Top 15 Attractions in South Hadley, MA

Situated on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River, South Hadley is renowned for housing the esteemed Mount Holyoke College, a historic women’s liberal arts institution established in 1837, widely considered to possess one of the most picturesque campuses in New England.

Visitors are encouraged to appreciate the distinguished brick architecture, stunning autumn foliage, and vibrant gardens. Important attractions include the remarkable Mount Holyoke College Art Museum and the Skinner Museum, an intriguing collection of curiosities housed in an old church.

To the north, South Hadley is bordered by the Mount Holyoke Range traprock ridge, offering easy access to two state parks, ideal for hiking and enjoying breathtaking views from the ledges.

1. Mount Holyoke College

Founded in 1837, this distinguished women’s liberal arts college plays a pivotal role in South Hadley and is the oldest of the Seven Sisters—the collective name for prestigious women’s colleges in the Northeast.

Spanning 800 acres, the campus intermingles with South Hadley Center and is frequently listed among the nation’s most beautiful college campuses.

The landscape, featuring mature hardwood trees and 19th-century brick architecture, was designed over 16 years by Olmsted and Sons, concluding in 1922.

Additionally, a botanic garden enhances the campus, and visitors can utilize a self-guided tour facilitated by the Guidebook App available from the college’s website. Notably, a visit coincides with the heartwarming annual Holiday Vespers show hosted at the Abbey Memorial Chapel since 1899.

2. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum

This institution, a member of the Museums10 consortium in Western Massachusetts, has its roots in 1876 and ranks among the oldest teaching museums across the United States.

The museum’s permanent collection is extensive, featuring artifacts from Classical Egyptian, Greek, and Roman civilizations, as well as Medieval and Renaissance art, Islamic art, African art, and celebrated contemporary works from the United States, Asia, and Europe.

Visitors can enjoy selections from this impressive collection along with innovative contemporary exhibitions, through recent solo displays by notable artists such as Martine Gutierrez, Katrien Vermeire, Lenka Clayton, and Rosamond W. Purcell.

3. Mount Holyoke College Botanic Garden

The entire Mount Holyoke College campus is enveloped by a botanic garden that showcases a variety of long-established gardens, an arboretum, and the historic Talcott Greenhouse.

Among the gardens to discover are the Bullard Garden (Chapel Garden) filled with shrubs and herbaceous perennials, the Virginia “Timmy” Craig ’31 Rhododendron Garden, and the Drue Matthews Garden, which highlights alpine and rock garden plants.

Within the arboretum, the Talcott Greenhouse, rebuilt in 1899 after a fire, is notable for its tradition of giving first-year students a free houseplant to nurture throughout their time at the college.

4. South Hadley Center

The town’s commercial district seamlessly integrates with the Mount Holyoke College campus on its northwestern edge. At its center lies South Hadley Commons, a triangular area featuring a bandstand for community events, including a summer outdoor concert series on Thursdays.

Historic brick commercial blocks are present, though much of the architecture exhibits more modern designs.

To the west of the commons is the college-owned Village Commons, a compact lifestyle center lined with independent businesses.

This area features charming walkways between clapboard buildings, hosting a diverse range of restaurants, along with various service businesses, a popular bookstore, and a cinema that will be detailed further below.

5. Skinner State Park

The Holyoke Range, a prominent traprock ridge, is easily recognizable along South Hadley’s northern boundary. Stretching from west to east, these peaks form a sub-range of the Metacomet Ridge, which extends for 100 miles from Long Island Sound through the Connecticut River Valley to the northern end of Franklin County.

A 110-mile trail follows the ridgeline, encompassing Skinner State Park, which comprises the western segment of the Holyoke Range.

The park boasts Mount Holyoke as its highest point at 935 feet, offering stunning views of the Connecticut River Valley—accessible by road.

For those more inclined to hike, the summit can be reached by foot, a tradition upheld by Mount Holyoke College students since 1838 on Mountain Day.

This fall event occurs on a day secretly determined by the college president, when the Abbey Chapel’s bells signal that classes are canceled, inviting all students to hike to the mountain’s peak.

6. Lady Bea Boat Rides

From Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day, visitors can embark on a cruise along the scenic Connecticut River aboard the Lady Bea, docked at Brunelle’s Marina in South Hadley.

Named after the early 20th-century matriarch of the family operation, the Lady Bea operates cruises Thursday through Sunday, with departures at 1 PM, 4 PM, and 6 PM, and an additional 7 PM cruise during the peak sunny days of summer.

With engaging narration filled with historical anecdotes, passengers will travel upstream to Northampton and back, enjoying spectacular views along the river.

The Lady Bea is also available for private charters, parties, and corporate excursions, featuring a fully-stocked bar offering drinks and snacks.

