Location & Local Attractions
The Amherst College Campus
Founded in 1821 and nestled in the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts, Amherst College is widely regarded as one of the premier liberal arts colleges in the nation, enrolling a diverse group of approximately 1,600 young men and women. The college is located in Amherst, a town of 35,000 . Amherst is a member of the Five Colleges, a consortium with nearby Smith, Mount Holyoke and Hampshire Colleges and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Students may take courses, use libraries and study at any of the colleges and the schools’ proximity adds to Amherst’s rich social and extracurricular life.
The college’s 1,000-acre campus is adjacent to downtown Amherst giving students and visitors easy access to local restaurants, museums, stores and coffee shops.
For more information about the college and campus please visit:
https://www.amherst.edu/about/
https://www.amherst.edu/about/visiting
For a virtual tour of the campus please visit:
Western Massachusetts
Amherst and the Connecticut River Valley in which it is located offer a wealth of natural, cultural, and historical resources to enjoy! Although you will be kept busy during the five week program, you may wish to explore our area during your time here.
Amherst College owns the Mead Art Museum, the Emily Dickinson Museum and the Amherst College Natural History Museum. Amherst is also home to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and the National Yiddish Book Center. The Norwottuck Rail Trail, with access from Amherst College, allows for a scenic run, walk, or bike ride. Western Massachusetts is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame located in nearby Springfield and Historic Deerfield in Deerfield,MA, an authentic three hundred year old New England Village. Amherst is about an hour’s drive to the “Berkshires”, a summer hub of cultural activities including theater, dance, art and music. Boston, the state capital, is a two hour drive from Amherst and offers a wide range of historical sites, cultural activities, museums and sporting events. The following web sites provide more information about the area: