Culture amidst the calm

Arty vibe sets the tone in college town

November 17, 2010|Christopher Muther, Globe Staff

Here is a city with the urban flair of Coolidge Corner in Brookline or the South End in Boston — that is, until you set foot in a crosswalk. Cars stop — magically. Politeness toward pedestrians — and pretty much everyone else — is a way of life. A civility exists here in the state’s west that is rare east of Route 128.

It could be the area’s laidback attitude, left-leaning politics, or simply the slower pace. But the combination of culture and calmness makes this place an ideal escape. For a town of its size (under 30,000), Northampton has a number of good restaurants and unique shops. In fact, the annual food festival, the Taste of Northampton, grew so large and so popular that it became too expensive to stage and was retired.

Even without the festival, a weekend in Northampton is enough to get a taste of what the college town has to offer.

STAY

The Hotel Northampton (36 King St., 413-584-3100, www.hotelnorthampton.com, $150-$250) was constructed in 1927, but founder Lewis Wiggins was interested in avoiding the Art Deco style that was popular at the time. Instead, he built a hotel to reflect the area’s Colonial history. Today, the building on the corner of Main and King streets still reflects that charm. There are less expensive chain hotels available in nearby Hadley, but all fail to measure up in prime location and old-time grandeur.

DINE

The options are staggering, but the must-visit brunch spot in town is Sylvester’s (111 Pleasant St., 413-586-5343, www.sylvestersrestaurant.com, brunch $2.95-$11.95). There will be lines on the weekend, but be patient and you’ll be thrilled. For lunch, try Local Burger (16 Main St., 413-586-5857, www.localnorthampton.com, $4.50-$8.99), a friendly, casual restaurant that purchases as much as it can from local farmers.

Dinner options are plentiful. For a casual meal and a piece of authentic, albeit slightly campy Northampton history, try the pizza at Joe’s Cafe (33 Market St., 413-584-3168, $6-$15). Opened more than 70 years ago, the small restaurant is filled with murals of Argentine cowboys, painted by founder Camella Biandi. It appears that little has changed here since the 1950s. Best of all, there’s still an operating jukebox.

For upscale dining, Spoleto (50 Main St., 413-586-6313, www.spoletorestaurants.com, $5.95-$21.95) offers heartier Italian fare. East Side Grill (19 Strong Ave., 413-586-3347, www.eastsidegrill.com, $3.95-$20.95) makes innovative American cuisine. Be sure to order the Gorgonzola garlic bread. The Brewery (13 Old South St., 413-584-9903, www.northamptonbrewery.com, $2.95-$19.95) claims to be the oldest operating brewpub in New England and sells 15 year-round varieties of beer, plus dozens of seasonal varieties.

DURING THE DAY

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