The Quabbin Reservoir Visitor Center is well worth a visit. The history and evolution of the…read morereservoir including indigenous wildlife are explained in detail. Very friendly and helpful staff. Ample free parking, too. The Reservoir is astounding.

This place used to be my favorite, now I wouldn't step foot back if you paid me…read more On Sunday, August 3rd around 1:15pm at Gate 8, we were greeted by the most VILE, DISRESPECTFUL woman I've ever had to deal with. From the second we pulled up, she looked at us with pure attitude, like we were beneath her. She made us feel like an inconvenience, snapping and acting like we didn't belong there. It was humiliating and completely uncalled for, especially considering she was literally with 2 different customers- how professional! After snapping at us for simply entering the premises, she continued to laugh at how she had just treated us in front of other customers (who experienced the whole thing) For reference, she was a blonde woman with neck tattoos, so there's no excuse for whoever in charge to not know exactly who this is and take action. I seriously don't understand how someone with that kind of nasty, hostile energy is allowed to work with the public. She has no business being employed anywhere near customers. She should be FIRED IMMEDIATELY. This woman ruined the entire experience, and because of her, they've permanently lost a loyal customer. Absolutely VILE behavior that will not be tolerated and this will be continually reported until action is taken. It's sad, because the gentlemen that work there are so kind and made our past experiences so wholesome. It was truly the place to go when you needed a break from the busy world. Super unfortunate how some nasty unhappy woman could ruin it.

Puffer's Pond in Amherst is a place that I like to stop in at when traveling through the area. The…read morepond itself is a nice place to come and swim at, but it is also nice to walk around the pond and eventually come out at their waterfall. I also make it a point to come in the winter just so that I can see the waterfall get frozen over. The only critique about this place is that at the end of UMass' school year the place tends to be packed and at times people leave their trash everywhere. Besides that this place is nice and relaxing.

A great place to swim, but get here early on a hot day because parking does fill up fast…read more Please keep an eye on your stuff though people have had stuff gone through before. The swimming hole closes at dusk and alcohol is prohibited alone with smoking

Iconic set of rolling wooded hills over looking the Connecticut River and surrounding lowlands…read more Skinner State Park is approximately 3,000 acres once privately owned now overseen by the Mass DCR. There are an intertwining network of trails from the base, along the ridge, and through the wooded parkland. Bring a GPS and trail maps are available at the gates and in the Summit House. This was my first time hiking here. A life long buddy & hiking pal encouraged me to join him. He was excited to try out his new hip on some varying terrain. He drove in from Vermont, me from CT. Both of us aging (gracefully) we each used an adjustable pair hiking sticks, which did come in handy both ascending and descending the hills. We found the trails were all very well maintained and well traveled. There's a system of trail markers and blazes to follow. Keep in mind bikes and horse are allowed, so hikers, keep your eye open and give way to wheels & hooves. The Summit House does have access too by vehicle, but (!) parking is very limited up top and DRC Rangers control traffic flow. We parked very close to Hockanum Road (Rte 47) and hiked up. Views at the Summit House stunning 360 degrees. If the House is open (seasonally) take time to tour the former residence and Lodge. View from the House decks are even better. My foot recently repaired foot & my buddies new hip passed the test!

Not a bad little park. Definitely follow yelps directions to get here cause if you ask your device…read moreit'll take you to a dead end spot. I've read other reviews about having to pay admission, I guess that's on some days? We didn't have to pay anything the day we went. Its about a 4 mile hike round trip if you start from the bottom. It's a steep climb too so if you're not use to it, you will get winded. The view at the top is worth it though. Definitely worth a hike at least once. At the top they have benches and grills to cook on, and of course the beautiful house with the 360 view.

Definitely do not miss a chance to see some spectacular views! It was a short and easy drive up to…read morethe observation deck. Plenty of parking, and a short walk gets you to a very clean and well maintained observation deck with 360 views from both levels. We were there in the summer and imagined how stunning the view would be with the leaves turning in the fall. A must see when in the area!

How can you not like a great view? I've been to Mt sugarloaf numerous times and always enjoy the…read morespectacular view. Well worth the $5 parking fee. No time limit. Great viewing tower on top with bathrooms and water fountains if you would like to walk the many trails going up. Also numerous picnic tables and stand alone grills to use. Cook lunch or dinner and enjoy the view. The beautiful day I was there a couple was getting married. If you've never had a great look at the pioneer valley take the time to drive or climb Mt. Sugarloaf and enjoy the spectacular view.

Now that the season is getting warmer, it's almost time to grab some beach chairs, a few hotdogs,…read moreand head over to Lake Wyola for a relaxing afternoon. This State Park is a great place to swim during the summer as well as spend time barbecuing with friends. Whenever we go we make it a point to show up early in the morning, set up shop, and do nothing for the rest of the day. They have a ton of different picnic areas and a centralized beach area with bathrooms and a food trailer. They also have space to play soccer and a few different horseshoe pits. The park also has some walking trails that provide a great space to connect with nature. A few things do need to be said about the park. The first is that you should plan to show up early on busy days such as holidays because at times there can be limited parking. The other interesting fact is that you should plan to have little to no cell service while at the park. This is great because it ensures that you won't be bothered, but good luck checking in.

