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Massachusetts Foliage Driving Tour

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If you find yourself here on a rainy day or can't resist the cultural pull of an area that boasts more than 30,000 students within an 11-mile radius, try visiting any of the five colleges, where you'll find museums, exhibits, recitals, dance concerts, and terrific libraries.

It's hard to go wrong choosing a restaurant on Main Street. They have to be good to hold their own in this town. The problem: so many restaurants and so little time! For a special night out, try Spoleto Restaurant and the upscale Del Raye Bar & Grille. Here, gourmet food with international flavors is the name of the game. Our suggestions: braised hazelnut duck or grilled yellowfin tuna. Both places have excellent wine lists. Just off Main Street, the Eastside Grill serves creative American cuisine. They specialize in fresh fish and seafood with a fine selection of steaks. Warning: You may have to put your name on a waiting list at these establishments, but strolling around town before you're seated is an enjoyable diversion, no matter how hungry you are.

If the evening is warm enough, you'll be treated to a wide variety of street musicians as you wander after dinner. If you still have room, Bart's on Main Street and Herrell's in Thorne's basement have yummy homemade ice cream to rival the best. Most places serve excellent cappuccino and latte to sip while you pore over the Advocate to settle on whether it will be a movie or music for tonight's entertainment.

Lodging options include Hotel Northampton, the big red-brick building conveniently located downtown. A little to the west, in Florence, is The Knoll, a 1910 Tudor-style house situated on 17 acres of farm and woodland. Hostess Lee Lesko boasts guests from each of the 50 states and all continents except Antarctica. In nearby Amherst you'll find the Lord Jeffery Inn, where the 48 rooms include eight suites. Here you can choose informal dining at Elijah Boltwood's Tavern or fine dining at the Windowed Hearth.

To continue the tour into northeastern Connecticut, where more antiques, country roads, and good food await in the Quiet Corner, take Interstate 91 southbound.