Below the travel information on this page you will find recommended restaurants and, below that, a list of coffee shops, bookstores, and sites in the Amherst area.
How to Get Here By Car
These directions are for guests staying at the Campus Hotel and they lead to the Campus Center parking garage. For those seeking directions to the events at the Old Chapel, please consult the UMass, Amherst Campus Map with parking and building location circled.
From the North: From I-91 South, take exit 25 in Deerfield. At the end of the ramp, turn left and follow road to the intersection. Turn right onto Routes 5 & 10 South. Go 1 mile, then turn left onto Route 116 South. Follow 8 miles to the UMass exit. At the end of the ramp, turn left onto North Hadley Rd (which continues onto Massachusetts Ave) and proceed for .5 miles. Turn left onto Commonwealth Ave and continue for .4 miles. Turn right onto Campus Center Way; at the first stop light (a short distance) turn right again. After turning, avoid the right fork downhill, and instead head slightly uphill, watching for signs for the campus garage on your right. (When you enter, take a ticket but your parking will fee will be covered if you present it at the Hotel reception desk.) You can exit by taking the stairs outside and crossing a wide walkway and descending some wide, gradual stairs to enter the Campus Center, where you’ll find an elevator to the Hotel Reception; or you can exit through the underground tunnel, which will also take you to an elevator to the Hotel reception. Click here for a Google Maps version of these directions, from Brattleboro, VT.
From the East (Mass Pike): From I-90 West, take exit 4 (West Springfield) to merge onto I-91 North. Follow I-91 North to Exit 19. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9 East. Travel approximately 4.5 miles and turn left at the traffic lights to merge onto Route 116 North. Go 1 mile and exit toward UMass. At the end of the ramp, turn right onto North Hadley Rd (which continues onto Massachusetts Ave). At the first set of traffic lights, turn left onto Commonwealth Ave and continue for .4 miles. Turn right onto Campus Center Way; at the first stop light (a short distance) turn right again. After turning, avoid the right fork downhill, and instead head slightly uphill, watching for signs for the campus garage on your right. (When you enter, take a ticket but your parking will fee will be covered if you present it at the Hotel reception desk.) You can exit by taking the stairs outside and crossing a wide walkway and descending some wide, gradual stairs to enter the Campus Center, where you’ll find an elevator to the Hotel Reception; or you can exit through the underground tunnel, which will also take you to an elevator to the Hotel reception. Click here for a Google Maps version of these directions, from Boston, MA.
From the South: Follow I-91 North to Exit 19. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9 East. Travel approximately 4.5 miles and turn left at the traffic lights to merge onto Route 116 North. Go 1 mile and exit toward UMass. At the end of the ramp, turn right onto North Hadley Rd (which continues onto Massachusetts Ave). At the first set of traffic lights, turn left onto Commonwealth Ave and continue for .4 miles. Turn right onto Campus Center Way; at the first stop light (a short distance) turn right again. After turning, avoid the right fork downhill, and instead head slightly uphill, watching for signs for the campus garage on your right. (When you enter, take a ticket but your parking will fee will be covered if you present it at the Hotel reception desk.) You can exit by taking the stairs outside and crossing a wide walkway and descending some wide, gradual stairs to enter the Campus Center, where you’ll find an elevator to the Hotel Reception; or you can exit through the underground tunnel, which will also take you to an elevator to the Hotel reception. Click here for a Google Maps version of these directions, from Hartford, CT.
From the West (Mass Pike): From I-90 East take exit 4 (West Springfield) to merge onto I-91 North. Follow I-91 North to Exit 19. From the exit ramp, turn right onto Route 9 East. Travel approximately 4.5 miles and turn left at the traffic lights to merge onto Route 116 North. Go 1 mile and exit toward UMass. At the end of the ramp, turn right onto North Hadley Rd (which continues onto Massachusetts Ave). At the first set of traffic lights, turn left onto Commonwealth Ave and continue for .4 miles. Turn right onto Campus Center Way; at the first stop light (a short distance) turn right again. After turning, avoid the right fork downhill, and instead head slightly uphill, watching for signs for the campus garage on your right. (When you enter, take a ticket but your parking will fee will be covered if you present it at the Hotel reception desk.) You can exit by taking the stairs outside and crossing a wide walkway and descending some wide, gradual stairs to enter the Campus Center, where you’ll find an elevator to the Hotel Reception; or you can exit through the underground tunnel, which will also take you to an elevator to the Hotel reception. Click here for a Google Maps version of these directions.
Helpful Maps
UMass, Amherst Campus Map
Modified to highlight locations relevant to this year’s conference
Places to Eat on Campus
Blue Wall/Campus Center Dining
1 Campus Center way, Amherst MA 01003
Hours: 7:00 am-12:00 am
http://umassdining.com/locations-menus/campus-center
The University Club
243 Stockbridge Rd,
Amherst MA 01003
(413) 545-2551
Hours: Mon-Fri Lunch 11:00am-3:00pm Lounge 3:00pm-7:00pm
Places to Visit or Cool Heels
Very good local coffee and tea
in Amherst
Amherst Coffee and Whiskey Bar
(in morning—excellent croissants, muffins; evening—cheeses, olives, bread)
28 Amity Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-256-8987
Hours: Mon- Sat 6:30 a.m.- 12:30 a.m.; Sun 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
highercup.com/
Rao’s Coffee
17 Kellogg Avenue
Amherst, MA 01002
413-253-9441
Hours: Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-11p.m.; Sat & Sun 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
www.raoscoffee.com/
Very good local coffee and tea
in Northampton
Woodstar Café
For some connoisseurs, the best in the Valley—and excellent sweets
60 Masonic Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-585-9777
Hours: Sun & Mon 7 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Tues-Fri 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun 8 a.m.- 6 p.m.
