Things to do in Northampton, MA
Smith College Museum of Art
One of the nation’s leading college art museums, SCMA displays works from ancient mosaics to cutting-edge contemporary pieces. Two floors of galleries and interactive study rooms make every visit intellectually rich and visually stunning.
Phone: (413) 585-2760
Official Site
Botanic Garden of Smith College – Lyman Plant House & Conservatory
Since 1895 this grand glasshouse has dazzled with orchids, tropical palms, and cacti, while outdoor theme beds bloom through every New England season. Free maps guide you past the college’s famous spring bulb show and winter-lush conservatory rooms.
Phone: (413) 585-2740
Official Site
Smith College Campus Walking Paths
Stroll Frederick Law Olmsted’s 147-acre masterpiece, where ivy-clad Gothic halls meet rolling lawns and river overlooks. Self-guided brochures highlight architectural gems and landscape vistas beloved by scholars and photographers alike.
Phone: (413) 585-2000
Official Site
Paradise Pond
Canoe, paddle, or simply picnic beside this serene campus lake framed by crimson maples each autumn. The mirrored water and meadow edges create postcard-worthy views in every season.
Phone: (413) 585-2000
Official Site
Look Memorial Park
Families flock to this 150-acre park for pedal boats, a miniature train, shaded picnic groves, and summer concerts. The zoo, splash pad, and accessible playground make it a full-day outdoor destination.
Phone: (413) 584-5457
Official Site
Historic Northampton Museum & Education Center
Three preserved 18th- and 19th-century houses anchor exhibitions that illuminate 350 years of local life—from abolitionist legacies to silk-mill innovations. Guided walking tours branch into the surrounding historic district.
Phone: (413) 584-6011
Official Site
Academy of Music Theatre
Opened in 1891, this gilded opera house hosts indie films, touring musicians, and local theater under glittering chandeliers. Its horseshoe balcony and perfect acoustics evoke the golden age of live performance.
Phone: (413) 584-9032
Official Site
Calvin Theatre & Performing Arts Center
Once a 1920s movie palace, the Calvin now showcases chart-topping rock, comedy, and folk acts. Its Art Deco façade lights up Northampton’s vibrant Main Street nightlife.
Phone: (413) 586-8686
Official Site
Iron Horse Music Hall
This intimate brick-walled club seats fewer than 200 guests, giving every jazz, folk, or indie show undeniable front-row energy. Arrive early for pub-style fare before the house lights dim.
Phone: (413) 586-8686
Official Site
Thornes Marketplace
Converted from a 19th-century dry-goods emporium, Thornes now bustles with indie boutiques, chocolatiers, and a rooftop yoga studio. Original oak staircases and pressed-tin ceilings preserve its Victorian charm.
Phone: (413) 584-5582
Official Site
Pulaski Park
Granite terraces, a splash fountain, and native rain gardens turn this downtown green into an urban oasis. Free concerts and food-truck rallies keep the plaza lively from spring through fall.
Phone: (413) 587-4900
Official Site
R. Michelson Galleries
Spread across three floors of a restored bank, the gallery features original works by Dr. Seuss, Leonard Nimoy’s photography, and leading contemporary illustrators. Rotating shows spotlight regional painters and sculptors.
Phone: (413) 586-3964
Official Site
A.P.E. Gallery
Known for edgy installations, A.P.E. (Art, People, Economy) rotates exhibits every few weeks, often pairing visual art with dance or performance. Large storefront windows invite passersby into the creative process.
Phone: (413) 586-5553
Official Site
Downtown Northampton Historic District
Brick-lined sidewalks, Victorian facades, and locally loved coffee shops make Main Street a perfect half-day wander. Pick up a heritage trail brochure to uncover abolitionist meeting halls and former trolley depots.
Phone: (413) 587-1269
Official Site
Three County Fairgrounds
Established in 1818, America’s oldest agricultural fairgrounds now hosts horse shows, craft markets, and the renowned Labor Day fair. Historic grandstands overlook modern exhibit halls and midway rides.
Phone: (413) 584-2237
Official Site
Norwottuck Rail Trail
This 11-mile paved path links Northampton with Amherst over the Connecticut River via a dramatic former railway bridge. Cyclists and runners enjoy shaded stretches lined with wildflowers and farm vistas.
Phone: (413) 586-8706
Official Site
Mill River Greenway & Recreation Area
Grassy banks, fishing spots, and a canoe launch make this stretch of the Mill River ideal for lazy summer afternoons. Interpretive signs trace the waterway’s industrial past.
Phone: (413) 587-1046
Official Site
Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area
Boardwalks weave through cattail marshes to a quiet 33-acre lake ringed by hemlock forest. Birders tally herons and osprey while hikers tackle the lookout ridge for valley panoramas.
Phone: (413) 587-1046
Official Site
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
Managed by Mass Audubon, Arcadia protects 730 acres of floodplain forest and meadows along the Connecticut River. Five miles of trails include an all-person boardwalk perfect for spotting turtles and waterfowl.