It was beautiful! We got there around 3 or so on the 4th of July. People who had gotten there super…read moreearly were heading out, so we got lucky and found parking up the block. A guy let us park in his yard for $10. It was pretty filled up, but, it was still comfortable. Great sandcastle sand, clean bathrooms, and GORGEOUS scenery. We stayed until the lifeguards left at 6. The beach was open until 7:30 though. We will definitely be going again! We were so glad to have come across this gem.

A short walk from the parking area (equipped w an outhouse). Very well constructed stone and…read morewooden steps / stairways going gradually downhill. Hand railings help. Both upper and lower falls not very forceful in the dog days of summer, especially w little recent rain. Probably a better time to visit is spring. Still, very scenic and well shaded on a hot summer day. And there are many opportunities to cool off in the babbling brook! Note approx 130 steps total, broken off in sections. Not really handicapped accessible.

A gorgeous place to go for a hike, swim or picnic. It is free to enter, has free parking and a…read moreporto potty. The trails are clean. When I went there was a steady stream of people. I saw two small waterfalls. I enjoyed getting my fill for the day of nature here.

We went to the park today with a group of friends to go to the playground only. The kids ranged…read morefrom 18 months to 7 years old and everyone had a great time. There were both baby swings and regular swings. There were smaller play structures (a playscape and a couple things to climb) that were great for the toddlers. Then there was a large playscape, a treehouse, and another climber for the older kids. The large playscape and treehouse could still be used by the toddlers with extra supervision (there are some high places that they can fall from). The playground is in the shade too, great for hot days.

From the owner: Nonotuck Park is open the first Monday after Patriots Day to October 31st…read more In the heart of Easthampton lies its greatest asset. Nonotuck Park is a beautiful family friendly park located along side Nashawannuck Pond. In our park we have; Toteman Nature Trail Community Pool Water Spray Park Bocci Courts Basketball Courts Clay Tennis Courts Volleyball Court Playgrounds Softball and Baseball Fields and a 15 acre Soccer Complex Pavilions and Picnic sites for rent.

Look Memorial Park (aka Frank Newhall Look Memorial Park) is a privately run non-profit park that…read moreopened in Northampton, Massachusetts in 1930. Located in the village of Florence, the 150 acres of land were given to the City of Northampton by Mrs. Fannie Burr Look (widow of Frank Newhall Look). Mr. Look had been a long-time resident of Northampton and the chief executive of the Prophylactic Brush Company. Operation and maintenance are dependent upon the trust fund, visitor fees, grants, and gifts. Owned by the city but operated as a non-profit organization, Look Park receives no funding from the city or state. The park contains a number of notable features including walking paths, an outdoor amphitheater, tennis courts, baseball and softball diamonds, a miniature golf course, paddle boats, playscapes, a spray park, a wildlife center, a sweet shoppe, covered picnic areas, covered bridges, and a miniature railway. I recently visited Look Memorial Park with my family. I first visited the park last summer with my older son. We had so much fun that we decided to return this year with my wife and younger son. We first set out to visit the park's 5,000-square-foot spray park. It was a hot day and my two sons had a blast exploring the various ground jets, bucket dumps and water umbrellas. After a change of clothes, we explored one of the playscapes and the wildlife center. What we were most looking forward to was a ride on the park's miniature steamer train. Manufactured by Wichita, Kansas-based Chance Rides, the miniature train is a replica of the circa-1863 C.P. Huntington steam locomotive. The train runs every half hour on the weekends and rides last about 10 minutes. The train is transformed into 'Santa's Train' during the Christmas holiday season and it can also be rented for birthday parties. The train ride was easily the highlight of our park visit. We look forward to visiting Look Memorial Park again and again!

I planned a fun birthday picnic today, only to find out after paying to get into the park that half…read moreof the services were closed. I wish management would be more proactive about notifying incoming guests that many park services are closed before paying to get in. We also went to the sweet shop to get root beer floats, and paid $11 for two root beer floats that were actually half full. I would recommend the place for people looking to enjoy the scenery, but apart from that the experience was lacking.

I went off season after a wind storm so there was a lot of crunching down to get through the…read morerhododendrons leaning over the path in some spots so be aware of that. Wear sneakers! Bring bug spray if you're going when it's warm and not windy because the mosquitoes will carry you away if you don't. Ps they bloom in July, but it's still cool to see off season. Very impressive!

Lovely, short forest trails with the tallest, densest collection of rhododendrons we've ever seen…read more Natural growth of the trees creates canopies and archways you walk under on the mostly-flat dirt trails. Mucky in shady spots, roots and rocks pop up along the path, so watch your step. The rhododendrons bloom in July, and the state park seems to keep an updated blog so you can time your visit. It is a half-mile loop trail, Luxury porta-potties (mini cabins) for convenient pit-toilets. A few picnic tables in this very woodsy area. Carry-in, carry-out trash on the premises.