The Pioneer Valley offers a host of itinerary options year round. Add seasonal events including the 17-day Big E, Bright Nights at Forest Park, Holyoke's St. Patrick's Day Parade, Brimfield antique shows, Paradise City arts festivals and agricultural fairs, and you'll see the hardest part is deciding what to choose to include. http://www.valleyvisitor.com/en-usThu, 27 Oct 2011 08:43:31 -0400Contao Open Source CMS
DAY 1:
Prime Outlets at Lee: Spend the day moving from door-to-door with more than 50 top-name outlet stores for your shopping pleasure.

DAY 2:
Holyoke Mall at Ingleside: Western New England's largest shopping destination offering
close to 200 specialty shops, restaurants and department stores.

Thornes Marketplace, Northampton: 30 galleries, shops, studios and restaurants filling five floors of a century-old building in the heart of downtown Northampton.

The Log Cabin Banquet & Meeting House, Holyoke: Along with the best entertainment productions in the area, you'll enjoy a delicious meal served by an attentive staff. The Log Cabin offers exciting group tour opportunities.

DAY 3:
Yankee Candle Village, South Deerfield: Wrap up your shopping trip with a stop to the "theme park for candle lovers" - the Yankee Candle Flagship Store in South Deerfield. Browse through the Bavarian Christmas Village, lose yourself in the kitchen and home accessories shop, and don't forget about the endless selection of candles - even dip your own!

Richardson's Candy Kitchen, Deerfield: A trip to the Pioneer Valley wouldn't be complete without a stop for handmade chocolates and specialty candies.

Don't forget to book your overnight with any one of the Pioneer Valley's excellent lodging facilities!]]>http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/shop-til-you-drop.htmlThu, 30 Oct 2008 11:12:00 -0400http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/shop-til-you-drop.html
One Day Itinerary:
Quinnetukut II Riverboat Cruise, Northfield Mountain: Begin your day with a beautiful cruise on the Connecticut River - passing through the enchanting French King Gorge, and on to historic Barton Cove - home to nesting bald eagles and the site of a former dinosaur track quarry. An on-board interpreter narrates each cruise, offering information on the culture, habitats, and natural history of this spectacular stretch of river.

Historic Deerfield: A museum of New England history and art within the carefully preserved 330 year old western Massachusetts village of Deerfield, with 18th and 19th century museum houses, the Flynt Center of Early New England Life, dining and lodging at the Deerfield Inn and shopping at the museum store.

Cowls Lumber and Sawmill, North Amherst: Visit a classic New England sawmill. Learn about local, sustainedly-managed timberland and the wildlife, recreational and product benefits it provides. Watch logs turn into lumber and timbers. Visit the adjacent retail store.

Wistariahurst Museum, Holyoke: This National Historic Landmark was once the home of a prominent silk manufacturer and his family. The museum offers a lively schedule of historic house and group tours, concerts, exhibits, and garden workshops. Don't forget to book your overnight with any one of our excellent lodging facilities and choose from many great group-friendly restaurants around the Valley for your dining needs!]]>http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/water-wood-wistaria-sample-itinerary-in-the-pioneer-valley.htmlThu, 30 Oct 2008 11:11:00 -0400http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/water-wood-wistaria-sample-itinerary-in-the-pioneer-valley.html
One Day Itinerary:
Old Sturbridge Village • Live and learn in America's past! Costumed "Villagers," beautiful gardens, restored homes, farmland, water-powered mills, and craft shops. Expanded hands-on activities for all ages.

Holyoke Heritage State Park • The story of the Industrial Revolution and its affects on the "Paper City" are told through a number of different exhibits in the Visitors Center. In addition to the Center, be sure to take a ride on an authentic Merry-Go-Round or stop in to the Volleyball Hall of Fame for a visit with those who made this sport great.

Wistariahurst Museum • This National Historic Landmark was once the home of a prominent silk manufacturer and his family. The museum offers a lively schedule of historic house and group tours, concerts, exhibits, and garden workshops.

