We look forward to welcoming you to the 2024 Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx (LACL) Indigenous STEM Conference, being held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, April 11 - 13!

Western science is often bounded and rigid due to hundreds of years of positivism, and therefore, slow to consider alternative methods and epistemologies in STEM fields. When Indigenous knowledges are invoked in North America through frameworks such as Native Science, TEK (Traditional Ecological Knowledge), or Two-Eyed Seeing, these conversations mostly focus on uplifting peoples and cultures from North America to bring about justice to damages done to their cultures and knowledge systems through settler colonialism. This conference aims to highlight the many Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx (LACL) Indigenous models that explain the world around us – in North and South America. Western science is often thought of as the only or best method at our disposal to find and create explanations for what is happening in the world around us. However, throughout human history, Indigenous Knowledges across continents have persevered through oral and written traditions, and even through symbolism in artistic and functional creations, such as pottery, pictographic art, textiles, beading, and weavings. While Western practices are known by many, here we center LACL and local Indigenous science framework bridging its teaching, research practices, and knowledge to the academic and general forums. LACL Indigenous perspectives can enrich teaching, research agendas, methodologies, epistemology of science, as well as scientific knowledge systems.

They also challenge us to reconsider the relationship between STEM and philosophy, sociology, theology, economics, political science, and the Arts. As we expand our awareness of the STEMs of the First Nations, the limitations of a single, Western scientific method become evident; and reveal the worlds of truths LACL Native STEM possible.

This conference is open to the general public and we welcome all to attend - registration is not limited to those in STEM fields or only UMass students/faculty. The two-day conference will be hosted at the bucolic University of Massachusetts Amherst, and next to the live music scene in Amherst and Northampton. The conference will open with ceremony, include up to 15 panels, and include a dinner dance. We invite abstracts and panels (maximum of 4 presenters, including moderator). We hope you'll join us! 

The conference is being coordinated by the UMass Amherst Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies. For general conference information, please click through the tabs above. For assistance related to the event, campus, area, and/or registration/payment, please contact UMass Conference Services at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu.

Registration 
As a recipient of the Five Colleges Symposium Grant, this conference is free of charge to all members of the Five Colleges (Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College , Smith College, UMass Amherst). 

For those outside of the Five Colleges, Registration is available at a rate of $150.00 for faculty and $100.00 for students and independent scholars if registering prior to February 28. After February 28, registration is available for $175.00 for faculty and $125.00 for students and independent scholars. 

Registration includes access to sessions/workshops, continental breakfast, refreshments, and dinner on April 11. At this time we are only offering in-person participation so there is not an option to attend virtually: if you are only interested in attending virtually, email registration@umass.edu with your interest. Note: online registration for the in-person conference will close at 8AM on Thursday, April 4. After this date, please come to the on-site registration desk to complete your registration (available from 8-9AM on Thursday April 11 and Friday, April 12). 

How to Register:
Click "Register Now" above to sign up! Registration is accepted on an individual basis. If you would like to register multiple attendees, please complete the registration for the first attendee. Next, click "Home" in the top toolbar and then click "Create Additional Registration". Repeat as needed. If you have any issues completing your registration, please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102 for assistance!

Cancellation Policy:
Attendees cancelling their registration before the close of business (4 PM ET) on April 1, 2024, will receive a full refund minus a $60.00 cancellation-processing fee. No refunds will be granted for cancellations received after April 1, 2024. Cancellations must be submitted in writing to the UMass Conference Services Office: registration@umass.edu.

Call for Papers Submissions 
Conference attendees are invited to submit presentation abstracts for the 2024 Latin American, Caribbean, and Latinx (LACL) Indigenous STEM Conference. This is an excellent opportunity to share your knowledge, experience, and outcomes with your university peers in the field of STEM and indigenous sciences. Selected papers will be published in the conference proceedings. Presenters are responsible for their own travel expenses and registration fees; conference registration is required.  

Submission Guidelines:
Paper submissions should focus on the STEM and indigenous sciences.  Please click here to submit your 250 word paper and more information about topics.  

Important Dates:
• Submission deadline: January 29, 2024
• Notification of acceptance: February 19, 2024

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help!
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8AM - 4PM ET (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

Full Conference Schedule Coming Soon! 

Amherst and the surrounding area is full of many hotels, motels and bed & breakfasts. A variety of hotel chains offer their familiar comforts a short 5 - 10 minute drive from campus on Route 9/Russell Street in neighboring Hadley. 

