Brunelles Marina Float N Fun
There is a hidden beauty to the Connecticut River that can only be found when youre paddling. Whether youre looking for weekend fun in the sun with family and friends, or a relaxing sunset paddle with your favorite person, weve got an experience for you. Hydrobike 1-Hour Rental Located at Brunelles Marina in South Hadley,
Catch A Sunset From Skinner State Park
If you are looking to catch spectacular views, consider a visit to Skinner State Park. Here, you can hike or drive to the top of Mt. Holyoke. And sunset is a perfect time of day to do so.
Want some more options for hiking? Mount Tom State Reservation is just outside of Northampton, in Holyoke, and offers several hiking trails to choose from.
Northampton Events Clubs Gigs And What’s On
Our guide to What’s On in Northampton covers Northampton clubs, Northampton gig guide, comedy, tickets and guestlists. Find event listings and line ups, venue details, ticket information, nearby hotels and restaurants – all the essential information in one place! You can also check out our guide to Northampton.
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Look For Dinosaur Footprints On The Connecticut River
Millions of years ago, the Connecticut River Valley was once a mix of subtropical wetlands and shallow lakes highly populated with dinosaurs. For years, prehistoric footprints have been found along the banks of the river.
A short dirt trail leads down to the tracks. Incredibly, they arent protected by anything so you can walk right up and put your foot in them to get a feel for the size of these giant turkeys.
Just imagine what it must have been like with large dinosaurs roaming around! It still blows my mind. Tracks from five species of dinosaurs from the early Jurassic period were found in the sandstone. Scientists could also see from the track patterns that they were moving in herds.
There is a short trail that leads to views of the Connecticut River. The park is open from dawn until dusk and there is no entrance fee.
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Connecticut Trolley Museum Storytime
Hop aboard the Storytime Trolley, featuring stories about the adventures of trolleys and trains. The reading will be inside one of our historic trolleys and a ride will follow. Every story is different and all ages are welcome! Tickets The activity is free with general admission to the Trolley Museum. Make sure to arrive early
Tour The Smith College Museum Of Art
After youre done with the Botanic Garden, you can take a tour of the Smith College Museum of Art. Its one of the best things to do in Northampton, as it houses an impressive collection of art. Specifically, the collection includes more than 27,000 pieces of art dating from antiquity to the present. These pieces have been created by artists around the globe.
Visitors to the museum often compliment how much wonderful art is jam-packed into this hidden gem. You can find pieces from Federigo Barocci, Claude Monet, and Diego Rivera.
In addition to housing wonderful art, the museum also serves as a place where artists can teach and learn. Its an interdisciplinary teaching museum that offers year-round programming for the campus and local communities.
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Fun Things To Do In Northampton And Hampshire County
Northampton MA is a hub of artistic and outdoors activity. The Hampshire County seat is home to Smith College, a top-ranked womens liberal arts. Music and arts fill the downtown, along with great restaurants and funky shops. Farms, nature, and more small towns surround Northampton, offering plenty of fun outdoor activities.
Best Things To Do In Northampton Ma
Massachusetts is home to a plethora of wonderful cities and towns. We know about Boston , Salem, and Hyannis on Cape Cod. But, theres a hidden gem in Massachusetts you need to know about.
That hidden gem is a city called Northampton. Northampton is a bustling city in western Massachusetts. Its only a half-hour drive from Springfield and an hour and forty-five minutes outside of Boston. Its a city known for its academic and artistic nature.
Its also a city where people with many different backgrounds and interests can find something to do. Here are some of the best things to do in Northampton MA.
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Crabapple Whitewater Fife Brook Rafting
The weekends are already mostly booked, but some good midweek dates in August left. And still openings available for Labor Day Weekend. Book NOW! This beautiful rafting trip through mild whitewater is the perfect outing for families, friends, groups and youth organizations. Rafting time is approximately 2.5
Outdoor Pleasures At Look Park
Saturday morning was clear and postcard perfect, so we headed straight for a day in the great outdoors. Our destination was Look Memorial Park, a five-minute drive to neighboring Florence. This lush, verdant 150-acre space offered us a wealth of recreational choices. After paying the $4 parking fee, we were given a map of the grounds. We began by hopping on the steamer train which looped around the park and gave us a valuable overview. Feeling well oriented, we headed for the Christenson Zoo, where we petted and fed pygmy goats and sheep, and saw owls, hawks and eagles.
Next, we rented a pedal boat on Willow Lake. There were bumper boats as well, and an 18-hole miniature golf course. But, Maddy was intrigued by the water playground which was like none we had ever before seen. Large, colorful mushroom and flower shaped structures sprayed refreshing water onto thrilled children. She was very glad that she had brought her swimsuit, which she quickly changed into to join in the water play. The jets work in a rotating fashion, so it was fun for the adult spectators to see the kids trying to guess which would be the next jet to blast water.
