Looking for a great reason to start planning your next adventure? In this series, we share the most compelling events, attractions and experiences that will have you visiting the world’s most exciting destinations.
Poetry pilgrims rejoice: the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts has reopened after a two-year closure. Part of a five-year revitalization plan, the first phase of the museum’s relaunch includes updated interiors (some courtesy of Apple, whose three-season series about the poet, Dickinson, ended last year). Period-specific furnishings and faithfully reconstituted floor and wall coverings join Dickinson’s own piano, bed, and shawl, all thoughtfully arranged in the very home (aptly named Homestead) where she was born, lived, and later died.
To tour Homestead, visitors will need to purchase timed tickets in advance. The 45-minute tours are led by knowledgeable, Dickinson-obsessed guides who routinely recite poetry while leading participants through the home, beginning at the entryway to the library and parlors on the ground floor, and finishing with the upstairs bedrooms of both Dickinson and her mother.
Each room focuses on a different aspect of Dickinson’s life: her education at Mount Holyoke seminary, her passion for chronicling botanicals, her extensive correspondence, her devotion to her family, and (of course) a deep dive into her poetry. After the tour, visitors can pick up souvenirs in the charming gift shop, whose proceeds support the museum.
On December 10, commemorating Emily Dickinson’s 192nd birthday, the museum is set to host a sold-out celebration before it closes for the winter on Christmas Eve. Meanwhile, similar restoration is underway at The Evergreens, the neighboring house-museum where Dickinson’s brother Austin and his family lived.
Visitors can also pay homage to the great poet at her grave site at Amherst’s West Cemetery, just a 10-minute walk from the museum. Her tombstone is inscribed with two words from the last thing Dickinson wrote, a letter to her cousins: “Called back.”
The town is the home of Amherst College, which boasts a beautiful campus. This quaint college town is easy to navigate and ideal for exploration without a car, although transportation to and from Amherst is more convenient with a vehicle.
Eat
For breakfast, The Black Sheep Deli offers no-nonsense ordering from the counter. Diners should seize one of the tables as they become available. The delicious breakfast sandwiches feature baked eggs with various additions served on a roll, bagel, or croissant.
If you’re looking for a fancier brunch, consider 30 Boltwood; the malted rye pancakes with local maple syrup are sure to impress.
For a superb Italian dinner, Osteria Vespa is the place to be. Don’t miss the spicy Calabrian chili prawns; double the order for an even better experience. Bistro 63 is also a popular dining spot.
Drink
Amherst Coffee + Bar serves as both a cozy daytime café and a lively bar offering craft cocktails at night. It’s a perfect stop for warm drinks and relaxation.
For a unique drink experience, the Alpine Martini at The Archives, a hidden speakeasy, is a must-try. It’s located behind a door that resembles stacked file drawers. Be sure to enjoy the excellent bar snacks, especially the kimchi cheese and crackers and yuzu celery.
For an exceptional Bloody Mary, visit Johnny’s Tavern, which is open for lunch and provides a great bar for daytime drinks.
Stay
Facing the town green in central Amherst, the Inn at Boltwood is a cozy, historic, independent inn with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Guests can enjoy complimentary coffee and pastries each morning by the fireplace in the library while reading the local paper. There’s also heated outdoor seating, some adjacent to cozy fire pits, just outside 30 Boltwood, the hotel’s acclaimed restaurant.
This charming and sprawling inn’s proximity to the campus and the town makes it an ideal home base for exploring Amherst’s many offerings. It’s a great place to relax during the afternoon, whether reading, playing games, or conversing with other guests.