Conference registration fees do not include lodging, so please be sure to make your own hotel arrangements. Because the summer is a busy time of year in the area we recommend booking your room as early as possible!

Area Accommodations
A variety of hotel chains offer their familiar comforts just a short 5 - 10 minute drive from the UMass Campus on Route 9/Russell Street in neighboring Hadley, while charming independent inns and B&Bs dot the area, offering a true taste of Pioneer Valley living. Below are some popular lodging options, including the estimated drive time to the Campus Center.

Amherst
Allen House Inn: award winning historical Victorian bed and breakfast; 599 Main Street, Amherst; click here or call 413-253-5000 (9 minutes)

Amherst Airbnb: over 8,000 guest reviews for places to stay in Amherst with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars; click here for available rooms and homes

Black Walnut Inn: ranked #1 of 14 Amherst B&B and Inns; 1184 North Pleasant Street, Amherst; click here or call 413-549-5649 (8 minutes)

Inn on Boltwood: a historic Amherst hotel with 49 unique guest rooms; 30 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst; click here or call 413-256-8200 (10 minutes)

University Lodge: a budget friendly motel just 1,000 feet from campus; 345 North Pleasant Street, Amherst; click here or call 413-256-8111 (6 minutes)

Hadley
Courtyard by Marriott: centrally located hotel with an indoor pool, fitness center, and a newly renovated lobby with evening bar service and dinner menu; 423 Russell Street, Hadley; click here or call 413-256-5454 (8 minutes).

Hampton Inn: provides a mix of value, comfort and convenience, with free hot breakfast, indoor pool and fitness center; 24 Bay Road, Hadley; click here or call 413-586-4851 (16 minutes)

Homewood Suites by Hilton: offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites (including kitchenettes) and free hot breakfast; 340 Russell Street, Hadley; click here or call 413-387-0583 (15 minutes)

Howard Johnson by Wyndham: conveniently located and pet friendly hotel with free continental breakfast, fitness center, and outdoor pool; 401 Russell Street, Hadley; click here or call 413-586-0114 (10 minutes)

Comfort Inn & Suites: indoor hot tub, oversized vehicle parking, business center; 400 Russell Street, Hadley; click here or call 413-341-1556 (12 minutes)

Deerfield
Deerfield Inn: historic hotel with excellent restaurant and tavern; 81 Old Main Street, Deerfield MA; click here or call 413-774-5587 (27 minutes)

Red Roof PLUS+: easily accessible budget hotel with indoor pool close to Deerfield attractions; 9 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield; click here or call 413-665-7161 (19 minutes)

Northampton
Fairfield Inn and Suites: new state-of-the-art hotel located a short walk to downtown Northampton; 115A Conz Street, Northampton; click here or call 413-587-9800 (22 minutes)

Hotel Northampton: historic hotel in downtown Northampton with two award-winning restaurants; 36 King Street, Northampton; click here or call 413-584-3100 (22 minutes)

The Ellery: colonial-style hotel in downtown Northampton with newly renovated rooms and lobby; 259 Elm Street, Northampton; click here or call 413-584-7660 (25 minutes)

Quality Inn & Suites: a well-appointed and conveniently located hotel with free hot breakfast, indoor heated pool, and fitness center; click here or call 413-341-1461 (21 minutes)

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help!
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8AM - 4PM ET (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

Conference Location
The conference is being held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center located at 91 Campus Center Way, Amherst MA 01003. Click here to obtain turn-by-turn directions from your location. General session and panels will be on the first floor of the Campus Center concourse, and a variety of nearby meeting rooms. The welcome dinner will be located in the tenth floor Amherst Room. Signage will help guide you around upon your arrival to the Campus Center. 

Registration/Check-In
Check-in for registered attendees and for those wishing to register on-site will be located on the first floor concourse of the UMass Amherst Campus Center, right outside of the Campus Center Auditorium. Registration will be available from 8 - 9AM on Wednesday, September 20, and Thursday, September 21. The program will begin with a Keynote speaker, several panel sessions afterwards and following up with a dinner reception and dance and the following day with more panel sessions.  Please check back soon for program and schedule updates!

Parking
Parking is available in the Campus Center Parking Garage. For GPS purposes, the garage is located at  91 Campus Center Way, Amherst, MA, 01003. Click here to obtain directions from your location. 

