TRAVEL INFORMATION
WHEN TO ARRIVE
Registration for the session is from 2-5 pm on Sunday August 14th at Chase House, the dorm that will be our base of operations and your residence for the week. Please plan to arrive during this time if your schedule allows it.
We will have a reception from 5-5:30, followed by dinner until 7. The session will officially commence at 7 pm.
The session will end at noon on Saturday, August 20th.
HOW TO GET TO NORTHAMPTON
By Car
Participants will be staying at the Mary Ellen Chase House, which is a cream-colored house facing Route 9. The front door has a plaque that says ‘Chase House’; we will also have a sign with “Contemplative Curriculum Development summer session” on the front door.
These directions will guide you from I-91 and the Mass Pike, which will account for the four major routes of reaching Northampton. Please note: while driving in Northampton requires patience and a respect for pedestrians (all of whom are used to cars stopping at the crosswalks), finding your way to Smith is straightforward. Once you arrive, you can easily walk to all major points of interest in Northampton.
From the South: Northampton is on Route I-91 in Massachusetts. Take Exit 18, turn left from the off-ramp, and follow Route 5 North into the center of town (marked by the 4-way intersection.) Turn left at the lights onto Route 9. Go straight through two traffic lights; when you reach the third traffic light, take the street on your immediate right (the Smith College museum will be to your left.) This street is Bedford Terrace, although the street sign isn’t visible. You will then take the second driveway on your left (the first is a service driveway), which will lead you into the parking lot; follow to the end and park – Chase House is the house in front of this lot.
From the North: While we recommend you take exit 18 and follow the directions as written above for ease of travel, it is also possible to take Exit 20 to reach downtown; however, traffic is heavy off this exit.
If you would like to take Exit 20: follow onto Route 5 south into the center of town. At the four-way intersection, turn right onto Route 9. Then follow the same directions as above from Route 9 to campus.
From the East or West via the Massachusetts Turnpike: Northampton is on Route I-91 North (Mass Pike exit 4). Once on I-91, follow the directions above for visitors from the south.
By Air
The closest airport is Bradley International. It is served by most major airlines and is located about 40 miles south of Northampton near Hartford, Connecticut. Flying into Bradley rather than to Boston's Logan Airport gives you a shorter drive to Northampton and spares you city traffic congestion. Allow at least 2 – 2 ½ hours to get to the airport for your return flight; it takes about 40-50 minutes to drive to the airport and car rental returns may add 30 minutes, which leaves you about an hour for check-in. Bradley Airport is a small, efficient operation, but peak travel hours may delay your check-in.
Limousines, buses and rental cars are available at the airport. Transportation to Smith from the Boston or Hartford airports is also available from Valley Transporter or Michael's Limousine Services. Valley Transporter can be reached at (413) 253-1350, or from outside the 413 area code dial (800) 872-8752. Rates are approximately $50 each way. The transporter runs from Boston, but it’s about $200; NYC is $275 including gratuity. http://www.valleytransporter.com
Michael's Limousine Services can be reached at (413) 583-6392 or (800) 533-8470.
If you are taking a car service, please refer to the driving directions to inform your driver of your destination. A map of Smith College is available at http://www.smith.edu/map.
By Bus
Peter Pan, Greyhound and Vermont Transit serve the area. Most routes go to the main bus terminal in Springfield, where you can catch another bus to Northampton. Buses run almost hourly between Springfield and Northampton. Smith is a 10-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the bus station; the taxi station is right next to the Northampton bus “depot”. http:// www.peterpanbus.com; http://www.greyhound.com; http://www.vermonttransit.com.
A map of Smith College is available at http://www.smith.edu/map.
By Train
Amtrak – (800) 872-7245 – runs trains to Springfield from various locations. http://www.amtrak.com
From Springfield you can take a bus or get van service to Northampton from Valley Transporter. Valley Transporter requires advance reservations; call (413) 253-1350 or (800) 872-8752; http://www.valleytransporter.com
A map of Smith College is available at http://www.smith.edu/map.
DORM and NORTHAMPTON INFORMATION
Participants will be staying at Chase House. The summer session faculty and staff will also be operating out of a suite of rooms on the first floor.
All rooms are singles, but in true dorm style, bathrooms are shared. Each floor has one large bathroom; women will be staying on the second floor and men on the third. We will be providing fans for your rooms, but you may find it useful to bring another.
The dorm will have a kitchenette with refrigerator, if you'd like to bring food with you; however, we can't offer a reduced rate if you choose not to eat at the dining hall. There are washers and dryers on the first floor.
There is internet access in each dorm room. Please bring an Ethernet cable in order to connect to the web. There will also be access to a 24-hour computer lab on campus.
There will be 24-hour access to the Smith College King & Scales fitness center and limited access to the swimming pool. Smith College also has tennis courts and an outdoor track. Directions to these locations will be provided upon arrival.
A map of Smith College is available at http://www.smith.edu/map.
Information about Northampton can be found at http://www.noho.com and http://www.northamptonma.gov.