Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Holyoke is a city of about 38,000 people on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, western Massachusetts, a few miles north of Springfield. It was one of the first planned industrial cities in the United States: in the 1840s investors built a great dam across the river and a system of canals that powered dozens of mills.
By the late 1800s Holyoke was the largest paper-making center in the world, earning the nickname Paper City, and silk, textile and machinery mills filled its canals. In 1895 William G. Morgan invented volleyball at the Holyoke YMCA, and the city is home to the Volleyball Hall of Fame. Irish, French Canadian and later Puerto Rican communities shaped its neighborhoods, and its St. Patrick's Parade is one of the largest in the country.
Visitors start at Holyoke Heritage State Park with its vintage carousel and museums, then explore the canals, the Wistariahurst mansion and the dam's fish lift. Mount Tom State Reservation and the Dinosaur Footprints reservation offer outdoor trips, and Northampton is a short drive north.
A museum in the city where William G. Morgan invented volleyball in 1895, honoring the sport's greatest players and coaches with exhibits on its history, equipment and Olympic moments. It sits in Holyoke Heritage State Park. It is small, so plan about an hour; check hours before you go.
A state park beside the canals downtown with a visitor center explaining Holyoke's industrial history, plus lawns, walkways and several attractions grouped together. It is a good starting point for a visit. Parking is easy, and the Merry-Go-Round and Children's Museum are steps away.
A restored hand-carved carousel built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1929, which once ran at Mountain Park and now turns in its own building in Heritage State Park. Rides are cheap and the band organ adds charm. Check seasonal hours, as it is open fewer days in winter.
A children's museum in Heritage State Park with hands-on exhibits on building, science, art and pretend play, best for kids under about ten. It is next to the carousel, so families often combine the two. Check opening days and plan two hours for the museum and a carousel ride.
The mansion of the Skinner family, owners of a famous silk mill, filled with original furnishings, art and decorative details and named for the wisteria vines on its walls. It is now a city-run museum with tours and events. Check open days, and visit in late spring when the wisteria blooms.
A walkway along part of the historic canal system that powered Holyoke's paper and textile mills, with brick mill buildings, footbridges and signs on the city's industrial past. It is flat and easy. Start near Heritage State Park and continue past the old mills toward the river.
A fish lift at the Holyoke Dam that carries migrating shad, lamprey and other fish over the dam each spring. In season a viewing area lets visitors watch fish through windows. It usually opens in May and June; check current hours, and visit on a sunny weekday morning.
A state reservation on the Mount Tom range with miles of trails along cliff-top ridges, wide views over the Connecticut River valley, Lake Bray for fishing and picnic spots. Hawk watchers gather here in autumn. Bring sturdy shoes, and check for seasonal road closures and parking fees.
A small Trustees reservation on Route 5 along the Connecticut River, where a sloping slab of sandstone holds well-preserved footprints of dinosaurs that walked here in the early Jurassic, about 190 million years ago. Entry is free. Wear grippy shoes, as the rock can be slippery.
A Gothic Revival city hall built of granite in the 1870s, with a tall tower, stained glass windows and a grand auditorium. It is still the seat of city government and one of the most striking buildings downtown. Admire it from High Street, and step inside during business hours.
One of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades in the United States, held on a Sunday in March with bands, floats and huge crowds along the streets, preceded by a popular road race the day before. Book lodging early, arrive early to find a curbside spot, and dress warmly.
Top-rated local businesses in Holyoke, with real reviews on WiserMap.
No reviews yet. Been to Holyoke? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Holyoke? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photos
Massachusetts, United States
Massachusetts, United States
Massachusetts, United States
Massachusetts, United States
Massachusetts, United States
Massachusetts, United States
Massachusetts, United States
Massachusetts, United States
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: User:Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Susan Kelley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: JJBers, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Joseph Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Joe Mabel from Seattle, US, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joe Mabel from Seattle, US, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joe Mabel from Seattle, US, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joe Mabel from Seattle, US, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Joe Mabel from Seattle, US, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Susan Kelley, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Sasha Kopf, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Smokeybjb, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Taylo33p, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jon Platek, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Published by The Springfield News Company Tichnor Bros. Inc., Boston, Mass., Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Simtropolitan, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
