Holyoke Heritage State Park

Definitely the safest and most interesting place in downtown Holyoke. A feast for urban explorer with many paper mills open for outside exploration - for better or worse most buildings are well-secured - so external exploration only. Several examples of architecture by DH & AB Tower (David Horatio and Ashley Bemis Tower - 'Towers of Holyoke') who were the fathers of modern paper mill engineering. The bridge next to the park (Appleton St) can get you to all three levels of the canals where the mills are. You can spend a good portion of the day walking the canals so plan accordingly. Two hours that I spent left me longing for more. The area felt safe - very relaxing legal urbex.