[Dave Casey]

Northampton MA is a very unique area that has lots to offer. It is known for its wide array of eating establishments and shops. It is a walking town with a busy main st area .

The shopping in town consists of many small shops sprinkled throughout the downtown area, also look for Thorn's marketplace, it is a shopping area with a bunch of shops right on main st.

If you want lots of big stores, about every name you can think of, you would need to jump in your car and drive 10-15 minutes down(south) on I91 to the Ingleside/Holyoke mall, it is next to the highway before you get down to the MassPike.

There is food for every taste in Northampton, seems like every ethnic style is there, I don't do sushi, india, etc, so i cant give you any recommendations in those areas. Some will be looking to have lunch saturday, here are some that are popular and you can walk to

Sylvesters , breakfast and lunch 111 Pleasant st
Eastside Grill, lunch 19 Pearl st
Fitzwillys , pub style, lunch 23 main st
Toasted Owl, lunch,21 Main st
McLaddens irish pub , lunch 27 Pleasant st
the restaurant in the hotel is also recommended

there are many more, and i didn't talk about dinner because of the banquet.

Dave Ring recommends highly that you try out the Ice Cream at Harrell's which is in Thorn's Marketplace

Not to be forgotten, if you are staying at the Hotel, the Brunch at Wiggins Tavern(part of the Hotel Northampton) sunday morning is really something special.