Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Northampton, MA

A sanctuary for progressive thought and a notable destination for the LGBTQ+ community, Northampton is frequently characterized as the most liberal city in the United States.

A significant proportion of the city’s populace identifies as gay or lesbian, and Northampton officially holds the distinction of having the highest number of lesbian couples per capita of any city nationwide.

Noho Pride graces the town in May, complementing numerous events along Northampton’s vibrant Main Street, which is replete with sustainable local enterprises.

To the west, the downtown area seamlessly integrates with the campus of Smith College, further solidifying Northampton’s status within the Connecticut River Valley’s Knowledge Corridor, where one can find an exceptional art museum and a stunning botanical garden.

1. Smith College

A crucial driver of Northampton’s progressive ethos is this esteemed private liberal arts institution, established in 1875.

Smith College maintains an impressive roster of alumni, including multiple Pulitzer Prize winners, such as the poet Sylvia Plath.

Further details on the principal attractions will be provided later; however, you may also want to take a moment to admire the campus, renowned for its distinguished architecture and lush greenery, with over 1,200 species of trees and shrubs forming an arboretum throughout the grounds.

Visitors may choose to engage in research at one of the libraries or attend a performance at the proscenium Theatre 14. Notably, Smith College was the first women’s college to become a member of the NCAA, and the Pioneers have competitive teams in ten different sports.

2. Smith College Botanic Garden

The Smith College campus becomes even more inviting with the botanical garden that was first designed in the 1880s, with renowned landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted, recognized for his work on Central Park, involved in its initial planning.

Today, the garden features over 6,600 different plant species, with one-third flourishing within a magnificent series of greenhouses established in 1895.

Regarding botany and horticulture, there is always something new to discover on the campus throughout the year: during winter, the tropical greenhouse contrasts vibrantly with the wintry landscape; a splendid bulb display can be seen at Capen Garden in spring, followed by a blooming rose arbor.

From this time until early summer, the Rock Garden reaches its peak, and from October onwards, a stunning fall palette emerges alongside the annual chrysanthemum exhibition.

3. Smith College Museum of Art (SCMA)

Founded in 1920, the art museum at Smith College houses a collection exceeding 25,000 works, amassed since the 1870s.

It particularly emphasizes European art, showcasing masterpieces by renowned artists such as Monet, Degas, Seurat, Courbet, Cézanne, and Camille Corot.

The SCMA also features extensive collections of Islamic art, African art, Asian art, decorative arts, sculpture, antiquities, and works on paper.

The museum is part of a complex that underwent a $35 million renovation in the early 2000s, which also accommodates the college’s art department and art library. Recent prominent solo exhibitions have showcased artists like Clarissa Tossin, Isaac Julien, Kyung Woo Han, and Maya Lin.

4. Downtown Northampton

Concentrated along a comparatively brief segment of Main Street, the heart of Northampton represents the downtown of many individuals’ aspirations.

This area features historic commercial edifices, a multitude of restaurants, a lively live music scene, art galleries, theaters, outdoor markets, numerous charming shops, and eclectic new events weekly.

While this article will highlight the most thrilling locations later, avid readers can lose themselves in the labyrinthine Raven Used Books, and those seeking upscale accommodations will find the 106-room Hotel Northampton, housed in a Georgian Revival structure dating back to 1927.

Any time is ideal for a visit; however, Main Street truly comes alive for Noho Pride on the first Saturday in May.

5. Frank Newhall Look Memorial Park

More than just a basic park, Look Park serves as a comprehensive family outing destination, particularly during the warmer months.

A nominal admission fee is applied for vehicles, granting access to a variety of attractions. Among the favorites is the Look Park Steamer, a miniature train that navigates through the park on a one-mile loop.

The park offers a splash pad resembling a miniature water park, well-maintained playgrounds, paddle boats, 18 holes of mini-golf, and the Christenson Wildlife Center, which houses pygmy goats, fallow deer, peacocks, chickens, barred owls, and more.

Additionally, the park features various sports facilities, from tennis courts to softball fields, while the Pines Theater serves as a magical venue for outdoor performances during summer months.

6. Norwottuck Rail Trail

Transitioning seamlessly from the constraints of car travel, navigating Northampton and the adjacent communities on both banks of the Connecticut River is quite manageable.

A favored local pathway for cyclists is the 11-mile Norwottuck Rail Trail, which occupies the former rail bed of the Boston & Maine Railroad, initially opened as the Central Massachusetts Railroad in 1887.

With a bridge constructed that same year, the trail is celebrated for its picturesque scenery, traversing wetlands in Amherst and Belchertown, while hugging the northern edge of the Holyoke Range.

In Northampton, the path connects with the six-mile Manhan Rail Trail, which curves along the southern boundary of the Smith College campus, and the 5.4-mile Northampton Bikeway, extending westward to serve Look Memorial Park.

7. Thornes Marketplace

One remarkable success in downtown Northampton has transformed a historical department store into a bustling destination for local vendors.

Housing more than 30 businesses within this 19th-century commercial building, some of which have been a staple in Northampton for over 50 years, Thornes Marketplace offers diverse shopping experiences.

