Flower Hill Farm Retreat’s Guidebook
Communing with nature. Hiking.
Lovely spots in nature for hiking, swimming, and meditation. And some of my favorite places to dine out.
This magical place is an easy 7 mins drive from Flower Hill Farm Retreat. I suggest going early morning or later in the afternoon while on your way to one of my favorite day outings. Great hiking trails too.
20 residents recomanen
Chapel Falls
This magical place is an easy 7 mins drive from Flower Hill Farm Retreat. I suggest going early morning or later in the afternoon while on your way to one of my favorite day outings. Great hiking trails too.
Lake for swimming and lovely trails for walking. 10 mins from Flower Hill Farm. No waterfalls here but great swimming and if you have a canoe or kayak enjoy paddling around the lake.
DAR State Park Campground
Lake for swimming and lovely trails for walking. 10 mins from Flower Hill Farm. No waterfalls here but great swimming and if you have a canoe or kayak enjoy paddling around the lake.
Fabulous conservatory and grounds. The Frederick Law Olmsted arboretum is fabulous. All trees are labeled. Truly a wonderful walk about the campus. Before or after dining at Bistro Le Gras.
31 residents recomanen
Smith College Botanic Garden
16 College LnFabulous conservatory and grounds. The Frederick Law Olmsted arboretum is fabulous. All trees are labeled. Truly a wonderful walk about the campus. Before or after dining at Bistro Le Gras.
Food scene
Delicious all organic menu. Great prices. Perfect for when you are visiting The Bridge of Flowers
22 residents recomanen
Hearty Eats
24 Bridge StDelicious all organic menu. Great prices. Perfect for when you are visiting The Bridge of Flowers
Lovely lake to dip in after a bite to eat on the deck of this eatery. Lake access for patrons only. So grab a bite or refreshing drink and enjoy the little beach and cool water.
37 residents recomanen
Ashfield Lakehouse
141 Buckland RdLovely lake to dip in after a bite to eat on the deck of this eatery. Lake access for patrons only. So grab a bite or refreshing drink and enjoy the little beach and cool water.
Great spot for breakfast or lunch after visiting Chapel Falls. In lovely village of Ashfield. Afterwards take a short walk to the Hardware store. Which is so much more than a hardware store.
40 residents recomanen
Elmer's Store
396 Main StGreat spot for breakfast or lunch after visiting Chapel Falls. In lovely village of Ashfield. Afterwards take a short walk to the Hardware store. Which is so much more than a hardware store.
One of my favorite restaurants in the area. Before or after dinner stroll through the beautiful arboretum of Smith College or visit the Forbes Library just across the street.
9 residents recomanen
Bistro Les Gras
25 West StOne of my favorite restaurants in the area. Before or after dinner stroll through the beautiful arboretum of Smith College or visit the Forbes Library just across the street.
Fabulous place to shop for food and wine! Great deli and local produce. All are welcome to shop. Open till 10 pm.
37 residents recomanen
River Valley Co-op
330 N King StFabulous place to shop for food and wine! Great deli and local produce. All are welcome to shop. Open till 10 pm.
Patisserie Lenox
48 Main StHearty soups and sweets
Sightseeing
Beautiful flower beds along an old trolly bridge tended carefully by local woman's club. Lovely reflections across the Deerfield River. Can be crowded on weekends so good to go early am or later in the day before dinner. Gorgeous during the full moon. 30 mins from Flower Hill Farm Retreat. The final destination of my favorite day outing.
77 residents recomanen
Pont de les Flors
22 Water StBeautiful flower beds along an old trolly bridge tended carefully by local woman's club. Lovely reflections across the Deerfield River. Can be crowded on weekends so good to go early am or later in the day before dinner. Gorgeous during the full moon. 30 mins from Flower Hill Farm Retreat. The final destination of my favorite day outing.
Wonderful hardware and anything you can imagine store in charming New England town.
12 residents recomanen
Ashfield Hardware & Supply
343 Main StWonderful hardware and anything you can imagine store in charming New England town.
Wonderful vistas of the valley. Great to watch the sunset and then off to the Blue Heron Restaurant just down the road and across the blue bridge. And be sure to visit the giant sycamore tree just steps away from the restaurant.
28 residents recomanen
Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation
300 Sugarloaf StWonderful vistas of the valley. Great to watch the sunset and then off to the Blue Heron Restaurant just down the road and across the blue bridge. And be sure to visit the giant sycamore tree just steps away from the restaurant.
Skinner Park offers great views of the valley and Connecticut River. On your way to South Hadley and Mount Holyoke College. Lovely Conservatory and campus.
14 residents recomanen
Mt. Holyoke Summit House
195 Skinner State Park RdSkinner Park offers great views of the valley and Connecticut River. On your way to South Hadley and Mount Holyoke College. Lovely Conservatory and campus.
Dining and Nature
A wonderful experience dining, after visiting the nearby summit house and giant sycamore (buttonball) tree. This tree is a wonder at 114.4 feet tall and spreading 143 feet. The trees girth is nearly 25 feet. To stand beneath this tree is a blessing. Try not to miss the experience of it. Right on main street in Sunderland just down from the restaurant. Blue Heron try to source most of their food from local farms. A beautifully designed space with art and colors to inspire. A bit pricy but worth the experience. A special treat. Or you could sit at the bar and have a smaller treat. And still enjoy the ambience. They also have outdoor seating.
31 residents recomanen
Blue Heron Restaurant
112 N Main StA wonderful experience dining, after visiting the nearby summit house and giant sycamore (buttonball) tree. This tree is a wonder at 114.4 feet tall and spreading 143 feet. The trees girth is nearly 25 feet. To stand beneath this tree is a blessing. Try not to miss the experience of it. Right on main street in Sunderland just down from the restaurant. Blue Heron try to source most of their food from local farms. A beautifully designed space with art and colors to inspire. A bit pricy but worth the experience. A special treat. Or you could sit at the bar and have a smaller treat. And still enjoy the ambience. They also have outdoor seating.
Theatre
Wonderful theatre! World class just 12 minutes drive down a country road from Flower Hill Farm Retreat.
16 residents recomanen
Double Edge Theatre
948 Conway RdWonderful theatre! World class just 12 minutes drive down a country road from Flower Hill Farm Retreat.
Poets and Bookstores and Libraries
Emily Dickinson Museum
280 Main StWalk into Emily Dickinson's world.
Wonderful selection in this worker owned bookstore. Great service!
9 residents recomanen
Broadside Bookshop
247 Main StWonderful selection in this worker owned bookstore. Great service!
Forbes Library
20 West StMeekins Library
2 Williams StArt Scene
Smith College Museum of Art
20 Elm StMead Art Museum
41 Quadrangle DrR. Michelson Galleries
132 Main StWilliam Baczek Fine Arts
36 Main StOxbow Gallery
40 Pleasant StA.P.E. Ltd. Gallery
126 Main St