A view east across a Whately farm: two huge maples in full green leaf framing a dirt farm lane between mown summer pastures, with the Holyoke Range and the Connecticut River Valley in the distance.

A visitor guide

Explore the Pioneer Valley

Trails, farm stands, museums, hidden diners, and autumn back roads across Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin counties.

Start exploring Featured guide →

View of the Connecticut River Valley from a Whately farm, September 2009. Photo by John Phelan, source, CC BY 3.0.

Discover

About the site →

The Connecticut River Valley seen from the summit of Mount Sugarloaf: broad farm fields and the river winding south past the Holyoke Range.

Outdoors

Hikes, rail trails, swimming holes, and wildlife refuges.

41 places →

A wooded park lane in Look Park in Florence on an early-fall afternoon, with stone borders and benches under tall oaks.

Things to Do

Live music, farmers' markets, breweries, and family outings.

26 places →

The Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls: a former trolley bridge planted with summer perennials, with a US flag flying at the center.

Things to See

Museums, historic houses, scenic viewpoints, and covered bridges.

28 places →

A stone arch bridge in Greenfield with peak fall foliage on the surrounding hills, reflected in the still water below.

Guides

Long-form itineraries for rainy days, leaf peeping, and weekend getaways.

18 guides →

A close-up of a sugar maple in peak orange autumn foliage.

Blog

Seasonal notes, editor picks, and short dispatches from the valley.

6 posts →

Featured guide

A Day on the Connecticut River

A full summer day built around the Valley's big river: a morning paddle on the Sunderland reach or the Oxbow, dinosaur tracks at the water's edge, the falls and fishway at South Hadley, and the view of the whole day from the Summit House.

Read the guide

Stay in the loop

An occasional dispatch of the best new finds. No spam.