The pioneer valley in Fall is undoubtedly one of the most stunning seasonal changes in the U.S. and every year tourists from all over the country flock to the region to watch the brilliant leaf transformation.  The area is also rich in culture, and history, and has an extensive "outdoor" culture with great hiking, kayaking, camping, biking, etc.  While it would be impossible to sufficiently detail the variety of things one could while visiting we've attempt below to provide links and other information that will undoubtedly help to fill your non-conference schedule.

Where to Stay

The UMass Amherst visitors center keeps a list of area accomodations that is likely better than anything we could compile to so we simply link to it here: http://www.umass.edu/visitorsctr/Area_Accomodations/ . Unfortunately, the weekend of the conference is also homecoming at Amherst, and as a result, the closest acommodations to campus will book up very fast. Thankfully public transportation in the area is quite extensive, and generally reliable, so if you find yourself having to book outside Amherst there will likely be a way in that doesn't require a car.  

We were able to reserve a discounted group rate at the following hotel, though reservations must be made by Sept, 16th to be eligible for discounted rate:

Clarion Hotel and Conference Center
1 Atwood Drive
Northampton, MA
tel: 413-586-1211 web: http://www.hampshirehospitality.com

Reservations must be made by phone. Ask for the group rate for the “Passions Conference”.

Rates:
Thursday, October 15th - $97.00 single or double occupancy
Friday, October 16th - $135.00 single or double occupancy

The hotel is approximately 8 miles from the conference. You will need a car or see the link below for information on public transportation.
http://www.pvta.com/uploads/schedules/FIVE%20COLLEGE%20SCHEDULE.pdf
http://www.pvta.com/index.php/schedules-of-routes

Where to Eat

In the Area

This is a list of area restaraunt recommendations compiled by students and facult. http://www.cs.umass.edu/~barring/ccc2004/restlist.html

In the Campus Center

The Blue Wall
Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 7:30am-11pm; Fri. -9pm; Sat. -7pm.
The Blue Wall is located at the Northeast corner on the Lobby level of the Campus Center. This is a small cafeteria style food court (called “the Blue Wall Eatery”), with pizza, salads, premade and made-toorder sandwiches, beverages, fruit (salads), and cookies/brownies. Eatery hours are 10:30am-9pm. There’s also a coffee bar, where coffee, pastries, and pretzels are sold. Smoothies and Stonyfield frozen yogurt are also available at the counter next to the coffee bar.

The Graduate Lounge
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9am-10pm; Fri. 9am-6pm; closed on weekends. Located opposite the Blue Wall. This is a smaller lounge, with service at the counter, where premade sandwiches, pastries, cakes/brownies, muffins, bagels, soups, coffee and assorted beverages are available. Alcoholic beverages are also available.

The Marketplace Cafe
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-3pm; closed on weekends.
Another cafeteria-style eatery located in the corridor connecting the Campus Center and the Student Union. It serves burgers and beverages.

The Hatch
Hours: Mon.-Frid.: 11am-2pm; closed on weekends.
This food court is located in the basement of the Student Union, and is comprised of various counters: T-Mex (Mexican), Bread & Bowl (soup in bread bowl), Noodle Bar, Union Grill, Oriental Grill.

Mini-Store
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30am-8pm; Sat. 11am-7pm; Sun. 2-8pm.
This branch of the University Store is a mini-mart style store located on the entrance level of the Student Union. Candies, beverages,crackers/chips/cookies, beverages, a surprisingly large collection of icecream bars, as well as some personal care items can be found here. They accept credit cards.

People’s Market
Hours: Mon. & Fri. 8:45 am-4pm; Tue.-Thurs. -5pm;
You can most easily locate it if you enter the Student Union from the door that faces the pond (i.e. the South end). This is a student-run organization carrying coffee, fresh bagels, very nice pastries (delivered fresh from a famous local bakery every morning and sold out by early afternoon), fruit, beverages (the widest selection on campus), and other healthy snacks (e.g. nuts, dried fruit, etc). The lines can get rather long around noon.

Earthfoods
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11am-3pm. Closed on weekends.
If you entered the Student Union through the main door, go straight until you see the Ball Room, and turn right. Earthfoods will be to your left, at the end of the corridor, just before you reach the South entrance. The menu, which changes daily, is posted on the board next to its entrance. This is another student-run organization, and specializes in vegetarian food. If you entered through the South end door closer to South College, Earthfoods should be to your right as soon as you pass the first set of doors inside the Student Union. If you’re coming from People’s Market, however, Earthfoods will be to your left.

Where to Go

Again, trying to maintain such a list ourselves would be impossible, but luckily others have attempted such a thing elsewhere http://explorewmass.blogspot.com/2007/05/things-to-do-in-wmass.html  This page does a fair job of representing the available options of the area, though if you'd like more details or personal recommendations feel free to contact us.