Shops range from women’s footwear to natural body care products, books, handmade gifts, men’s apparel, sustainable children’s toys, and ethically sourced handicrafts.

Moreover, the marketplace features a yoga studio, fitness center, natural foods restaurant, café, and an ice cream stand.

8. Academy of Music Theatre

Inaugurated in 1892, the Academy of Music Theatre gained the distinction of becoming the first municipally owned theater in the nation when it was bequeathed to the city by local philanthropist Edward H. R. Lyman.

A myriad of renowned personalities graced its stage during the initial decades, including Sarah Bernhardt, Harry Houdini, Mae West, and Boris Karloff. By the 1930s, the Academy had pivoted to film screenings, serving as a first-run cinema until the 1980s when multiplexes became prevalent.

Today, this 1,000-seat venue stands as a premier performing arts stage for the Pioneer Valley, hosting numerous significant resident companies and collaborations, such as the Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra, Pioneer Valley Ballet, Valley Light Opera, and the community-focused theater company, Eggtooth Productions.

9. Farmers’ Markets

The Pioneer Valley has long been celebrated for its agricultural excellence, particularly regarding the Connecticut shade tobacco industry, which has diminished, alongside Hadley asparagus, which remains one of the region’s most acclaimed crops.

This legacy, in conjunction with Northampton’s identity as a progressive municipality catering to a youthful demographic, positions the city as a significant hub for farmers’ markets, offering exceptionally fresh seasonal produce, jams, maple syrup, cheeses, artisanal breads, honey, and more.

From spring through autumn, markets occur on Tuesdays (plaza by Thornes Marketplace), Wednesdays (Florence Civic Center), and Saturdays (Gothic Street).

During winter, Grow Food Northampton, the organization behind the Tuesday Market, implements a winter market, also on Tuesdays, at the Northampton Senior Center.

10. Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum

The 30th president, Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), relocated to Northampton to pursue a legal career following his graduation from nearby Amherst College and later returned after his presidential term.

The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library & Museum possesses the unique characteristic of being a library within a library, as it is situated within the public Forbes Library, near the Smith College campus.

Situated within a distinguished Romanesque Revival building dating back to 1893, the presidential library was established here in the early 1920s when Coolidge began contributing memorabilia and documents.

Among the more intriguing artifacts is an electric exercise horse utilized at the White House to address Coolidge’s weight gain.

11. Tunnel Bar

For those in search of a unique nightlife venue, consider a speakeasy-style cocktail lounge nested within a 19th-century pedestrian tunnel.

This award-winning establishment, known as Tunnel Bar, features a passageway constructed in 1897 for passengers boarding trains at Union Station.

Retaining all original stones and brickwork, the bar’s dim lighting and cozy leather seating create an unmatched ambiance for intimate gatherings over vintage cocktails, meticulously crafted martinis, fine wines, or locally sourced craft beers.

12. Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area

Over one-fifth of Northampton’s land is designated as protected open space, with the expansive Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area, encompassing over 850 acres, representing the largest singular property in the city.

This area is managed by the local nonprofit, Broad Brook Coalition (BBC), safeguarding a rich array of wetland habitats surrounding the lake and along the banks of Broad Brook, while offering a stunning venue for passive recreation.

Visitors can explore the wetlands through a boardwalk, as well as traverse a diverse range of terrains, including swamp forests, hilly woodlands, and boggy meadows, utilizing a network of interconnected marked trails.

13. R. Michelson Galleries

Housed in the former Northampton National Bank building with its soaring ceilings, this venue serves as the largest commercial art gallery in western Massachusetts, notable for its association with Northampton-based sculptor Leonard Baskin (1922-2000).

Artwork first featured here has found its way into some of the country’s most prestigious museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Families are encouraged to include R. Michelson Galleries in their itinerary, as it presents picture book illustrations alongside fine art. It frequently exhibits works by celebrated artists such as Dr. Seuss, R. W. Alley (noted for Paddington), and Marc Brown, renowned for Arthur Read.

14. Historic Northampton

For insights into Northampton’s history, the local historical society operates a campus on Bridge Street, located on the northeastern periphery of downtown.

This site features three historic residences, collectively forming a historic district added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

The district includes the Parsons House (circa 1719), the Shepherd House (1795), and the notable Federal-style Damon House, constructed in 1813.

The latter serves as the main exhibition space, offering thoughtfully curated displays on various historical themes, including the evolution of Main Street related to this list.

Historic Northampton functions as a vibrant organization, hosting a calendar filled with lectures, discussions, readings, live performances, walking tours, and community events such as the Neighbors DoozyDo Parade in September.

15. Three County Fair

Celebrating the traditional conclusion of summer on Labor Day weekend, the Three County Fair has been held since 1818, making it the longest continuously running agricultural fair in the United States.

Conveniently located just off Bridge St, a mere five minutes from downtown, the fairgrounds feature livestock exhibitions and competitions that are central to the event.

These exhibitions coincide with live entertainment, thrilling vehicle shows, amusement rides and games, barnyard animals, and beloved fair culinary offerings.

For the past three decades, the fairgrounds have also hosted the Paradise City Arts Festival, a regional showcase for fine and functional art, occurring in May and October each year.