Laurie’s guidebook
Food scene
Great "authentic Texas pit-style" barbeque, ten minutes away, one of the closer restaurants, country-style setting featuring bar and live music as well.
North Village Smokehouse
32 Federal StGreat "authentic Texas pit-style" barbeque, ten minutes away, one of the closer restaurants, country-style setting featuring bar and live music as well.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, creative grilled sandwiches and salads, adjoining the Montague Book Mill.
17 locals recommend
The Lady Killigrew Cafe
440 Greenfield RdBreakfast, lunch and dinner, creative grilled sandwiches and salads, adjoining the Montague Book Mill.
Top notch burger joint with creative options and an extensive drink menu. Great milkshakes! Veggie options too.
8 locals recommend
Black Cow Burger Bar
127 Avenue ATop notch burger joint with creative options and an extensive drink menu. Great milkshakes! Veggie options too.
Excellent thai food in downtown Greenfield, take out only during pandemic.
10 locals recommend
Thai Blue Ginger
298 Main StExcellent thai food in downtown Greenfield, take out only during pandemic.
James Beard Foundation 2022 Semi-Finalist, upscale, farm-to-table dining, a stones throw from Mt. Sugarloaf and historic Deerfield. Indoor and outdoor dining as well as curbside pick up available. Reservations highly recommended!
31 locals recommend
Blue Heron Restaurant
112 N Main StJames Beard Foundation 2022 Semi-Finalist, upscale, farm-to-table dining, a stones throw from Mt. Sugarloaf and historic Deerfield. Indoor and outdoor dining as well as curbside pick up available. Reservations highly recommended!
Excellent family Italian food with nice views at sunset over a golf course.
9 locals recommend
Terrazza Restaurant at CCG
244 Country Club RdExcellent family Italian food with nice views at sunset over a golf course.
Extensive Chinese menu as well as excellent sushi. Currently curbside only during pandemic.
7 locals recommend
Ginger Garden
351 Northampton RdExtensive Chinese menu as well as excellent sushi. Currently curbside only during pandemic.
Excellent Indian cuisine in downtown Amherst. Currently open for takeout only during pandemic.
Paradise of India
87 Main StExcellent Indian cuisine in downtown Amherst. Currently open for takeout only during pandemic.
Fine farm-to-table dining in the center of Gill. Indoor and outdoor seating, we recommend calling for a reservation.
22 locals recommend
The Gill Tavern
326 Main RdFine farm-to-table dining in the center of Gill. Indoor and outdoor seating, we recommend calling for a reservation.
Greenfield Coffee
1 Bank RowCoffee shop in downtown Greenfield serving up excellent coffee brews.
The Whistle Stop Cafe
29 East Main StreetCozy breakfast nook in downtown Millers Falls, locally owned and operated.
Shady Glen
7 Avenue ALocal diner serving up breakfast and lunch in the heart of Turners Falls.
Excellent Mexican cuisine in the heart of downtown Athol. 30 min drive from the cottage. Take out available along with indoor dining. A favorite of ours after hiking in the Athol/Royalston/Tully Lake area or playing tennis at the Athol tennis courts.
There are EV chargers at the nearby Athol Public Library and Millers River Environmental Center.
Los Agaves Grill
491 Main StExcellent Mexican cuisine in the heart of downtown Athol. 30 min drive from the cottage. Take out available along with indoor dining. A favorite of ours after hiking in the Athol/Royalston/Tully Lake area or playing tennis at the Athol tennis courts.
There are EV chargers at the nearby Athol Public Library and Millers River Environmental Center.
Excellent breakfast options nestled near the Connecticut River in Sunderland, a stone's throw from Mt. Sugarloaf Reservation, Yankee Candle and antiquing in Deerfield.
6 locals recommend
Bridgeside Grille
9 Amherst RdExcellent breakfast options nestled near the Connecticut River in Sunderland, a stone's throw from Mt. Sugarloaf Reservation, Yankee Candle and antiquing in Deerfield.
Best sushi in the valley, stop in while shopping in Amherst if you are a sushi lover, you won't regret it.
Arigato Japanese Restaurant
11 N Pleasant StBest sushi in the valley, stop in while shopping in Amherst if you are a sushi lover, you won't regret it.
Authentic Korean food in the heart of Greenfield, try their tofu dumplings or bulgogi!
