If you ever happen to find yourself in South Hadley any time between May and October, and the idea…read moreof wandering amongst scrimshaw trinkets, ruby glass, Americana of uncertain provenance, and assorted mineralia sounds appealing to you, make your way posthaste to this veritable cabinet of curiosities. Assembled in a deconsecrated church literally uprooted and brought to South Hadley during the displacement of five towns caused by the creation of the Quabbin Reservoir, this museum collection is amongst the quirkiest places Western Massachusetts, a distillation of the local ethos circa 1870. Did I mention that admission is free?

Spend an hour here and you'll feel like you've discovered something (rather than having it all…read morehanded to you in one church-shaped package by Mr. Skinner). Hunting around this museum is an adventure unto itself. Every nook or cranny has something worth looking at. The staff is super-nice, although they aren't going to know a lot more about every object than is written on the ID cards -- and most items don't have cards! It can get pretty hot on a sunny day without a/c in the building, so beware of that. I love oddball little museums, and this fits the profile perfectly. One guy who really liked collecting crap donated said crap, and here it is! Enjoy!

This place is about as awesome as it gets. I took my 8 year old son and my 70 year old mother, and…read morewe all had a great time walking around the three levels. The staff was very friendly, and my son was super happy to chat them up about the different things on display, and share what he knew with them. We spent about two hours, and we could easily head back again.

First, it's a very nice museum. Second, it's free…read more The exhibits are well thought out, and I like that they have additional samples in draws that you can pull out if you want, a nice way to encourage exploration. They also have codes you can scan to get additional videos on some displays. Very nice. The Hitchcock Ichnology collection is world class, an incredible display of Connecticut Valley dinosaur footprints. It is a great way to train your eyes before going to look for prints at the Trustees site in Holyoke. Also great mammal, fish, and dinosaur body fossils. A gem.

Follow the instructions to science and technology. Let's explore !…read more Our nations majestic bird greets you as you walk down a path from the parking lot . The parking is plentiful and free! As you walk this beautiful place it's divided between different animal paths and eco systems! You will learn visual and physical features from each habitat. Make sure and enjoy the experience that has been created to show how these creatures interact and exist in their surroundings . They maintain well funded environment by individuals that care for the animals. Thank you for this opportunity. If you're a local to the area the yearly pass would benefit greatly . Make sure and visit the gift shop for a souvenir. Until the next time.

We recently visited the Ecotarium which is almost an hour away from where we live; and while it had…read moresome highlights, I left feeling the admission price didn't quite match the experience--especially with a toddler. For our family, it came out to around $55, and for a 2-year-old, there wasn't a lot to engage with at this age. Many of the exhibits are better suited for older children who can read, explore independently, and understand the science concepts. Both the planetarium and the train ride require an additional fee beyond admission. My toddler enjoyed the train and we thought the planetarium was nicely done, but it would've been nice if there was an option to just purchase tickets for those experiences instead of paying full admission. We were excited to see the mountain lions, but learned they're often resting high up and out of view. It was a little disappointing since that's one of the main animal exhibits. The bubble exhibit was also not functioning properly during our visit. Overall, the grounds are nice and I can see older kids having a great time exploring all the exhibits. For families with toddlers, though, the value just isn't quite there. I'd recommend this more for kids 4-5 and up who can really interact with and appreciate the exhibits.

I've enjoyed this museum on several occasions over the years. It's peaceful and educationally…read moreenjoyable.

Northampton isn't even a third-tier city. This is fourth tier. And so when I was looking for a…read moremuseum in town and this popped up as a "People also search for..." I thought, why not? I'll check it out. It's only $5 admission. I. WAS. BLOWN. AWAY. I would expect this sort of art at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts of the New York MoMA. I would not expect this in Northampton. Absolute priceless artworks by master artists. Mark Rothko, Auguste Rodin, Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Georgia O'Keeffe. Unbelievable to find these and more here. Just absolutely amazing. If you're in Boston and bored with their art scene, make the journey to Northampton and check this out. You will not be disappointed. [Review 17830 overall - 1125 in Massachusetts - 1351 of 2022.]

