The famous 4/20 is about far more than buying and enjoying cannabis, though that’s definitely how your day should start. Pair your products with Western Mass’s numerous inspiring and comforting sensory wonders, from nature strolls to delicious restaurants and eye-opening museums. To make the most of this high holiday, follow these tips on what to do on 420 and how to consume cannabis responsibly.

1. Connect with nature at Mount Toby State Forest

Take a leisurely stroll through the greenery of Mount Toby State Forest, which covers much of northeast Sunderland just above Amherst. Here, you’ll encounter two breathtaking waterfalls and the unforgettable Sunderland Cave, where you may encounter porcupines and bats. Heading to this forest on 4/20 after enjoying a cannabis edible may help you feel uplifted, energized, and ready to traverse the variety of trails. 

• Address: 88 Reservation Road, Sunderland, MA 01375
• Distance from Altai Alternative Care: 9 minutes / 5.7 miles

2. Let your mind wander at Riverside Park

For a more casual moment with nature, park your car at the end of School Street in Sunderland near the Sunderland Bridge and follow the trail toward the water. This gentle walk is a highlight of Riverside Park, where you’ll also find viewing decks for gazing out at the sky’s reflections on the Connecticut River and appreciating the Sunderland Bridge’s architecture. It’s a great 4/20 spot to elevate your appreciation of nature and manmade structures alike.

• Address: Trail access is at the end of School Street, Sunderland, MA 01375
• Distance from Altai Alternative Care: 3 minutes / 1.5 miles

3. See a true natural wonder at Buttonball Tree

This special tree in Sunderland near Riverside Park is believed to be the widest sycamore east of the Mississippi River. Gently crane your neck up at its towering branches, stand in front of the tree, and gaze in awe at nature’s beauty. Take a photo of yourself hugging it for a memento of your adventures or an Instagram-worthy moment. Your 4/20 cannabis purchase may bring out inspiring, creative vibes perfect for having some unique fun as you admire the Buttonball Tree and pose with it.

• Address: Near 133 North Main Street, Sunderland, MA 01375
• Distance from Altai Alternative Care: 3 minutes / 1.5 miles

4. Enjoy elevated hibachi and sushi at Goten of Japan

Arguably the most popular restaurant in Sunderland, Goten of Japan is a must-try if you love hibachi and sushi. The filet mignon, rib-eye steak, cherry blossom roll, and shrimp tempura are delicious as is, and they may taste even better if you arrive after amplifying your perspective with Altai. After consuming a highly potent, locally-made cannabis concentrate from your 4/20 run, Goten of Japan’s food will delicately and excitingly dance on your taste buds.

Note: Plan your Goten of Japan visit for 420 weekend, as the restaurant is closed on Mondays.

• Address: 104 Old Amherst Rd, Sunderland, MA 01375
• Distance from Altai Alternative Care: 1 minute / 0.6 miles

5. Immerse yourself in alluring aromas (and more) at Yankee Candle Village

This is no ordinary Yankee Candle storefront — it’s the flagship location where you can make your own candles, explore a Christmas village year-round, and stock up on hundreds of types of colorful candy. In the Christmas village, the six-foot-tall Nutcracker is a sight to behold, and snow falls every four minutes. The aromas and sights may feel all the more enchanting if you take a pull from the cannabis vape you purchased earlier in the day to usher in 4/20.

• Address: 25 Greenfield Rd, South Deerfield, MA 01373
• Distance from Altai Alternative Care: 14 minutes / 8.3 miles

6. Catch a game or show at Mullins Center

Home to UMass Amherst’s hockey and men’s and women’s basketball teams, the Mullins Center is a great spot for incorporating big-time entertainment into your 4/20 itinerary. Not a sports person? Musicians sometimes play shows here, too, and the concerts feel especially riveting when you’re elevated. Round out your 4/20 at the Mullins Center to end your day on a high note.

• Address: 200 Commonwealth Ave, Amherst, MA 01003
• Distance from Altai Alternative Care: 11 minutes / 6.2 miles

7. Indulge in hand-made delights at Donut Dip

A staple of the Pioneer Valley among dessert lovers, Donut Dip has been serving up handmade donuts in West Springfield since 1957. You’ll find more than 50 donuts on the menu alongside fresh brews from New England Coffee, making it an ideal spot for early in your 4/20 itinerary. Head here to make the most of your munchies and fuel up for the rest of your big day.

• Address: 1305 Riverdale St, West Springfield, MA 01089
• Distance from Altai Alternative Care: 30 minutes / 29.6 miles

8. Explore art, history, and science at the Springfield Museums

A ticket to the Springfield Museums gets you access to five museums in one. Bring out your whimsical, nostalgic side at the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden. Browse classic art at the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts and the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum. Get investigative at the Springfield Science Museum, or blast into the past at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History. It’s an eye-opening experience on any day. 

FYI: Save your excursion to the Springfield Museums for the weekend before 4/20. This museum is closed on Mondays.

• Address: 21 Edwards St, Springfield, MA 01103
• Distance from Altai Alternative Care: 37 minutes / 33.7 miles

Tips on how to enjoy cannabis responsibly on 420

On 4/20 (and on any other day), pace yourself, have a friend or loved one with you, don’t be afraid to try something new, and get help from dispensary staff. You should also know the rules around consumption wherever you’re going and follow all local laws and venue policies. Most importantly, have a designated driver, take public transportation, or use a rideshare app or taxi to get around.

• Start low and go slow. This classic cannabis advice means to consume less THC at first than you think you can handle, then consume more only after your product’s typical onset time has passed. It’s how you keep your 4/20 nice and balanced.

• Don’t go it alone, for safety. Western Mass is pretty sprawling, so your 4/20 itinerary may involve driving. Bring someone along with you who won’t be consuming cannabis so that you don’t have to get behind the wheel. Never drive after enjoying any cannabis product, even if you don’t “feel that high.”

• Consume only in private. You can’t legally consume cannabis in public anywhere in Massachusetts, so you’ll need to consume your 4/20 goodies somewhere private. Bonus tip: Time your consumption right so that the effects peak at the height of your adventures.

• Be adventurous. Just as 420 is a day for enjoying new experiences, it’s a day for exploring something new. At licensed Massachusetts dispensaries, you’ll find hundreds of items ranging from flower and pre-rolls to vapes and edibles, and you’ll get help figuring out which ones suit you best.

• Chat with budtenders. At Altai Alternative Care, our friendly, knowledgeable budtenders are rigorously trained to listen to your needs and recommend products based on your lifestyle and goals. Plus, we love to chat! If you leave feeling cared for and seen — and want to come back again after 4/20 — we’ve done our job.

Start your 4/20 at Altai Alternative Care

Located in the middle of all the best 420 activities in Western Mass, Altai Alternative Care stocks hard-to-find local craft cannabis alongside statewide top picks. Our independent, family-owned Sunderland dispensary is known for its exceptionally welcoming vibe, and folks often stay around and chat longer than expected. Visit us on Route 116 to make some new friends — and new cannabis purchases — on this 420 and every day after!