A handsome as well as progressive/artsy/crunchy college town (pop. around 28,000), it's practically a hop, skip, and a jump (well, a 20-minute drive) from Amherst. Here, too, there are cute shops and galleries lining downtown, historic hostelries (like the Hotel Northampton, built in 1927) and eateries (like 200-year-old Wiggins Tavern); a history museum, Historic Northampton; and a prestigious college, Smith, a 146-year-old women's institution with a fine botanical garden and museum of art including contemporary works as well as those of Edgar Degas, Winslow Homer, Pablo Picasso, and James Whistler (of Whistler's Mother fame). Northampton's special strength is performing arts at venues like the Academy of Music (established 1891) and the also vintage Calvin Theater. Another notable local feature is its strong LGBT scene, particularly the "L" part. Nature areas nearby include Look Park, the Norwottuck Rail Trail, and Mount Tom State Reservation.
Read more in my post The Winning Ways of Western Massachusetts.
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