Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Massachusetts Greenfield Poet's Seat Tower

Poet's Seat Tower

This tall Massachusetts folly got its name thanks to all of the purple prose its vistas inspired.

Greenfield, Massachusetts

Added By
alt219
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Poet’s Seat Tower   Jerry Dougherty on Wikipedia
Poet’s Seat Tower   Timothy Clough on Flickr
Poet’s Seat Tower   Timothy Clough on Flickr
  missingfilm / Atlas Obscura User
Level One   Hubertyanita / Atlas Obscura User
View from the top   Hubertyanita / Atlas Obscura User
May 2022   TokenEskimo / Atlas Obscura User
May 2022   TokenEskimo / Atlas Obscura User
  TheKopasClan / Atlas Obscura User
  Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
  Gavin / Atlas Obscura User
May 2022   TokenEskimo / Atlas Obscura User
  e1savage / Atlas Obscura User
  missingfilm / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Looming on a steep riverside cliff in a Greenfield, Massachusetts, park is a lonely tower that looks like it landed in place right from medieval times. But rather than a legacy of swords and sorcery, the gently-named Poet's Seat Tower is more of a place for peaceful reflection.

The scenic observation spot actually earned the name "Poet's Seat" in the mid-1800s when local writer Frederick Goddard Tuckerman coined the phrase. As the highest point in the city, the spot commands some truly panoramic sights. To make even more of the incredible view, a wooden observation tower was built on the edge of the lookout in 1879. This crude construction stood on the site until 1912 when the current stone turret was built on the site. The tower has multiple floors that visitors can access via winding internal staircases. The tower's series of arched windows allow for the best possible view of Greenfield spread out below.

While it does not seem to have been discovered or appropriated by LARP enthusiasts, the Poet's Seat Tower continues to look ready to defend Greenfield from Dark Age invaders, but it is more likely to see stinging verse fired from its parapets than flaming arrows. 

Places

Discover your next amazing Atlas Place.

Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Related Tags

Towers Follies And Grottoes

Know Before You Go

You can easily access this observation spot via a paved road with a speed limit of 20 mph. There is also a lookout complete with stone benches that boil in the sun off to the side of the parking spaces for the tower. Picturesque views for a picnic spot.

Community Contributors

Added By

alt219

Edited By

Martin, Emily J Dudek, Edward Denny, EricGrundhauser...

  • Martin
  • Emily J Dudek
  • Edward Denny
  • EricGrundhauser
  • e1savage
  • TokenEskimo
  • missingfilm
  • Gavin
  • TheKopasClan
  • Hubertyanita
  • vaczy10

Published

January 12, 2015

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://naturenoob.blogspot.com/2011/06/poets-seat-tower-in-greenfield-ma.html
  • http://www.franklincountyhistory.com/greenfield/everts/02.html
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poet's_Seat_Tower
Poet's Seat Tower
Mountain Road
Greenfield, Massachusetts, 01301
United States
42.5946, -72.5865
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Deerfield Massacre Mass Grave

Deerfield, Massachusetts

miles away

Eunice Williams Covered Bridge

Greenfield, Massachusetts

miles away

The Montague Book Mill

Montague, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Greenfield

Greenfield

Massachusetts

Places 3

Nearby Places

Deerfield Massacre Mass Grave

Deerfield, Massachusetts

miles away

Eunice Williams Covered Bridge

Greenfield, Massachusetts

miles away

The Montague Book Mill

Montague, Massachusetts

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Greenfield

Greenfield

Massachusetts

Places 3

Related Places

  • The elaborate top of the tower.

    Halifax, England

    Wainhouse Tower

    This tallest folly in the world began its life as an elaborate factory chimney.

  • Ocotillo, California

    Anza Borrego Desert View Tower

    This historic tower in the California desert promises visitors a "vortex of good vibes".

  • Vandalian Tower

    South Harting, England

    Vandalian Tower

    This ruined folly was originally built to honor a failed American state that would have become "Westsylvania."

  • Approaching the tower

    Barbate, Spain

    Torre Del Tajo

    This 16th-century watchtower once defended Spain's Atlantic coast from pirates.

  • Berne, Indiana Clock Tower

    Berne, Indiana

    The Berne Clock Tower

    This symbol of the town's Swiss heritage is a tribute to the Zytglogge in Bern.

  • Tarragona, Spain

    Monument als Castellers

    Few symbols capture the spirit of Catalonia more vividly than its tradition of human towers.

  • Kalundborg, Denmark

    Vor Frue Kirke (Church of Our Lady)

    Five matching towers make this church unique. Legend credits a troll.

  • View of leaning tower from outer-moat east bridge

    Caerphilly, Wales

    The Leaning Tower at Caerphilly Castle

    This castle tower in Wales leans at a steeper angle than the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2026 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.