Looking for the most artsy place in Massachusetts to call home? You'll find plenty of options--from the Berkshires to the shore. We've chosen the top 5 best cities in Massachusetts for their art and culture scene. Plan a day trip to check these artistic Massachusetts towns out, and you might not want to leave.
1. Northampton
2. Shelburne Falls
3. Cambridge
4. Beverly
There's nothing more artsy, hippy, young, and vibrant than the community built around Northampton (NoHo to locals). Though the atmosphere is definitely that of a college town thanks to Smith University, Northampton has something for everyone, young and not-so-young. You'll find eight art galleries, eight bookstores, countless specialty stores and consignment shops, restaurants serving locally-sourced foods and ethnic cuisine from all over the world--all in one walkable, picturesque, small New England town.
Northampton's population is 28,900, a great in-between for those who want an escape from the big city but don't want to live in the sticks. The town is known as a LGBT-friendly, countercultural hub. It is also part of New England's so-called "knowledge corridor," made up of 29 universities and liberal arts colleges running from New Haven, CT up to the Springfield, MA metro area, which Northampton is considered a part of. The influx of college students keeps the vibe young and fresh, but it's also a popular place to raise a family.
Travel west from Northampton into the Berkshires, and you'll find an even smaller community on the Deerfield River. Shelburne Falls covers just 2.6 square miles and is home to only 1,700 residents, but it's one of the most artistic around. Tourists come from all over western Massachusetts to see Shelburne Falls' famous Bridge of Flowers and to shop at the many local artisan shops. Shelburne Falls is full of musicians and artists, from those who create works of art from found metal to those who form, glaze, and paint ceramic tiles by hand.
Shelburne Falls also draws people in because of its incredibly picturesque views. Surrounded by hills and highlighted by the Deerfield River and the falls it creates, it's easy to visit for a day and decide you never want to leave. And with most homes priced between $200,000 and $600,000, it's readily accessible for just about anyone wanting to get away and connect with their inner artist while surrounded by a peaceful, creative community.
Though it's best known as the home of two of the world's most prominent universities, MIT and Harvard, there's a lot more to Cambridge than academia. It's also a bustling center for the arts. If Shelburne is the quintessential tiny artsy town, Cambridge is the city version. Here, you'll find indie artists, book stores and fair trade coffee shops galore, and a huge offering of music, theater, and art programs, concerts, shows, and galleries. Catch a show or talk at the American Repertory Theater, stroll through one of Harvard's three art museums, or hit a poetry slam at a late-night pub or coffee shop.
Cambridge has opportunities for young artists around every corner, but it's also close enough to commute to Boston and houses several major employers, so it's a great place for professionals to settle and raise a family. Sources say it's a nerd's paradise, a hipster's paradise, and an indie mecca, among other things. Interpret that as you will. Home prices in Cambridge aren't cheap, though. The median list price for homes and condos in Cambridge is currently $859,000.
Massachusetts as a whole tends to have a worldly, artistic vibe, from Cape Cod to the mountains in the west. And Beverly, MA offers its own unique artsy flavor. Home to Montserrat College of Art, tons of galleries, and many different types of artisans, Beverly has it all--from walkable main streets full of laid-back shopping to picturesque New England beaches. The newly-designated Beverly Arts District is home to many downtown murals, and the annual Arts Fest brings out all the artisans for a family-friendly day of experiencing art in all forms, including jewelry-makers, potters, musicians, basketmakers, woodworkers, and more.
With 39,500 residents (as of the 2010 census), Beverly isn't too big or too small. It's just a few train stops from Boston, so if you want to get out of the town and hit a game at Fenway or one of Boston's illustrious museums, it's an easy trip. Beverly isn't just for artists, either. The site of America's first cotton mill, it's often called the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, and history buffs will find plenty to keep them busy.
New Bedford is known for two things: its whaling history and its artsy vibe. An organization called Arts History Architecture New Bedford (AHA) organizes a monthly cultural event. Sometimes it's fiber art, sometimes it's ice sculpting, sometimes it's a dance/screen printing party. Bedford's downtown is also home to a vibrant art scene including dozens of museums, local art shops, and fascinating historic architecture. It has been ranked one of the best cities for starving artists, thanks to its bustling arts scene and low housing prices. The median list price for a New Bedford home is just $199,000.
New Bedford is located due south of Boston between Providence and Cape Cod, so residents have easy access to some of Massachusetts' most popular destinations. And if you get tired of the arts scene, you can always check out the city's whaling museums.
