Location: Belchertown
Top Things to do in Belchertown
The 10 Best Things to Do in Belchertown, United States
Belchertown (previously known as Cold Spring and Belcher's Town) is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,649 at the 2010 census. The town includes the census-designated place of Belchertown. Belchertown was formerly the home of the Belchertown State School. The land on which the school sat is, as of 2016, being redeveloped for mixed uses including residential, commercial and recreational. This includes the 385-acre Lampson Brook Farm, used for community and sustainable agriculture, outdoor recreation, and wildlife preservation.
Restaurants in Belchertown
1. Cold Spring Country Club
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By Greywolf8577 - Northeast, USA
This is one beautiful, well maintained golf course. The greens fees and memberships are reasonably priced. For golf this is one of the best courses in the area. Where they have challenges is in the clubhouse. The challenge is perception. The non-golfing customers tend to believe that this is a five star restaurant. While it is very good food it is not a five star restaurant. The service is sometimes mediocre. They have a beautiful patio with fantastic views that you sometimes cannot use because of tournament dinners or the mosquitos eat you alive at night.
So, if you're looking for golf and/or a drink and a meal after, you won't do much better. If you're looking for a high class meal you may be disappointed,,,, it's a golf course.
2. Emily Dickinson Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 236 reviews
Open for tours from March to mid-December, the birthplace of Emily Dickinson is registered as a National Historic Landmark.
Reviewed By Barbara M - Brooklyn, New York
If you appreciate Emily Dickinson’s poetry, you might find yourself close to tears when asking to purchase a ticket to Emily Dickinson's home — her world. It, and her brother's house across the garden, are beautiful and important. And obviously, it will be a moving experience to see the two places that mattered most to this most exquisite of poets. Dickinson was a "homebody": a gardener, a baker, a good friend; a woman who adored her family, cousins, and school chums; and a prolific writer of letters and verses that in their worldview and lyric subtlety knock your socks off.
Luckily, the young docent who led our tour brought out Dickinson's real persona (unlike the unfortunate film that came out last year). She had a wealth of poetry and letters memorized as well as a scholar’s knowledge of and passion for her subject.
I have found, however, that young docents are too often prone to running down the people who inhabited the homes they are privileged to serve, and this one did too. Dickinson's brother Austin's house, a modest Italianate, was not pretentious, but very much along the lines of Italianates up and down the Hudson Valley and in small New England towns. Nor was the floor button in the dining room a mark of social-climbing; it was a way to call a servant during or between courses so as not to disrupt conversation, and most upper-middle class women had them. As for bringing back souvenirs from trips abroad — who doesn’t? Is doing so a sign of showing off? Was Dickinson’s father's hope for a “rational” marriage a sign of sexual repression or of respect for his fiancée? He was, after all, penning a letter. As for Dickinson's telling the truth "slant": She was in that poem writing about gradually revealing a dazzling, "superb surprise" that, if told directly, would "blind" the hearer. So wider knowledge and greater tolerance for other, and older, ways are in order for the highly motivated, intelligent youngsters who are curating our American treasures. And they will acquire these as they live longer.
Despite my quibbles, kudos to the Emily Dickinson Museum and to its dedicated employees and volunteers who are bringing that world back to life.
3. Randall's Farm and Greenhouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By BossLadyWhite - Western MASS
I could probably write all day about the beauties of Randall's Farm. Starting from the helpful and knowledgeable employees, to the pretty good selection of wines and beers to the delicious homemade desserts and meals...(most if not all) made the bounty of the on-premise farm. If you are in the area, do yourself a favor and stop in. If you forgot to take out something for dinner in the morning or night before, stop by on your way home!! Plenty of ready-made (heat and eat style) meals that are nutritious and delicious fo- yo- bellies!! :-D Try the Creamery next door for some ice cream as well!
4. Hardwick Vineyard and Winery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 44 reviews
Reviewed By OrphanAnnie88 - Worcester, Massachusetts
We went to the winery with friends on the perfect day. It was smaller than I expected but we enjoyed an afternoon of relaxing in the shade sipping wine, snacking and having good conversation. The tasting bar is upstairs. A bit inconvenient for us older folks but there is a sign saying to let them know if your party
needs a tasting on the lower level. We chose 4 wines to try and all 4 of us favored the Yankee Girl Blush. We enjoyed a bottle there while listening to the music and then brought some home. A great way to unwind away from the hustle and bustle. We will be back. Families can enjoy the day there as well. They have a sandbox outside and a nice little play area. Bring a picnic along.
