Nestled besides the Connecticut River, the Great River Park is a scenic waterfront park. Enjoy a stroll on the paved and lighted river-walks or have a picnic with your family and friends amidst nature. Go fishing or boating and check out their exercise stations. This parkland also features an amphitheater that can accommodate up to 350 spectators and has many sculptures all around the park. It hosts year-round events and programs as well.
Hartford Stage is one of the leading resident theaters, known internationally for entertaining and enlightening audiences with a wide range of the best world drama, from classics to provocative new plays, musicals and neglected works from the past. The theater has earned many distinguished awards and it maintains a strong commitment to private/public partnerships, educational programs and humanities initiatives within the the community.
Northampton Brewery is a popular local brewery that has been serving tantalizing beers and scrumptious food to Northampton residents since 1987. The brewery has gained much popularity over the years and has become a local favorite owing to its warm and welcoming ambiance coupled with prompt service. Their menu features a slew of classic American delicacies. Loyal patrons swear by their Hearth Baked Shells, Pasadena pie, Fried Calamari, and Chargrilled Angus Hamburger. Don't miss out on their decadent desserts- try the The Black Cat Chocolate Stout Cake and you won't leave disappointed.
The Springfield Science Museum and Seymour Planetarium is dedicated to the natural sciences and artifacts found throughout New England. Children can explore and learn about the habitats of the Amazon rainforest, African savanna, a coral reef or the New England coastal areas. If a trip through time is more their thing, the Dinosaur Hall has replicas of Tyrannosaurus Rex as well as some dinosaurs native to the Connecticut River Valley. Tickets to the Seymour Planetarium (the nation's oldest) can be purchased separately, so sit back and check out over 7000 stars from our solar system.
One of the region's great authors of children's books is Eric Carle, author and artist of the beloved classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art consists of three galleries dedicated to picture book art and children's books. The museum also has a reading room, art center, and cafe. The Eric Carle Museum is a great place to introduce children to art via their favorite pictures and story books.