Overview
Holyoke is a city in the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts. It is a former mill city, which made a large chunk of the world's paper. It has interesting architecture and is close to many attractions. It contains the Volleyball Hall of Fame and some of the largest former paper mills. If you visit, there are a number of things here and close by to entertain you.
6 sights · 3 things to do · 3 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Holyoke
International Volleyball Hall of Fame
Mount Tom State Reservation
A great place to hike and explore. It used to host a ski slope and an amusement park. Now they are both overgrown.
Holyoke Merry Go Round
This was saved from the old Mountain Park on Mt. Tom.
Children's Museum at Holyoke
Open Square
An ongoing project downtown.
Wistariahurst Museum
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep. (climate data from nearby Hartford)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 19 mi away (major hub). Directions
- ORH Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester — 39 mi away. Directions
Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, is the closest airport. Other nearby airports are Logan, in Boston and a few in Rhode Island. There is local bus service from Springfield (Massachusetts) and Northampton using Peter Pan bus lines.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Children's Museum at Holyoke, International Volleyball Hall of Fame, Holyoke Merry Go Round
- Lunch Nick's Nest
- Afternoon Wistariahurst Museum, Open Square
- Dinner Strum's Deli & Meats
- Evening Pic's Pizza
Day 2
- Morning Mount Tom State Reservation, Nuestras Raíces
- Lunch Delaney House
- Afternoon Holyoke Sox
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, is the closest airport. Other nearby airports are Logan, in Boston and a few in Rhode Island. There is local bus service from Springfield (Massachusetts) and Northampton using Peter Pan bus lines.
By train
- Routes stopping at Holyoke:
- Vermonter operates daily between St. Albans and Washington, D.C. including stops in Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier, White River Junction, Claremont, Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, New York City, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and New Carrollton. Northbound and soundbound trains depart in the afternoon.
- Valley Flyer operates twice daily between Greenfield and New Haven including stops in Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford.
By bus
Megabus has services from New York City and Hartford. Buses stop at the centrally located Holyoke Transportation Center. The regional bus operator PVTA has bus connections from Springfield.
Get around
A car is preferable if travelling longer distances. There is bus service around Holyoke and the Valley, run by PVTA. However schedules are mainly adjusted for commuters, local buses have about one departure every hour. Holyoke Transportation Center is the hub for all local buses.
See
Do
Buy
Eat
Eat Nick's Nest
The hot dogs get rave reviews.
Eat Strum's Deli & Meats
Sandwiches available for take out.
Drink
Sleep
Stay Homewood Suites Holyoke-Springfield/North (Homewood Suites)
The Homewood Suites by Hilton Holyoke/Springfield North is located just north of Springfield, Massachusetts, off I-91, with convenient access to the Massachusetts turnpike and local attractions and restaurants. Also, near The Big E and all the fun it brings! Hotel features full kitchens, suites, complimentary breakfast, dinner and drinks (Monday - Thursday), fitness center, whirlpool, indoor swimming pool, basketball courts and outdoor patio with barbecues.
Go next
- Six Flags, 1623 Main Street, +1 413 786-9300, . Very close to Holyoke. They have a waterpark.
- The Big E , 1305 Memorial Avenue (Rte. 147), West Springfield, +1 413 737-2443 .
- Northampton. A neat place to visit while you're in town.
- The Basketball Hall of Fame, West Columbus Av., Springfield, +1-877-446-6752, . M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 10AM-5PM. Along the Connecticut River, in a stunning (and quirky) steel structure. Adults $17, Seniors $14, Ages 5-5 $12.
Nearby
Chicopee
City / town · 9 listings · 4 mi away
South Hadley
City / town · 7 listings · 5 mi away
West Springfield
City / town · 16 listings · 7 mi away
Springfield
City / town · 31 listings · 7 mi away
Northampton
City / town · 56 listings · 8 mi away
Ludlow
City / town · 4 listings · 8 mi away
Westfield
City / town · 7 listings · 8 mi away
Agawam
City / town · 3 listings · 9 mi away
My experience
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