Things to do in Northampton
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Amanouz
This lovable hole-in-the-wall is the place in town for Moroccan and Mediterranean fare. Try one of its specials such as Moroccan sardine salad ($7). But why can’t it make decent falafel?
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Dinosaur Footprints
Around 190 million years ago, the Pioneer Valley area was a subtropical swamp inhabited by carnivorous, two-legged dinosaurs, and a large cluster of their footprints is preserved in situ on the west bank of the Connecticut River. The prints here, some 134 in all, represent three distinct species. In the early 1970s, paleontologist John Ostrom studied the tracks and – based in part on the fact that the majority of the trackways head west – came to the radical conclusion that some species of dinosaurs traveled in packs.
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Eastside Grill
This is a steak ’n’ seafood kind of place with strong Cajun overtones – its vast menu carries items like Louisiana fried oysters and chicken étouffée. The few nods to vegetarians include butternut ravioli. Weekends can be extremely busy, and it doesn’t take reservations. It’s a half-block south of Main St.
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Smith College
The Smith College campus, covering 127 acres with lovely gardens, is well worth a stroll. Don't miss the Smith College Museum of Art, which boasts an impressive collection of 19th- and 20th-century European and North American paintings, including works by John Singleton Copley, Eastman Johnson and Claude Monet.
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New Century Theatre
One of the best regional theater companies in the US stages works by playwrights such as Wendy Wasserstein and RR Gurney. Performances are held at the Mendenhall Center on the Smith College campus. The troupe also performs well-designed and well-acted children’s shows (eg The Frog Princess, Rumpelstiltskin ).
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Diva’s
Though you can find girl-on-girl action in just about every square inch of Northampton, you might consider dropping by Diva’s, the city’s main gay-centric dance club that keeps its patrons sweaty thanks to a steady diet of thumping house music. There’s an outdoor area if it all gets too much.
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Pizzeria Paradiso
The rainbow flag out front beckons patrons to this brightly colored joint with ample outside seating. Enjoy traditional white and red pies and choose from an extensive list of toppings – several kinds of mushrooms, 11 cheeses, capers, anchovies, arugula and more.
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India House
Dishes this good aren’t supposed to exist on earth, yet here they are. For legitimately inspired food made with local produce and meats, enter Indian House for tandoori, korma and curried fish in mango sauce. The smell of spice immediately hits you upon entry.
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Office of Admissions, Smith College
While most will be very pleased with themselves after a stroll around Paradise Pond with its pretty Japanese tea hut, ambitious others might consider taking a guided campus tour arranged by the Office of Admissions.
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Dirty Truth
Slide into a high-top under some decent contemporary art to choose from 50 draft beers available from an impressive chalkboard menu. Some come from monasteries you may have never heard of before. The mussels in wine sauce and other upscale bar food taste good.
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Mulino’s
This family-style trattoria serves big portions of robust Italian mains. It’s part of the classy triune that includes the more upscale Brasserie 40-A on the 1st floor and the Bishop’s Lounge – with smoking deck – on the 3rd floor.
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Sylvester's
Follow the locals to this unassuming eatery for the best breakfast in town. Forget mixes - everything is from scratch, real maple syrup tops the pancakes, the home fries are loaded with sautéed onions and the omelets are however you like them.
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Osaka
Osaka’s modern and wooden dining room is airy and bright, and serves a wide menu of à la carte sushi as well as hibachi, udon, donburi and tempura. The enclosed porch makes for good summertime seating.
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Herrell’s Ice Cream
Steve Herrell has been scooping out gourmet ice-cream since 1980. Some of the more unexpected concoctions are key lime, cardamom, Earl Grey and Twinkie, though he also serves coffee, chocolate and vanilla flavors.
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Academy of Music Theatre
This gracious, balconied theater is one of the oldest movie houses in the USA (1890), and one of the most beautiful. It shows first-run independent films and books theatrical and opera troupes.
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Ye Ol’ Watering Hole & Beer Can Museum
This dive distinguishes itself from other dives by virtue of its ‘Beer Can Museum’ with hundreds of empties. Cheap drinks, three pool tables and a video game in bad repair.
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Pearl Street
Don’t worry, it only looks condemned. At the corner of Strong Ave across the street from the Tunnel Bar, Pearl Street draws in acts like Do Make Say Think and Josh Ritter.
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Packard’s
Hit this pub off Main St for five billiard tables on the 3rd floor, dartboards or the numerous nooks and crannies in which to huddle. Plenty of microbrews can keep you company.
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Norwottuck Rail Trail
The Norwottuck Rail Trail runs 8.5 miles along MA 9 from Northampton and Hadley and Amherst. Access the trail via the Elwell Recreation Area on Damon Rd where it crosses MA 9.
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Paul & Elizabeth's
Fresh, local and organic ingredients highlight the menu at this stellar natural food café serving innovative vegetarian fare and Japanese-style fish dishes.
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Lyman Conservatory
Visitors to Smith College are welcome at the Lyman Conservatory, a collection of Victorian greenhouses good for seeing odd things bloom.
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Spoleto
Just-tweaked-enough Italian standards, like the cioppino swimming with New England seafood, attract the dinner crowd at this fine-dining ristorante.
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Pleasant Street Theater
The setting isn’t as glamorous as the Academy’s, but it screens more films (eg Becoming Jane, Darkon ).
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Northampton Brewery
On a sunny day you'll find half of Northampton chugging ales on the rooftop beer garden at New England's oldest microbrewery.
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Calvin Theatre
The venue for big-name performances for everything from hot rock and indie bands to comedy shows.
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