10 Fun Places To Go With Friends Near UMass Amherst
College is meant to be one of the best moments of your life. And that’s not going to happen by sitting in your dorm all day watching The Office for the third time. It’s time to get out and explore the area around you. So if you’re bored in Amherst, here are 10 fun things to do around the town.
Go for a Hike!
Western Massachusetts is the perfect place to enjoy the scenery, and there’s plenty of places to do it. From Mount Sugarloaf to Mount Tom, there are over hundreds of trails to choose from. They range from beginner to difficult and feature all different landscapes. During the autumn months, be sure to hike up high to see the fall foliage from up above. Western Massachusetts is one of the most wonderful places in America to see the leaves change colors before they fall off the branches, so take advantage of it while you’re here!
Check Out a New Movie
The Cinemark in Hadley is the perfect place to be on a cold or rainy day (which happens a lot in Amherst)! Grab a bucket of popcorn and your favorite candy before you go check out a new movie!
Go Rock Climbing!
The Central Rock Gym, located in Hadley, is open every day of the week for people to climb the walls! With over 24,000 square feet of climbing terrain and 120 stations to climb on, you could fill a whole day at this gym. If you need something to do for a day, purchase the day pass; or you could return time and time again with a membership. Whether you’re an experienced climber or it’s your first time, Central Rock Gym will definitely be a great time.
Relax at Puffer’s Pond
Puffer’s Pond is a beautiful area in North Amherst to relax with friends, walk around the pond, or even take a swim (if it’s warm, of course). During the summer, there are people laying on their towels in the sand, taking their dogs for a walk, or just soaking up the warm sun. But summer isn’t the only time to enjoy Puffer’s Pond; every season brings something special to the area. In the fall, the foliage is so beautiful, it will leave you in awe. During the winter, the pond turns to ice, while the waterfall continues to roar. And once spring comes around, Puffer’s Pond becomes full of life again, waiting for new visitors to come and enjoy what it has to offer.
Roller Skating
Inside the Hadley Mall is an entire roller rink! Interskate91 is a fun place if you need to get some energy out. They have different themes every night which creates a new experience every time. On Tuesdays, you can skate for only $2, while Throwback Thursday nights music is played from the 80s and 90s to dance along to.
Shop Around Northampton
Northampton is only a short drive or bus ride away from Amherst, and has so much to see and do! From restaurants to breweries and bars to farmer’s markets, there’s plenty of great places to eat and drink. Some of the best rated include Jake’s Restaurant, Amanouz Cafe, Fitzwilly’s, and the Eastside Grill. But Northampton has even more to offer than food; Smith College is a prominent school in Northampton that has both museums and botanical gardens to walk around and enjoy. If you’re in the mood for a shopping spree, Northampton has an incredible downtown to shop through vintage stores, boutiques, and more!
Laser Tag
Just when you thought the Hadley Mall already had enough to offer… there’s laser tag! At Laserblast, you and your friends can team up or fight against each other with laser guns. This is a fun activity to do with a group of friends, as long as you don’t resent each other afterwards!
The Quarter’s Arcade
The Quarter’s Arcade is the perfect place to enjoy vintage arcade games while enjoying great food and drinks. This place has 20+ retro games that you can’t find anywhere else in the area. They have all kinds of tasty munchies like mac and cheese bites, fried pickles, and tater tots. In addition, they have homemade lemonades and teas and cocktails. If you and your friends just can’t figure out something to do, The Quarter’s Arcade is the perfect place to try something a little different.
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens
If you enjoy nature, you’ll love Magic Wings! This conservatory has nearly 4,000 native and tropical butterflies year-round, while also home to many familiar and exotic plants. If you spend a day here, you might be lucky enough to have a butterfly land on you, which is quite common in a conservatory. This is the perfect place if you need a day of peace and relaxation amongst nature’s wonders. Magic Wings features the conservatory, as well as outdoor gardens, food court, and a gift shop.
Bowling
Yup, you guessed it, there’s even MORE at Hadley Mall: Bowling! Pinz is an awesome bowling alley and arcade where you can find plenty of students during the week. Pinz has 16 bowling lanes surrounded by neon lights and a giant screen playing your favorite music videos and television shows. Even better, there are food and beverage services for every lane! When you’re done, check out there arcade filled with modern games to play for even more fun. Pinz Arcade just recently added Ax Throwing to their list of fun things to do, so check out your throwing skills if you’re brave enough! If you can plan ahead, Pinz has different themed nights: Half-prices Mondays, Game On Tuesdays, Wicked Cheap Wednesdays, Nacho Average Thursdays, Kingspin Saturdays, and Social Sundays!
