Key Points
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Northampton, Massachusetts, combines a walkable downtown, independent boutiques, art galleries, and historic performance venues with the cultural attractions of Smith College.
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Visitors can enjoy botanical gardens, scenic wooded trails, live music, and local history, including a museum dedicated to President Calvin Coolidge.
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The city offers an eclectic dining scene and accommodations ranging from historic downtown hotels to modern boutique properties.
Set in western Massachusetts’ Connecticut River Valley, about two hours west of Boston, Northampton combines college-town energy with a thriving arts scene and plenty of independent character. Smith College anchors much of the city’s cultural life, and its Museum of Art and Botanic Garden are open to visitors. Downtown, catch a concert or theater performance at the historic Academy of Music or Iron Horse Music Hall, peruse eclectic galleries, or settle into a cozy cafe. Beyond the city center, nearby parks and wooded trails offer a change of pace, making Northampton an excellent home base for exploring the Pioneer Valley.
Here’s what you need to know before planning a trip to Northampton, Massachusetts.
Best Things to Do
Explore downtown Northampton.
Downtown Northampton is easy to explore on foot, with independent shops, galleries, music venues, and cafes lining Main Street and the surrounding side streets. Browse the shelves at Broadside Bookshop, hunt for vintage clothing and records, or explore Thornes Marketplace, a multilevel shopping center filled with local boutiques. It’s also home to Herrell’s Ice Cream, a local favorite known for its homemade ice cream and creative mix-ins. Art lovers, meanwhile, can stop at R. Michelson Galleries for fine art and illustration or visit A.P.E. Ltd. gallery for contemporary and experimental work. If you’re visiting on the second Friday of the month, check out Arts Night Out, when galleries and art spaces host exhibitions and events.
Visit Smith College’s art museum and gardens.
You don’t have to be a student to enjoy two of Smith College’s biggest attractions. The Smith College Museum of Art holds a collection spanning centuries and continents, including works by artists such as Claude Monet and Edgar Degas. A short stroll away, The Botanic Garden of Smith College includes outdoor gardens and the Lyman Plant House & Conservatory, where greenhouses house tropical plants, orchids, and other collections. The campus itself is worth exploring for its historic buildings, lawns, and colorful foliage in the fall.
Get outside.
Northampton has plenty of green space for anyone looking to retreat to nature. At Look Park, walk the wooded paths, picnic by the Mill River, or enjoy seasonal amenities like a miniature train, pedal boats, or mini golf. The tranquil Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area also offers trails that wind through the lake’s surrounding woods and wetlands.
Discover the 30th U.S. president’s local ties at the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum.
Before becoming the 30th U.S. president, Calvin Coolidge lived in Northampton, practiced law, and even served as the city’s mayor. The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum inside Forbes Library holds photographs, documents, and other materials that trace his life and political career. It’s a worthwhile stop to see the former president’s ties to Northampton and the city’s place in American history.
Catch a show.
Northampton has a long history of live music and theater, and two of its best-known venues are right downtown. The Academy of Music opened in 1891 and became the nation’s first municipally owned theater a year later. Today, it hosts concerts, plays, comedy shows, and film screenings. Just a few blocks away, The Iron Horse music hall is a smaller, more intimate venue known for its folk, rock, jazz, and singer-songwriter lineup. Check both calendars before your visit to see who’s performing.
Where to Eat and Drink
Jake’s
Jake’s is a casual breakfast-and-lunch spot with an open kitchen, a lively atmosphere, and generous portions. Breakfast is served all day so you can order a stack of fluffy pancakes, Eggs Benedict, or a breakfast burrito well past the morning rush. The menu also has burgers, hearty sandwiches, and salads if you’re in the mood for lunch. It’s the kind of unfussy neighborhood place where you can settle in for a big breakfast and a good cup of coffee before heading out to explore town.
Bombay Royale
This laid-back Indian restaurant in downtown Northampton is a great choice for lunch or dinner, with plenty of vegetarian options alongside chicken, lamb, and seafood. The menu includes classics like chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, vegetable samosas, and biryani, plus freshly baked naan to share. It’s a casual, comfortable spot for a sit-down meal after exploring Main Street.
Bluebonnet Diner
Family-owned since 1950, Bluebonnet Diner is an old-school institution open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is available all day, with pancakes, omelets, and eggs with home fries, while the rest of the menu covers everything from seafood and burgers to sandwiches, salads, and daily specials. Save room for a slice of homemade pie before you leave.
Fitzwilly’s Restaurant & Bar
Fitzwilly’s Restaurant & Bar is a lively, old-fashioned pub with exposed brick, dark wood, and a menu filled with comfort classics. Start with the cheesy French onion soup or New England scallop chowder, then dig into maple bourbon steak tips, Cajun jambalaya, or the Memphis mac and cheese. The short rib grilled cheese is another must-try, and plenty of wings, burgers, and sandwiches are available if you’re after something more casual.
Paul and Elizabeth’s
A Northampton favorite since 1978, Paul and Elizabeth’s highlights fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with seafood, vegetarian, and vegan dishes (no meat or poultry). Expect dishes like baked cod, scallops, and seasonal vegetables, prepared with herbs, spices, and flavors from around the world. Nearly five decades in, the original owners, Paul and Elizabeth, and their son, Nate, still run the restaurant.
Where to Sleep
The Hotel Northampton
Located downtown, The Hotel Northampton is within walking distance of Main Street’s shops, restaurants, and Smith College. The historic hotel, established in the 1920s, has hosted everyone from John F. Kennedy to Nicole Kidman in its 106 guest rooms and suites. It’s home to two on-site restaurants: Coolidge Park Café, a casual spot serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and the Colonial-style Wiggins Tavern. Dating from the 18th century, the latter was dismantled in its original New Hampshire location and recreated at the hotel, right down to the beams and fireplaces.
The Ellery
The Ellery is a boutique hotel in a colonial-style building, a short walk from Smith College and downtown Northampton. The recently renovated rooms have a fresh, modern look, and the lobby’s wood-burning fireplace is a comfortable place to unwind with a complimentary coffee. The hotel also includes a light daily breakfast, Wi-Fi, and on-site parking.
Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Springfield Northampton/Amherst
Located just off I-91 in Northampton, Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites is a practical choice for visiting Smith College and the surrounding Pioneer Valley. Like The Hotel Northampton, this property has 106 rooms and suites, plus an indoor pool, fitness center, complimentary hot breakfast, and on-site parking.
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