Look Park is also home to the Pines Theatre, which houses weekly Monday morning childrens plays and other entertainment in the summer months. The park also presents a summer concert series that features both locally and internationally known musicians.
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Great Things To Do In Northampton Mass
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When visiting Massachusetts, its easy to plan your trip around popular destinations like Boston or Cape Cod. Dont miss out on popular college towns in Massachusetts like Amherst, Williamstown or Northampton though! With a vibrant downtown area and elite Smith College at its heart, Northampton has perfected the liberal, artsy college town aesthetic. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Connecticut River, Mount Tom and Mount Holyoke nearby, there are also plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy all year round. Here are some of the top things to do in Northampton Mass.
Arts Entertainment & Events
Northampton is renowned as an arts and entertainment destination in Western Massachusetts, named #1 Best Small Arts Town in America by author John Villani and one of the Top 25 Arts Destinations in the nation by AmericanStyle magazine. Northampton is home to internationally known musicians, artists, writers, and performers presenting their work in local theaters and galleries. There are virtually unlimited options for arts, entertainment and events in and around Northampton.
Please visit northampton.live as your main source to learn about events, activities, and offerings in Northampton and beyond!
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Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library
Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States, was mayor of Northampton from 1910-11 before moving onto bigger political positions in Massachusetts. After his presidency, Coolidge retired to spend his last years in Northampton.
The Library contains an exhibition room completely dedicated to Calvin Coolidge. Coolidge was a patron of the Forbes Library where the exhibit can be found and upon his death, truckloads of books were donated from his personal library.
Address: 20 West St, Northampton, MA 01060
Academy Of Music Theater
The first city owned theater in the USA, the Academy of Music Theater opened in 1891.
The theater has evolved over the years hosting events like magic shows by Harry Houdini to movies in later years. In the 1980s the, Academy of Music Theater reinvented itself again as a center for theater, dance and music.
Address: 274 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060
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Have Pancakes For Lunch At Jakes
This little hole in the wall is the highest ranked restaurant on Tripadvisor. They serve breakfast all day and the food is amazing. Dont miss the fluffy pancakes which my son had for breakfast AND lunch.
A2Z Science & Learning is one of the best toy stores in the state. They sell educationally based, high quality toys and games for children of all ages. They even offer free yo-yo lessons three days a week.
Trip Planning Details For A Northampton Weekend Away
Our weekend in Northampton was a success. We both found the Pioneer Valley, and its main city of Northampton, to have the right mix of culturally stimulating possibilities, coupled with recreational fun, that we think kids, teens and parents would enjoy. As the home to such fine universities, I am glad that Maddy got a sense of the area. With neighboring towns like Amherst beckoning, we plan on returning soon.
If you go, plan ahead to take advantage of the variety of area lodging in all price ranges. Its hard to know when one of the nearby Five Colleges is holding a special event or performance, so rates can fluctuate for little apparent reason.
However, one of the nicest places to stay is the historic Hotel Northampton located at 36 King Street, Northampton, MA 01060. It was built in 1927 with many of the original antique furnishings of owner Lewis Wiggins. Families will enjoy a meal at Wiggins Tavern, moved from its original home in New Hampshire, and a New England institution that has hosted the likes of Eleanor Roosevelt, Jenny Lind, Herbert Hoover, Calvin Coolidge, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Rates in the $$-$$$ range include a meal at the tavern, but even if you dont stay, try to visit the lobby and stop for a cool drink in their outdoor cafe.
For dozens of other options, check out your favorite motel or hotel chain and youre bound to find something suitable.
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Northampton State Hospital Disc Golf Course
Eager for a little more action?
Enjoy a game of disc golf with friends and family at Northampton State Hospital Disc Golf Course .
The course has 18 holes, all outdoors, is dog-friendly, and is a fun course for first-timers and skilled players, alike.
Wear boots or hiking shoes as the trail can get a bit tricky!
The course is right by the dog park and also the community gardens/allotments, so you can chat with some local folks while youre there.
Northampton Has Been Dubbed Paradise City And We Couldnt Agree More Our Little Eden Is Nestled Among The Forests Farmland And Mountains Of Western Massachusetts On The Banks Of The Connecticut River
Where else can you find great coffee, historically preserved buildings, a raucous music scene, students reciting Plath, a local food movement, first-rate museums and art galleries, eccentric shops, eclectic restaurants, and residents eager to play outdoors in any season? Okay, maybe Europe but thats a bit far. Come see what Northampton has to offer.
Northampton has also been named a few other things: the Happy Valley, the most liberal city in the US, the lesbian capital of America, and the best small arts town in the nation. To our knowledge, no ones ever said a bad word about Northampton. And even if they did, we wouldnt be able to hear it over the poetry slams, music festivals, pride parades, and espresso machines. Northampton is home to a top-ranked womens liberal arts college, and an art museum where you can see both a Picasso and an exquisitely painted restroom. It has not one but two historic theaters, too many bookstores to count, several breweries, a winery, and an incredible farmers market. You can hike, bike, boat, bowl, swim, climb, dance, and shop all within the city limits.