6 locals recommend
Manna House
27 Bank RowAuthentic Korean food in the heart of Greenfield, try their tofu dumplings or bulgogi!
Gohyang Korean Restaurant
113 Russell StExcellent traditional Korean food on Rte. 9 in Hadley.
Authentic Mexican food using house-made tortillas - you can buy some to bring home to your fridge as well as enjoying it in excellent Mi Tierra cooking.
Mi Tierra
48 Russell StAuthentic Mexican food using house-made tortillas - you can buy some to bring home to your fridge as well as enjoying it in excellent Mi Tierra cooking.
Local Grocery and Supply
Groceries and supplies, prepared foods, local coffee and maple syrup, liquor. Family owned!
Wendell Country Store
57 Lockes Village RdGroceries and supplies, prepared foods, local coffee and maple syrup, liquor. Family owned!
Groceries and supplies. Breakfast and lunch, pizza on Wednesday and Friday nights (call early, closes at 7pm). Coffee. Wine and Beer. Closest take out.
9 locals recommend
Leverett Village Co-Op
180 Rattlesnake Gutter RdGroceries and supplies. Breakfast and lunch, pizza on Wednesday and Friday nights (call early, closes at 7pm). Coffee. Wine and Beer. Closest take out.
Frozen and chilled prepared meals, famous turkey and chicken pot pies, eggs, local milk, coffee, and maple syrup. Local and family-owned!
Diemand Farm
126 Mormon Hollow RdFrozen and chilled prepared meals, famous turkey and chicken pot pies, eggs, local milk, coffee, and maple syrup. Local and family-owned!
Groceries, sandwiches, pizza on some nights, liquor. Easy stop on your way out to the Quabbin.
New Salem General Store
410 Daniel Shays HwyGroceries, sandwiches, pizza on some nights, liquor. Easy stop on your way out to the Quabbin.
Recreation
Miles of hiking trails, Ruggles pond for swimming, picnic area, canoeing and kayaking at Wickett Pond (bring your own boat), scenic views from the Lookouts.
9 locals recommend
Wendell State Forest
392 Montague RdMiles of hiking trails, Ruggles pond for swimming, picnic area, canoeing and kayaking at Wickett Pond (bring your own boat), scenic views from the Lookouts.
Public beach, popular swimming and boating spot. 15-17 minute walk or 2 minute drive from the cottage.
6 locals recommend
Lake Wyola State Park
94 Lakeview RdPublic beach, popular swimming and boating spot. 15-17 minute walk or 2 minute drive from the cottage.
Fiske Pond
Hiking trails and local swimming hole, 2 minute walk from the cottage.
Popular swimming lake in Erving State Forest, surrounded by hiking and mountain biking trails.
6 locals recommend
Laurel Lake
Popular swimming lake in Erving State Forest, surrounded by hiking and mountain biking trails.
Largest inland water body in Massachusetts, historic area, with hiking trails at various gates, spans several towns, boat rentals for fishing available, designated shore fishing areas (consult website).
48 locals recommend
Quabbin Reservoir
100 Winsor Dam RdLargest inland water body in Massachusetts, historic area, with hiking trails at various gates, spans several towns, boat rentals for fishing available, designated shore fishing areas (consult website).
Barton Cove Campground and Canoe Rental
82 French King HwyCanoe rentals on the Connecticut River.
Boat rentals on the Millers River, interpretative canoe trail going through downtown Orange and Athol.
Billy Goat Boats (At the Orange Community Boathouse)
25 E River StBoat rentals on the Millers River, interpretative canoe trail going through downtown Orange and Athol.
Ski mountain with summer activities including rafting, zipline, ropes course and bike park.
107 locals recommend
Berkshire East Mountain Resort
66 Thunder Mountain RdSki mountain with summer activities including rafting, zipline, ropes course and bike park.
Extensive bike rail trail extending from Amherst and Belchertown to Northampton. Electric assist bike rental available in Amherst or Northampton.
9 locals recommend
Norwottuck Rail Trail
Norwottuck Rail TrailExtensive bike rail trail extending from Amherst and Belchertown to Northampton. Electric assist bike rental available in Amherst or Northampton.
Canalside Rail Trail
2 Avenue ABike and walking rail trail along the Connecticut River in Turners Falls.
Beautiful Army Corps of Engineers lake with option to rent canoes and kayaks. Tully Lake Campground is also nearby.
11 locals recommend
Tully Lake
Beautiful Army Corps of Engineers lake with option to rent canoes and kayaks. Tully Lake Campground is also nearby.
