The best city hikes and walks in Joseph Allen Skinner State Park

Lower Millpond makes a nice stopover if you're cycling the New Haven & Northampton Canal Greenway. The actual mill itself is on the other side of the paved greenway, and has been transformed into a commercial development with art galleries, restaurants, shops and a brewery.

The Emily Dickinson House and Museum is a unique museum that consists of two historic houses—the Homestead, where the renowned poet was born and lived, and the Evergreens, an adjacent house which was gift to her brother from their father. Dickinson lived in Homestead for the majority of her life, becoming increasingly unwilling, or unable, to leave the house. In the 1850s she became even more secluded in the house, interacting with most visitors through closed doors. The museum offers guided and self-guided tours of her home to teach you about both the poet's life, work, and family, and life in Amherst in the 19th century. The Homestead is a US National Historic Landmark, and both houses are part of the Dickinson Historic District, making it a must-visit destination for history and literature enthusiasts. For information on admission and hours please visit: emilydickinsonmuseum.org/hours-admission

The Evergreens is a part of the Emily Dickinson Museum and was where the famous poet's brother, Austin Dickinson, lived with his wife Susan and their three children. This house is considered one of the earliest and best-preserved examples of the Italianate architectural style and was designed by renowned architect William Fenno Pratt. All of the rooms in the house contain the original, authentic Dickinson family furniture and decor from the 19th century and outside of the home are the carefully landscaped grounds.

The historic downtown of Amherst is just north of Amherst College and south of UMass Amherst, and has been the heart of this area since the 18th century. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, there are plenty of unique shopping boutiques, great restaurants and coffee shops, and historic buildings to explore. This is a great place to check out when visiting the area.

The Botanic Garden of Smith College is a beautiful place to visit when in Northampton. Located on the historic campus of Smith College, a private liberal arts women's college, the botanical gardens feature indoor and outdoor exhibits that are open to the public. The outdoor sections of the garden features the Systematics Garden and Perennial Border gardens where beds are arranged according to evolutionary relationships, which facilitate learning for the students. There is also a Rock Garden which features 2,000 alpine, dwarf, and woodland plants. Adjacent to these outdoor gardens is the Lyman Plant House, a magnificent greenhouse that was built in 1895 and houses rare plants in several sub-houses and sections.

Located between Easthampton & Northampton on the Connecticut River floodplain, Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary is an important habitat for countless species. The Manhan Rail Trail passes along the edges of the park and is a great way to access the sanctuary by bike.

The Rubber Thread Pond is located just off the Manhan Rail Trail in Easthampton, Massachusetts. This is a great spot to pause your ride and enojy the views over the water. You can often see ducks and other waterfowl in the pond.

The Emily Dickinson House and Museum is a unique museum that consists of two historic houses—the Homestead, where the renowned poet was born and lived, and the Evergreens, an adjacent house which was gift to her brother from their father. Dickinson lived in Homestead for the majority of her life, becoming increasingly unwilling, or unable, to leave the house. In the 1850s she became even more secluded in the house, interacting with most visitors through closed doors. The museum offers guided and self-guided tours of her home to teach you about both the poet's life, work, and family, and life in Amherst in the 19th century. The Homestead is a US National Historic Landmark, and both houses are part of the Dickinson Historic District, making it a must-visit destination for history and literature enthusiasts. For information on admission and hours please visit: https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/hours-admission/