Northampton (Massachusetts)

Northampton is a city in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. It has a picturesque and vibrant downtown, consisting of numerous art galleries, restaurants and quirky shops sprinkled among coffee shops and performing arts venues. It is home to prestigious Smith College and the Clarke School for the Deaf. Northampton lies 15 miles (25 km) north of the City of Springfield, and 6 miles (10 km) west of Amherst, another bohemian college town.



Understanding
Northampton is nationally known for being a bohemian college town and LGBTQ haven. It is home to Smith College, a prestigious women's college. This small city of 30,000 is populated, mostly, by artists, intellectuals, political activists, hipsters, and a large LGBTQ community.

Long-time residents nickname Northampton "Hamp," while newer residents tend to call it "NoHo." Another nickname for Northampton is the "Paradise City", after opera singer Jenny Lind remarked that Northampton was "the paradise of America."

The Town of Northampton (originally named Nonotuck) was granted its charter in 1654; the City of Northampton was incorporated in 1884.

Liberal politics are an important part of Northampton's scene. By one website's criteria, it was pronounced the most liberal mid-sized city in the country in 2004.

By car
From the east: take the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) to exit 4, and get on Route 91 North. Take exit 18 and turn left.

From the south: take Interstate 91 North to exit 18. Turn left at the light.

From the west: take the Massachusetts Turnpike east to exit 4. At exit 4, get on Interstate 91 North, to exit 18. Turn left off the exit.

You can also take Route 9 east, or Route 2 east to I-91 South, exit 20.

From the north: take Interstate 91 South, exit 20.

By bus
Peter Pan Bus Lines has frequent service from Boston and New York to Northampton. All buses run through Springfield first.

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) provides local bus service throughout the Pioneer Valley, from Northampton and Amherst south to the City of Springfield.

Franklin County Transit Authority (FRTA) runs a bus route from the city of Greenfield south to Northampton.

By train

 * Routes stopping at Northampton:
 * Vermonter operates daily between St. Albans and Washington, D.C. including stops in Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier, White River Junction, Claremont, Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, New York City, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and New Carrollton. Both southbound and northbound trains depart during the afternoon.
 * Valley Flyer operates twice daily between Greenfield and New Haven including stops in Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden, and Wallingford.
 * More frequent commuter service is available at Springfield, which is about a 25-minute drive south of Northampton.
 * More frequent commuter service is available at Springfield, which is about a 25-minute drive south of Northampton.

By plane
Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut is 25 miles (40 km) from Northampton with easy access onto I-91 North.

Boston Logan International Airport in Boston, Massachusetts is 90 miles (145 km) from Northampton, and can be reached by taking the Mass Turnpike.

TF Greene International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island is 92 miles (147 km) from Northampton, and can be reached by taking the Mass Turnpike.

Get around
Like many cities in the Pioneer Valley, Northampton is eminently walkable, but is also a very bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly city. You can also take a PVTA bus around town and to other cities (e.g. Springfield) and towns in the Pioneer Valley (e.g. Amherst.) Lyft and Uber are popular in the area.


 * Zipcars are available for rent by the hour.
 * ValleyBike Share provides electric pedal assist bikes in a number of Pioneer Valley locations.
 * ValleyBike Share provides electric pedal assist bikes in a number of Pioneer Valley locations.

See

 * Peanut Gallery, in the Eastworks building in Easthampton, 10 minutes outside of Northampton. Peanut Gallery specializes in contemporary art, exhibiting the work of unknown and established, local and far away (Tokyo, Belgium) artists side by side. Peanut Gallery is also connected to a store called Peanut . The gallery and store also overlap, featuring one-of-a-kind fashions made by artists and artistic printed matter.
 * Michelson's Gallery, Main Street, This gallery has a lovely permanent collection which includes a Dr. Seuss exhibit (great for kids and adults) with many original sketches and paintings, works by John Lennon, Leonard Nimoy, and others.
 * David Ruggles Center, 225 Nonotuck St, email: info@davidrugglescenter.org. Part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, the David Ruggles Center offers walking tours and hosts visiting groups to educate the public about David Ruggles, Sojourner Truth, Lydia Maria Child and the local Underground Railroad.
 * Michelson's Gallery, Main Street, This gallery has a lovely permanent collection which includes a Dr. Seuss exhibit (great for kids and adults) with many original sketches and paintings, works by John Lennon, Leonard Nimoy, and others.
 * David Ruggles Center, 225 Nonotuck St, email: info@davidrugglescenter.org. Part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, the David Ruggles Center offers walking tours and hosts visiting groups to educate the public about David Ruggles, Sojourner Truth, Lydia Maria Child and the local Underground Railroad.
 * Michelson's Gallery, Main Street, This gallery has a lovely permanent collection which includes a Dr. Seuss exhibit (great for kids and adults) with many original sketches and paintings, works by John Lennon, Leonard Nimoy, and others.
 * David Ruggles Center, 225 Nonotuck St, email: info@davidrugglescenter.org. Part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, the David Ruggles Center offers walking tours and hosts visiting groups to educate the public about David Ruggles, Sojourner Truth, Lydia Maria Child and the local Underground Railroad.
 * David Ruggles Center, 225 Nonotuck St, email: info@davidrugglescenter.org. Part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, the David Ruggles Center offers walking tours and hosts visiting groups to educate the public about David Ruggles, Sojourner Truth, Lydia Maria Child and the local Underground Railroad.

