Northampton Uncovered

A definite must is the farmer's market. This is a great place to blend in with the locals and maybe make a few new friends. You can never be too sure what you'll find there, but what you do find will be great! Recently, I picked up some strawberries that were just picked that morning. And I must say they were beyond good! The texture was perfect; firm on the outide, soft, watery, flavorful on the inside. I found blossoming wild flowers and impatiens that were actually exploding out of their hanging baskets. Green peppers that are so crisp and redolent that you could almost taste them. And if that's not enough there are goodies - after all, what's a farmer's market without the fresh from the oven coffee cake dripping with cinnamon? You'll even find fresh from the hive honey and straight from the tree maple syrup. And this isn't ordinary maple syrup. It's the kind that slowly drooles its way onto your plate in a subtle and mysterious way. So check it out, on an empty stomach of course!

Quick Tips:

If you want to check out the surrounding area just hop on the bus - it's free. It'll take you to Amherst, South Hadley, and Hadley, as well as to all of the five colleges (University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Hampshire, Mt. Holyoke, and Smith.) It's quick and easy, just pick it up at any of the bus stops along Main Street and you'll be on your way.

Best Way To Get Around:

Downtown Northampton is very walkable. If I had to guess, it would probably take the average person about twenty minutes to get from end to end. That's clearly without stopping to poke around, or to dilly-dally in any of the shops. So, wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes and get yourself a bottle of water. Happy Trails!

Situated in the center of town, this charming colonial revival provides the perfect homebase for investigating the city. As you walk into the hotel you'll notice a very large lobby with lots of light and filled to the gills with antiques. In fact, there are so many antiques that the hotel actually has antiquarians who wander the lobby just in case you want to know the particulars on any of the pieces. After checking in I was escorted to a tiny elevator. If you ever wondered what it might be like to travel inside of a dumb waiter this may be your first and last chance. My room overlooked my favorite theater in town, The Calvin, which under went a renovation a few years back. Not to side track to much, but this theater is a gem and a must see. Even if you don't see a show definitely sneak a peak and if the main doors aren't open you can go through the hipster bar next door which, by and by, makes a great Cosmo. Alas, back to my room in it's simple elegance with its four poster bead, antiqued dresser, and comfy bedding I knew I'd have a good nights rest here, and I did. My room was very quite and the check out was swift and painless.

This cosy vegi spot with its muraled walls sits quietly on a sleepy street just steps off Main Street. On your journey to Bela you'll pass the fire station, which you should peek into to check out the old wooden pole the fire men use to slide down. At least that's what I always do and find it quite entertaining for reasons unknown. Upon entering the restaurant you'll notice that it's long and narrow and has an extremely earthy-crunchy clientel. The food is terrific and the service is for the most part quirky. However, I've found that once I've gotten over the fact that the service is a bit on the quirky side I start to relax and can really enjoy a wonderful meal.

First and most important, the bathrooms are next to the front entrance and, ladies, there are only two stalls. Now that we've got the dirty stuff behind us this place usually rocks on Friday and Saturday night. There's more often than not a loud local band trying to muscle their way into the music business. The acoustic's aren't great, but the beer is kind. My favorite is the pale ale, but if you're looking for something a little heartier try the amber. I've never had a problem finding a seat in this place, in fact it's quite roomy with two floors of seating indoors, as well as a commanding outdoor space. If you're wondering about the food here it's tasty and simple. No surprises. Try any one of their sandwiches. You won't be disappointed.

Welcoming the spring is a time honored tradition in New England. After months hibernating indoors, there is no better way to lift your spirts than with a promise of things to come. The Spring Bulb Show does just that. My last visit to the Lyman conservatory with my friend Jen was a sensory delight. The intoxicating aroma of hyacinths in clusters of purple, blue, and pink ecorted us into a decadent array of tulips and daffodils. These tulips seemed to know we were coming because their leaves swayed gracefully like a ballerina slowly bending into a plie. Their long green necks crowned with the delicate jewel in shades of red. There were daffodils in shades of yellow and orange guiding us further into a labyrinth that leads to many other rooms. Some of the rooms you'll find are the fern and palm houses which contain some plants that are descendants of plants prevalent during the Dinosaur Age! If you're not sure this is your cup of tea, check out the Botanical Garden Photo Gallery at www.smith.edu/garden/gallery1.html