7. McCray’s Farm

This local dairy farm has been welcoming the public for various activities and events for nearly fifty years. During the fall season, hayrides are among the primary attractions, bringing visitors to the pumpkin patch or for stargazing excursions at night.

Complemented by a scare park, the haunted hayride has become a sought-after Halloween attraction in Western Massachusetts, operating since 1991.

McCray’s Farm also features a mini-golf course, a play area for children, and a petting zoo where visitors can feed sheep, cows, ducks, and goats. Additionally, a diverse selection of ice cream flavors is available, alongside a menu offering sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and hot dogs.

8. Skinner Museum

Joseph Allen Skinner (1862-1946), a silk magnate and significant benefactor of Mount Holyoke College, bequeathed his eclectic collection upon his passing.

This collection is meticulously curated by the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum and housed in a remarkable setting within the historic First Congregational Church (1846) in Prescott, MA, resembling a traditional cabinet of curiosities.

The museum features an array of Native American artifacts, maritime objects, rare books, minerals and fossils, 19th-century memorabilia, fine glassware, ceramics, historic lighting, Oceanic ethnographic items, and more.

9. Tower Theaters

Nestled in a charming gabled building at the Village Commons, Tower Theaters is a two-screen cinema that has been operational since 1989. It provides a boutique experience, ensuring ample space in the auditoriums with large, comfortable seating.

The service here surpasses that of corporate multiplexes, complemented by delightful touches such as freshly popped popcorn and complimentary refills on most beverages.

Patrons typically enjoy first-run Hollywood films alongside indie productions and occasional cult and classic screenings.

10. Odyssey Bookshop

Located at Village Commons, Odyssey Bookshop has been a staple since 1963, serving as the exclusive supplier of textbooks for Mount Holyoke College while also boasting an outstanding children’s section on the ground floor—an essential stop for parents.

Residents of South Hadley can take advantage of the frequently offered Booklover Program, which provides discounts on purchases.

Remarkably, the store maintains a busy events calendar, hosting regular author readings, question and answer sessions, and signings.

11. River to Range Trail

Within close proximity to South Hadley center, you can enjoy a scenic excursion along the one-mile accessible River to Range Trail.

The trailhead is conveniently located next to the Mount Holyoke College boathouse at 280 Ferry Street.

Commencing at the edge of a hayfield, the trail offers stunning views of the Connecticut River, before leading into a wooded area adjacent to Bachelor Brook. The pathway features a crushed aggregate surface and includes four resting spots to enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

12. Buttery Brook Park

Located approximately three miles from the center of town, Buttery Brook Park is South Hadley’s main public park.

This area, alongside the namesake brook that flows through the expansive open field, was assigned to the town in the late 1950s and served the fire department until the 1990s.

During summer, the park attracts families with its delightful splash pad, alongside several amenities such as an extensive playground, a pavilion, a basketball court, and newly installed pickleball courts.

Buttery Brook Park is also vibrant socially, hosting numerous summer activities, including weekly car shows and the late July Big Rig Day when children can climb onto various public services vehicles and meet their operators.

13. ValleyBike Share

In the past decade, South Hadley has significantly improved its infrastructure to enhance safety for cyclists.

The town benefits from relatively low vehicle traffic volumes, with designated bike lanes available along Route 116 and Route 202, while narrower shoulders appear along Morgan Street and Lyman Street.

In line with these advancements, the Pioneer Valley’s first bikeshare program operates in South Hadley, featuring stations positioned at the police department and town common. Users can pay per ride or opt for a membership for unlimited 45-minute rides, available daily, monthly, or yearly.

14. Ledges Golf Club

Situated near the eastern bank of the Connecticut River, Ledges Golf Club features an 18-hole public course set within a beautiful and diverse landscape. The course includes open spaces reminiscent of links-style layouts that integrate natural wetlands, alongside sections winding through hilly, mature forests.

Offering multiple elevated tees and greens, players can enjoy stunning vistas of the surrounding hills.

The course provides four sets of tees accommodating various skill levels, and presents challenges through its 78 bunkers designed to test even seasoned golfers.

Additional amenities include a driving range, a short game area, an accessible clubhouse, a pro shop, and the Sunset Grille, where visitors can relax following their round.

15. Mount Holyoke Range State Park

If Skinner State Park inspires a desire for more breathtaking views and distinctive rock formations, the eastern half of the range can be explored at Mount Holyoke Range State Park.

This area encompasses over 3,700 acres of wilderness, intersected by the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, which traverses several miles along the ridge.

When hiking to Mount Norwottuck, the highest point in the range at 1,106 feet, the Notch Visitor Center serves as a great location to pause and orient yourself.

Beyond the ledges, the park showcases miles of trails that meander through woodlands and wetlands, providing excellent terrain for mountain biking along the Serpentine and Roller Coaster trails.