Because not every love story is built on dinner and a movie.
Where do you go on a date in Amherst? We have a few off-the-beaten-track ideas. Experience a different kind of dating in the town where Emily Dickinson wrote the immortal words, “That love is all there is, is all we know of love.”
Whether you’re planning a first date, rekindling the spark, or just looking for a new way to spend time together, Amherst has a way of meeting you where you are, quirks and all.
Here’s our slightly cheeky but entirely sincere guide to local date ideas based on your vibe as a couple.
1. Bookish & Broody
Emily Dickinson Museum Tour & Wine at Amherst Coffee.
Start your date in the room where Emily Dickinson penned her quiet rebellions. Wander the grounds, whisper favorite lines, then walk to Amherst Coffee in the evening for a glass of wine and a little existential conversation.
2. Adventurous & Outdoorsy
Mount Norwottuck Hike & Sweet Treats at Flayvors of Cook Farm.
Scramble up Mount Norwottuck, take a selfie with the valley behind you, then reward yourselves with some of the famous ice cream from Flayvors. Bonus points if you say hi to the cows.
3. Creative & Messy
Art Class + Make-Your-Own Pizza Night at Home.
Take a pottery class at Claymates in Belchertown or a painting class at the Local Art Gallery in The Mill District and immerse yourself in the clay- or paint-covered chaos. Then head home, roll out some dough, and turn your kitchen into an edible art gallery.
4. Foodie Duo
Farmers’ Market, Picnic Lunch & Dinner Oyster Dinner .
Visit the Amherst Farmers’ Market on a Saturday morning (Spring through Fall). Gather your provisions; cheese, bread, berries, maybe a jar of local honey. Then drive up to Skinner State Park. There’s nothing like a picnic with a view and snacks you both picked together. End the day with laughter and a great meal at Amherst Oyster Bar.
5. Musical & Moody
Used Vinyl at Mystery Train Records & Live Music at The Drake.
Dig through crates of forgotten LPs at Mystery Train Records and find your song. Then grab a table at The Drake for live music and local beer. If you’re peckish when you step out after midnight, dash across the street to Antonios for Pizza by the slice.
6. Nostalgic & Nerdy
Yiddish Book Center + The Quarters Arcade.
Get cerebral with a wander through the Yiddish Book Center; yes, it’s that interesting. Then pivot to retro fun at The Quarters in Hadley where you can battle over Pac-Man and tater tots.
7. Laid-Back & Luxurious
Couples massage at Elements & Dinner at Johnny’s Tavern.
Schedule a late afternoon massage at Elements Hot Tub & Spa or at Resonance Hot Yoga & Massage, then drift into Johnny’s Tavern. Ask for a secluded table where you can do a lot of staring into each other’s eyes undisturbed. Order something rich. Slow down the evening with some good wine. Then stroll across to the Inn on Boltwood for the night.
8. Activist & Altruist
Volunteer at Amherst Survival Center & Lunch at Masuda’s Café.
Bond over service. Help unload supplies or serve a meal at Amherst Survival Center, then grab a thoughtful, world-inspired meal at Masuda’s Café.
9. Introverted & Intense
Silent Reading Date at Jones Library & Penne at Pasta e Basta.
Jones Library has many nooks and crannies where you can sit and enjoy each other’s company. Sit side-by-side, and read without talking. If you want to take it to new heights, you can do the same thing in one of the upper stacks at the W.E.B. Du Bois Library at UMass. Later, share your thoughts over Penne Vodka Tomato Cream with Chicken at Pasta e Basta. It’s one of the best Italian restaurants in Western MA. Seriously. They have over 470 reviews and a 4.5 star rating.
10. Plant Parents
Durfee Conservatory Tour & Plant Shopping.
Stroll through the greenhouses at UMass’s Durfee Conservatory. Then swing by a local nursery or plant store. Try Wanczyk Nursery in Hadley. End the day with your hands in soil, music in the background, and maybe a new leafy friend named Phil.
Your Turn
Got your own favorite local date? Drop us a line or tag @AmherstNow on Instagram in your next romantic outing. We’re always collecting the best ways to love this place and each other.
Image: A couple holds hands while a statue of Emily Dickinson looks on in the background
AI Generated by Artist Dynamix for Amherst Now