Lady Bea Cruise Boat • End your day with a scenic cruise on the Connecticut River from the Holyoke Dam to Northampton with its pristine waters, unspoiled views, sandy beaches and unmatched history.

Dockside Restaurant • After debarking from your cruise, you will experience a great meal against the panoramic views of the Connecticut River and the Holyoke Range beyond.

Don't forget to book your overnight with any one of our excellent lodging facilities and choose from many great group-friendly restaurants around the Valley for your dining needs!]]>http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/a-river-runs-through-it-a-pioneer-valley-itinerary.htmlThu, 30 Oct 2008 11:08:00 -0400http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/a-river-runs-through-it-a-pioneer-valley-itinerary.html
One Day Itinerary:
William Cullen Bryant Homestead - This National Historic Landmark was the estate of America's famed 19th century poet. Guided tours explore two centuries of family life and architectural changes.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art - Celebrating the art of the picture book including works by Eric Carle (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) and other picture book illustrators. Galleries, art studio, performances, and reading library.

National Yiddish Book Center - World's only museum devoted exclusively to modern Yiddish culture and literature. Performances, films, lectures, concerts, exhibits, galleries, English-language bookstore, and Yiddish book collection.

Emily Dickinson Museum - The Museum consists of two historic houses closely associated with the poet Emily Dickinson and members of her family during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The Homestead was the birthplace and home of the poet Emily Dickinson. The Evergreens, next door, was home to her brother's family. The Museum is dedicated to educating diverse audiences about Emily Dickinson's life, family, creative work, times, and enduring relevance.

Springfield Museums at the Quadrangle and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden • Visit one of the four museums on the grounds or spend time with Dr. Seuss' beloved life-size bronze characters set outdoors. Visit the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, the Grinch and his dog Max, Sam-I-Am, Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose, the Lorax and Yertle the Turtle!

Mark Twain House • Visit the 19-room Victorian mansion where Mark Twain lived, wrote and raised a family during the happiest and most productive years of his life.]]>http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/literary-legacies-an-itinerary-in-the-pioneer-valley.htmlThu, 30 Oct 2008 11:08:00 -0400http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/literary-legacies-an-itinerary-in-the-pioneer-valley.html
One Day Itinerary:
Quinnetukut II Riverboat Cruise • Begin your day with a beautiful cruise on the Connecticut River - passing through the enchanting French King Gorge, and on to historic Barton Cove - home to nesting bald eagles and the site of a former dinosaur track quarry. An on-board interpreter narrates each cruise, offering information on the culture, habitats, and natural history of this spectacular stretch of river.

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory • Indoor 8,000 sq. ft. conservatory is filled with nearly 4,000 live butterflies from all over the world. Educational programs, exhibits and displays, food court, gift and garden shops.

Look Memorial Park • Beautiful, 157-acre Victorian park featuring picnic facilities, steamer train, zoo, mini-golf, pedal boats on Willow Lake, walking paths and outdoor summer concerts in the Pines Theater.

Chester Hill Winery • The Chester Hill Winery carefully selects only the finest blueberries handpicked at the peak of their flavor to produce quality wines. Stop in for a free tour and tasting and the charming gift shop.]]>http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/a-nature-tour-a-pioneer-valley-itinerary.htmlThu, 30 Oct 2008 11:06:00 -0400http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/a-nature-tour-a-pioneer-valley-itinerary.html
One Day Itinerary:
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame • Come and experience the world's finest sports museum. With 70 monitors featuring entertaining and informative videos, dozens of exciting hands-on exhibits, a regulation size basketball court where you can play one-on-one, and more than 900 artifacts on display.

New England Air Museum - Visit the largest aviation museum in the Northeast! Learn about the men and women who built, flew and made history, and marvel at a one-of-a-kind flying boat.

Don't forget to book your overnight with any one of our excellent lodging facilities and choose from many great group-friendly restaurants around the Valley for your dining needs!]]>http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/riding-high-a-pioneer-valley-itinerary.htmlThu, 30 Oct 2008 11:06:00 -0400http://www.valleyvisitor.com/sample-itineraries/items/riding-high-a-pioneer-valley-itinerary.html