Campus Center Way is off of Commonwealth Avenue, across the street from the Mullins Center. After turning onto Campus Center Way stay to the left to go up the hill. You will see the garage entrance on your right. Take a gate tickets and park. We recommend following the Hotel UMass/Campus Center signs down to park on Level 2, where there is a marked entrance into the Campus Center. Alternatively, you can park on any level and use the Northeast or Southeast Stairwells to gain access to outdoor campus paths that lead down to the Campus Center. The garage clearance is 7' 2".  You will enter on Level 3 and exit on Level 4. Note: if you require use of our loading dock, instead of proceeding up the hill to the public Campus Center Parking Garage, take an immediate right and follow the service road to the loading dock. You may quickly unload there and then will need to move your vehicle to the Campus Center Parking Garage.

As you arrive at the garage, take a gate ticket, park, and bring your gate ticket inside with you. At registration you will be provided with a parking pass and a detailed instruction sheet. As you leave, but before you get to your car, you will need to follow the instructions to stop at a pay station prior to getting to your car. Additional arrival details will be sent to all registered vendors and attendees as the seminar approaches. 

Driving to Campus
Click here to get directions to the Campus Center Parking Garage via Google Maps.

From the North
From I-91 South, take exit 36 in Deerfield. At the end of the ramp, turn left and follow the road to the intersection. Turn right onto Routes 5 & 10 South. Go 1 mile, then turn left onto Route 116 South. Follow 8 miles to the UMass exit. 

From the East
Via Route 2 West to Exit 71 (Belchertown/Amherst). From Route 2 take Route 202 South for about 15 miles to a blinking yellow light at Amherst Road. (You will see signs "to Rt 9 and Rt 116"). Turn right and follow Amherst Road (becomes Pelham Road after about 4 miles) for 7 miles to Amherst center. Follow signs to UMass. 

From the South
From I-91 North, take Exit 25 in Northampton. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North (turn left at traffic lights). The UMass exit is 1 mile up. 

From the West
From Route 2 East, follow to Greenfield/I-91 exit. Take I-91 South to Exit 36, Deerfield. At the end of the ramp turn left and follow the road to the intersection. Turn right onto Routes 5 & 10 South. Go 1 mile, then turn left onto Route 116 South. Follow for 8 miles to the UMass exit. 

From I-90 (Mass Pike)
If you are a first-time visitor and traveling from the east or west on I-90 (Mass Pike), we recommend avoiding Exit 63 off of the Mass Pike, and instead following the directions to Exit 45 listed below. 

Take Exit 45 (West Springfield). Follow I-91 North to Exit 25. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9. Travel approximately 4.5 miles to Route 116 North (turn left at traffic lights). The UMass exit is 1 mile up.

Traveling by Plane
If you are traveling to Amherst by plane, the closest airport is Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut (near Hartford). This airport is approximately 45 miles (about a 50 minute drive) from the UMass campus. From Bradley attendees will need to book a shuttle service or rent a car to get to campus (see the transportation options below). 

Attendees may find additional flight options into Logan International Airport in Boston, located approximately 95 miles (about a 2 - 2.5 hour drive) from the UMass campus. While more flight options are typically available into Logan, please remember to account for extra travel time to campus. Please also be sure to organize transportation to/from the airport to campus in advance of your arrival. From Logan attendees may book one of the shuttle services below, rent a car, or travel by Peter Pan Bus. Click here for Peter Pan bus ticket purchase details and scheduling. To ensure appropriate bus service to/from campus please select "Boston (Logan Airport), MA" as your "From:" destination and "Amherst UMass, MA" as your "To:" destination. 

Transportation Services 
Shuttle services and/or rental cars should be arranged prior to your travel. Please note there are no standing shuttles that run each day between Bradley/Logan and the UMass campus so additional arrangements must be made in advance.

     - Valley Transporter, 800-872-8752
     - Seemo Shuttle, 800-908-2829 
     - Exclusive Car Service, 877-695-4665
     - Bluebird Transportation, 413-221-4512
     - Enterprise

Traveling by Bus
Amherst and the surrounding area are serviced by Peter Pan Bus Lines, Greyhound and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA). The most convenient service is offered by Peter Pan, so when possible those traveling by bus should book a Peter Pan bus ticket using "Amherst UMass, MA" as the destination (note the "Amherst Center, MA" stop is in downtown Amherst and will require additional travel to arrive on campus). Greyhound offers bus service to nearby Northampton, MA, located about a 20 minute drive from campus. From Northampton attendees should plan to travel to campus via a taxi service, Uber/Lyft, or PVTA bus.

