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Westfield is a city of about 40,000 people in Hampden County, western Massachusetts, set in the valley of the Westfield River about ten miles west of Springfield, with the Berkshire foothills rising to the west. Settled in the 1660s as a frontier trading post, it became a busy manufacturing town in the 1800s.
Westfield was once the whip-making capital of the world, earning the nickname Whip City, and a whip factory still operates here. The city's past is told at the Westfield Athenaeum, a historic library with the Jasper Rand Art Museum and the Edwin Smith Historical Museum. Westfield State University adds students and events, and the old canal railroad bed is now the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail, which crosses the river on a long bridge.
Green spaces are a highlight: Stanley Park, a large private park open to the public with gardens, a carillon tower and ponds, plus Grandmother's Garden and Hampton Ponds State Park. Springfield, Northampton and the Berkshire hill towns are all within easy reach.
A large private park open free to the public, with a rose garden, a Japanese garden, ponds with footbridges, walking trails and a 96-foot carillon tower. It is a favorite for weddings and family photos. Visit in June for the roses, and check the summer schedule for carillon concerts.
A small city garden laid out in an old-fashioned style, with formal flower beds and paths tended by volunteers. It blooms from late spring through summer and is a popular spot for photos and quiet strolls. It is free to visit and takes little time, so pair it with a stop at Stanley Park.
A paved rail trail that runs through Westfield on an old railroad bed, raised above downtown streets and crossing the Westfield River on a long bridge. It is flat and popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. Park near downtown, and stop on the river bridge for views of the water.
Westfield's historic public library, which also houses the Jasper Rand Art Museum with changing exhibits and the Edwin Smith Historical Museum with local history collections. It is free to visit. Check the hours of the galleries, and look at the old library building on Elm Street.
A state park on a chain of ponds in the north of the city with a swimming beach, a boat launch, picnic areas and shore fishing. It is busy on summer weekends. Bring a kayak or canoe, come early on hot days, and check state park parking fees and beach hours before visiting.
A hands-on children's museum in Westfield with play areas on themes like trucks, a pretend market, art and science, aimed at children up to about age ten. It sits next to the Amelia Park ice rink and garden. Check opening days and plan an hour or two of indoor play.
A public university founded in 1838 by Horace Mann as one of the first teacher-training schools in the country to admit women and men together. Its hilltop campus hosts sports, concerts and talks open to the public. Check the campus events calendar, and park in visitor areas.
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Log in to add photosPhoto: Jeff Jason II (jeffjason.com) AKA UmassThrower (talk), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
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Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Daderot, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Pi.1415926535, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
