picturesque hills of western Massachusetts, the city of Westfield serves as a junction between the Berkshires and the Connecticut River Valley.

Recently, Westfield has become renowned as a vibrant center for craft beverages, boasting an impressive selection of breweries for enthusiasts to explore.

A rich tradition of philanthropy has endowed the city with exceptional attractions. A notable example is Stanley Park, featuring meticulously maintained display gardens, an arboretum, and a serene duck pond.

The kindness of local philanthropists Amelia and Albert Ferst has also resulted in the establishment of a state-of-the-art ice rink and a newly constructed building for the city’s acclaimed children’s museum.

1. Stanley Park

Accessible to the public without charge from May to November, Stanley Park represents an outstanding outdoor venue that any city would cherish.

This space is not a public park in the conventional sense, as it is owned by a charitable foundation founded by businessman Frank Stanley Beveridge (1879-1956).

Located along the north bank of the Little River, Stanley Park includes an arboretum, a diverse array of gardens featuring a stunning rose garden, a 98-foot carillon tower, various sports facilities, a blacksmith shop, a play area for children, pavilions, a wildlife sanctuary, and much more.

The most cherished attribute may be the duck pond, which supports a rare variety of waterfowl and is equipped with feed-dispensing machines for visitors.

2. Amelia Park Children’s Museum

The philanthropic contributions of Albert (1919-2011) and Amelia Ferst (1920-1997) have established a significant legacy in Westfield.

Adjacent to Westfield Middle School, on the southern side of downtown, Amelia Park features a memorial garden, an NHL-size rink, and the Amelia Park Children’s Museum.

Albert Ferst donated $1 million toward the development of the new, 12,000-square-foot facility, which was completed in 2008.

The museum houses interactive exhibits designed for experiential learning, including a Dinosaur Dig, an Outer Space playground, a Construction Zone, a Toddler Area, a Wellness Center, a STEM Center, a Grocery Store, Amelia’s Café, and a newly redesigned library area filled with numerous fresh books.

3. Columbia Greenway Rail Trail

Westfield’s Columbia Greenway Rail Trail repurposes a former spur of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad that traverses downtown and has been developed in phases.

As of the compilation of this article, the trail begins at Main Street and extends southward to the town line with Southwick, where it connects with the Southwick Rail Trail.

This trail stands out because the old rail line maintains an elevated position throughout its length in downtown. At the time of this writing, a bridge was under construction on Main Street, with plans for the final phase to link downtown with Women’s Temperance Park along the north bank of the Westfield River.

4. Grandmother’s Garden

Located a short distance west of downtown Westfield, Allen Park was bequeathed to the city by Albert Allen in 1929 for recreational use.

This included a formal garden established on a half-acre parcel in honor of Albert’s mother, designed by local horticulturist Elizabeth Bush Fowler (1886-1954).

Over time, this area became known as Grandmother’s Garden, and its preservation is due to the non-profit organization, Friends of Grandmother’s Garden (F.O.G.G.), formed when the garden faced potential closure in 1994.

With a charming pavilion and vibrant blooms during summer, Grandmother’s Garden is a popular venue for weddings and family portraits, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment with a book.

5. Hampton Ponds State Park

In the northeastern region of Westfield, there exists a chain of ponds featuring a recreational area on the southeastern side.

Hampton Ponds State Park is especially delightful in the summer, boasting two wide, well-maintained sandy beaches, one of which is supervised by lifeguards.

Moreover, a newly updated boat ramp accommodates both motorized and non-motorized vessels.

After swimming or paddling, visitors can unwind with a picnic or a cookout, thanks to the provided charcoal grills. For those interested in fishing, the ponds are stocked with trout in spring and fall, and anglers have caught largemouth bass, sunfish, and chain pickerel.

6. Westfield Farmers’ Market

On Thursday afternoons from early June through late October, a farmers’ market is set up in a picturesque location next to the Episcopal Church of the Atonement on Court Street.

At the time of writing, the market featured over 20 full-time vendors, alongside a considerable number of part-time and visiting vendors.

Patrons at the market can anticipate fresh local fruits and vegetables, freshly roasted coffee, maple syrup, pickles, herbs, cut flowers, honey, breads, pastries, pasture-raised meats and poultry, jams, balms, handcrafted soaps, jewelry, candles, lotions, and much more.

7. Westfield River Walk

On the northern side of downtown Westfield, a 1.7-mile trail runs along the banks of the Westfield River, conveniently located just a block or two from the center’s restaurants.

The parking area for the trail is situated adjacent to the Great River Bridge, allowing for easy access to park facilities where visitors can enjoy a picnic or simply indulge in the tranquility of nature.

From the parking area, visitors can head east towards Chapman’s Playground, go upstream towards Whitney Field, or cross the footbridge to Women’s Temperance Park and Half Mile Falls Park.

8. Bearhole Reservoir

Situated in the shadow of East Mountain just beyond the line in West Springfield, this reservoir, established in 1907, is surrounded by stunning scenery and an intriguing history.

From the 1870s until it became a watershed, this location was home to the Bear Hole Resort, the main attraction of which was a three-legged black bear housed in a cage.