Traveling by Train
Amtrak provides passenger rail service to nearby Northampton, MA, located a 20 minute drive from the UMass campus, and Springfield, MA, located a 30 minute drive from the UMass campus. For schedule information and to purchase tickets, visit Amtrak's website and select "Northampton, MA (NHT)" or "Springfield, MA (SPG)" as your arrival destination.

If you take a train to Northampton, MA, you will then need to take either a bus or taxi to the UMass campus. Both PVTA and Peter Pan buses service the area, but the bus stops are not located at the train platform and will require about a 7 minute walk. If you prefer, you may use one of the many local taxi services or Uber/Lyft. We encourage you to carefully plan your trip - including bus or taxi services - prior to your arrival as the Northampton train platform is not a train station and phone access, area maps, bus schedules, and bus tickets will not be available once you arrive. If you decide to take a train out of Northampton, remember to purchase your return ticket online prior to arriving at the platform. The train platform is located at 170 Pleasant Street in Northampton, MA.

If you take a train to Springfield, MA, we recommend booking a shuttle service, such as Valley Transporter, to get you from Springfield to Amherst. Bus services, including Peter Pan, are also available, but will require about a 15 minute walk from the train station to the bus stop. The train will arrive at the Springfield station building, located at 66 Lyman Street in Springfield, MA. This station building does have a waiting room, ticket office, quik-trak kiosk, and payphone, but we do still encourage you to plan your trip, including services from the train station to campus, prior to your arrival.

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help! 
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

UMass Dining
"America's Most Awarded Dining Program," UMass Dining, invites you to join our table! Our guests can find UMass Dining at every corner of campus. With dining commons, retail cafes, food trucks, and more, we welcome you to enjoy all that the UMass Dining experience has to offer. 

Dining Commons
Served all-you-care-to-eat style, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be available from 7AM - 8PM each day in our award winning Dining Commons (note exact hours for the summer are still being determined). At each meal you will find a variety of cuisines, often including sushi, pho noodles, create-your-own stir-fry, pizza, dim sum brunch, pasta and salad bars, deli sandwiches, American fare, Halal dining, vegan and vegetarian options, a range of desserts, ice cream, and more. Daily menus will be available as your stay approaches on the UMass Dining website.

Campus Center Eateries
The Blue Wall, located in the Campus Center, is one of the most popular and convenient dining options on campus. The Blue Wall has 10 different stations served a-la-carte. Offerings include pizza, salads, wraps, deli sandwiches, sushi, burgers, burritos, gelato, and more, ensuring that the Blue Wall has something to satisfy every craving. Harvest Market, located on the main concourse of the Campus Center, is a full service market serving healthy, sustainable, and delicious fare for our on the go customers. The hot bar often features Indian, Ethiopian, traditional American, and many other world cuisines, and the salad bar is always stocked with in-season ingredients and freshly prepared composed salads. Additional highlights include a Chobani yogurt bar, all natural and organic snacks, local cheeses and deli meats, grab-and-go salads and sandwiches. Need a quick pick-me-up or caffeine fix? People's Organic Coffee, located on the main concourse of the Campus Center across from Harvest Market, serves People's Organic Fair Trade coffees, as well as a variety of specialty coffee beverages, organic teas, locally baked pastries, fresh cookies, salads and paninis.

The Commonwealth Restaurant
We proudly welcome you to joins us at The Commonwealth. Located on the top floor of the newly constructed Worcester Commons, our elegantly modern restaurant offers a relaxed atmosphere featuring beautiful views of campus. Come be waited on by delightful and diligent staff while enjoying our delicious, fresh, local, and sustainable menu.

Food Trucks
Our food trucks, Baby Berk and Baby Berk 2, are great options for a quick and convenient meal. Serving freshly prepared food truck fare, including burgers, wasabi steak tacos, grilled cheeses, tater tots and sweet potato fries, you are sure to leave satisfied. Checkout @UMassBabyBerk and @UMassBabyBerk2 on Twitter to find daily schedules and location updates, and look for the trucks around campus during your stay!

On-Campus Attractions
You don't need to travel far to find something to do - there are numerous attractions located right here on campus! 

