Weekend in Western Mass
GinAndTonic
I grew up here and escaped from Springfield to Northampton pretty much every weekend as soon as I could drive
Jul 31, 2006
based on 8 votes
The college towns of Northampton and Amherst, combined with a couple of major tourist attractions around Springfield, make this a great weekend destination for groups with different interests.
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Explore locations featured in this goList:
Northampton, Florence, Springfield, South Deerfield, Agawam, Amherst
- Category: Perfect weekend
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Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Shopping, Never been before
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Students
- Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: Five College area, Springfield, Northampton, Six Flags, college town
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Ave price:
$181
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| Welcome to your hotel for the weekend. It's an old-school place-- the lobby is beautiful, and the in-house restaurants are very good. If you're here on a summer weekend, chances are there'll be a wedding reception in the ballroom. Some of the rooms are a bit on the dowdy side, but you can't beat the location. |
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2. Shopping in Northampton - Thorne's Market
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| If you check into your hotel in the late afternoon, walk over to Thorne's for a bit of shopping before dinner. You'll also want to check out Faces (directly across the street) if you have teenagers or college kids-- lots of wacky room decor and cheap, trendy clothes. |
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| This is a great Italian place in the center of Northampton. You'll be able to walk here from the Hotel Northampton, and it's surrounded by fun shops and bars. |
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| The name doesn't lie-- this is actually a bar in a tunnel beneath Northampton's old train station. It has great (albeit pricey) martinis and a cool vibe. |
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| Get an early start at the Miss Flo to avoid a wait. This place has acquired local legend status for its great food and retro prices. |
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6. Dr. Seuss National Memorial
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| Now head down I-91 to Springfield. Kids of all ages will enjoy this recently-opened tribute to Theodore Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, a Springfield native. |
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7. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
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| If you're going to Springfield, this is a must-see, even if you're not a basketball fan-- how often do you just happen upon a major-league hall of fame? Allow 2-3 hours. |
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8. La Fiorentina
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La Fiorentina Pastry Shop
883 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
Yep, you're going to a pastry shop instead of getting lunch, because if you ate at the Miss Flo, there is no way you'll be hungry for lunch. La Fiorentina is in the Italian neighborhood of Springfield, and has absolutely fabulous pastries and cookies. Try a cannoli, a sfogliatelle (flaky pastry with custard), or any kind of cake or cookie. All are wonderful. You'll also enjoy the people-watching. Speak Italian? Then you can eavesdrop as well. |
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| If it's a nice afternoon, visit the zoo, rent a paddle boat, or just wander through the rose gardens and along the trails. Beginning around Thanksgiving, Forest Park hosts Bright Nights, a display of holiday lights. If you're there around the holidays and you don't want to view this, steer clear of the whole Forest Park area after about 4 pm. Traffic can be a mess. |
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10. Yankee Candle Flagship Store
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| Drive back up I-91 to the Yankee Candle Company's main store. If you like Christmas decorations, you'll be in heaven-- whatever space is not taken up with every shape and scent of candle in the universe is filled with elaborate Christmas trees. (Attention 20-something hipsters who are now saying "I would not be caught DEAD in a candle factory, especially one filled with animatronic trees"-- you will find PERFECT presents for your mom, your grandmother, aunts, etc. And the restaurant, Chandler's, is actually very, very good.) |
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11. Chandler's Restaurant
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| On the grounds of the Yankee Candle Company is Chandler's-- one of the best restaurants in Western Mass. Their wine list is excellent (they have won several Wine Spectator awards), the food is both artful and delicious, and they've received accolades for their kids' menu. |
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12. Academy of Music Theatre
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| If you're done with dinner on the early side, head back to Northampton and catch a movie at the Academy of Music. It's a fin-de-siecle theatre that now shows first-run movies (generally of the artsy variety). Look for the Tiffany windows in the lobby. |
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13. Herrell' s Ice Cream
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| This is the best place in the world to get a hot-fudge sundae. Do not refuse the whipped cream-- it's the real thing. |
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14. Sylvester's Restaurant
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| Have breakfast here on Sunday (but go early-- lines can be insane). |
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15. Six Flags New England
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| It's the biggest amusement park in New England-- if you're in town in the summer, definitely check it out. Rollercoaster addicts need to run straight for the Superman coaster as soon as you get in the door. Also make sure to ride the Ferris Wheel (for nice views of the Connecticut River), and, if it's a hot day, to visit the water park. |
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| If Six Flags isn't open or just isn't your cup of tea, head north to Amherst and spend a day exploring this little college town. I'd also recommend buying a map and heading into the hilltowns for some spectacular scenery in the fall. |
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