Amherst/Northampton Mass (Boston, Springfield, Holyoke: how much, houses, buy)

[phillychc]

What's there to do in this area? My son is heading up to school there. When we visited everyone raved about Northampton, didn't seem like much. We'll be there for a few days in September, besides the foliage what else can we do? Food, culture?

[ogre]

I think that the question of how much there is to do in that area is relative. Your username indicates that maybe you live in Philly, or at least its metro area. Compared to a big city, the Amherst/Noho area does not offer lots and lots to do. However, the area does have a fair amount going on for a rural area. With five colleges in the local area, there will be cultural events in the way of speakers and performing troupes in various arts. It's been a few years since I lived in the area, but Northampton used to, and I'm guessing still does, have a bunch of restaurants downtown. There were several pretty decent restaurants in Amherst as well, though Noho is a bigger town overall and so has more restaurants. Big dance clubs? No.

For a visit there in Sept., what you might want to do depends on your interests. You might check with the area colleges (Smith, UMass, Mt. Holyoke, Hampshire, Amherst) about cultural events that may be scheduled for that weekend.

If you like sports, you may want to check out the UMass football team if they're at home during your visit. For a number of years, the program has frequently fielded one of the better division 1AA teams in the country. They've had at least one 1AA national championship in the past ten years or so.

If you enjoy the outdoors, you might try some hiking in the Holyoke Range or try a climb to the top of Mt. Sugarloaf. The Holyoke range is a ridge that runs roughly east-west, with its western end just east of Northampton, across the CT River. If you take rt. 116 south from Amherst, you can catch hiking trails in either direction up onto the ridge from the point where the road passes through "The Gap," a low spot in the ridge. If you hike up from the west side of the road there are better views as soon as you reach the top than there are on the east. It will probably take a half an hour to reach the top if you hike at a moderate pace. A few miles north of Amherst is Sugarloaf Mountain, which is another modest hike that takes you to a nice view on top of the mountain, or you can drive up to the top as well.

And then there are those restaurants in downtown Northampton. No, it's not the big city, but you should be able to hunt up a few interesting activities for a weekend. Just depends on what you like to do.

[phillychc]

Ogre, thanks. Super helpful. You're right, we're coming from a big city, and I have enjoyed some time in Boston as well. I truly would like to enjoy all this area has to offer. I'll start with your suggestions.

[ogre]

Yeah, even though MA is a small state, it's still a bit larger than a lot of people realize. You get out to the western part of the state and you're well beyond even the fringes of the Boston metro area. The Amherst/Northampton area is rural, so you do have to adjust your standards for availability of activities. Hope you enjoy your trip. Take care.

[joyo1966]

There is great dining in Noho, and a lot of outdoor activities. The Iron Horse is great for Latin dancing

[western mass and love it]

and also there will be no foliage in early September,that is usually at it's peak around the beginning to mid November.

[western mass and love it]

You might also want to check out the Basketball hall of fame in Springfield,also the big e in West Springfield might be going on while you are here,it is a big fair that is held over 3 weeks in September.

[joyo1966]

Originally Posted by western mass and love it

You might also want to check out the Basketball hall of fame in Springfield,also the big e in West Springfield might be going on while you are here,it is a big fair that is held over 3 weeks in September.

Never got why people like the big e. Rides that make you vomit and stuffing your face with fattening crap.

[Pioneer Valley Girl]

Originally Posted by joyo1966

Never got why people like the big e. Rides that make you vomit and stuffing your face with fattening crap.

You can also buy crap you don't want. Big E can definitely be fun if you're around when it happens, all jokes aside.

Do you like bookstores at all? One thing we're known for in the Valley is our incredible independent bookstores. My personal favorite is in Montague (Book Mill) but there's probably a dozen + bookstores in Amherst/ Northampton alone. Here's a writeup in the the NYT about our incredible literary culture: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/tr...orth.html?_r=1

The colleges themselves are lovely to visit. Mt. Holyoke has been voted one of the most beautiful schools in the country year after year. All of the colleges also have museums you can visit. Mt. Holyoke and Smith have art museums, Amherst has a natural science one, Hampshire has the Eric Carle Museum and the Yiddish Book Center.

Springfield has the Basketball Hall of Fame, 5 museums at the Quadrangle, theatre and music performances at City Stage/ Symphony Hall.

Deerfield is a wonderful historical town with many well preserved houses that you can tour similar to Old Sturbridge Village or the Newport Mansions (in concept, not in style). There's also Yankee Candle which is not only a store but has a bavarian village inside.

I've lived here off and on for 25 years and still haven't run out of things to do so I'm sure both you and your son will find plenty to do.

[DreamworksSKG]

If your son can have a car. I'd recommend having a car for that area is hard to get around public transit wise, and you can't really see the entire region without a car.

So maybe if he's a freshman have him focus on his studies the first year if they dont allow cars on campus for freshmen and the next year he could bring a car and have more ability to get around the area.

but you have to drive to it generally

Overall Amherst is a nice small town
aside from the university which is huge!

it almost looks like a city when you're coming into it.