Absolutely spectacular experience here. I reached out a few days before we planned to visit to see…read moreif we could reserve a wheelchair for my Mom, who is experiencing some mobility issues. They responded to my email immediately and were more than happy to accommodate us. Coming from Albany, this is a bit of a drive at about an hour. The first part of the drive is fine but as you get closer to Williamstown on Rt 2, it can be challenging in bad weather. The museum and grounds are absolutely spectacular. Signage leading to the museum is great and we were able to locate it right away. They have a convenient drop off area that's perfect for those with ADA accessibility needs. Parking was convenient, easy and plentiful. Check in was a breeze and they had the reserved wheelchair waiting for us. The museum is absolutely gorgeous, clean, well lit and phenomenally well curated. There are great works by Renoir, Degas, Manet, Monet, Sargent, and Mary Cassat. I was impressed to see they also included a number of lesser known formal artists in their new acquisitions. There was a great sculpture by Edmonia Lewis, a sculptor of African American and indigenous descent active in the late 1800s, that was very impressive. Bathrooms were immaculately clean. They have a cute station near the bathrooms with free postcards. They will even mail them for you! This place is a little out of the way, which I later learned was because the founder, Sterling Clark, wanted to ensure the artworks were safeguarded in a remote location in case of a war targeting major cities. He lived through WWII and had to flee France and had some of his property destroyed there. Another amazing feature of this museum is their remarkable museum store which has the usual museum store items like bags and scarves and magnets and postcards, but also has an amazing and well priced selection of art books. The most expensive book I purchased was $20 for a softcover on the history of the museum and my fiancé scored a gorgeous hardcover book on the Renoirs for only $15. Staff again here was friendly and kind. We can't wait to go back and check out the grounds and trails when the weather is warmer. If you're driving here from distance make sure you've got a full tank of gas and are comfortable driving on some back roads. We drove back to Albany in a snowstorm on Rt 2, which was a bit harrowing.

Where do I start?! How about.. WOW! I came here with my pops and girlfriend for their first…read moreSunday's Free Day on November 2nd. You could literally spend an entire day here admiring and analyzing all of the beautiful artwork. From Claude Lorrain and John Singer Sargent to Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec, they had so many of the greats. What makes this place even more special is that you're invited to wonder the outsound grounds as well! From trails to vast fields to outdoor sculptures and structures.. there is even more to see. I can't wait to return during the snowy months and participate in their Project Snowshoe. Essentially, you're able to borrow a pair of complementary snoe shoes to help you discover the 140 acres of unparalleled beauty.

Visiting family here from Austin Texas and needed something for the kiddo to do while here. Took…read morehim here, he had a blast. I mention Austin because we have this place called the Thinkery which I can compare this with. The Thinkery is relatively new, super expensive, and very pretentious. Whereas this is much older, and while some parts are missing/broken, it had charm, character, was well priced and was accessible to all. My fav part was the large climbing structure. Would visit again when in the area.

Who would have thought that there was such a hidden gem in Holyoke. I absolutely love this place…read more At first I was a little hesitant about coming here based on the limited pictures and reviews. I am not going to lie, I don't spend much time in the Holyoke area, so I was a little skeptical when I was driving past all these abandoned buildings. The parking isn't bad and a few quarters take you a long way here. I know people are little dubious about the street parking, but I have never had an issue, aside from a few of the parking meters being inoperable. There are also two garages that are across the street from the facility and the pricing for that is also fair. Remember bring change!!! I had to learn that the hard way. When I went into the building, I amazed. It is such a cute little facility. It is two stories, but the top level is more of a sitting area. You pay to get into the facility downstairs. There are elevators if you are wondering. The staircase is the way I like to go down because there is an artsy little metal dog that is there and my son always wants to check it out. Before you enter there is a little area where you can hang your coats. People normally leave diaper bags and lunches there. I always pack a little snack for my guy and leave it there. The restroom is also in this area. No food and water is actually allowed in the museum, unless you are heading to the back for a scheduled birthday party. The prices to get in are super cheap. I paid at the cash register and the cashier stamped our hands. After that we were free to roam. There are numerous play stations in this museum. They have an astonishing climbing area, a water works area, a building room, a mini construction site, an airflow center, bubble makers, shadow room, ambulance, fire truck, costumes, grocery store, theatre, a small slide, a toddler area... We can literally spend hours here. My son enjoyed himself so much that I decided to get a family pass, we have been here about every other week since my first trip here. I even booked his party this summer here. I can't wait for all his friends to play with him here. Mom and dad are getting a little sick of climbing through the playscape with him. LOL. Honestly, this is a great place for your kid to exert their energy. I wish I came here sooner, it would have been a more active winter. I recommend all parents to bring their little people here.