Entertainment
In addition to shopping, entertainment includes movie theater, roller skating, laser tag, go carts, escape rooms and bowling.
19 locals recommend
Hampshire Mall
367 Russell StIn addition to shopping, entertainment includes movie theater, roller skating, laser tag, go carts, escape rooms and bowling.
Cinemark at Hampshire Mall and XD
367 Russell StCinema showing mainstream and current films.
Local cinema in downtown Amherst offering art house films, as well as virtual cinema during pandemic.
48 locals recommend
Amherst Cinema Arts Center
28 Amity StLocal cinema in downtown Amherst offering art house films, as well as virtual cinema during pandemic.
Cinema offering current and eclectic films, in the heart of downtown Greenfield.
13 locals recommend
Greenfield Garden Cinemas
361 Main StCinema offering current and eclectic films, in the heart of downtown Greenfield.
Popular retro arcade serving up a menu eclectic pub fare off Rte. 9 in Hadley.
19 locals recommend
The Quarters
8 Railroad StPopular retro arcade serving up a menu eclectic pub fare off Rte. 9 in Hadley.
Sightseeing & Attractions
Beautiful view of the Connecticut River Valley and Holyoke Mountain range. Accessible by hiking or via an automobile service road.
28 locals recommend
Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation
300 Sugarloaf StBeautiful view of the Connecticut River Valley and Holyoke Mountain range. Accessible by hiking or via an automobile service road.
Historic Deerfield
80 Old Main StTour of historic Deerfield, galleries and museum.
Quaint and quintessential New England town, explore the Bridge of Flowers, see the glacial potholes, and visit the local shops, galleries and artisans.
54 locals recommend
Shelburne Falls
Quaint and quintessential New England town, explore the Bridge of Flowers, see the glacial potholes, and visit the local shops, galleries and artisans.
Beautiful Army Corps of Engineers Lake, with trails and boating available.
11 locals recommend
Tully Lake
Beautiful Army Corps of Engineers Lake, with trails and boating available.
Seasonal apples and preserves, gorgeous views of Orchard and the Quabbin Reservoir, their hard cider garden is open weekends during the summer as well!
New Salem Preserves & Orchards
67 S Main StSeasonal apples and preserves, gorgeous views of Orchard and the Quabbin Reservoir, their hard cider garden is open weekends during the summer as well!
Shopping
Flagship store of the world famous Yankee Candle, with a candle shop, home store, Christmas Village, and candy.
71 locals recommend
Yankee Candle
25 Greenfield RdFlagship store of the world famous Yankee Candle, with a candle shop, home store, Christmas Village, and candy.
Hampshire Mall
367 Russell StShopping at name brand department stores and mall shops.
Historic town center, home of Smith College and many downtown shops and restaurants.
94 locals recommend
Northampton
Historic town center, home of Smith College and many downtown shops and restaurants.
Historic town center, home of UMass Amherst, Hampshire and Amherst College, and many downtown shops and restaurants.
7 locals recommend
Amherst Center
Historic town center, home of UMass Amherst, Hampshire and Amherst College, and many downtown shops and restaurants.
Locally owned and operated outdoor recreation supply company and gift shop, also features a cafe in the back of the store.
Trail Head Outfitter & General Store
1 S Main StLocally owned and operated outdoor recreation supply company and gift shop, also features a cafe in the back of the store.
Small shops, ice cream and candy shops, artisans and restaurants in the quaint village of Shelburne Falls.
Main St, Shelburne Falls, MA, USA
Small shops, ice cream and candy shops, artisans and restaurants in the quaint village of Shelburne Falls.
Supermarkets
Stop & Shop
876 State RdLocated in Greenfield just after the Turners Falls bridge.
Located on the Orange-Athol line. On the way in if coming from Rte. 2 East.
43 locals recommend
Hannaford Supermarket
896 Putney RdLocated on the Orange-Athol line. On the way in if coming from Rte. 2 East.
Located in Hadley, 10 minutes from Amherst. If you have an Amazon Prime account, this Whole Foods will deliver.
25 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
327 Russell StLocated in Hadley, 10 minutes from Amherst. If you have an Amazon Prime account, this Whole Foods will deliver.
Trader Joe's
375 Russell StLocated in Hadley, 10 minutes from Amherst.
Big Y World Class Market
237 Mohawk TrailOn the way in if coming from Rte. 2 West, Berkshires.