Pioneer Valley

城市概覽

The Connecticut River Valley

The valley is approximately 20 mi (32 km) wide at the Connecticut state line but narrows northward. It holds much of New England's best farmland and thus was settled early in New England's colonial history. The farms have been encroached on by urban and suburban development, but many remain. The Connecticut River Valley is mostly urban in the Knowledge Corridor region surrounding the cities of Springfield and Hartford (the two of which lie only 24 mi (39 km) apart.) The northern end of the Knowledge Corridor by Northampton and Amherst is a mix of urban and rural, featuring several prominent college towns. The northernmost section of Massachusetts' valley is rural, with many opportunities for outdoor activities. The Connecticut River Valley's fine farmland and abundant water-power made it the Industrial Revolution's version of "Silicon Valley." Many industrial innovations took place at the Springfield Armory, including the discovery of interchangeable parts. America's first gasoline-powered car, motorcycle, and fire engine were all produced in Springfield. Holyoke became America's center of the paper industry. Industrialization encouraged growth of a string of cities from Northampton in the north to New Haven, Connecticut, in the south. From the early 1800s until the 1960s, the Connecticut River Valley was one of the most prosperous regions in the United States. Today this region is known as the Knowledge Corridor because of its numerous, prestigious universities and colleges. The Connecticut River Valley remains one of the United States' major centers of higher education. Several of the United States' most prominent universities and colleges are located in the valley, including Amherst College, Smith College, and Mount Holyoke College. Mount Holyoke College was the first women's college founded in the United States. There are 14 colleges and universities in the 20 mi (32 km) from Springfield to Amherst.

The Hill Towns A somewhat

如何抵達

By car North/south Interstate 91 connects the Pioneer Valley from Connecticut and Vermont. From Boston, and all points east, take the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) west to I-91 North. From Albany (New York), take the Massachusetts Turnpike east to I-91 North. U.S. Interstate 91 has exits to South Hadley and Northampton. From Northampton, you can talk Massachusetts Route 9 to Amherst via Hadley. Driving time to the Pioneer Valley from Boston is approximately 2 hours; from New York City, it is approximately 3½ hours.

By plane The closest major international airport serving the Pioneer Valley area is Bradley International Airport (BDL IATA) in Windsor Locks, Connecticut - 12 mi (19 km) south of Springfield (and equidistant to Springfield's Knowledge Corridor sister city, Hartford, Connecticut.)

By train Rail service via Amtrak is available to Springfield as well as Amherst via the Vermonter. It is accessible by Amtrak's regional service, the Vermonter from the north and south, and the Lake Shore Limited from the east and west. Springfield has become an intercity commuter rail hub for the north and south, with the completion of the Springfield-New Haven high-speed intercity rail line from the south, and Amtrak's re-tooled Vermonter line, re-routed via the old Montrealer line in the Pioneer Valley following the Connecticut River. The Vermonter makes intercity stops in Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Northampton, South Deerfield, Greenfield, and Brattleboro, Vermont. Springfield is also served east–west by Amtrak's "Lake Shore Limited" from Chicago to Boston and vice versa.

By bus Peter Pan Bus is headquartered in Springfield, and is one of the East Coast's major bus carriers. Greyhound/Peter Pan bus service is available to Springfield and many other Pioneer Valley cities.

當地交通

The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) is the region's reliable and extensive public transport system. Its service extends from Springfield in the south to Amherst, 20 mi (32 km) north of Springfield. Fares are $1.35, with a free "transfer" if one uses another PVTA vehicle within an hour of purchasing the original pass. On weekends, buses do not run all routes. Although the system is extensive for such a decentralized area, buses are somewhat infrequent and not all route run nights and weekends, especially outside of the school year (September - May).

必看景點

The Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. The Springfield Armory National Park in Springfield The leaves in Autumn - particularly concentrations of maples around old farmsteads where 'sugar bushes' were maintained for sugaring and on relatively moist upland sites. Oaks -- predominating on dryer, rockier sites -- are less spectacular. Prestigious universities and liberal arts colleges - in Amherst, Northampton, Springfield, and throughout the Pioneer Valley. The Quadrangle in Springfield - 5 excellent museums, featuring the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden and the United States' first planetarium. The Emily Dickinson House in Amherst - America's most famous female poet lived her entire life in this beautiful house. Excellent tour. Forest Park in Springfield - a 735 acres (297 hectares) urban park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (of NYC's Central Park Fame,) features a sizable zoo, America's first public pool, and Bright Nights - a nationally known holiday light show that stretches for 2 mi (3.2 km) throughout the park. Downtown Northampton - Northampton is the bohemian center of the Pioneer Valley, (which is saying something because much of it is artsy). Northampton's downtown features many restaurants, coffee shops, art galleries, music venues, quirky shops, and street performers. It's people-watching heaven! Look Park, Northampton mass.

體驗活動

Six Flags New England in Agawam - 1 mile across the Connecticut River from Springfield, across the South End Bridge, New England's largest amusement park features 10 roller-coasters; among them is the Bizarro, rated the #1 or #2 roller-coaster in the world from 2003–present. Open mid-April to early-November. The Big E in West Springfield - 1 mile across the Memorial Bridge from Springfield, the Big E (aka the Eastern States Exposition) is the New England States' collective State Fair. It features rides, animals, and performers of all sorts. The 6th largest carnival in America, it runs from roughly September 15-October 1 each year. Downhill Skiing Crosscountry Skiing Whitewater Boating Powerboating Hiking Fishing Motorcycle

美食

Maple Sugar Northampton and Springfield offer a wide variety of ethnic cuisine, including Italian, Polish, Puerto Rican, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Hungarian, Indian, Mexican, Argentinian, and Tibetan cuisines. Local Produce from Farmer's Markets in Springfield and Northampton Vegetarian, especially in Northampton, Amherst, and Springfield

飲品與夜生活

Microbrews Brewpubs Specialty wines (blueberry, etc.)