Fire Pits, Outdoor Cooking Areas, Gazebos, and Pools in the Pioneer Valley

One of the biggest attractions of living in Franklin County and the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts is the ability to enjoy the outdoors. With scenic mountain views, wooded landscapes, and open farmland, many buyers are looking for homes that allow them to fully experience the natural beauty of the region.

Outdoor living spaces have become an important feature when selling homes in towns like Shelburne, Conway, Ashfield, Colrain, Deerfield, and Charlemont. Whether it’s gathering around a fire pit on a cool evening or cooking outdoors during the summer months, these features add both lifestyle appeal and value.

Here are some outdoor spaces that buyers love when searching for homes in Western Massachusetts.

Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV) stands as a central force for positive change in the Franklin and Hampshire Counties and the North Quabbin region of western Massachusetts. Founded on a mission to assist people with low incomes in achieving stability and security, CAPV ensures that everyone in the Pioneer Valley community has the [...]

This scenic tour explores the eastern portion of the Mohawk Trail, beginning in Greenfield. 

Greenfield to Deerfield

Start your journey with a sunrise view from Poet's Seat Tower in Greenfield. Drive east on Main Street to High Street and follow the signs to reach the tower. Return to Main Street (Route 2A) and head west, then turn left [...]

History and Industry

Situated in Franklin County, Massachusetts, Leyden carries a historical legacy dating back to its settlement by colonists in 1737. The town draws its name from Leiden, Netherlands, where Pilgrims sought refuge before embarking on their journey to the Americas. During the eighteenth century Leyden's had several diverse [...]

Franklin County locals adore the natural beauty that surrounds them. There are so many incredible spots where you can fully embrace nature and soak in the breathtaking views of the valley. With plenty of hiking trails to choose from, you can get a fantastic workout while enjoying the great outdoors. Check out these beloved local hiking [...]

Whately lies on the southern border of Franklin County, north of Hampshire County and is bisected by Interstate 91. Whately has been and continues to be a mainly agricultural area with commercial crops including apples, cider, hay, maple products, tobacco, and vegetables. With so many farms around, you can find a lot of delicious, fresh [...]

Enchanting country estate surrounded by 144 secluded acres overlooking breathtaking pastoral views of an open meadow, majestic maple trees and mountain vistas. This magical setting was once home to renowned artist, A. Hale Johnson where his meticulous rural & nautical paintings were created.  The grounds are a perfect display of mature [...]

The Pioneer Valley is well known for its fertile lands which provide the best conditions to grow a variety of delicious fruits and veggies. The best place to get these products from the farm to your table is at the local farmers’ markets. As summer approaches, many local markets are already in full swing. There, you’ll find locally grown [...]

Each month, Mass Audubon posts the Outdoor Almanac with a list of things to look out for in the weeks ahead. Here is the Outdoor Almanac for October. There are a lot of interesting animals and happenings in the sky to keep an eye out for this month.

A truly exciting event happening this month is the full moon on Halloween. This full moon is also considered a blue moon because it is the second full moon in a calendar month. We won't have another blue moon on Halloween until 2039! See below for more tips on what to find this month in the outdoors.

Information taken from Mass Audubon's website, www.massaudubon.org.

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August is a wonderful time of year in Western Mass, when the days are still warm, but the nights start to cool down a bit more. While the usual country fairs will be missed this year, there are still plenty of ways to take advantage of all that Western Mass has to offer in the summer. [...]