Amherst–Northampton
Around Amherst–Northampton
Photo: Daderot · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Massachusetts · 165k people
Amherst–Northampton
Locals say Pioneer Valley · “The Happy Valley”, “Paradise City”
Amherst Town · Northampton
A valley of ideas and autumn leaves.
UMass maroonValley green
Welcome to the Pioneer Valley! Here you'll find a mix of college energy and small-town charm, with plenty of trails, bookstores, and farm stands to explore. Whether you're here for the schools or the scenery, you'll feel at home in this vibrant corner of Massachusetts.
Clubs for Amherst–Northampton
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The room
One room for everyone around Amherst–Northampton. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Amherst–Northampton. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- University of Massachusetts Amherst The flagship state university, known for its architecture and the Mullins Center.
- Smith College Botanic Garden Historic conservatory and gardens on the Smith College campus.
- Mount Holyoke Summit House Atop Mount Holyoke, with panoramic views of the Pioneer Valley.
- Amherst College One of the oldest liberal arts colleges, with a scenic common.
- Look Park Family-friendly park with gardens, a mini train, and a pond.
- Norwottuck Rail Trail Paved bike and pedestrian trail connecting Northampton to Belchertown.
- Outdoors Hike the Holyoke Range
- Outdoors Bike the Norwottuck Rail Trail
- With kids Look Park
- With kids Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
- Evenings Concerts at the Calvin Theatre
- Evenings Live music at the Iron Horse Music Hall
- Locals love College campuses
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Three County Fair September New England's oldest continuously running fair, with agricultural exhibits and rides.
- Northampton Jazz Festival September Free jazz performances across downtown venues.
- Paradise City Arts Festival May and October Juried craft and art show at the Northampton fairgrounds.
- Amherst Farmers Market May to November Weekly market on the town common with local produce and crafts.
- Northampton Film Festival October Independent and international films at local theaters.
The Pioneer Valley has four distinct seasons, with cold snowy winters and warm humid summers. The best time to be out is fall for foliage and spring for mild weather. Best: Fall for foliage and spring for mild weather.
Talk like a local
- “The Valley”
- The Pioneer Valley region.
- “Five Colleges”
- The consortium of Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire, and UMass.
- “The Common”
- The town common, a central green space.
- “Happy Valley”
- A nickname for the Pioneer Valley, reflecting its pleasantness.
Getaways
- Shelburne Falls See the glacial potholes and the Bridge of Flowers.
- Springfield Museums Art, science, and history museums in one campus.
- Brattleboro Artsy town with a vibrant food scene.
- Worcester The Worcester Art Museum and the EcoTarium.
Local flavour
Teams
- UMass Minutemen NCAA Division I
Also rooting for Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics
Eat and drink
- Apple cider donuts From local orchards, a fall staple across the valley.
- Maple syrup Western Massachusetts maple products, used in local baking and breakfasts.
- Farm-to-table cuisine A strong local-food culture with many restaurants sourcing from nearby farms.
Where people go
- College campuses Five Colleges (UMass, Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire) with open quadrangles and historic buildings.
- Farmers markets Weekly markets with local produce, crafts, and prepared foods.
- Hiking trails Norwottuck Rail Trail, Mount Holyoke Range, and other forested paths.
- Old New England town commons
- Used bookstores Northampton's famous independent bookshops and rare-book stores.
Heritage and traditions
The Pioneer Valley is proud of its literary heritage, progressive spirit, and stunning natural beauty, from the Emily Dickinson Museum to the Holyoke Range.
This time of year in Amherst–Northampton
- Fall foliage and apple picking Fall September-October, orchards and hills turn color.
Say it like a local: “NoHo” — A local abbreviation for Northampton
Festivals
- Amherst Poetry Festival September Celebrates the region's literary heritage with readings and workshops.
- Green River Festival July Music and hot air balloons at the Franklin County Fairgrounds.
- Northampton Ice Cream Festival August Local creameries serve up scoops in the city center.
- Easthampton Arts Walk Seasonal Open studios and galleries in the former factory district.
- South Hadley Canal Days June Celebrates the historic canal with a parade and crafts.
Landmarks with a story
- Emily Dickinson Museum Home of the poet, preserved in Amherst center.
- Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Celebrates children's book illustration in Amherst.
- Smith College Botanic Garden Victorian greenhouses and gardens in Northampton.
- Mount Holyoke Summit House Historic stone lodge atop Mount Holyoke.
- Amherst College Liberal arts college with a historic campus.
- Look Park Public park in Northampton with gardens and a carousel.
Food traditions
- Apple cider donuts A fall staple at local orchards like Atkins Farms.
- Maple syrup Spring sugaring season produces local syrup and sugar shacks.
- Farm-to-table cuisine Restaurants source from Pioneer Valley farms year-round.
- Clam chowder A New England classic served in many local diners.
- Blueberry picking Summer tradition at local farms, often followed by pies.
Music and arts
- Folk music scene Northampton has a vibrant singer-songwriter community.
- Jazz The Northampton Jazz Festival draws regional talent.
- Pottery Local potters work in the Easthampton mills.
- Theater Community theaters like the Academy of Music.
A little history
- 1830-1886 Emily Dickinson lived and wrote in Amherst
- 1863 UMass Amherst was founded as an agricultural college
- 1871 Smith College opened as a women's college
- 19th century The region was a center of the abolitionist movement
- 19th century The Connecticut River Valley was a major industrial area
Rivalries
- UMass vs. Boston College hockey A heated rivalry in college hockey.
- Amherst College vs. Williams College football One of the oldest rivalries in college football.
- Smith College vs. Mount Holyoke College soccer A friendly but competitive match in the Five Colleges.
- Amherst vs. Northampton A friendly rivalry over which downtown has the best food and vibe.
- Game day UMass Minutemen basketball
- Game day High school football
- Outdoors Hike the Holyoke Range
- Outdoors Bike the Norwottuck Rail Trail
People here have a mild New England accent, often dropping 'r' sounds, and use local abbreviations like 'NoHo' for Northampton and 'UMass' for the university. They may say 'wicked' for 'very' and refer to the region as 'the Valley'.
Only here
- The Emily Dickinson Museum is the poet's actual home.
- The Eric Carle Museum is the only one dedicated to picture book art.
- The Five College Consortium links Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire, and UMass.
- The Calvin Theatre is a historic vaudeville venue in Northampton.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to say 'NoHo' for Northampton and 'UMass' for the university.
- Expect cold, snowy winters; invest in a good coat and boots.
- Try apple cider donuts at a local orchard in the fall.
- Use the Norwottuck Rail Trail for biking and walking.
- Parking in downtown Northampton can be tricky; use the garages.
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Part of Springfield area
Nearby
Every areaGreenfieldMassachusettsWhere the river meets the hillsSpringfieldMassachusettsWhere the river meets the mountains and history lives.BrattleboroVermontWhere the river meets the hills, and everyone knows your name.WorcesterMassachusettsSeven hills, one heart, and a diner on every corner.PittsfieldMassachusettsWhere art and nature meetKeeneNew HampshireWhere the mountain meets Main Street.HartfordConnecticutWhere the river meets the capital, and the leaves turn gold.BenningtonVermontWhere covered bridges cross into the mountains.
Amherst Town-Northampton, MA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.