Greenfield, the county seat of Franklin County is a hub of arts, culture, and impressive cuisine. With a classic New England downtown area set amongst the rolling hills of Western Mass, Greenfield is home to a vibrant community with many small, locally-owned businesses. Conveniently located at the intersection of Interstate 91 and Route 2/The Mohawk Trail, residents of Greenfield love the town because it has a variety of restaurants, shops, markets, professional businesses, and yet still offers ways to get outside and enjoy nature.

Food & Dining

Right in downtown Greenfield, you’ll find Green Fields Market, part of the Franklin Community Coop, which offers healthy ready-made foods and locally-sourced grocery items. The Greenfield Farmers’ Market is another easy way to find local, fresh groceries every Saturday morning May through October. For affordable groceries anytime, Foster’s Supermarket is a family owned and operated grocery store within easy walking/driving distance to downtown Greenfield. For an evening out, there is a long list of great places to eat, such as Hope & Olive, a sibling-owned restaurant with creative cocktails, and The People’s Pint, a craft brewery with creative pub options. 

Arts & Culture

Greenfield is rich in arts and music, with many artists, galleries, music venues, and more. The Geissler Gallery at Stoneleigh-Burnham School, promotes successful and professional women artists to its students. The gallery offers four different exhibits throughout the year, and includes gallery talks when the artist speaks about her work and her career.

Ten Forward is a music venue which books diverse, eclectic, experimental, and world-class artists. Along with musical performances, they also host theater and dance events, film screenings, DJ nights, comedy, fundraisers and more. Another great spot to catch a live music show is Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center. Located in a beautiful historic building, Hawks and Reed has three performance halls and presents performing artists from around the world.

Get Outside

The Energy Park, an urban greenspace in downtown Greenfield is the town’s newest park. The park has sustainable energy exhibits such as solar panels, herb and native plant gardens, and a Boston and Maine railroad caboose with an exhibit inside. Plus, a bandstand is used for weekly concerts and other special functions.

To get the best view of the town, hike up to Poet’s Seat Tower, a sandstone observation tower on Rocky Mountain. The tower was given its name in honor of the long tradition of poets being drawn to that spot. There are a variety of trails to explore which offer views of the surrounding hills, the countryside, and the Connecticut River.

Griswold/GTD Conservation Area is also a great place to explore outside, with hiking trails, wetlands, grasslands, and open space.

Thinking of moving to Greenfield?

Check out available commercial and residential listings in Greenfield, Mass here.

Plus, there are only 2 available units left at Green River Commons, beautiful single level, sustainable, comfortable and net zero ready townhome condominiums. View them here!

--

If you are interested in learning more about the area and what each town has to offer click here to explore Franklin County or search for homes for sale by checking out Wanda's search page here. 

The Connecticut River Valley has some of the richest and most fertile soils around, which makes us fortunate to have plenty of wonderful farms in our own backyards. Take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy delicious fresh produce all summer long. Now is the time to sign up for a summer CSA/Farm Share. Here’s a list of some Franklin County [...]

Start Saturdays Fresh!

The Greenfield Farmers’ Market is opening in a different way this year. In order to keep the community safe while still offering local and fresh products, the Market has created important rules and guidelines for market goers. They feel that the measures they have put in place are above and beyond what other shopping [...]

As you all know, Governor Baker has issued an emergency order which requires all non-essential services to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers, and the public until May 4th. These businesses are encouraged to work remotely if possible. However, some businesses have been deemed “COVID-19 Essential” and are [...]

It’s easy to love Franklin County Massachusetts in good times, but it’s in these difficult times that the reasons to love our community are highlighted even more. So many local businesses have stepped up in the past few weeks with the outbreak of COVID-19. Some have done their part to protect our community by shutting their [...]

Purchase beautifully handcrafted pottery and art while supporting Artspace’s music and art programs at the same time. Over 30 talented potters and artists will be present, offering incredible unique items for purchase. While you shop, enjoy performances by Strings for Kids students. Also, there will be the opportunity to win door prizes, generously donated by the artists. 

The Pottery & More Sale will be held Friday, March 6 from 5 to 8 pm and Saturday, March 7 from 10 am to 3 pm at Greenfield Community College. More information at artspacegreenfield.com.

About Artspace

Artspace’s mission is to encourage and nurture the appreciation of and participation in the arts by offering programs and instruction, and by advocating the importance of the arts in education and in the community.

New this year, the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has created the Franklin County Gift Card! This one gift card allows cardholders to make purchases at various participating businesses around the county. So with one purchase you could give someone the gift of an adventure in Charlemont, art from Shelburne Falls, a massage in Greenfield, [...]

DiGeorge Builders has done it again. The transformation of this fabulous antique Cape is one you have to see in person to appreciate the quality workmanship and design. It is renovated top to bottom while keeping that old time charm you are looking for. The spacious, bright and sunny rooms enhanced by the beautiful wood floors makes this [...]

With the announcement of the closing of Wilson’s Department Store in downtown Greenfield, it feels like the end of an era for the town. Wilson’s has been a landmark business for about a century and in recent times has drawn in customers to shop at one of the last old-time department stores in the region. While the closing of the store is a [...]

For 25 years, CiderDays has been a Franklin County staple event of all things apple. Every first weekend in November, events pop up all over the area to appreciate and learn more about ciders, cidermaking, and orchards. There are cider tastings, workshops, and tours, hosted by various orchards, cideries, and other cider professionals. This year, CiderDays will be held November 1-3. Some of the events are free; others require tickets purchased in advance, such as the Cider Salon. 

The Cider Salons will once again be held in the large tent in Unity Park, Turners Falls. Sponsored by the United States Association of Cider Makers, the Salons will feature over 130 ciders from a range of producers around North America and Europe. Buy your tickets in advance for either Round 1 or Round 2 and enjoy the opportunity to sample ciders from near and far.

Some events will be happening throughout the weekend and you can drop in anytime to check them out. Check out an art exhibit at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls, 25 Years of CiderDays, which will display historic cider presses and images honoring cider producers. While you’re in Turners Falls, you can also stop by the official Cider Days Bookstore at Two Birds on Avenue for books about orchards and cider and even some author signings. Several tasting rooms will have their doors open to the public throughout the weekend, including West County Cider in Shelburne, Bear Swamp Orchard and Cidery in Ashfield, Headwater Cider in Hawley, and more. 

See the full list of tastings and other events happening throughout the weekend here and find everything you need to know about CiderDays at CiderDays.org

Happy CiderDays!