The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system. UMass Amherst features over 80 undergraduate degree programs and over 70 masters programs, as well as offering over 50 doctorate programs. Started in 1863, UMass Amherst has a long tradition of quality academics in a broad array of disciplines. UMass Amherst also offers students an impressive array of education abroad opportunities in countries like China, Brazil, Australia, Mexico, Egypt and many more. They also have a great International and exchange student system.

Located in the birthplace of volleyball, Holyoke, the Volleyball Hall of Fame stands as a "living memorial" to the sport of volleyball and those players, coaches and other people who have truly excelled at the highest level in this sport. Since 1985 the hall of fame has inducted over 50 members and enjoys sponsorships from such organizations as USA Volleyball, the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation, and the Japanese Volleyball Association.

Dating back to 1905, the Mahaiwe is one of the oldest theaters in the country. The Mahaiwe operates all year long, featuring events such as the Metropolitan Opera " "Live in HD programs, classic movie screenings and live performances by Berkshire Opera, as well as other music, dance and theater performances.

Shakespeare & Company has been performing works by the Bard for over 30 years in the Berkshires. Apart from the Shakespearian masterpieces, the company also develops and performs new, contemporary works of political and social importance. In addition to their exemplary performances, Shakespeare & Company provides classical actor training. In addition to the works of Shakespeare, past performances have included The Lear Project by Dennis Krausnick, The Goatwoman of Corvis County by Christine Whitley and The Canterville Ghost by Irina Brook (adapted from the story by Oscar Wilde).

The Cranwell Resort, Spa & Golf Club, located in Lenox provides all the comforts and amenities you could possibly want for a luxury vacation. With its state-of-the-art spa, complete with steam rooms, saunas and whirlpools, to the fitness center, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and of course the 18-hole golf course, you can't go wrong at the Cranwell. Rooms come equipped with anything you could want and a concierge service is available for those things you didn't anticipate. Several dining options ranging from upscale to family friendly round out your vacation here at the Cranwell.

The Mead Art Museum, located just east of Amherst College's Main Quadrangle, houses over 16,000 works of art from all over the world. From Rubens to Monet, the Mead Art Museum features major works by major artists, as well as such works as West African sculptures and Japanese woodblock prints. The Mead is open for the public to visit and admission is always free.

The Hampshire College Art Gallery exhibits works ranging from traditional media such as painting and sculpture, to installations and performance pieces. With works by graduate students, faculty, local artists and even some national and international artists, the Art Gallery helps support the teaching function of Hampshire College. The Art Gallery also hosts talks by artists and scholars from time to time.

The University Gallery at the University of Massachusetts Amherst features a permanent collection of more than 2500 works of contemporary art. The collection focuses on paintings, drawings and photography from the second half of the 20th Century. The University Gallery exhibitions include artist's lectures, symposia and film series, in addition to the regular schedule of exhibits.

Springfield's City Hall has two picturesque buildings that are modeled after Greek architecture and in between the buildings is a large clock tower. The original building was burned when a monkey knocked over a kerosene lamp at a City Hall fair and it was rebuilt in the early 1900s. The City Hall contains several of the local governments departments and the city council.

The Mount Holyoke College Art Museum is a teaching museum with approximately 12,000 items in its permanent collection. Especially worth noting are the Asian art collection, 19th and 20th century European and American paintings and sculpture, Ancient art collections such as Egyptian, Roman and Greek, early Italian Renaissance paintings and Medieval sculpture. Special exhibits often mirror these strong collections as well and in the past such exhibitions have included "Manet, Millet, Picasso and More: New Acquisitions and Loans", "Excavating Egypt: Great Discoveries from the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology" and "Petals and Plumage: A Collection of Indian Textiles".