Location: Northampton
Top Things to do in Northampton
Countries
10 Things to Do in Northampton That You Shouldn't Miss
Artists, farmers, scholars and professionals come together in harmony in beautiful Northampton, where the Connecticut River winds through the wooded hills of the Pioneer Valley. Once home to such diverse notables as U.S. president Calvin Coolidge, abolitionist Sojourner Truth, author Kurt Vonnegut and punk rockers Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore, and current home of the all women's Smith College, the city is famed for its arts scene and liberal values, plus a thriving lesbian community.
Restaurants in Northampton
1. Smith College Botanic Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 256 reviews
There are ten different garden types and a greenhouse in this Botanic Garden.
Reviewed By Richard_Harpum - Doncaster, United Kingdom
My wife and I visited the Botanic Garden of Smith College in Northampton, Connecticut, during a tour of New England. It is located on the campus of Smith College and because it is quite small, is quite easy to miss. Look for the large conservatories.
Entry is free. The Gardens consists of a fine selection of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. However, the majority of the garden is under glass with an excellent collection of warm-weather plants in a set of historic conservatories. There are also some interesting murals showing the development of the area from pre-Cambrian times.
Definitely worth a visit if you are in Northampton.
2. Mount Tom State Reservation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By ogogolby - Sutton, Massachusetts
I was first struck but the excellent road conditions throughout the reservation. Wish all Mass roads were so fine. Outstanding views of the Pioneer Valley abound in this destination. Drove in from the East Hampton entrance and ended up in Northampton. Well worth the trip.
3. Skinner State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By Zosia B - Mons, Belgium
I love climbing up to the summit of Mt. Holyoke on a clear day and taking in the views of the Valley below. On a clear day you can even see Vermont. Unfortunately the Summit House is closed for the foreseeable future but the wonderful rocking chairs on the porch remain.
4. Puzzled Escape Games
Overall Ratings
5 based on 87 reviews
Reviewed By Zhigie35 - Boston, Massachusetts
So much freakin fun!!!!! I went with five girl friends, only myself and one other have tried an escape room before. We were kind of nervous about us working as a team but the direction of the staff and clues helped us get started. The game we played (can't release the top secret info about the game) was very interactive, challenging, and fun. They are opening a wizard themed one which I am looking forward to and have a cafe to grab some munchies (and to celebrate victory or being so close). I highly recommend coming here to play one whether with family, friends, or other type of loved ones! It is also located in an old mill which adds to the mystery. The staff was amazing and really made you get into the game (ps I am a sore loser, didnt get to escape, and still want to go back!!).
5. Smith College Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
This museum features work by a number of art greats.
Reviewed By kzsull01 - Windsor, Connecticut
My husband and I visited the Smith College Museum of Art in Northampton, Mass. on Sunday, August 6th. It is worth visiting. The museum has four full floors of a very good selection of various types of art, including American, European, African, Asian, Ancient World and Modern. The art work on display is of high quality and includes pieces by Degas, Monet, Picasso, Whistler and Saint-Gauden. All the floors in the museum are organized by time period and have a very good lay-out with nicely done write-ups depicting the art on display. The special exhibit, ‘Leisure and Luxury in the Age of Nero, the Villas of Oplontis Near Pompeii’, depicts two Roman archaeological sites in the ancient town of Oplontis and has many interesting well preserved objects contained within it. This was a very impressive and well done exhibit. Visiting this museum was a very interesting experience and was worth the trip. Even the restrooms on the lower level have been designed with nice art work. The museum is located within Northampton, a very nice town to drive-through and perhaps visit with many shops and restaurants outlining its streets.
6. Norwottuck Rail Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 121 reviews
Ten-mile bike path on the old tracks of the Boston and Maine railroad.
Reviewed By goingforadrive - Erving
I had an excellent ride from Northhampton to Belchertown. The trail spans 11 miles, and there are plenty of great views of the Connecticut River, fields, swamps, towns and distant mountains. Plenty of access point along the trial with parking, benches scattered the length of the trai,l and porte-potties, too. Well maintained, mostly shaded, and flat.
Beautiful!
7. Yiddish Book Center
Overall Ratings
5 based on 76 reviews
The Book Center’s 37,000-square-foot heymish-modern building in Amherst, MA, is a lebedike velt – a lively world – featuring an open Yiddish book repository, theatres, art galleries, museum exhibitions about Yiddish language and culture, and programs in literature, music, art, film, and theater
Reviewed By barry01035 - Hadley, Massachusetts
This is the most amazing museum, really. A beautiful and innovative architecture by any standard that was built to protect and display the world's largest collection of Yiddish works, woven around the history of their times. An amazing experience for anyone of any religion and especially in the current xenophobic political administration and climate, important to be reminded of protecting our diverse cultures and importance of inclusiveness.
8. Summit House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By grommit - Grafton, Massachusetts
Walk or drive...to the top of Mt. Holyoke (about 1,000 feet up) via the paved roadway. Exceptional, long views of the Connecticut River valley and pretty much a 360 degree view. Historical attractions at the Summit house, a former hotel.
9. Historic Northampton
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By amherst_reader - Newburyport, Massachusetts
Northampton has a ton of dining/drinking options, all of them designed to cater to the young and educated crowds drawn to the area by the cluster of colleges located here and in neighboring Amherst and South Hadley. They don't call it the Five Colleges area for nothing! Northampton is the largest of these three college towns, and in many ways the least charming. I say this not because there aren't interesting buildings to look at or a raft of cultural activities or some great book stores, but mainly because you can't walk 50 feet without being asked for spare change. The beggars do not add to the local color, and they are a nuisance. Many of them have cute little doggies to enhance the chances of scoring some spare change. The other thing to know about Northampton is that it wears its politics on its sleeve. If you are a fan of lost--or loony--causes, Northampton is a must-see town for you. Drive carefully when you are in the downtown, because pedestrian crosswalks are very closely spaced, and the pedestrians lack common courtesy. But all in all, a nice place to spend an hour or two if you are in the vicinity.
10. Smith College
Overall Ratings
5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By Robert F - San Antonio, Texas
Visiting friends who live in the area, we walked around the Smith campus every morning. The landscaping is exceptional (with little plaques on trees identifying what they are) and the buildings impressive. The student union, I am told, is a great place to eat. If I lived in Northampton, I would definitely hang out here, even though I'm a male.
TAGS