The UMass Fine Arts Center seeks to engage audiences in the arts, embrace diversity, and uphold the highest standards for arts education. Comprehensive in scope, the Center offers the region's only mix of classical music, dance, theater, jazz, Broadway, special events, and gallery exhibitions. The Fine Arts Center is also home to the University Museum of Contemporary Arts.

The Mullins Center, our state-of-the-art, multi-purpose facility, hosts diverse events from hockey and basketball to concerts and popular touring performance groups. 

The Augusta Savage Gallery, located in New Africa House, is a multicultural and multiarts facility that seeks to promote artistic works from a broad spectrum of cultures

The Durfee Conservatory and Garden, established in 1867, is a historic plant conservatory that offers a sanctuary of calm and serenity among the hustle and bustle of campus.

The Rausch Mineral Gallery, located in the Department of Geosciences in the Morrill Science Center, includes more than 250 large mineral specimens from around the world from the mineral collection of the late Dr. Marvin Rausch.

Fitness Centers
For those staying at Hotel UMass, passes to the UMass Recreation Center will be available at check-in. The Recreation Center includes fitness and weight equipment, a 3-court gymnasium, activity rooms, and a jogging/walking track. On-campus there are also 10 tennis courts located behind the Mullins Center, handball/squash courts located in Boyden, and pools in Boyden and Curry Hicks. Note hours and availability might be limited: visit the Campus Recreation website during your stay for the most up-to-date hours. 

Libraries
The W.E.B. Du Bois Library and Science and Engineering Library offer technology and space to work for our campus guests, including printing/copying services, collections, and book stacks. The W. E. B. Du Bois Library is 28 stories and over 286 feet tall, making it the third-tallest library in the world. It primarily holds resources in humanities and social and behavioral sciences. In addition to book stacks, the W.E.B. Du Bois Library has a Learning Commons offering PCs/MACs and a variety of workspaces, quiet study areas, the W. E. B. Du Bois Center, and Special Collections & University Archives. The Science and Engineering Library (SEL) is the primary location for resources in the natural and physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering. In addition to book stacks and periodicals, SEL provides study rooms with computers and whiteboards, 65 individual computer stations, wireless access, quiet study spaces, and photocopying/printing services.

Campus Health and Safety
University Health Services
University Health Services (UHS), conveniently located on-campus at 150 Infirmary Way (near the Franklin Dining Commons), helps you stay healthy and cares for you if you're not. UHS provides comprehensive health and wellness services, including general medical care, walk-in care, and by-appointment services. Note UHS is not a hospital and does not have an emergency department. Appointments: 413-577-5101. Triage Nurse (available during health center hours): 413-577-5229. After-hours medical and mental health advice: 413-577-5000. Please note that the hours might differ during the summer and holidays. 

UHS Walk-in Care Hours
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.  
Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

UHS Pharmacy Hours
Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

For on-campus emergencies please contact the UMass Police at 413-545-2121 or call 911. For medical assistance and/or pharmacy needs outside of the hours above, off-campus services are available at Cooley Dickinson Hospital (9.7 miles from campus), Cooley Dickinson Urgent Care - Amherst  (1.9 miles from campus), MedExpress Urgent Care (2.4 miles from campus) and CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles from campus).

Emergency Alerts
During your stay, we recommend signing up for our temporary text alert system. Text UMassAlertsGuest to 78015 to receive alerts during your stay. Your subscription will automatically expire after one week, or you can text Stop to 78015 to cancel upon your departure. Click here or email oem@ehs.umass.edu for additional information.

Emergency Services 
The UMass Police Department (UMPD) is located at 585 East Pleasant Street in Amherst, MA 01003. For emergencies, use your cellphone to call 413-545-3111 for the quickest response. If you call 911 with your cellphone note that you will be connected to the MA State Police, who can then transfer you to UMPD (say you are calling from UMass Amherst). For non-emergencies call 413-545-2121. During your visit you will also notice over 115 "Help" phones located all across campus. These boxes are easily identified by their yellow boxes topped with blue lights. When the red emergency button is pushed, the caller will be put in immediate contact with UMPD. In addition to providing voice contact with a police dispatcher, "Help" phone use also enables a dispatcher to pinpoint the caller's exact location. If you are deaf or hard-of-hearing and have access to TTY equipment, you can contact UMPD at 413-577-0384, or utilize the telecommunications relay service offered by Mass Relay.