5. Mount Holyoke College
Overall Ratings
5 based on 48 reviews
Reviewed By John B - Bridgeport, Connecticut
So sweet. Great setting. Warm with lots of light. On a lake. And a college campus. They serve a huge Sunday brunch once a month during the school year. They are usually holiday themed. Everything is delicious!
6. Palmer Public Library
Overall Ratings
5 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By karebear70 - MA
Beautiful library! Helpful, friendly staff. Extensive reading choices. there is an entire second floor, meeting rooms people can reserve and use, activities for kids, they have late hours til 8pm a few night too.
7. Jessica's Boundless Playground
Overall Ratings
5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By mrs0 - MA
We visited Jessica's Boundless Playground for the first time today and found it to be such a treasure. It is a playground 100% accessible and is suitable for all ages and abilities. The play structure can accommodate wheelchairs and it is set on a soft, mat-like floor to cushion any falls.
We enjoyed how well-thought out the playground was, the cleanliness of the area, the variety of activities and the seating for people just to watch. There is plenty of free parking and there is no fee to play. Best of all, it is FUN and inclusive for ALL.
8. Amherst College Museum of Natural History
Overall Ratings
5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By kzsull01 - Windsor, Connecticut
My husband and I visited the Amherst College Museum of Natural History (the Beneski Museum) in Amherst, Mass. On Sunday, August 6th. The museum has three floors with an impressive and wide assortment of various types of natural history artifacts. It has a great collection of fossil skeletons of dinosaurs, other mammals and even fish. The impressive collection of dinosaur footprints and the petrified tree on the ground floor are quite unique. There is a very nice exhibit depicting the history of the local Connecticut River Valley landscape, including the evolution of the geological formations associated with the surrounding area with details about the Holyoke Range. The exhibit about the evolution of the horse is also quite informative. In addition, the many rocks and minerals on display are very interesting and educational.
We are very impressed with this museum, as we were a few years back (in 2013), but at the same time were disappointed with the small collection of items currently on exhibit at the nearby Mead Art Museum, in comparison with what the Mead had a few years ago. Visiting the Beneski Museum was worth the trip and is quite educational, including the informative write-ups describing the items on display, all nicely done. It is a museum with artifacts on exhibit that are very interesting and could be enjoyed by both adults as well as children. This museum is a hidden gem on the scenic Amherst College campus.
9. Blue Star Equiculture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Helping Horses, Humans, and Mother Earth. Support our mission and JOIN THE HERD! Currently our farm is closed to the public, you can schedule a tour with us however,as we prepare to move to our forever home. We welcome you to visit our farm 7 days a week. We offer a Farmer's market on Saturday from 10-3 where you can shop local vendors, visit our horses, take a wagon ride, have a farm tour and learn about horses, history and culture. We also offer private carriage rides and private tours.
Reviewed By LynnFromAustin - Austin, Texas
In Palmer, MA, not far from the Connecticut border and closer to Springfield Ma, is a place called Blue Star Equiculture. This place is a draft horse (you know those incredibly large and beautiful horses, like the Clydesdales, that pull wagons and give carriage rides in all major cites) rescue. I had known about this place for about 5 years and finally made the trip to MA just to visit them. I was welcomed with open arms by the owner/director Pam Rickenbach, her fiance (and right hand man) Paul Moshimer and all the people that love these animals and volunteer daily. This rescue is one place that openly invites visitors - anytime - to stop in and "Meet The Herd." I got to meet and have my picture taken with Tex, the 3rd tallest horse in the world and introduced to and even brushed a couple of the magnificent huge horses there. I learned about each horses' past, some quite sad and some happy, and learned some of the ideals of Blue Star. "Humans Helping Horses, Helping Humans" and "Horses Paved the Way" They are all about how we can all give back to the earth. If you want to be awed by the beauty of Tex and Merlin and Mario (orange, white and black drafts) you really should take some time to visit. A few hours is sufficient but I went back every day for 3 days. It will be an experience you won't soon forget. I could say more but I think it would be better if you go and once you have become enthralled with the place and its inhabitants you will see for yourself what I mean. This is their fb page: https://www.facebook.com/equiculture . They do have a website but they are reconstructing it now. I sincerely hope that all those who will be traveling to the NE take an hour or so and visit, you will not be disappointed.
10. Iron Duke Brewing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By Stephen M - Ludlow, Massachusetts
if you havent been to the Duke yet and you love craft beer, you better get moving. While they continue to fight with their landlord the food trucks and the music have returned and with the warm weather approaching it is the perfect time to go! 11 beers on tap and everyone is fantastic!
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