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Massachusetts portion of the Connecticut River Valley, US
Photo: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
The Pioneer Valley is the region around the Connecticut River valley in Western Massachusetts. It is a very diverse travel destination, featuring urban, college town, and natural areas in close proximity. The Pioneer Valley's largest city is Springfield. The three counties of the Pioneer Valley from north to south are Franklin County, Hampshire County and Hampden County.
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By plane
The closest major international airport serving the Pioneer Valley area is Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut - 12 mi south of Springfield (and equidistant to…
By train
Rail service via Amtrak is available to Springfield as well as Amherst via the Vermonter.
By bus
Peter Pan Bus is headquartered in Springfield, and is one of the East Coast's major bus carriers. Greyhound/Peter Pan bus service is available to Springfield and many other Pioneer Valley cities.
The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) is the region's reliable and extensive public transport system. Its service extends from Springfield in the south to Amherst, 20 mi north of Springfield.
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Hartford · International · BDL
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A famous college town, home to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst College, and Hampshire College. It features the Emily Dickinson house.
a revitalizing mill city between Springfield and Northampton; home of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame, as the Olympic sport was invented there in 1895. Also features the Mount Tom Range, several Olmsted Brothers designed parks, the Wistariahurst Museum, a unique historical canal system, and the Holyoke Dam.
A bohemian college town, artists' colony, and LGBT mecca; home of Smith College.
The economic, cultural capital of Western Massachusetts and the 4th largest city in New England. Basketball was invented there in 1891. Springfield is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame, the Springfield Armory National Park, three universities, Forest Park, and numerous other cultural and entertainment options.
Charlemont is a town in Franklin County, in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts.
Deerfield is a small town in Franklin County in western Massachusetts. It is home to Deerfield Academy prep school.
Erving is a town in Franklin County, in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts.
The northern hub at the start of the Mohawk Trail.
Visit the Montague Bookmill, a grist mill from 1834 now operated as a bookstore and cafe.
Famous for the Bridge of Flowers and the historic trolley museum.
Cummington is a town in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts.
East Hampton is a town on Long Island in New York. It is the eastern half of The Hamptons.
which has no colleges but is geographically between Amherst, Northampton, and South Hadley.
Home to the United States' first women's college, Mount Holyoke College, and Skinner State Park.
Blandford is a town in Hampden County, Massachusetts.
Brimfield is a small town in Hampden County in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts It is most famously known for the Brimfield Antique Show.
Chester is a town in Hampden County, in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts.
Granville State Forest
This small town on the Scantic River is the home of Thornton Burgess.
Holland is a small town in Hampden County in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts. It borders on Central Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Ludlow is a town in central Massachusetts, about a 15- to 20-minute drive to downtown Springfield.
Across the Connecticut River from Springfield, it features Six Flags New England.
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