Poet’s Seat Tower, Greenfield MA

Nature, something that can be so beautiful or terrifying, is certainly always inspiring. It is the perfect topic for a poet to study. Frederick Goddard Tuckerman was a resident of Greenfield, MA moved to write his nature poetry while sitting at the highest point in the city, a place dubbed Poet’s Seat. As if the views weren’t lovely enough from the base, at this site there was a wooden tower. It burnt down and later replaced with the present day sandstone observation tower, Poet’s Seat Tower [Mountain Rd, Greenfield, MA 01301].

This is a great place to take a nice long hike on the trails of Highland Park and Rocky Mountain Park, or just a quick jaunt up for some great views. On a bitter cold day with minimal time, we just checked out the tower. It was well worth the stop. Take the short walk up the well marked and maintained path.

Before you know it you will be at the base of the tower, the fanciest observation deck I have ever seen!

Climb up the spiral stairs where the wonder awaits.

Panoramic views of picturesque Pioneer Valley, worthy of poetry!

Like one constrained to wander

Alone till morning light,

Beneath the hopeless grandeur

Of a star-filled winter’s night.

Frederick Goddard Tuckerman