Massachusetts' 'Asparagus Capital' Is A Rural Town With Summit Trails, Historic Museums, And Farmers' Markets

In Hadley, Massachusetts, nature calls in more ways than one. Its scenic farmland and summit trails practically shout for attention, inviting hikers and wanderers to explore their beauty. Yet, Hadley is not just known for its trails; it is also the global homeland of the vegetable that, somewhat comically, reminds the human body when it's been eaten in a rather pungent manner. This odd quirk is embraced with pride in the farm town that wears its title, the "Asparagus Capital of the World," like a badge of honor. For nearly a century, this rural pocket of the Connecticut River Valley has produced 80% of the so-called Bay State's prized crop.

Just 45 minutes by car from its nearest international airport in Hartford, the endearing farm town can also serve as a perfect addendum to a trip to nearby Springfield in the Pioneer Valley, or a detox from the artsy, bustling neighborhoods of Boston around a two-hour drive away. Although its green plant is often the focus at its markets, festivals, and farms, Hadley also offers museums, such as the Porter-Phelps-Huntington House Museum, which are definitely worth a visit.

The love affair that the locals have with asparagus has earned it the affectionate nickname "Hadley Grass." Despite production setbacks in the 1970s, the agricultural industry in the town is once again booming, with asparagus, of course, at the center of it. Each June at the NEPM Asparagus Festival, approximately 4,500 visitors come to celebrate the green stalk. Visitors can expect live music, a farmers market, and an asparagus-themed menu with dishes as varied as pierogi and stir fry, all of which are made with the humble vegetable at their core.

If one is craving a hit of the green goodness in another inventive way whilst visiting Hadley outside of festival time, Flayvors of Cook Farm offers a unique treat: artisanal asparagus ice cream. For those less daring, Cook Farm also offers some more conventional flavors, as well as a series of other dairy products, from milk to home-churned butter. Those wanting to see asparagus sprout in person, and perhaps looking for a few bunches to cook at home, can check out Pipczynski Farm, where visitors are also invited to handpick wild flowers for a personalized bouquet. Otherwise, Hadley Farm Museum has got guests covered in terms of educating them about the area's agricultural roots, and does so at a very reasonable price of $5 per adult, with discounts for seniors, students, and children (at time of writing).

Whilst Hadley's Farm Museum educates visitors about the tools and processes behind rural life with its fascinating displays, the Porter-Phelps-Huntington House Museum delves into the lives of the laborers who used them. Located in an 18th-century farmhouse, the museum showcases the people who tilled the land throughout the centuries. First it looks at the Native American people indigenous to Hadley before the farmhouse was constructed, and then the slaves working the farm, before the descendants of the family that owned the property later transformed it into a retreat and, eventually, a museum.

Surrounded by acres of forest and farmland, this town is also a haven for hikers. Skinner State Park boasts over 40 miles of trails. The crown jewel that the park surrounds is Mount Holyoke, where the Summit House, originally named the Prospect House, awaits at the peak and is a wonderful reward to visit at the end of a hike up Holyoke. First opened in the mid-19th century, this historic mountaintop hotel once received guests and supplies via a tramway. Just over two miles long, those looking for a short woodland hike with views of the Connecticut River Valley are recommended to try the Mount Warner Trail. Western Massachusetts as a whole is a great area for hiking, with the trails at Hadley rivaling those at Great Barrington. One advantage Hadley has are its farmers' markets, with both North and South Hadley's markets rewarding hungry hikers with fresh produce.