Greenfield, MA Road Trips

Poets Seat Tower Park, built in 1912, this sandstone lookout tower, was named after a long tradition of poets being drawn to the spot. Poets have long been inspired by the beautiful views of the Pioneer Valley from here. Greenfield Energy Park, +1 413-774-6051. Energy demonstrations, tree lined paths to walk and play on the kid's train. The park is a place to enjoy and learn about energy resources, natural environment, transportation alternatives, conservation practices and heritage preservation. 1 Historical Society of Greenfield, 43 Church St (Corner of Church and Union Streets), ☏ +1 413-774-3663. Open by appointment. There are 15 display closets, some of them lighted, plus five rooms of exhibits and a research library. Among the many exhibits tracing Greenfield's history are a large collection of industrial artifacts, period tools and objects belonging to author Mary P. Wells Smith, including her portrait, manuscripts and six of the original illustrations for her children's books, "Jolly Good Times" and "Young Puritans." Open Saturday mornings through the summer. (updated Feb 2017) Covered Bridge, Eunice Williams Drive. A 95-foot structure spanning the Green River in an area called the "Pumping Station." It was built in 1972 to replace a 100-year old covered bridge that was burned by vandals. Accessible from the east by Leyden Road and from the west by Colrain Road. 2 Artspace Community Arts Center, 15 Mill Street, ☏ +1 413-772-6811. (updated Feb 2017) Pioneer Valley Symphony and Chorus, +1 413-773-3664. Concerts are presented at Greenfield High School.

Vermont Renaissance Festival runs for 3 weekends in July in the Franklin County Fairgrounds. 1 Guiding Star Grange (Greenfield Contra Dance), 401 Chapman St, [email protected]. Most Friday and Saturday evenings. Greenfield is the top destination in western Massachusetts, and overall one of the top destinations anywhere, for contra dancing, an easy-to-learn and highly social traditional New England folk dance. They feature live music and instruction from a dance caller. Around $15, sliding scale. (updated Oct 2022)

1 Hope & Olive, 44 Hope St, ☏ +1 413-774-3150. Popular downtown restaurant that serves both brunch, lunch and dinner. (updated Feb 2017)

Greenfield is located at the intersection of Interstate 91 and Route 2 (The Mohawk Trail). 1 Greenfield station (John W. Olver Transit Center), 12 Olive St. Located downtown. (updated Oct 2023) Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. (updated Mar 2022) Routes stopping at Greenfield: Vermonter operates daily between St. Albans and Washington, D.C. including stops in Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier, White River Junction, Claremont, Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, New York City, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and New Carrollton. Valley Flyer operates twice daily between Greenfield and New Haven including stops in Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford.

There is only one taxi company in town, which is sporadic and unreliable. Lyft and Uber options are sparse and expensive, and travelers who come to Greenfield via bus or train should research their options in advance. Franklin Regional Transit Authority, 12 Olive Street, Greenfield. 8 AM - 6 PM. The FRTA is the regional transit authority for Franklin County, operating buses on several routes, all emanating from the John W. Olver Transit Center (JWO) in Greenfield. Routes go to Turners Falls, Orange, Shelburne Falls/Charlemont and Northampton. There is also a local route circling through Greenfield. Buses run during bankers' hours on weekdays; there is no evening or weekend service. (updated Feb 2021)