The Mount Holyoke College Art Museum, located in South Hadley, Massachusetts, is one of the…read morenation's oldest teaching museums. Founded in 1876, it was created to enrich the college's academic life by giving students direct access to original works of art. Today, its collection spans over 17,000 objects - from ancient artifacts to contemporary pieces - and supports interdisciplinary learning across the campus and beyond. Its origins are closely tied to the college's early history. The museum's first acquisitions included missionary collections brought back by alumnae of the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. The first formal donation, a painting by Albert Bierstadt, arrived in 1876 and was displayed in Lyman Williston Hall. Over time, the museum grew through gifts, endowments, and the development of dedicated art spaces, including the Dwight Art Memorial Building, which opened in 1902. I did not recognize most of the artists but the one I did was an absolutely stunning Barbara Hepworth sculpture. Beautiful! Admission to the museum is free, and donations are warmly accepted to help sustain its programs and exhibitions. Visitors can explore both permanent and rotating displays, with works ranging from classical antiquity to global contemporary art. As part of the Five College Museums and Historic Deerfield consortium, the museum offers a rich experience for students, scholars, and curious travelers alike. [Review 1127 of 2025 - 1270 in Massachusetts - 24680 overall]

The museum is a must-see. Spectacular artwork, many historical artifacts on a world-class campus,…read moreand clearly rated 5 stars!

One of the best places to go in the Hartford area. It has an amazing collection of classic artwork…read moreand rotating collections of modern art. I've been many times and somehow I'm still surprised by some of the pieces on display (Van Gogh, Monet, Dali, etc.). They run various events and community days, and membership costs are very reasonable. Support the Arts!

Went back here after a decade, the employees were incredibly friendly and helpful during the…read moreticketing/admission process and were more than happy to answer questions about where certain pieces were (even if they weren't currently residing within the Wadsworth).

Springfield, MA - the Springfield Museums complex is five museums arranged around a courtyard…read moreanchoring the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, with the history museum conveniently located across the street. One admission gets you into all five: 1. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum 2. Springfield Science Museum 3. Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts 4. Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History 5. George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum (closed for renovations at this time) Dr. Seuss Museum is the newest addition and an absolute delight - colorful, immersive, and photo-ready. The first floor is pure chaotic kid energy, like a Dr. Seuss book come to life; the second floor is more grown up, featuring a recreation of Springfield native Theodor Geisel's (aka Dr. Seuss) studio and living room, plus exhibits on his life. My child refused to leave. Thankfully, the museum is equipped with benches and seats in every room, as it is incontrovertible law that children's play areas can never have too many resting places for parents. I eventually pried my child away and ushered him to the science & natural history museum, which was also a hit. Highlights included a snowboarding video game and a 360° photo capture that spits out a digital image you can email to yourself as a souvenir. There's also a dinosaur hall, African hall, planetarium, animal dioramas, small aquariums, and a nice gift shop. Again, kid did not want to leave. Grandpa is into history so toured the Museum of Springfield History on his own. Springfield was once a manufacturing powerhouse: automobiles, firearms, and home of the Indian Motocycle Manufacturing Company. Fittingly, the museum has an automobile gallery, the world's largest collection of Indian cycles and memorabilia, and the world's largest collection of Smith & Wesson guns among its 1,600+ firearms. Grandpa learned a lot about local history and the Connecticut River Valley. I only got a quick walk-through of the D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, and regret not having more time to linger over the intricate and absolutely exquisite "Book of Wonder"exhibit by Donna Castellanos. The Smith Art Museum, a Victorian-era single-collector museum, is currently closed for renovation, which was fine, as by that point we'd run out of time and energy anyway. Even the on-site restaurant, Blake House Café, was excellent, serving food from Smoked, a local BBQ joint. There was something for everyone in the family (kids, arts, history, and science) and it's good bang for your buck. The museums are compact enough to hit all five in one day if you keep moving, but you're better off slowing down and focusing on two or three.

Springfield Museums has a sculpture garden and five museums on-site. You can visit all 5 with one…read moreticket. There is a parking lot; it was packed on a weekday but I was able to find a spot. First, we stopped at the Dr. Seuss building. It's an interactive museum perfect for toddlers and young kids. We spent about 45 minutes in there. Then the Springfield Science Museum, it had an aquarium, animals, and dinosaurs. The other buildings focuses on art and history. Yes, you could spend a whole day there. We stopped by the gift shop before we left. I recommend a visit to this museum!