Overview
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.
7 sights · 6 things to do · 23 places to eat · 8 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Northampton
Forbes Library
Includes the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum.
The Iron Horse Music Hall
Has musical acts nightly, usually focusing on lesser-known artists. It is also has a restaurant with a full menu and full bar.
Academy of Music Theater
Classic 19th-century theater in the heart of Northampton, showcasing local acts in the performing arts, including music, dance and theater.
Northampton Airport
Local airport that hosts flying programs, including summer camps, pilot training, and air sight-seeing tours.
Elm Street/Round Hill Historic District
This historic district consists almost exclusively of buildings that line Elm Street or Round Hill Road. Quite a few historic houses and other buildings are in this district, which is about a mile long.
galleryTK
2nd floor, above Ultragal. Not-for-profit gallery, started by Hampshire College students, specializing in contemporary art and new media.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep. (climate data from nearby Hartford)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 26 mi away (major hub). Directions
- ORH Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester — 39 mi away. Directions
From the east: take the Massachusetts Turnpike (Interstate 90) to exit 4, and get on Route 91 North. Take exit 18 and turn left.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Northampton Airport, Elm Street/Round Hill Historic District, East Heaven Hot Tubs & Paradise Spa
- Lunch Amanouz Cafe
- Afternoon Northampton Independent Film Festival, Pearl Street
- Dinner Bela
- Evening Platform Sports Bar
Day 2
- Morning Forbes Library, The Iron Horse Music Hall
- Lunch Eastside Grill
- Afternoon galleryTK, Broad Brook Conservancy/Fitzgerald Lake
- Dinner Haymarket
- Evening Northampton Brewery
Day 3
- Morning Smith College Museum of Art, Academy of Music Theater
- Lunch Herrell's
- Afternoon Northampton Sidewalk Sales, The Calvin Theater
- Dinner India House
- Evening Northampton Coffee and Tea
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
This little town is full of restaurants, you can pretty much find anything you crave.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
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.
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.
See
See galleryTK
2nd floor, above Ultragal. Not-for-profit gallery, started by Hampshire College students, specializing in contemporary art and new media.
- 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.
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.
See Northampton Sidewalk Sales
- Three County Fair, One of the country's longest-running county fairs, a tradition that marks the end of summer.
See Northampton Independent Film Festival
- 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.
Buy
Shop The Hempest
The largest selection of natural fiber clothing and accessories in the country. Ask about the endless benefits of hemp and you'll be blown away.
- 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 À 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.
Shop Newbury Comics
Amherst's store has moved to a spot in downtown Noho. This location is bigger and more open, and as always, they have great prices for CDs and DVDs.
Shop Urban Outfitters
Local division of the chain of stores, located in the old bank on Main Street. Large selection of men's and women's apparel and home goods.
Eat
This little town is full of restaurants, you can pretty much find anything you crave.
Eat Amanouz Cafe
Moroccan place, very tasty and inexpensive.
Eat Bela
Vegetarian restaurant, wholesome and delicious. Try the Harvest Burger!.
Eat Eastside Grill
This is where the locals go when they want to impress someone.
Eat Haymarket
Many vegetarian and vegan options, plus delicious smoothies: try 9-1-1.
Eat Herrell's
Worth a special trip for the great ice cream. The servers will mix in ingredients called "smoosh-ins". Hot fudge sundaes and heavenly milkshakes available.
Eat India House
If you like Indian food, this is your place.
- 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.
Eat La Veracruzana
Authentic Mexican food.
Eat Mimmo's
Largest pizza in the world (or at least the Pioneer Valley or Noho).
Eat Pizarria Paradiso
A pizza place run by the same people who own Spoletos, so you can expect not just your standard pepperoni, but also carmalized onions with white sauce or calimari pizza.
Eat Spoletos
A fairly expensive restaurant but worth the prices. You won't be disappointed.
Eat Sylvester's
Named after, and in the house of, Sylvester Graham, inventor of the Graham cracker. Very popular place, especially for breakfast. The house and surroundings are beautiful, but the food can be a little hit or miss.
Eat Teapot Restaurant
Offers a mix of Chinese and Japanese cuisine, but serves surprisingly good sushi nonetheless.
Eat Osaka
Regularly voted the best sushi restaurant and the best Japanese restaurant in the Pioneer Valley, Osaka has great service, innovative sushi ideas, and, best of all, giant boats to eat your sushi off.
- 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.
Eat Delivery Express
Has menus for several Northampton restaurants on their website, including many of those listed above. As their name implies, they deliver orders from these restaurants.
Eat The Sierra Grille
Unique "choose your own" style menu in which you pick a protein, a sauce, and two sides- large variety of options, and always a large list of special items- also offers appetizers, salads and panini. Great atmosphere, live Jazz on Sunday nights, delicious food. Call ahead if you want to get a seat!
Eat Mosaic Cafe
Delicious Mediterranean food, a number of vegetarian options. Try the stews, salads or crepes. Dine inside (a bit crowded) or outside on the patio.
Eat The Green Bean
Interesting breakfast options, mainly scrambles and sandwiches (vegan options available). Great sandwiches for lunch. Small, but delicious menu, specials generally available. Not really a quiet spot, but good food served quickly.
Eat Mulino's Restaurant
Above Sierra Grille. Delicious Italian food, nice atmosphere.
Eat Mama Iguana's
Mexican restaurant owned by Spoletos serving traditional Mexican dishes, tapas, and the widest selection of Tequilas and Mescals in the region. Try the flavored Margaritas or Mojitos!
Eat Local Burger
A restaurant that embodies its name! Local Burger offers a variety of specialized burgers, including turkey, veggie and portobello, in addition to beef. Serves only fresh meats from local farms.
Eat Thai Garden
Large menu offering a wide variety of Thai specialties.
Eat Dobra Tea
Teas from all over the world and light fare. Also sells teaware.
Drink
Drink Northampton Brewery
The Pioneer Valley's first brewpub, serving food that is as good as the beer is.
Drink Platform Sports Bar
Located in the historic Union station, serves up typical pub food to go along with the beer.
Drink Northampton Coffee and Tea
Lovely, quiet, unpretentious, fresh coffee (fresh every hour), yummy treats. Free New York Times on the tables each morning.
Drink The Dirty Truth
Bar featuring 40 quality beers on tap.
Drink Woodstar Cafe
A popular place to get good coffee and great baked goods while enjoying free WiFi.
- 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.
Drink Freckled Fox Cafe
Great little cafe in Florence serving coffee, specialty drinks, shakes, smoothies, breakfast and lunch! Supports a number of local farms and other entities.
Drink Starbucks
Just your typical Starbucks. Not a ton of seating, but enough, considering the number of coffee shops in Noho.
Sleep
Bed and breakfast
Go next
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.
Nearby
Hadley
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Amherst
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