Have questions or need assistance? We're happy to help!
Please contact UMass Conference Services at registration@umass.edu or 413-577-8102.
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8AM - 4PM EDT (excluding federal and/or Massachusetts state holidays). All calls, voicemails and/or emails will be answered as soon as possible during our standard business hours. We look forward to hearing from you!

Local Transportation
There are multiple transportation options to get you from campus to amenities and attractions in the surrounding area. Amherst center, with local shops, restaurants, and small convenience stores, is a 15-20 minute walk or 5 minute drive from campus. If you find you need to visit a grocery store, large retail store, or pharmacy during your stay, numerous options are located on University Drive and Russell Street (also known as Route 9) in neighboring Hadley, about a 5-10 minute trip from campus by car or bus. Retailers include CVS, Big Y, Stop and Shop, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Target, Walmart, JC Penney, Marshalls, and more.

Local buses, operated by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, run regularly between Amherst center and the University, with additional services traveling throughout the Pioneer Valley, including Northampton, Springfield, and Greenfield. If you'd rather take a car, UMass has partnered with Zipcar and Enterprise Rent-A-Car to bring on-demand car sharing services right to campus. The area is also serviced by a variety of cab companies, including Uber, Lyft, Celebrity Cab Company and Taxi Express. A variety of bike rental options are also available, weather permitting, including Laughing Dog Bicycles, Hampshire Bicycle Exchange, and ValleyBike Share.

Dining
Looking to head off-campus for a meal? There are so many wonderful and convenient options! Downtown Amherst, located about a 5 minute drive/20 minute walk from campus, has many unique restaurants, with fare ranging from Thai, Chinese, Italian, American, Indian and more. Some longstanding downtown favorites include Antonio's pizza by the slice, Bueno Y Sano, and Johnny's Tavern. About 5 minutes in the other direction, heading down University Drive, you will find some more popular local spots including The Hangar Pub and Grill and Ginger Garden. Travel just a bit further (7 - 10 minutes from campus) and you will reach the Route 9/Russell Street area of Hadley, which is replete with familiar chains and fast-food spots including Friendly's, Panara, Chili's, Wendy's, Chipotle, Texas Roadhouse and more. Have a little more time on your hands? Visit downtown Northampton, about a 25 minute drive from campus, to explore the many restaurants and shops that make up this artistic, academic and countercultural hub. Click the links below for some more information on off-campus dining options, and be sure to take a look at the bus services offered by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority to help you get where you need to go! 

For more information visit:
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce: http://www.amherstarea.com/list/category/restaurants-281
Visit Hampshire County: https://visithampshirecounty.com/eat/restaurants/

Shopping
If you find you need to visit a grocery store, large retail store, or pharmacy during your stay, numerous options are located 5 - 10 minutes from campus in downtown Amherst, as well as on University Drive in Amherst and Russell Street (also known as Route 9) in neighboring Hadley. These locations are also serviced by PVTA buses.

Downtown Amherst

Amherst Shopping Center - retail/grocery stores and dining, including Big Y, Dunkin Donuts, CVS and Goodwill. Located at 181 University Drive in Amherst, MA.

Hampshire Mall - retail/grocery stores, dining, and entertainment, including Target, Trader Joe's, J. C. Penney, Cinemark, Pinz Bowling, Interskate 91, LaserBlast, and Planet Fitness Gym. Located at 367 Russell Street in Hadley, MA.

Campus Farms Mall - retail/grocery stores and dining, including TJ Maxx, Super Stop & Shop, Dollar Tree, Liquors 44, and Johnny's Roadside Diner. Located at 440-454 Russell Street in Hadley, MA.

Mountain Farms Mall - retail/grocery stores and dining, including Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond, Old Navy, Panera Bread and Whole Foots Market. Located at 335 Russell Street in Hadley, MA

Attractions
Amherst is known for its rural charm and big city appeal. With many restaurants, bars and local shops, visitors get lost exploring our downtown. Located just a few minutes drive from the campus, it is a convenient and popular destination. 

The city of Northampton is a blend of historic, contemporary, intellectual, artsy, athletic and entrepreneurial. With cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs, shops, museums, rivers, parks and spas, Northampton is a place to be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of budget.