Events

 * First Night, Northampton celebrates the New Year with events all over downtown.
 * Four Sundays In February, escape the winter gloom with four events of fun.
 * Smith College Spring Bulb Show, a reminder that spring is just around the corner.
 * Noho Pride, a celebration of Northampton's large lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, typically held the first Saturday in May.
 * Paradise City Arts Festival, every May and October, a nationally renowned arts and crafts event.
 * Three County Fair, One of the country's longest-running county fairs, a tradition that marks the end of summer.
 * New Century Theater In the summertime, New Century Theater comes to Smith College and puts on a season of plays. Excellent performances! They also have children's theater.
 * Hot Chocolate Run Usually held the first Sunday of December, the Hot Chocolate Run is a popular and festive 5k that benefits Safe Passage, a Northampton organization that provides support and services to people affected by domestic violence.
 * New Century Theater In the summertime, New Century Theater comes to Smith College and puts on a season of plays. Excellent performances! They also have children's theater.
 * Hot Chocolate Run Usually held the first Sunday of December, the Hot Chocolate Run is a popular and festive 5k that benefits Safe Passage, a Northampton organization that provides support and services to people affected by domestic violence.

Do

 * Northampton Bike Trail, 2.7-mile-long linear park from Stoddard St/back of the Stop and Shop on King Street to Look Park/Bridge Rd/JFK school,.
 * Norwottuck Rail Trail, more than 10-mile-long linear park from Woodmont Street off of North Street in Northampton to Belchertown via Hadley and Amherst,.
 * Look Park, off Route 9, This park has a zoo, mini golf, tennis, picnic areas, playgrounds, a waterpark for small children, and a duck pond with paddle boats. It is also home to the Pines Theater, Noho's outdoor theater and concert hall.
 * East Heaven Hot Tubs by the Forbes Library features a roof-top hot tub that is open year-round.
 * Northampton Bike Trail, 2.7-mile-long linear park from Stoddard St/back of the Stop and Shop on King Street to Look Park/Bridge Rd/JFK school,.
 * Norwottuck Rail Trail, more than 10-mile-long linear park from Woodmont Street off of North Street in Northampton to Belchertown via Hadley and Amherst,.
 * Look Park, off Route 9, This park has a zoo, mini golf, tennis, picnic areas, playgrounds, a waterpark for small children, and a duck pond with paddle boats. It is also home to the Pines Theater, Noho's outdoor theater and concert hall.
 * East Heaven Hot Tubs by the Forbes Library features a roof-top hot tub that is open year-round.
 * East Heaven Hot Tubs by the Forbes Library features a roof-top hot tub that is open year-round.
 * East Heaven Hot Tubs by the Forbes Library features a roof-top hot tub that is open year-round.

Buy

 * Sweetie's, Main St. Noho's favorite candy shop. All sorts of candies and chocolates, pay by weight.
 * Synergy, Main St. Great shoe shop!
 * The Mountain Goat, Main St. Great for outdoorsy apparel and shoes.
 * Raven, Right off Main St, best used bookshop in town!
 * Unite Footwear Main St, cutting edge of fashion and trends.
 * Flowers A La Carte In Thornes Marketplace, Main Street, great place for fresh flowers.
 * Turn It Up Pleasant St off Main St, great selection of used CDs and vinyl records. Also some VHS and DVDs. You can listen before you buy.
 * Harlow Leather Main St, upscale travel store. Luggage, leather goods (wallets) bags and purses. Also a good place to buy travel items like money belts and toiletry cases.
 * Flowers A La Carte In Thornes Marketplace, Main Street, great place for fresh flowers.
 * Turn It Up Pleasant St off Main St, great selection of used CDs and vinyl records. Also some VHS and DVDs. You can listen before you buy.
 * Harlow Leather Main St, upscale travel store. Luggage, leather goods (wallets) bags and purses. Also a good place to buy travel items like money belts and toiletry cases.

Eat
This little town is full of restaurants, you can pretty much find anything you crave.
 * Jake's, breakfast-brunch. Your typical diner (with diner coffee) but everything else is delicious. Try banana pancakes or waffles with strawberries and whipped cream.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Jake's, breakfast-brunch. Your typical diner (with diner coffee) but everything else is delicious. Try banana pancakes or waffles with strawberries and whipped cream.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Jake's, breakfast-brunch. Your typical diner (with diner coffee) but everything else is delicious. Try banana pancakes or waffles with strawberries and whipped cream.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Jake's, breakfast-brunch. Your typical diner (with diner coffee) but everything else is delicious. Try banana pancakes or waffles with strawberries and whipped cream.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.
 * Bueno y Sano, Main St, A mix of El Salvadorian, Mexican, and healthy foods. Known for big burritos, great vegetarian options, and the barbecue chicken burrito.

Drink

 * Tunnel Bar Across from Pearl St Nightclub, underneath The Depot Restaurant. Swanky, in a tunnel.  Leather armchairs and expensive, but tasty, martinis.
 * Packard's Only bar that allows 18+, but only on the first floor.  Serves food.  Second and third floors have pool and foosball.
 * Tunnel Bar Across from Pearl St Nightclub, underneath The Depot Restaurant. Swanky, in a tunnel.  Leather armchairs and expensive, but tasty, martinis.
 * Packard's Only bar that allows 18+, but only on the first floor.  Serves food.  Second and third floors have pool and foosball.
 * Tunnel Bar Across from Pearl St Nightclub, underneath The Depot Restaurant. Swanky, in a tunnel.  Leather armchairs and expensive, but tasty, martinis.
 * Packard's Only bar that allows 18+, but only on the first floor.  Serves food.  Second and third floors have pool and foosball.
 * Tunnel Bar Across from Pearl St Nightclub, underneath The Depot Restaurant. Swanky, in a tunnel.  Leather armchairs and expensive, but tasty, martinis.
 * Packard's Only bar that allows 18+, but only on the first floor.  Serves food.  Second and third floors have pool and foosball.

Go next

 * Springfield
 * Amherst