www.facebook.com/pages/Woodstar-Caf%C3%A9/75754271315
The Roost
1 Market Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-2625
Hours: 8 a.m.- 11 p.m.
www.facebook.com/TheRoostNoho
Recommended Area Restaurants
Full Dinners, Wine, and Bar
in Amherst Center
Bistro 63
63 N Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-259-1600
Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
bistro63.com/
Chez Albert
178 N Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-253-3811
Dinner: Mon-Thurs 5-9 pm; Fri-Sat 5-10 pm
www.chezalbert.net/
30 Boltwood
30 Boltwood Avenue
Amherst, MA 01002
Reservations: 413-835-2011
Dinner: 5:30-10 p.m.
lordjefferyinn.com/amherst-dining/index.cfm
Full Dinners, Wine, and Bar
15-20 minute drive from Amherst Center
Paul and Elizabeth’s (fish and vegetarian)
150 Main Street (Thorne’s Marketplace)
Northampton, MA 01060
413-584-4832
Hours: 11:30-9:15 Sunday-Thursday; 11:30-9:45 Friday and Saturday
www.paulandelizabeths.com/
Blue Heron
112 N Main Street, Route 47 North
Sunderland, MA 01375
413-665-2102
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 5-9 p.m.; Friday & Saturday until 10 p.m.
www.blueherondining.com/
India House
45 State Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-586-6344
Hours: Monday-Thursday 5-9:30 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 5 p.m.-10 p.m.
www.indiahousenorthampton.com/
Bistro Le Gras
25 West Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-320-4666 (Reservations for 5+ guests)
Hours: Mon-Thurs 5-9 p.m.; Fri & Sat 5-10 p.m.
www.bistrolesgras.com/
Tasty Food, Less Expensive
in Amherst Center
Fresh Side Eatery & Teas
39 S Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-256-0296
Hours: Mon-Thu & Sun 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri & Sat 11 a.m.-10:15 p.m.
www.facebook.com/Freshsideamherst
High Horse (great beer selection)
24 N Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-230-3034
Hours: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m.
jeffgnatek.com/highhorsebrewing.com/
www.facebook.com/pages/High-Horse/251673314898565
Johnny’s Tavern (full restaurant, very good food, casual)
30 Boltwood Walk
Amherst, MA 01002
413-230-3818
Hours: Sun-Thurs 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri & Sat 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
johnnystavernamherst.com/
Tasty Food, Less Expensive
15-20 minute drive from Amherst Center
Amanouz Café (Moroccan & Mediterranean)
44 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-585-9128
Hours: Tues-Thurs, Sun 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri & Sat: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
www.amanouz.com/
Mission Cantina
(great Mexican though you may have to wait for a table)
485 West Street
Amherst, MA 01002 (south Amherst, 10 minute drive)
413-230-3580
Hours: 4 p.m.-1 a.m.
www.missionamherst.com/
Lady Killigrew
Vintage “Valley,” great salads and sandwiches, lovely spot near river
440 Greenfield Road
Montague, MA 01351
413-367-9666
Hours: 8 a.m.-11 p.m.
theladykilligrew.com/
Haymarket Café (hippy legacy, very good food)
185 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-586-9969
Hours: Mon-Thurs 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri & Sat: 7 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
www.haymarketcafe.com/main.html
Northampton Brewery
11 Brewster Court
Northampton, MA 01060
413-584-9903
Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30 a.m.- 2p.m.; Sun 12:00noon- 1 a.m.
Museums and Bookstores
Emily Dickinson House
280 Main Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-542-8161
Hours: Wed- Sun 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/
Montague Used Book Mill
15-20 min drive, but worth it for bks & river view, also great lunch next door at Lady Killigrew
440 Greenfield Road
Montague, MA 01351
413-367-9206
Hours: Mon-Wed 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Thurs-Sun 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
www.montaguebookmill.com/
Amherst Books
8 Main Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-256-1547
Hours: Mon- Sat 6:30 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. Sun 6:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.
www.amherstbooks.com/
Food for Thought Books
106 N Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-253-5432
Hours: Mon- Fri 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Sat & Sun 11:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.
www.foodforthoughtbooks.com/
Amherst College Mead Art Museum
41 Quadrangle Drive
Amherst, MA 01002
413-542-2335
Hours: Tues-Sun 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
www.amherst.edu/museums/mead/
Amherst College Beneski Museum of Natural History
11 Barrett Hill Road
Amherst College
Amherst, MA 01002
413-542-2165
Hours: Tues-Sun 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
www.amherst.edu/museums/naturalhistory/
Smith College Art Museum
Elm Street at Bedford Terrace
Northampton, MA 01063
413-585-2760
Hours: Tues-Sat 10-4; Sun 12-4
www.smith.edu/artmuseum/
Amherst Cinema (independent films)
28 Amity Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-253-2547
amherstcinema.org/
World Studies Interdisciplinary Project 