The Emily Dickinson Homestead, located right in downtown Amherst, was mentioned frequently in her intensely idiosyncratic and strikingly modern poetry. Devoted Dickinson readers visit the Homestead and The Evergreens, the Italianate home built next door by Emily's brother Austin Dickinson, to walk today where Emily walked and to see what Emily saw.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, located in Amherst, looks to inspire a love of art and reading through picture books, just a short 15 minute drive from campus. Founded by Eric Carle and his wife Barbara, the Museum is for visitors of all ages: children and families, teachers and librarians, scholars, and everyone interested in the art of the picture book.

The Yiddish Book Center is a nonprofit organization working to tell the whole Jewish story by rescuing, translating, and disseminating Yiddish books and presenting innovative educational programs that broaden understanding of modern Jewish identity. The Yiddish Book Center is located on the Hampshire College campus, about a 15 minute drive from UMass.

The Amherst College Beneski Museum of Natural History, located about 5 minutes from the UMass campus, is one of New England’s largest natural history museums, boasting three floors of exhibits with more than 1,700 specimens on display, and tens of thousands of specimens available for use by scholars and researchers from across campus and around the world. 

Yankee Candle, located about 15 minutes away in South Deerfield, offers an enchanting mix of shopping and entertainment. You'll find 400,000 candles in over 200 different famous Yankee scents, but there are more than just candles at this flagship Village Store. It's a unique, entertaining world of New England charm, fairy tale fantasies, and hands-on, interactive candle making that's fun for every age.

Historic Deerfield is an authentic 18th-century New England village. Tour beautifully restored museum houses with period architecture and furnishings, see yankee ingenuity at work in demonstrations of colonial-era trades, and explore the world-famous collection of early American crafts, ceramics, furniture, textiles and metalwork. 

The Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens is a 14,400 square foot facility that includes a 4,000 sq. ft. glass conservatory filled with butterflies, moths and tropical vegetation, about a 20 minute drive from campus in neighboring South Deerfield.

Home to more than three hundred inductees and more than 40,000 square feet of basketball history, the Basketball Hall of Fame stirs the spirits of basketball fans everywhere. Hundreds of interactive exhibits share the spotlight with skills challenges, live clinics, shooting contests and enough basketball history to impress the world’s most avid sports fans. 

The Springfield Museums grant visitors access to the Springfield Science Museum, George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Springfield History and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden and Museum, all under a single admission. The museums are located in the heart of downtown Springfield, about a 40 minute drive from UMass.

Six Flags New England is home to many rides and attractions, from pulse-pounding roller coasters to gentler options for the youngest of thrill seekers. With some of the fastest, tallest, wildest, most gut-wrenching rides in the country (including a few record breakers), as well as family rides, kid rides, entertaining shows and the Hurricane Harbor Water Park, Six Flags New England has fun for everyone.

Medical Services
If you find you need medical services, including emergency care or pharmacy services, below are some options close to campus. For on-campus emergencies please contact the UMass Police at 413-545-2121, utilize an on-campus "Help" phone, or call 911 and ask to be transferred to UMass Amherst PD.

Cooley Dickinson Hospital - offers 24-hour full hospital/health care services including emergency and critical care, imaging/radiology, lab services.
30 Locust Street, Northampton MA (9.7 miles from campus).
Main Number: 413-582-2000. Crisis Hotline: 413-586-5555.

CVS Pharmacy - offers pharmacy, drive-thru pharmacy, MinuteClinic, immunizations.
165 University Drive, Amherst MA (1.9 miles from campus).
Main Number: 413-256-0421.

Cooley Dickinson Urgent Care - Amherst - offers urgent care services for non-life threatening minor illness or injuries. Open Monday - Friday 8AM to 7PM; Saturday & Sunday 11AM to 5PM.
170 University Drive, Suite 102, Amherst MA (1.9 miles from campus).
Main Number: 413-582-4400.

MedExpress Urgent Care - offers urgent care services for illness and injuries. Open everyday from 8AM to 8PM.
424 Russell Street, Hadley MA (2.4 miles from campus).
Main Number: 413-253-0483.

[On-Campus] University Health Services - offers advance appointments, same-day appointments, walk-in care. 
150 Infirmary Way (near Franklin Dining Commons).
Appointments: 413-577-5101. Triage Nurse (available during health center hours): 413-577-5229. After-hours medical & mental health advice: 413-577-5000. 

Interested in learning about more things to do in the Pioneer Valley? Click here!

For Registration, Payment, and/or General Conference Questions:
Contact UMass Conference Services at 413-577-8102 or registration@umass.edu! Our office is open Monday - Friday from 8AM - 4PM ET.