On the 2.6-mile marked trail encircling the reservoir, visitors can still find the grand fireplace from the former restaurant, positioned next to a picturesque waterfall that is most impressive in early spring or following significant rainfall.

9. Amelia Park Arena

Another significant aspect of the Fersts’ legacy in Westfield is the city’s sole ice rink, a substantial 47,000-square-foot facility that opened its doors to the public in 2000.

The Amelia Park Arena features an NHL-size rink and possesses seating for 600 spectators. If you are inclined to see a game, this arena is the home ground for the Westfield State Owls, who compete in NCAA Division III.

Additional amenities encompass a party room, a figure skating lounge, a food concession area, equipment rental services, and four locker rooms.

For detailed information concerning public skating, freestyle sessions, stick-and-puck practices, and programs for skating and hockey instruction, please refer to the website. Outdoors, there is a 65′ x 170′ rink designated for street hockey, equipped with glass surrounding the boards, LED lighting, and a scoreboard.

10. Skyline Beer Company

What began as a homebrewing pursuit over 20 years ago evolved into the Skyline Hop Shop in 2014, which subsequently transitioned into a ten-barrel brewery, tasting room, and expansive 4,500-square-foot restaurant.

Skyline Beer Company consistently offers 20 beers on tap, and every “One-Off Wednesday,” the brewery introduces a limited five-gallon release.

Some of the core beers typically available include Wobbly Boots Mile 1 (IPA), Sunday Drive (New Zealand Pilsner), Noble View (Pilsner), B-Berry (Blueberry Wheat Ale), Skyline Trail (Lager), and Irish Goodbye (Stout).

Patrons can also enjoy a variety of accompaniments such as pretzels, dips, flatbreads, salads, and freshly baked cookies. Additionally, live music, trivia evenings, yoga classes, and visits from food trucks are regular events.

11. Robinson State Park

This extensive 1,025-acre state park extends into Westfield but lies predominantly in Agawam, closely following the southern bank of the Westfield River for five miles.

The variety of elevation changes at Robinson State Park results in a remarkable assortment of tree and plant species, complemented by a stunning array of wildflowers that bloom in late spring and summer.

Despite the varied terrain, the park remains easy to navigate with a long paved road tracing the river throughout most of its length, while scenic trails suitable for mountain biking meander along the ridges, providing surprising vistas.

Established in 1934, the park also preserves several structures constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

12. Tin Bridge Brewing

This craft brewery occupies a modest location beside a liquor store at the Little River Plaza Shopping Center in eastern Westfield.

Upon entering the slender, rustic building, visitors are welcomed into a warm and inviting taproom.

Open from Thursday to Sunday, Tin Bridge Brewing presents new beers regularly, featuring a rotating selection of NEIPAs, Hazy Ales, Sours, and malt-forward brews.

A long-standing favorite is the Peanut Butter Porter. Additionally, there is generally a food truck nearby serving lobster rolls, BBQ, pizza, burgers, and similar fare, with live music often entertained on Fridays and Saturdays.

13. Great Awakening Brewing Company

Beer aficionados will find a delightful experience in Westfield with the presence of another craft brewery, Great Awakening Brewing Company, which commenced operations in 2020 at the beautiful Mill at Crane Pond. The establishment features a charming pond-side beer garden overlooking the dam on the Little River.

Notably, there are 32 beers on tap, catering to a wide range of preferences, including malty Stouts, hop-centric IPAs, refreshing and fruity Sours, and classic options such as Pilsner, Lager, and Brown Ale.

In addition, Great Awakening boasts its own kitchen, providing a creative menu tailored to pair with the beers, featuring items like flatbread pizza, charcuterie boards, dill pickle dip, and pulled pork mac and cheese.

14. Tekoa Mountain

This significant peak dramatically overlooks the north bank of the Westfield River, straddling the neighboring towns of Russell and Montgomery.

Tekoa Mountain is technically defined as a glacial cleaver, an outcropping of a dissected plateau situated at the boundary between the Berkshires and the Connecticut River Valley.

It serves as the logical starting point for the Jacob’s Ladder Trail, an early automobile route that merits discussion below.

Adventurous visitors can scramble through the crags and boulders to reach the summit on an unmarked looping hike beginning at Tekoa Road, which typically takes around four hours.

15. Jacob’s Ladder Trail Scenic Byway

Beginning at the Westfield/Russell town line, U.S. Route 20 transforms into a scenic byway, meandering westward for 30 miles through the southern Berkshires alongside the Westfield River.

The Jacob’s Ladder Trail, inaugurated in 1910, was the first highway constructed specifically for automobiles and was heralded as “the First of the Great Mountain Crossovers.”

During the 1920s, the trail reached its pinnacle of popularity, which waned during the Great Depression and following the completion of the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Remaining relatively undisturbed, the byway has preserved its rural ambiance and continues to offer many of the same sights and vistas that enchanted travelers in the early 20th century.

If one chooses to explore the natural attractions along the route, it may take several days to experience the journey, showcasing breathtaking waterfalls, stunning mountain landscapes, 180-year-old railway bridges, and a trailhead for the Appalachian Trail.