This spectacular monument is located in a grassy town green at the intersection of Main Street and…read morePark Street, It's on your left as you drive southbound on Route 10. The green has benches, a brick paved patio, and was decorated with dozens of small American flags surrounding the memorial. The memorial itself consists of three pieces. The main component is a huge double-sided monument for WW I and WW II and two smaller monuments; one each for Korea and Vietnam. The WW I -WW II monument is light gray granite with a center panel of ascending right angles (think of a wedding cake). To each side of the center are wings that fan outward. On the center panel of the WW I side are three bronze plaques that mirror the shape of the granite behind it. The top plaque's inscription reads: In Honor of those who served in the World War 1917- 1918 Twenty names follow a second inscription that reads "These gave their lives" The other 2 plaques are much larger and list the names of Easthampton's WW I vets. There are no plaques or inscriptions on the two wing panels. Horizontal granite slabs were added to create benches. The center panel of the WW II side also has three plaques. These are of a gorgeous brown background with crisp gold lettering. The top plaque reads "World War II". The second plaque reads "In Honor of those who served 1941-1945". Logos of the six service branches are next, followed by 61 names that "made the supreme sacrifice". The rest of the center panel, as well as the left and right wing panels are covered with full size plaques of all Easthampton's WW II vets. In front of the World War II side are two highly polished reflective black monuments; one for Korea on the left and Vietnam on the right. The Korean War monument has an engraved mark of North and South Korea bisected by the 38th parallel. The names, faces, and dates of three Easthampton vets who were killed in Korea are engraved on the monument. The words "Freedom is not free" are engraved at the bottom of the monument. The Vietnam monument is very similar. It also has a bisected map; this one of North and South Vietnam. The names, faces, and dates of five Easthampton vets who were killed in Vietnam are engraved on the monument. The words "See what we saw. Feel what we felt" are engraved at the bottom of the monument. It's a lot to take in. It's one of the most impressive memorials I have seen, The faces of the Korean and Vietnam vets really makes visiting the memorial a personal experience.

When in Worcester, this is one of those 'Roadside America' type stops you can make. Bancroft Tower…read morea giant 'folly' built to look like a castle. Located at the top of a steep hill, in a neighborhood, it's a pretty impressive site. There was snow on the ground when we visited and the pathways are not shoveled so if you go in winter, wear appropriate footwear. I'm not sure when the gates are unlocked to climb to the top, but there is a staircase and I bet the views from the top are stunning. A small parking area is across the street from the structure. A small sign limits parking to one hour and there is one trash can should you need it. There is also a sign that appears to be at a trailhead but with all the snow it's hard to tell. One word of caution: when we arrived there was one car in the parking area with two persons inside. When we got out of our car they got out of theirs. We walked toward the folly. They walked toward our vehicle. I took photos, but remained near the parking lot because suede shoes and snow do not make a good combination. After taking my photos, I turned around, they were just standing next to my car. As I stared at them, they turned and looked over the edge of the lot down the hill. I walked down the road a piece to get a different angle of the structure and always had my vehicle in view. They eventually got back in their car and drove away without visiting the folly or really even looking at it. After they left I walked over to see if there was anything they could actually be looking at down the hill and no, it was someone's home and a wooded hillside. Nothing there to attract attention. Just a situational awareness 'head up' to visitors. Otherwise, the folly really is lovely and it was decorated for the holidays too. It was a quick visit overall and we were on to the next stop. In summer it might make a good spot to family photos and perhaps a picnic if you bring a blanket to sit on.

A beautifully preserved piece of history! I would've liked to see a bit more information on a…read moreplaque to learn more about it, but it was still very beautiful! I'm very happy I went here, it's one of those things you stop for a few minutes just to stare at and then carry on with your drive. Not much to look at and it wasn't open to walk inside, but it's super admirable how well kept it is!! I'd love to come hang out here again

Not only is this art, it's useful art! This cute statue is also a donation station to help feed the…read morehungry in Northampton. Definitely keep some cash on hand so you can donate when you inevitably walk by. If you want to donate to the hungry but don't have cash, you can buy an art ribbon book mark at Broadside Books up the street with plastic. Their proceeds also go to a food based cause.

When you stroll through the streets of Northampton there is no telling what you'll see. In our…read morecase, one of the first things that caught our eye was this adorable statue of a reclining frog. It was stretched out over a concrete vault that held a coin slot, silently soliciting donations from passers-by to feed the homeless. The coin slot is cut into a door to the vault. The side of the vault has a brochure holder with information on homeless services and how to make a donation. The vault also has two bronze plaques. The one on the front states: "Feed the Frog Feed the Hungry" "All donations made to the "Happy Frog" bank will go directly to feeding the hungry of our community because Northampton cares." A plaque on the side acknowledges the frog's sculptor: "In gratitude to Lu Stubbs, Sculptor -2008-" What a perfect combination of creativity, art, community service, and charity, Yes, Northampton does care.

