The City Side
Amherst
The town— the most populous in Hampshire County— is a vibrant, intellectual hub with three prestigious colleges:
Amherst College, Hampshire College, and UMass Amherst. Bask in the academic tradition as you stroll through the grand campuses and recite poetry( try local hero Emily Dickinson) under a towering sycamore tree. Indulge in the culinary perks of a college town, like late-night ramen, massive slices of pizza, and even fresh oysters.
Amherst’ s youthful, lively downtown boasts an independent movie theater, performing arts space The Drake, diverse restaurants, and a handful of coffee shops, museums, art galleries, and bookstores set against the backdrop of historical architecture and blooming flower gardens. Yes, it looks like a movie set for a quintessential New England town— only Amherst is the real deal( though you might see the odd film crew).
If you want to get off the beaten path, discover the diverse retailers, services, and restaurants of North Amherst ' s Mill District Shops. And there ' s always something happening. From outdoor movie nights to local markets, gallery openings to wine tastings, the Mill District does not disappoint.
Amherst is also quickly becoming an agricultural hub, where Amherst College’ s Book & Plow farm is aptly named. Farmers’ markets are brimming with the local bounty all year round, including the summer market held at the Town Common, and the winter market hosted in the Bangs Community Center. If eating kohlrabi doesn’ t sound adventurous enough, Amherst offers outdoor recreation that will spike your adrenaline— from swimming to hiking to cycling. visithampshirecounty. com 13