In this week’s Advocate, you’ll find the winners of our annual Best Of the Valley Readers’ Poll, a who’s who and what’s what of all the top people, places, and businesses Western Mass and Southern Vermont has to offer. Thank you to everyone who voted. We can’t provide this handy guide without you!
While there are more than 170 Best Of categories, the awards don’t cover everything. For example, there’s no je ne sais quoi ranking. Best Of focuses on local products and services, but what about the best things in life being free?
With that in mind, I bring you the first — and likely only — Best Of the Valley: Intangibles edition.
Best Sight
The rest stop on I-91 South between Northampton and Holyoke in the fall
Interstate 91 is dotted with some spectacular, expansive views of the Valley. There are portions of the highway that are breathtaking: like the bend coming down 91 South just before the first Northampton exit, where the hills part and you can see exactly why we’re a valley, towering mountains all around you. But the best has to be that rest stop between Northampton and Holyoke with its panoramic view of Holyoke and parts far, far beyond. If you haven’t, it’s worth pulling over and taking in this rare display of the Valley.
2nd: Connecticut River
3rd: The neo-classical architecture in
downtown Springfield, specifically, Main
Street south of the MassMutual Center
Best Smell
Donut Dip in West Springfield and East Longmeadow
When they take a fresh batch onto the floor, the sweet, crispy fried cake smell is enough to make a person want to lick the air.
2nd: Deep-in-the-forest mud after a rainstorm
3rd: Fireworks on the Fourth of July
Best Sound
Thunder off the mountains in the
Hilltowns
One of the things about the Hilltowns is you’re never far away from a mountain top. From a high point, you can hear and see storms rolling in from miles away. The sound of thunder echoing off the mountains is awe-inspiring. Take a quick listen before high-tailing it out of there.
2nd: Hearing your number called at Frigo’s
in Springfield
3rd: The Leverett Peace Pagoda
Best Hipster Vibe
Northampton Coffee
This place is quintessential hipster: “steampunk” coffee, white-everything, the sole paper available is the New York Times, laptops on every table, and a talented barista with slightly nerdy glasses and tattoos who will debate with customers over who would win in a fight between zombies and rhinoceros zombies.
2nd: The Moan and Dove, Amherst
3rd: The Dirty Truth, Northampton
Best Feels
East Longmeadow’s Memorial Day
Parade
This annual tradition is a solemn remembrance of the people who died in service to the U.S. There’s the speeches, the veterans, the raising of the flag. If you don’t get teary when the bugler starts playing “Taps,” your heart may be made of stone.•
2nd: Springfield Fine Arts Museum
3rd: The Big E
Got your own Best Of ideas? Write to Kristin Palpini at editor@valleyadvocate.com.