A ten-minute uphill walk to this tower that mental patients were ordered to build for physical…read moreactivity/to alleviate their illnesses. Sadly, when it was done, many started jumping off the top to their deaths, so of course I had to visit and see what this was like. Parked in the ski slope Farm Retreat parking lot and walked to the trailhead across the street. Worth seeing and hiking up to the tower as it's so quick, though you can't enter the tower/climb up it. Visitors put wildflowers at the base of the tower by the sealed door which was so nice. 5 stars!!!!

This is a really cool landmark to see in person, while it was locked up it was still amazing to see…read moreand we even made the small hike to see the cemetery as well.

If you're ever driving on Route 5 near the Springfield/Longmeadow line, be prepared to do a double…read moretake if you are lucky enough to spy this landmark. It has the epic name of Omiskanoagwiah, or "the Wolf People Medicine Man". It is fifteen feet of magnificent carved wooden awesomeness! It was carved from a single log by Hungarian born sculptor Peter Wolf Toth. It is just one of the sculptures in the "Trail of the Whispering Giant" series of over sixty sculptures across the US and Canada. Check out the details of the sculpture! He wears a feathered wolf headdress, he has long braided hair, and he sports an ornament on his chest. And for some reason there is a carved turtle on the sculpture too. There's a metal plaque on the stone base that reads: The Trail Of The Whispering Giants "Omiskanoagwiak" Wolf-People Medicine Man Dedicated to the: Pioneer Valley Indians Sculptor: Peter Wolf Toth Mayor Richard E. Neal Courtesy City of Springfield Park Commission Sponsor Joseph J. Deliso, Jr. November 18, 1984

Odd but interesting landmark along route 5. Just a quick detour off I91. If you like wooden…read moresculpture or native American art this might just be a spot for you to check out.

He was the first President born in the 20th century. he was one of the nation's youngest…read morepresidents. And for Americans of a certain generation, his death on November 22, 1963 was a shattering life event. The John F. Kennedy memorial plaza was funded by the parishioners of the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church in Holyoke and the memorial is located on front of the church. The memorial consists of a granite base and a bust of a youthful Kennedy. There are granite slabs flanking the memorial with quotes from his inaugural address and book "Profiles in Courage". Behind the memorial are granite blocks engraved with the names of recipients of the JFK award and the Grand Marshals of the St. Patrick's Day parade. The front of the base is inscribed: John Fitzgerald Kennedy 35th president of the United States May 29, 1917 Nov. 22, 1963 The back of the base has the presidential seal and the following inscription: John Fitzgerald Kennedy May 29, 1917 Nov. 22, 1963 The various inscriptions read: "And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country" inaugural address 1961 "All this will not be finished in the first hundred days, nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, but let us begin." inaugural address 1961 "A man does what he must -- in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and damages and pressures, and that is the basis of all human morality" "Profiles in Courage" 1955 "... let us go forth to lead the land we love asking his blessing and his help, but knowing that here on earth god's work must truly be our own." Inaugural Address 1961

Not the biggest or most interesting memorial park I've been to, but a nice little park non the…read moreless. I drive by often and have stopped here a couple times and I'm actually really impressed with how well kept the memorial area is. I wouldn't say this location is something worth making a special trip, but do stop in if you're in the area.

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument consists of two spectacular bronze sculptures that stand on the…read morefront steps at the entrance of Memorial Hall. As you stand in front of the building and face the front door, a sculpture of a sailor stands to the right of the door and a sculpture of a soldier stands to the left. Memorial Hall was built in 1872 to honor the memory of the 90 Northampton residents who perished during the Civil War. The building has served as a library and museum over the years. The soldier and sailor are dressed in period uniform. The soldier holds his rifle vertically and the sailor holds a telescope in his right hand. It's a very cool monument -you get the feeling that the soldier and sailor are standing guard outside of the building -ever vigilant and ever dutiful.

I came here on a fall afternoon as the sun was setting. It's a bit of a drive up to the castle from…read morethe entrance of the park but not too bad- about 10-15 minutes. I like that there are stairs inside the castle. What a beautiful view from the top! The foliage was a bit past peak but still gorgeous. It was windy and chilly but totally worth the views!

Yesterday my dog Brody and I decided to visit Castle Craig which is perfectly situated high above…read moreHubbard Park in order to gain a view of both the park and much of Meriden. Though this year's peak fall colors were muted and a bit past, it was still highly enjoyable.