The Bay State is a gorgeous state with many beautiful scenic byways and country roads. One such scenic country route in Massachusetts will lead road trippers to several old-fashioned landmarks. It’s time to hit the road along Route 116 in Western Mass and take a step back in time while admiring all the beauty along the way.
Route 116 is a nice and easy drive. Some of the landmarks are on Route 116 while others are a short distance off the route. Use the Google Maps link for the trip.
Just over 68 miles long, Route 116 is a scenic byway through small, historic, and rural towns between Adams and Springfield in Western Mass. Along the way, road trippers can stop at a number of parks and old-fashioned landmarks.
Google Maps
- Sunderland Main Street Historic District
Dcrjsr/Wikimedia Commons We start this old-fashioned road trip in the town of Sunderland. You can’t get more old-fashioned that a historic downtown area with nearly 200 historic buildings and houses lining the streets. Go for a stroll down North and South Main Streets to take it all in. Some of the architecture dates back to the 1700s. Sunderland, MA, USA
- Ashfield Hardware & Supply
Stephen Paylor/Google Local Next on our journey is the small town of Ashfield. One of the best-known landmarks in town is the Ashfield Hardware & Supply store. The very definition of old-fashioned, this story carries a variety of supplies all within a historic building in town. It’s certainly worth a stop if only to experience the good old-fashioned friendliness from the owners. 343 Main St, Ashfield, MA 01330, USA
- Elmer’s Store
Gio Pan./Google Local Another old-fashioned building that’s worth a stop in Ashfield is Elmer’s Store. With over 100 years of history in town, Elmer’s was once a general store, a meat store, and a lunch counter. Now it is a fantastic restaurant serving both breakfast and dinner. 396 Main St, Ashfield, MA 01330, USA
- Bullitt Reservation
The Trustees Our next location is Bullitt Reservation which was once a farm and then a country estate to a man by the name of William C. Bullitt, a former U.S. Ambassador. With nearly 3,000 acres with trails, you can enjoy nature while taking in the sights of the former farm buildings. Bullitt Reservation, Bullitt Rd, Ashfield, MA 01330, USA
- Burkeville Covered Bridge
John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons As the oldest covered bridge in Massachusetts, the Burkeville Covered Bridge was built around 1869 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Not only is it a remarkable historic site, but you can drive through it! Burkeville Covered Bridge, Conway, MA 01341, USA
- Woodbridge Street Historic District
John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons Our last stop is located in South Hadley’s Woodbridge Street Historic District. This district is home to 28 properties that once belonged to the Woodbridge family. Today it is mostly residential but worthwhile to see the gorgeous architecture. Woodbridge Street Historic District, 48 Woodbridge St, South Hadley, MA 01075, USA
Google Maps
Dcrjsr/Wikimedia Commons
We start this old-fashioned road trip in the town of Sunderland. You can’t get more old-fashioned that a historic downtown area with nearly 200 historic buildings and houses lining the streets. Go for a stroll down North and South Main Streets to take it all in. Some of the architecture dates back to the 1700s.
Sunderland, MA, USA
Stephen Paylor/Google Local
Next on our journey is the small town of Ashfield. One of the best-known landmarks in town is the Ashfield Hardware & Supply store. The very definition of old-fashioned, this story carries a variety of supplies all within a historic building in town. It’s certainly worth a stop if only to experience the good old-fashioned friendliness from the owners.
343 Main St, Ashfield, MA 01330, USA
Gio Pan./Google Local
Another old-fashioned building that’s worth a stop in Ashfield is Elmer’s Store. With over 100 years of history in town, Elmer’s was once a general store, a meat store, and a lunch counter. Now it is a fantastic restaurant serving both breakfast and dinner.
396 Main St, Ashfield, MA 01330, USA
The Trustees
Our next location is Bullitt Reservation which was once a farm and then a country estate to a man by the name of William C. Bullitt, a former U.S. Ambassador. With nearly 3,000 acres with trails, you can enjoy nature while taking in the sights of the former farm buildings.
Bullitt Reservation, Bullitt Rd, Ashfield, MA 01330, USA
John Phelan/Wikimedia Commons
As the oldest covered bridge in Massachusetts, the Burkeville Covered Bridge was built around 1869 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Not only is it a remarkable historic site, but you can drive through it!
Burkeville Covered Bridge, Conway, MA 01341, USA
Our last stop is located in South Hadley’s Woodbridge Street Historic District. This district is home to 28 properties that once belonged to the Woodbridge family. Today it is mostly residential but worthwhile to see the gorgeous architecture.
Woodbridge Street Historic District, 48 Woodbridge St, South Hadley, MA 01075, USA
Have you ever driven along this scenic country route in Massachusetts? What’s your favorite scenic drive in the state? Let us know in the comments!
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