Nature enthusiasts will find their paradise at Enders State Forest, an idyllic and serene forest area that beckons you to savor nature trails and create memorable hiking experiences. Verdant surroundings, scenic waterfalls, and diverse flora and fauna draw visitors to explore this beautiful state forest park. Whether you’re into birdwatching, wildlife viewing, or picnicking, this park offers something for every nature lover. It boasts several designated trails, some of which can be difficult, but rewards visitors with a visual treat that makes it worth the hike.
Frank Newhall Look Memorial Park, often simply called Look Park, is a beautiful green space, perfect for a family outing. This park offers a wide range of activities. For a small fee, hop on the Steamer Train for a one-mile (1.6 kilometer) ride around the park and scoop out all the fun things to do. During the summer you can go on Bumper Boats, take a ride on a paddle boat, or cool off at the Mill River that runs through this place. Visit the free Christenson Zoo where you can see Fallow Deer, Red-Tailed Hawks, peacocks, and more. There is also a miniature golf course, multiple playgrounds, seasonal tennis courts, and a scenic walking path here. Whether you want to relax or play, this park is a great place to spend an holiday!
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.
Set along the Westfield River, Robinson State Park is scattered with dense woodlands. Opened in 1934, this state park is spread across an area of 1,025 acres (414.8 hectares). It is home to a variety of wildlife like beavers, fisher cats, coyotes, egrets, mountain lions and bald eagles. Owing to its abundance of wildlife, this wooded park is a popular place to visit for wildlife and bird watchers. They also offer facilities for other recreational activities like hiking, biking, picnicking, fishing, canoeing and cross-country skiing.
This sprawling urban park is spread across an area of close to 325 acres. The park boasts a range of recreational facilities, including a splendid pavilion, baseball diamonds, tennis courts and hiking trails. A haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, the Mittineague Park is home to a variety of rare and endangered plant species that gather around the park's many Vernal pools. Walk through fields awash in the vibrant hues of blooming wild flowers and witness timid deers graze at the meadow. As you explore the park's many hidden delights, keep an eye out for the foxes, hawks and fisher cats that call the park their home. Located as it is within the city, Mittineague Park offers visitors a change to indulge in a little outdoor fun and enjoy the majesty of nature without having to venture beyond the city's limits. The park also hosts a variety of fun events for children, including Easter egg hunts and summer camps.The park is open daily from dawn till dusk.
Come visit the birthplace of one of America's best-loved authors, Emily Dickinson, who was born here in December 1830. The famed poet spent most of her life here composing over 1800 poems. The property consists of two different residences that are open to the public: The Evergreens, home to Emily's brother Austin, and The Homestead, where she lived and where her numerous unpublished poems were found after her death. Visitors can see both houses through special guided and audio tours.