I found the Eric Carle Museum a bit underwhelming for the price. I also wasn't really sure who the…read moretarget audience was. The museum has two galleries, a paint room, a library, and an auditorium. Personally, I could spend a decent amount of time reading through the gallery exhibits, but younger kids can't really see or reach a lot of them, so I think they'd get bored pretty quickly. There are a few interactive activities like creating your own recipe or using the peg boards but they felt a little gimmicky rather than being a core part of the experience. The paint room was probably the highlight for kids since there were lots of supplies and things to create, but I didn't see anything my son couldn't already do at home. With that said, kids could probably spend an hour or more here so it should definitely keep them busy. That's kind of where the museum confuses me. I thought this was aimed at younger kids but many of the exhibits are better appreciated by adults. At the same time, older kids will probably find the children's activities too basic. It ends up feeling like it's trying to appeal to everyone without fully committing to one audience. Admission should be much cheaper or donation based. If you're visiting the area, check with your local library first because many libraries offer free passes, and that's definitely the way I'd recommend going. Ironically, I think I'd enjoy coming back by myself more than with my kids. I'd take my time going through the galleries and learning about Eric Carle's work. With young kids though, I found myself feeling rushed because they weren't really engaged. I could also see it being a worthwhile visit for aspiring writers, illustrators, or anyone interested in children's literature.

I came here by myself a few weeks ago. I was shocked by how few exhibits there were and now small…read morethey were. I was expecting them to have more on display about his life, artistic process and some of his more famous books. They had a studio and library which would be fun it you brought a child. The overall vibe was charming and very much in the spirit of his books. I just wouldn't go out of my way to go here. The gift shop and info wall about his life was the best part.

The Beneski Museum of Natural History is on the Amherst College campus and is one of those smaller…read moremuseums that consistently surprises visitors who arrive without strong expectations. We walked into a building that is modern and elegantly designed, spotlessly maintained, and organized in a way that made navigation intuitive across the three floors. The collection spans three floors and covers fossils, dinosaur skeletons, mineral and gemstone specimens, and an extensive dinosaur track collection with particular connections to the Connecticut River Valley, which produced some of the most significant dinosaur trackways in North America. The dinosaur material is the centerpiece. Two full mammoth skeletons, a T. rex skull, and a range of other fossil specimens give the collection a visual impact that larger natural history museums with more resources and more famous specimens would be proud to have. The dinosaur tracks are a specific strength and the connection to local geology adds a regional dimension that makes the collection feel distinct rather than generic. Staff and professors associated with the collection were present and willing to answer questions in depth, which gave our visit a more engaged quality than a self guided tour at a larger institution typically offers. The museum is free and open to the public, which makes it an easy addition to any visit to the Amherst area without any planning required. For a small college museum that delivers a world class fossil collection in a beautiful modern space, the Beneski Museum of Natural History is a hidden gem in western Massachusetts and well worth a stop. It is the kind of place where you go in for a quick look and end up spending an hour without realizing it.

It's is such a gem! A must see. It's a free museum with a room full of mammal fossils, another of…read moredinosaurs, and a hallway of rocks and gems. You can easily spend an hour or more here, which makes it a perfect stop especially if you're looking for something indoors on a hot or cold or wet day. Our kids enjoyed the exhibits, the free stickers, and the dino toys they got to explore at the front desk.

Cute little museum that is currently free for an anniversary year with exhibits on the town's 1704…read moreraid, music, architecture, ceramics, etc. from the town (and region's) history. There's a lot of cool artifacts including a door that got slashed during the raid. There are a lot of rooms so it's actually quite a diverse collection and worth an hour-ish of your time. The gift shop doesn't have much in the way of souvenirs, but if you're in the area, it's a nice but small museum to visit.

This IS the place! Don't waste your time or money at the 'fancy' history center a block away. Three…read morecount em THREE FLOORS of treasures galore! Quilts, Barbies, history OH MY! two of the kindest docent gents imaginable, a gift shop full of vintage and antiques!! feed the donation kitty!

Way. Better than what's nearby at the mall. Plenty of room and friendly folks at the concessions…read more Just wish Spielberg movie was less disappointing.

Great place, comfortable theatre, very fun day for all the kiddos...grownups too. Another plus:…read moregreat popcorn!

Grounds are lovely. Home is as well maintained as funding allows…read more Please donate to the preservation of this home.

As someone who has loved and cherished Emily Dickinson's poetry my entire life, I hate to leave…read moresuch a bad review, but it was my honest experience. So, they strongly recommend you order your tickets online to make sure there is enough availability, so I did. However, when we got to the museum, they said something along the lines of our tickets being invalid for some reason. We were a party of elderly and disabled people so if something went wrong on their online system or the ticket order wasn't processed correctly we should not be punished. They refused to let us in, but at least we could walk around the grounds for free, and they were truly very lovely; unfortunately, the people who run the museum are not.

We always love supporting the local independent cinema. Clean, great selection of films, nice…read morestaff.

This movie theatre is one of the best places on the planet. They show niche movies, they show…read morecurrent movies, and their cult classic nights always ensure a full house. I know they partner with Amherst College's film club as well. They host special screenings with talks beforehand. The theaters range from small to super small and intimate, offering a unique viewing experience that no other place in the area can provide. This cinema is ensuring the film doesn't die and that no one is left behind. They were particularly influential in my film journey because of all the international films that they show. I've seen Norwegian, Brazilian, French, and Japanese movies to name a few. Thank you for such a great experience and I hope to return sometime soon. Please visit and become a member if you can!

They no longer have the lounge but the Friday night $5 shows remain the best deal around if you…read morewant to see a range of performers.

Re: performance: So funny. They often include audience participation, which makes the performance…read moreway more fun. And they don't resort to "dirty jokes " to get a laugh.

This is a two part review…read more The first part is a review of the station museum itself. Chester is home to a railroad station that has been lovingly restored and now houses lots of information, exhibits, and memorabilia about the railroad history of the area. Outside of the station are several boxcars painted for local trains which contain more exhibits and a children's play area. There is also an adjoining caboose which is used as a kitchen for catered events. Also on the property are a tank car, a caboose (more on than below), and a small steam locomotive. As static displays they are okay, but they do add to the experience. There is a yard around the station that is fun for kids to run around on, and across the street is a quarry exhibit. The second part of the review is the caboose which you can rent for $70 or less a night. It is a rustic caboose but contains comfortable padded bunks and screened windows. Stored away are various treasures such as: a small A/C unit; a small space heater; a box fan; camping chairs; desk lamps and extension cords; a writing desk complete with local history books; firewood and cardboard for campfires; a deck of cards; bug spray; beach umbrella; a folding bed extension to turn the bunks into a double bed; WIFI; plates/cups/silverware; etc. There is no guarantee that everything will be here when you stay as some were left behind by previous guests, but the point is that the caboose offers many things to make guests comfortable. A bathroom facilities complete with shower is located in the station building located next door. A barbeque grill is outside. Warning: trains run throughout the day and night, sometimes every hour or two. They are loud enough to wake you, and they cause the caboose to rumble. It is an exciting (or annoying) experience! As a railfan I loved it but can easily understand why it isn't for everybody. This is a small town station in a small town. The caretaker lives nearby and is super friendly. I loved coming here and exploring the area, and staying in the caboose exceeded my already-high expectations. I can't wait to come back!