See the Sights
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Take A Hike At Mt Tom
Mt. Tom has an endless amount of beautiful hiking trails offering scenic view of the Pioneer Valley. There is also a great playground that kids will love. to download a trail map and for a list of recommended hikes.
As you can see, there is so much to do in the Northampton area. If you are traveling further west, check out our guide to the Berkshires. Deerfield is another great town nearby with loads of activities.
Visit The Happy Frog Statue
One of the most unique things to do in Northampton Massachusetts is to visit the Happy Frog statue. The bronze statue is pretty easy to find as you stroll along Main Street. When you find it, youll see a happy looking frog laying on its side.
This statue serves two purposes in the community: it displays art, and it also helps those in need. The statue doubles as a collection point for cash, and the money goes towards helping to feed the homeless. This statue truly captures the spirit of Northampton: fun, unique, and community-oriented.
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Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area
The Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area is in northern Northampton.
The 40-acre wildlife conservation area has an abundance of animals and plants and trails that are ideal for all hiking and cycling skill levels.
Families, in particular, enjoy using their nature trail guide to learn more while walking a half-mile path through the conservation area.
Alternative parking lots are available at Cooke Ave or Marian St.
Paradise City Arts Fair
For three days every May and October, the Paradise City Arts Fair brings hundreds of vendors to the Three County Fairgrounds. The October fair coincides with the best time for Fall foliage viewing and apple cider donuts season bringing in lots of visitors to the area.
In addition to fine art, craft and design, being sold at reasonable prices there are vendors selling food and drinks. Live entertainment adds to the festive atmosphere.
Address: 54 Old Ferry Road, Northampton, MA 01060
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Paradise City Arts Festival
The Paradise City Arts Festival has been putting on seasonal shows in the Spring and Fall to showcase artists of a range of mediums since 1995.
The Festival has both a marketplace for shopping and exhibits for enjoying the diverse artworks on display.
Jewelry, furniture, wall art, sculptures, and plates and bowls are just a few things youll find for sale at the festival marketplace.
Icipate In A Zombie Pub Crawl
Yep, you read that right. Salem isnt the only place in Massachusetts where you can have some fun on Halloween. Theres a zombie-themed pub crawl that happens in Northampton each October. If you go, youll see dozens of people clad in zombie makeup and enjoying the night as they go from bar to bar.
The pub crawl is a tradition thats been going on in Northampton for years, so if you participate in it, youll be participating in a little part of Northampton history. If you find yourself in the area in October, make sure you bring your best zombie getup!
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Map Of Northampton Massachusetts
Map of what to do in Northampton and nearby
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Walk Or Bike Norwottuck Rail Trail
If youre into hiking or biking, one of the best things to do in Northampton Massachusetts is explore the Norwottuck Rail Trail. This trail is actually a 10-mile bike path on the old tracks of the Boston and Maine railroad and connects the towns of Northampton and Hadley. The trail goes over the Connecticut River, so you can stop and take some wonderful pictures along the bridge as you make your way down the trail.
Youll see a beautiful landscape while walking the trail, and there are places where you can stop and have a picnic if youd like. Dont be surprised if you see many people there, though. This trail is popular among tourists and locals.
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Webs Americas Yarn Store Summer Sale
Its that time again! Summer is flying by and our annual Summer Sale is here. Youll find incredible deals on closeout yarn for knitters, crocheters, and weavers. Prices this low are too good to pass by! Shop early for best color selection. Save more during tax free weekend! Available in-store and online. Sale ends August
What To Do In Northampton This Weekend
Sitting on Sundays or being a couch potato on Saturdays is definitely a boring plan. Move out and make memories. Discover the best things to do this weekend in Northampton, foodie things, artistic love or just aimlessly cycling!Here are some the best events which is happening on this weekend in Northampton.
- Northampton Town v Doncaster Rovers is hosted at “Sixfields Stadium”.
- Northampton Saints v Bedford Blues is hosted at “Cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens”.
- Nothing Clean, Nganga, Atrocity Exhibit, Chestburster, Filth Collins, Krupskaya, Public Execution +1 is hosted at “The Lab Northampton”.
- is hosted at “Roadmender”.
- is hosted at “Weedon Jubilee Field”.
- The War of the Worlds – a Pantaloons outdoor theatre production is hosted at “Naseby Village Hall”.
- Summer Reading Challenge: Windmills is hosted at “Northamptonshire Central Library”.
- Bottomless Saturday is hosted at “Ruby & Claret Wine”.
- is hosted at “The Black Prince”.
- Dads Breakfast is hosted at “CAFE TRACK”.
We’ll recommend events that you would not want to miss!
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