Beyond Campus

A student overlooking the Pioneer Valley on Mountain Day

Student Experience
Beyond Campus

Beyond Campus

Mount Holyoke is located in one of New England’s most beautiful and intellectually vibrant regions.

Exploring our region

We know you’ll love our campus. But we also know that, as a Mount Holyoke student, you’ll want to explore everything that’s around. There’s a lot to see and do, and here are just some of the ways you can expand your Mount Holyoke experience beyond the Gates and around the region.

South Hadley

South Hadley, Mount Holyoke’s home since 1837, features restaurants, coffee shops, the renowned Odyssey bookstore and plenty of New England charm.

Meet our neighbors

Explore the Connecticut River Valley

Whatever sparks your interest outside of class, you’ll find it in western Massachusetts. Grab a bite to eat off campus, explore a nearby museum, go on a hike with friends or find a new favorite bookstore.

Mount Holyoke College neither directly nor indirectly endorses any product or service listed. Please exercise all due caution when traveling to or participating in outdoor activities.

is Mount Holyoke College’s on-campus café, serving Indigo Coffee and organic, fair trade and kosher food and treats.

IYA Sushi and Noodle Kitchen in the Village Commons
serves beverages and more just off campus at the Village Commons in South Hadley.
Need a broader range of coffee options? EaterBoston has a whole guide to .
Other popular restaurants in the Village Commons include , , and Batch Ice Cream.
Take your partner on a fancy date at .
Or go on an even fancier date at the James Beard Award–nominated .
Another James Beard Award nominee is in Easthampton.
Catch a ride with a friend to in South Hadley for great Japanese and Korean food.
Car access can also get you to nearby Northampton, where student favorites include and. Top off your meal with a trip to and a dish of M&C's - Mount Holyoke's own ice cream flavor.

Find your favorite slice at Antonio's Pizza in Amherst
Ride the bus to Amherst to enjoy delicious Italian food at , authentic Mexican food at , a slice of pizza at or addictive baked goods at . Don't forget to stop at for some cider donuts, local produce or other baked goods to bring back to your room.
Looking for a new restaurant favorite? Food-focused blogs such as and have lists for you.

A 2022 exhibit of work by vanessa german in the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum

The right on campus has over 17,000 works of art and objects of material culture. Nearby Smith College also has its own . Students at the Five Colleges — including Mount Holyoke College — have free admission.
The in Amherst is a popular choice when you want to remember your favorite childhood books.
The offer five different museums on the same campus featuring classical art, modern art, science, history and a museum dedicated to famous former Springfield resident Dr. Seuss.
Belle of Amherst and Mount Holyoke alum .
The in Amherst is a one-of-a-kind resource for Jewish culture in Northampton, offering a wealth of books, classes and clubs.

The entrance of the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in Springfield
and both hold concerts multiple times a year.
If you’re here over the summer, check out who’s performing at in the nearby Berkshires.
Relive your childhood dream by seeing and touching real along the Connecticut River in Holyoke or at the (Amherst College).

A walking trail on the Mount Holyoke College campus — One of the walking trails on campus

Join Mount Holyoke College’s to meet other students who enjoy the outdoors as much as you do.
Many ��ý students love to hike, and there are many great hiking options nearby. Mount Holyoke College has three walking trails right on campus. in Holyoke has 22 miles of trails for all experience levels. Nearby offers breathtaking views of the Connecticut River Valley and is the home of Mt. Holyoke, our Mountain Day destination. offers more than 30 miles of blazed trails across a seven-mile mountain ridge line.
in Agawam provides walk-in horseback trail rides six days a week.
Need to go for a swim? The valley has tons of .
Bike trails stretch across the Connecticut River Valley. Thetravel.com offers .

Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club in Springfield
Learn rowing, dragon boating and kayaking at the in Springfield.
Though not exactly the great outdoors, in Hadley is a good rainy-day substitute for rock climbing.
It’s outside the Connecticut River Valley, but not by much. The Berkshires area of western Massachusetts has .
is a good spot for fall activities.

A collection of books in the Odyssey Bookshop in the Village Commons

Mount Holyoke College’s houses more than 800,000 books, and, as part of the Five College library system, students have access to many more.
is South Hadley’s local public library and part of the CW Mars Library network, a consortium of 140 libraries that stretches from the Berkshires to the MetroWest region of Massachusetts.
, an independent bookstore in the nearby Village Commons, carries Mount Holyoke College–themed merchandise and books by our faculty, staff and alums, in addition to a wide selection of every genre you can think of.

A display of books outside Raven's Books in nearby Northampton
sells new and used tomes, just a short bus ride away.
Other student favorites include in Easthampton, the in Montague and in Northampton.
Find your next great read using this .

including talks, conferences, concerts and performances are always taking place right on the Mount Holyoke College campus.

Tower Theaters in the Village Commons in South Hadley
Our partners in the Five College Consortium are also pretty happening. Check out what’s going on at the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s , and take a look at their calendars, Smith College’s calendar, Hampshire College’s calendar and Amherst College’s calendar.
in the nearby Village Commons plays two cinematic attractions, with showings every afternoon.
Other nearby movie theaters include Cinemarks in and .
in Holyoke is a cultural center for events, entertainment, dining, art-making, teaching and learning.
In nearby Northampton there’s the that books nationally known comedians, bands, performers and more.
has numerous opportunities for entertainment, including its own movie theater, bowling alley, concert venue, symphony hall, comedy club, indoor golf facility and several different restaurants and bars — not to mention the casino, if you’re feeling lucky.
Many farmers markets thrive near Mount Holyoke College. .
has a huge outpost in nearby Deerfield, where you can learn about how candles are made, dip your own and buy any of their signature scents to freshen up your residence hall.
Get your thrills on at nearby .
in Springfield is a great place to while away the day, with beautiful landscaping, an and Bright Nights, a huge in the wintertime and even its own .

The Basketball Hall of Fame in nearby Springfield
The is the place to find trinkets and treasures galore.
Learn more than you ever thought there was to know about basketball at Springfield’s , and stick around afterward to play on their huge, multi-hoop court.
Never get bored with this exhaustive list of events and attractions at .