Oh, the places you can go!
... and MOST are FREE!
Indoors
Forbes Library Children's Floor StoryWalks outside! Books, reading time, events, and free day passes to museums
Lilly Library Children's Room - Books, reading time, events, and free day passes to museums
Playing
Look Park - in Florence: walking trails, playgrounds, picnic tables, mini-golf, events
Child's Park - in Northampton across from the Northampton High School
Pulaski Park - in Northampton: green space downtown Northampton with places to sit and walk around; events like salsa and tai chi
Walking or Biking
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary - nature play area for children, roped walking trail, other trails, canoeing/kayaking on Mill River; events
Bike Trails System - Multiple Rail Trails accessible from downtown Northampton, Florence, and Leeds, connects also to Amherst, Easthampton, Hadley, Haydenville, and Southampton. See Friends of Northampton Trails for guidance and trail maps in one location
Fitzgerald Lake - seasonal hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, bird-watching, canoeing, and fishing
Swimming
Musante Beach - swimming outdoors at the Leeds Reservoir
JFK Middle School Aquatic & Family Center - large pool, swim classes, swim team, parties, and events
YMCA Northampton - small (warm) and large (cool) pools, swim classes, swim team, parties, and events
Boating
Mill River -- access through many locations, including Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
Connecticut River - access through many locations, including Connecticut River Greenway Station
Fitzgerald Lake -- canoeing and fishing
Forbes Library Children's Floor StoryWalks outside! Books, reading time, events, and free day passes to museums
Lilly Library Children's Room - Books, reading time, events, and free day passes to museums
Playing
Look Park - in Florence: walking trails, playgrounds, picnic tables, mini-golf, events
Child's Park - in Northampton across from the Northampton High School
Pulaski Park - in Northampton: green space downtown Northampton with places to sit and walk around; events like salsa and tai chi
Walking or Biking
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary - nature play area for children, roped walking trail, other trails, canoeing/kayaking on Mill River; events
Bike Trails System - Multiple Rail Trails accessible from downtown Northampton, Florence, and Leeds, connects also to Amherst, Easthampton, Hadley, Haydenville, and Southampton. See Friends of Northampton Trails for guidance and trail maps in one location
Fitzgerald Lake - seasonal hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, bird-watching, canoeing, and fishing
Swimming
Musante Beach - swimming outdoors at the Leeds Reservoir
JFK Middle School Aquatic & Family Center - large pool, swim classes, swim team, parties, and events
YMCA Northampton - small (warm) and large (cool) pools, swim classes, swim team, parties, and events
Boating
Mill River -- access through many locations, including Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
Connecticut River - access through many locations, including Connecticut River Greenway Station
Fitzgerald Lake -- canoeing and fishing