Phone: (413) 584-3009
Official Site
Northampton Brewery
Massachusetts’ oldest brewpub pours fresh-hopped IPAs and wood-aged stouts from its rooftop beer garden. The brick-and-beam interior, built in a former hay warehouse, pairs perfectly with locally sourced pub fare.
Phone: (413) 584-9909
Official Site
Brew Practitioners
This small-batch brewery in Florence experiments weekly, serving up hazy pales, kettle sours, and live trivia under string lights. Guests are welcome to bring in take-out from nearby eateries.
Phone: (413) 584-2440
Official Site
Artifact Cider Project Taproom
Hard-cider lovers sip dry, apple-forward pours made with local orchards’ fruit. The minimalist taproom hosts board-game nights and seasonal food-truck pairings.
Phone: (413) 219-4629
Official Site
Broadside Bookshop
Independent since 1974, Broadside curates literary fiction, regional history, and an enviable poetry wall. Author readings spill onto the sidewalk during summer festival weeks.
Phone: (413) 586-4235
Official Site
Forbes Library
Built in 1894 of local granite, Forbes boasts vaulted reading rooms, the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Collection, and free community concerts on its lawn. Art Deco murals brighten the children’s wing.
Phone: (413) 587-1011
Official Site
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Just 15 minutes east, this light-filled museum celebrates children’s literature with original artwork by Eric Carle and rotating global illustrators. Hands-on studios let visitors try their own collage techniques.
Phone: (413) 559-6300
Official Site
Mead Art Museum – Amherst College
Free to all, the Mead houses 19,000 objects from Assyrian reliefs to American modernists. The neoclassical hall is a cool retreat on hot valley afternoons.
Phone: (413) 542-2335
Official Site
Emily Dickinson Museum
Tours of the Homestead and The Evergreens explore the poet’s reclusive life and enduring influence. Garden paths bloom with the heirloom flowers she once tended.
Phone: (413) 542-8161
Official Site
Mount Holyoke Range State Park
Skyline Trail ridge walks reward hikers with sweeping valley views and spring mountain-laurel blooms. Picnic in shaded glens before exploring Civilian Conservation Corps stone shelters.
Phone: (413) 253-2883
Official Site
Mount Tom State Reservation
Dramatic basalt cliffs shelter rare peregrine falcons while 22 miles of trails lead to stone-tower vistas of the Connecticut River. Winter brings top-tier cross-country skiing.
Phone: (413) 534-1186
Official Site
J. A. Skinner State Park & Historic Summit House
Drive or hike to the 1912 Summit House for panoramic sunsets over Hadley farmland. The porch concerts in summer echo the site’s grand-hotel past.
Phone: (413) 586-0350
Official Site
Holyoke Heritage State Park
Restored mill buildings frame canalside walkways, a vintage carousel, and the Holyoke Children’s Museum. Interpretive panels trace the city’s rise as “Paper City.”
Phone: (413) 534-1723
Official Site
Children’s Museum at Holyoke
Hands-on exhibits—from faux supermarket shopping to giant bubble walls—spark curiosity in toddlers through tweens. The museum shares a plaza with an indoor carousel built in 1929.
Phone: (413) 536-5437
Official Site
Wistariahurst Museum
Tour the 1874 silk-magnate mansion, famous for the purple wisteria that drapes its courtyard each spring. The carriage house hosts rotating art and history shows.
Phone: (413) 322-5660
Official Site
Yankee Candle Village
Part factory store, part fantasy village, this scented wonderland features a Bavarian Christmas shop, candle-making demos, and the world’s largest candle. Kids hunt for hidden fairies among flickering displays.
Phone: (877) 636-7707
Official Site
Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens
Thousands of free-flying butterflies drift through a glass tropical atrium filled with orchids, koi ponds, and towering palms. Don’t miss the chrysalis room where new wings unfurl daily.
Phone: (413) 665-2805
Official Site
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Interactive hoops challenges, 40,000 square feet of memorabilia, and a 300-seat theater celebrate the global game’s legends. The glowing aluminum sphere dominates Springfield’s riverfront skyline.
Phone: (413) 781-6500
Official Site
Springfield Museums
Five world-class museums—art, science, history, and two devoted to Springfield’s industrial past—surround a sculpture garden honoring Dr. Seuss. One admission grants access to all buildings.
Phone: (413) 263-6800
Official Site
The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum
Colorful, bilingual galleries immerse visitors in the beloved author’s whimsical art, life story, and interactive reading nooks. Kids ring out rhymes on a Green Eggs and Ham sound board.
Phone: (413) 263-6800
Official Site
MGM Springfield
This $960-million resort casino packs a 250-room hotel, seasonal skating rink, live comedy club, and fine-dining row into three downtown blocks. Even non-gamers enjoy the daily fountain shows and public art.
Phone: (413) 273-5000
Official Site
Hampshire College Farm Center
Meet heritage-breed sheep, tour solar-powered greenhouses, and sample student-made cheese at this 100-acre working farm. Educational programs showcase sustainable agriculture in action.
Phone: (413) 559-5400
Official Site
