A Weekend In: Northampton


FRIDAY

6 p.m. Construction has begun on a Hilton, but for now the majestic HOTEL NORTHAMPTON reigns. Outside town, the two-room SUGAR MAPLE INN—set to expand this year—overlooks a scenic trail. Doubles from $215, 36 King St., 413-584-3100, hotelnorthampton.com; doubles from $100, 62 Chestnut St., 413-585-8559, sugar-maple-inn.com.

8 p.m. Featuring indie films, plays, and readings, the ACADEMY OF MUSIC THEATER still has a 19th-century balcony from which fans once watched Houdini perform. The CALVIN THEATER and PEARL STREET NIGHTCLUB, meanwhile, have hosted Lucinda Williams and Stereolab. 274 Main St., 413-584-8435, academyofmusictheatre.com; 19 King St. and 10 Pearl St., 413-586-8686, iheg.com.

11 p.m. The TOASTED OWL TAVERN is the latest addition to the pub scene, spotlighting occasional live jazz. 21 Main St., 413-585-5088, toastedowl.com.  

 

SATURDAY

10 a.m.  Locals head to HAYMARKET CAFÉ for free-trade coffee and the juice bar, and to vegetarian-friendly GREEN BEAN for egg and tofu scrambles. 85 Main St., 413-586-9969, haymarketcafe.com; 241 Main St., 413-584-2326.

1 p.m. Noho’s stores skew affordable—and funky. PINCH features work from local jewelers, potters, and other artisans, and DYNAMITE RECORDS rocks an outstanding collection of new and vintage vinyl. 179 Main St., 413-586-4509, pinchgallery.com; 150 Main St., 413-584-1580, dynamiterecords.com.

4 p.m. Refuel at BEN & BILL’S CHOCOLATE EMPORIUM, which peddles worth-the-calories sweets. 141 Main St., 413-584-5695, benandbills.com.

7 p.m. In June, RESTAURANT WEEK highlights 14 eateries including ZEN, the newest of Noho’s sushi bars. 6/1–6/7; 413-584-1900, northamptonrestaurantweek.com; 41 Main St., 413-582-6888, zennorthampton.com

 

SUNDAY

8:45 a.m. Get to SYLVESTER’S before 9—early birds reap short waits for the famed caramel-apple pancakes. One Pleasant St., 413-586-1418. 

11 a.m. Stop by the SMITH COLLEGE MUSEUM OF ART to see Bauhaus drawings and Sol LeWitt art. Elm St. at Bedford Terr., 413-585-2760, smith.edu/artmuseum.