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All United States Massachusetts Amherst

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Amherst

6 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Amherst, Massachusetts

Updated March 4, 2023

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Unusual Attractions in Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

Founded by the famed children's book artist, this museum spreads an appreciation of the arts through picture books.

Amherst, Massachusetts

Emily Dickinson's Bedroom

The mighty room where the poet spent most of her life is available to rent for an hour or two.

Amherst, Massachusetts

Hitchcock Ichnological Cabinet

This exhibit is one of the largest and most well-preserved collections of Jurassic-era trackways in the United States.

Amherst, Massachusetts

Stearns Steeple

The monumental steeple on Amherst College's campus has no church attached to it.

Amherst, Massachusetts

Simeon Strong House

The owner of one of the oldest homes in Amherst had a unique request before the home could be turned into a museum.

Amherst, Massachusetts

Graves of David and Mabel Todd

One was an astronomer who spent his life chasing solar eclipses, the other helped make Emily Dickinson famous.

Amherst, Massachusetts

The Rausch Mineral Gallery

A unique collection of more than 250 rocks and minerals located on a university campus.

Amherst, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts Entomology Collection

This miniature museum is home to a vast array of insects.
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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

12 Places in Massachusetts Where Literature Comes to Life

Massachusetts is a lit-lover's paradise. From landscapes that have moved writers to wax poetic about beans to story-inspired sculpture parks and shops stacked with volumes new and old, the Bay State would also be aptly named the Book State. Here are 12 places to celebrate writers or the places that inspired them. As the pandemic continues, we hope this virtual trip helps you explore America’s wonders. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask.

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Explore Amherst, Massachusetts

Universities 4
Poetry 2
Museums And Collections 2
Natural History 1
Fossils 1
Prehistoric 1
Paleontology 1
Natural History Museums 1
Entomology 1
Insects 1
Geology 1

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Stories About Amherst

The Messy History of Emily Dickinson's Black Cake Recipe

It reveals an unexpected side to the poet's personality and the brutality that brought a Caribbean dish to New England.
by Reina Gattuso
August 20, 2021

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