The Area
Downton Valley is ideally located in the heart of the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, a popular vacation destination known for its beautiful scenery. Within the valley are the Holyoke and Mount Tom mountain ranges, as well as rolling hills, bluffs and extravagant homes from the Gilded Age, which make for unique sightseeing.
A short 10-minute drive from Downton Valley is downtown Northampton. This quaint, quintessentially New England town is affectionately named “Paradise City” and is considered one of the best places to visit in Massachusetts. It is well-regarded for its lively arts community and galleries, its delicious restaurants, and its prestigious Five College Consortium consisting of Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, and UMass Amherst.
Western Massachusetts has numerous points of interest that make for great day trips and that are an easy drive from Downton Valley. The stunning Botanic Garden of Smith College is just over 4 miles away. While you are there, stop into the Smith College Museum of Art as well to immerse yourself in Northampton’s renowned art scene. There are many other significant art museums in the area, including the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art. The area also has museums and estates dedicated to some of the most influential artists and authors in history, such as Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain and Norman Rockwell.
The Pioneer Valley is informally known as “used-book country.” Literary enthusiasts will appreciate that there is an independent bookstore in almost every town, as well as several small publishers and countless local artists. In Northampton, there are four independent bookstores, including Broadside Bookshop and the popular Raven Used Books, which features books on a variety of subjects.
Downton Valley is surrounded by numerous wineries and breweries, including the Glendale Ridge Vineyard and the Mineral Hills Winery at Godard’s Red Hen Farm, both of which are only two miles away from the property.
Downton Valley also enjoys close proximity to exciting attractions such as Six Flags New England, located only 19 miles away, and the Eastern States Exhibition, which hosts various events throughout the year, the most notable of which is the Big E fair in mid-September.
Situated in the heart of New England, the Pioneer Valley has four distinct seasons, with myriad seasonal activities to enjoy year-round. Spring and summer present many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, whether hiking through the mountains or kayaking on the rivers and lakes. In the fall, the vibrant foliage in Western Massachusetts is unparalleled. During the winter, there are plenty of snow sports to enjoy, with multiple ski and snowboard areas in the Berkshires and Pioneer Valley. These include Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, with 45 skiing trails, Ski Blandford, with 29 trails, Butternut Ski Area, with 22 trails, and Otis Ridge Ski Area, with 11 trails, Snow tubing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are all options as well.
Whether you want to enjoy the art and culture in the lively college town of Northampton, visit New England’s largest amusement park in Agawam, or simply escape into the untouched nature throughout the Pioneer Valley and Berkshires, Western Massachusetts has something for everyone. Allow Downton Valley to be your home base during your visit to Western Massachusetts. Conveniently located only a few minutes from Northampton and a short ride away from Springfield, Downton Valley opens the door to everything this popular historic region has to offer.
