This independent haven is a 'tangibly different' college town

Plus plenty of local flavor and a lively downtown

View in Browser 08.13.25 👋 Hey, travel fans! Today we're visiting a college hot spot in western Massachusetts. This hidden gem combines the charm of a village with big-city culture and natural beauty.   By Maureen O'Hare 🌈 A welcoming place for everyone Northampton isn't the only place in Massachusetts to grab a cup of joe or promote independent thinking. But it's the only town with the unofficial motto, "Where the coffee is strong and so are the women." Take a closer look at this hip and historic haven. Watch Check out CNN's America's Best Towns to Visit for this year's top 10 list and much more. We'll see you Saturday with more travel news!   Did you enjoy this newsletter? Drop in and say hi! Today's edition of Unlocking the World was edited and produced by CNN's Sarah Hutter and Daniel Wine.   You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for Unlocking the World. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or sign up to manage your CNN account   Get CNN web alerts  |  Sign up for a free CNN account   Privacy Policy | Terms of Use   ® © 2025 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved. 1050 Techwood Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30318