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Nature|Mountains

This Epic Mountain In Massachusetts Will Drop Your Jaw

Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, offers diverse outdoor activities and stunning views, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

Published Apr 24, 2016

Written by 

Sophia

Mt. Greylock is one of the most magnificent natural treasures in Massachusetts. Located in the town of Adams, this peak is the highest point in Massachusetts. Standing tall at 3,489 feet, Mount Greylock towers over the surrounding landscape. Mount Greylock State Reservation was actually Massachusetts' first park meant to conserve and protect our state's natural woodlands. But why should YOU visit Mount Greylock? Simple: if you even have a passing interest in the outdoors, this mountain has something for you.

There are over 70 miles of trails that can be used for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and even snowmobiling. Two different campgrounds are available for those looking to spend the night under the stars.

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Flickr/Jack Amick
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Flickr/Nigel Munoz
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Flickr/MOTT

If flora and fauna are what you're all about, then Mount Greylock definitely delivers. The mountain is a great spot for birdwatching and butterfly observation, and is host to some of the most beautiful and varied wildflower fields in the state. Hunting is also permitted in season.

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Flickr/Nigel Munoz

Breaking a sweat not your thing? That's cool too. You can drive on up to the summit where you'll be rewarded with a 360-degree view of FIVE states. One of the most popular times to take in the view from the top is definitely during the autumn. The seemingly endless swathes of gold and scarlet foliage are truly breathtaking.

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Flickr/Kim Carpenter

Members of the armed forces will appreciate the Massachusetts Veterans War Memorial Tower, which stands like a lighthouse at the summit of Mount Greylock.

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Flickr/MOTT

If you end up loving the mountain life too much to leave, but you don't feel like hitching a tent, visitors can also spend stay in historic Bascom Lodge. Built in the 1930s, this place was constructed using only materials found on the mountain itself, like Greylock schist and red spruce.

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Flickr/MOTT

This mountain is Massachusetts' own personal Everest. Natives and tourists alike should definitely make time to conquer its summit and take in the beauty of this state from its loftiest perch.

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Nature|Mountains

Wachusett Mountain is the Perfect Massachusetts Winter Travel Destination

Published Dec 13, 2023

Written by 

Kim Falchek

Do you love to get out and enjoy winter sports? Unfortunately, 2023 didn’t bring much snow to Massachusetts. However, the Farmers Almanac predicts a very different story for winter 2024. If you are looking for a fun place to enjoy all this snowy weather, you don’t have to drive very far. Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, Massachusetts is a wonderful place to enjoy a winter day! If you grew up in New England as I did, you probably recognize the Wa-Wa-Wachusett jingle!

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Wachusett Mountain is less than an hour’s drive from Boston, so it is a perfect place for a day trip or a quick weekend getaway. You can also take the commuter rail straight from Boston’s North Station to the nearby Wachusett stop. From there, you can easily get to the ski area via shuttle bus or Uber.

A group of skiers stands on a snowy slope, overlooking a frozen lake and forested landscape in the background.
Management/Tripadvisor

The resort has eight lifts and 27 trails. The trails range from easy to black diamond, offering great skiing for all levels.

A group of four skiers on a chairlift, wearing colorful ski gear, enjoying a winter day in the mountains.
Management/Tripadvisor

The ski area makes its own snow and the trails are fresh and white, even when the weather is clear.

A snowy ski resort with a lift station, surrounded by trees and a colorful sunset in the background.
Management/Tripadvisor

Wachusett is a fantastic place to learn to ski. The mountain offers a variety of lessons for beginners as well as more advanced skiers. Kids can start as early as age four.

A snowy ski slope with people skiing and snowboarding, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky.
Massachusetts Office Of Travel & Tourism/flickr

Private and adaptive lessons are also available.

You can also learn to snowboard here.

A snowboarder performs a trick on a rail in a snowy terrain, surrounded by trees.
Management/Tripadvisor

The ski area also offers several really good places to eat. There is a food court, wine bar, coffee shop, waffle cabin, and full-service restaurants. A favorite place for a cozy treat is the Bullock Lodge Cider House (operated by Red Apple Farm).

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Cozy rustic interior of a shop with wooden beams, stone fireplace, and a counter displaying various products.
Brian-Logan Reid/Google Reviews

The quaint building was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

Have you skied Wachusett before? What did you think of the trails? More information about the mountain, rentals, and lessons can be found on the Wachusett Mountain website and the Wachusett Mountain Facebook page. Although Wachusett does not have onsite lodging, you can still make your visit into a fun-filled getaway. The nearby Colonial Hotel is a wonderful place to stay for the night.

If you like outdoor winter sports, Nashoba Valley Ski Area and Ski Butternut are two other great local winter spots to explore.

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Nature|Mountains

Underneath This Massachusetts Mountain Lies A Creepy Yet Amazing Secret Bunker

Updated Oct 6, 2023

Written by 

Sophia

Few people know that just outside the town of Hadley, a Cold War secret lies buried beneath the earth. Incredibly, a massive underground bunker is built into the side of Bare Mountain in the Holyoke Range, and its original purpose was very dark. This is one of the most fascinating bunkers in Massachusetts!

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The Notch Bunker is formally called the Post-Attack Command and Control System Facility. It was built in the late 1950s as a shelter for the 8th Air Force command post in the event of a nuclear attack. It was a secret military base in Massachusetts. The bunker was meant to ensure that top military officials could survive a nuclear catastrophe and issue commands to any surviving military personnel aboveground.

The bunker was built to support 350 people for just over a month. It had surplus WWII rations, cots, and a microwave communication system.

The bunker was officially closed in 1970 in favor of another bunker in Louisiana. However, the Notch Bunker was still meant to serve a purpose in the event of a catastrophe. The Federal Reserve took over the facility and used it to store their records…and a vast sum of money to restart the American economy after a nuclear war.

Today, the bunker is actually used as a library storage facility for the Five Colleges. Unless you were a local librarian, you’d probably have no idea your library books were being kept in a former nuclear fallout shelter. Massachusetts bunkers are filled with secrets!

The implications of this bunker’s existence are chilling. Its construction means that the U.S. government took the possibility of nuclear war seriously and planned for the unthinkable. Let’s hope that such a scenario stays in the past.

Watch this rare insider footage of the bunker below:

The Notch Bunker from WGBY on Vimeo.

Have you ever seen any of the bunkers in Massachusetts? Let us know in the comments below! Looking for more significant pieces of history? This road trip in Massachusetts takes you to tons of great historical sites! And don’t forget the road trip snacks!

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