Springfield is an oasis of recreation, culture and history with many historic and cultural spots tucked under its belt. It is climbing up the chart of the fave places to live in America. Visitors can take a deep dive into the art and history and indulge in outdoor pursuits like hiking, walking, biking, picnicking, and much more. The city is innovative and artistic that is reflected in its magnificent architecture, museums, art galleries and cultural sites. There are historic sites and park that flood the Springfield, to boot. There are theaters and concert venues with flawless performances that you would never want to miss when in Springfield. The city is packed with a plentitude of things to do and see that you will never have a dull moment. We’ve compiled a list of best tourist spots in Springfield to make your stay in the city interesting and fun.
Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Image By rizha ubal (DSC04206) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Springfield is the birthplace of the second most popular sport in the world- Basketball. It is considered a pilgrimage for basketball fans. It is named after the inventor of the sport- James A. Naismith. The city is home to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame that features the history of Basketball through interactive exhibits, artifacts, photos and memorabilia. This spot honors the basketball coaches, players and referees who have contributed to the sport at any level. It houses a basketball megaplex spanning 40,000 sq foot that features over 70 interactive displays with video and audio items on the game and the people associated with it. It also has a huge court where visitors can show their shooting skills and jump shots. The big draw is the hall of famers. Feel the fun and excitement of the game at this spot!
Address: 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, Springfield, MA 01105, United States
Phone: 1 877-446-6752
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 10:00am-4:00pm; Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday: 10:00am-4:00pm
Club Quarter
Club Quarter is a cluster of over 75 nightclubs, restaurants, movie houses, music venues and bars in Metro Center district around the Stearns Square. It is spread across several blocks around the historic Stearns Square. According to Yahoo! and Sperling’s Best Places, Springfield is included in the list of top 10 ten cities for singles in America, all credit goes to its variety of entertainment and nightlife spots that floor the city. Also, this place is home to an array of LGBT entertainment venues. So, for night on the tiles, Club Quarter is the place to go!
Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway
Image By John Phelan (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway is a linear park the stretches 3.7miles along the Connecticut River. Beautiful landscapes and splendid views of the city’s skyline, the Mount Holyoke Range and the Mount Tom Range is what can be expected at this park. Marvel at the scenic beauty, relax and indulge in recreational activities like walking, biking, rollerblading, running, strolling and bicycling. It offers easy and direct access to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. This spot is abuzz with activities year-round, so locals and visitors congregate here to enjoy and relax.
Address: Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway, Springfield, MA 01105, United States
Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
Springfield is the birthplace of the famous author and illustrator Theodor Seuss Geisel. Dr. Seuss National Memorial is a sculpture garden that features Dr. Seuss works on display. It is a memorial park dedicated to the native Dr. Seuss whose stories and characters inspired many. There are huge bronze sculptures of the beloved characters from the Dr. Seuss’s books scattered throughout the garden and these are designed by Dr. Seuss step-daughter –Lark Grey Dimond Cates and created by artist and sculptor Ron Henson. These characters are a crucial part of the American culture and literature. Highlights include characters like Cat in the Hat, Horton the elephant, The Grinch who stole Christmas, The Lorax and Yertle the Turtle. This place draws repeat visitors who are fans of Seuss’s book characters. A not-to-miss attraction in Springfield!
Address: 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States
Phone: 1 413-263-6800
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Forest Park
Image By Rusty Clark from merritt usland FLA (Forest Park - Springfield MA) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The Forest Park is popular for being one of the largest urban parks in the US. It encompasses 735 acres of land that features a zoo, playgrounds, a rose garden, hiking and walking trails, aquatic gardens, promenades, athletic fields, ponds and lakes, sculptures, historic homes, United States first swimming pool, and an outdoor amphitheatre. Frederick Law Olmsted designed the Forest Park. He was a well-known landscape designer of Central Park, New York City. Take a hike through the park and soak in the Springfield’s beauty. Marvel at the elegant tudor architectural style, colonial and Victorian builds in the Forest Park Heights Historic District. If you want to burn the energy, play a game of basketball, baseball or tennis as the park as courts for all. Kids can visit the zoo in the Forest Park that features over 150 exotic and domestic animals, including reptiles, amphibians, mammals and birds. You’ll see animals like camels, red kangaroos, De Brazza’s monkeys, pythons, African bull frog, American alligator, Corn snake, Domestic rooster, and much more. This park is a perfect place to stroll, relax, hike, scramble, play and connect to nature. In winter season, it hosts a popular holiday light display called as the “Bright Nights”.
Address: Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA 01108, United States
Phone Number: 413-733-2251
MassMutual Center
Image By John Phelan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The MassMutual Center is an arena and convention center that hosts many entertainment and sporting events in Springfield. Its 8,000 seating capacity with state-of-the-art facilities make it a great entertainment venue. It is home to American Hockey League- Springfield Thunderbirds. Several famous concerts have been held here. Concerts by Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Nirvana, Marilyn Manson, Pearl Jam, The Eagles, The Jacksons, Pitbull and many more have performed here. In the past, it also hosted two WWE Smackdown matches and WWE Monday Night Raw. The center’s sight lines are superb making it easy to enjoy the event irrespective of where you are seated. From college and professional sporting events to comedy shows to concert tours, conferences, galas and several other functions are held at the MassMutual Center. Grab the tickets in advance from the official website and enjoy the show/game.
Address: 1277 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States
The Quadrangle
Image By John Phelan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The Quadrangle is a group of cultural institutions and museums located in the Metro Center. The museums, a library and a park surround the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, which is the center of the place. The Quadrangle includes George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, Springfield Science Museum, Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, and Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History. This place also has a Merrick Park that features “The Puritan” statue by American sculptor- Augustus Saint-Gaudens. This statue is the version of the early settler of Springfield, MA- Deacon Samuel Chapin. At the Quadrangle’s edge is located the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts' Christ Church Cathedral. There is a Springfield City Library and adjacent to that is the Roman Catholic St. Michael’s Cathedral. The Quadrangle has something for every interest and can be explored in a single day.
Address: 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States
Phone: 1 413-263-6800
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday: 11:00am-5:00pm
George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: It is one of the Quadrangle’s oldest museums that was built in 1895 and in 1896, it was opened for public. It features an extensive art collection in various medias of the owner’s- George Walter Vincent Smith and his wife, Belly Townsley Smith. It is a 19th-century Italian villa-style building with original Tiffany stained glass windows. It includes nineteenth century Middle-Eastern carpets; Chinese cloisonne huge collection outside of Asia; Japanese arms and armor; ancient Chinese bronzes and ceramics; nineteenth century Italian watercolors, Roman and Greek antiquities, plaster cast collection; and several American and European paintings. You’ll find collections from Middle East, Japan, America and China here. Unique and beautiful collections of fine and decorative art fill this museum!
Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts: Built in 1933 and opened in 1934, the Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts hold an extensive collection of European, Asian and American paintings, sculptures, watercolors, prints, drawings, ceramics, glass, metalwork, furniture and textiles. It is an art-decor style museum that has plenty of pieces of art on display. Highlights include the Currier & Ives lithograph collection, the European art collection by Monet, Degas and several well-known artists; American paintings by Georgia O’Keefe, Erastus Field, George Bellows, Frederic Church and several others. The European artwork spans across several eras from Renaissance and Late Medieval to Baroque and beyond. There are several traveling exhibits from well-known masters. This museum is a fine art lovers haven!
Springfield Science Museum: Housed in neo-classical art deco building, the Springfield Science Museum was built in 1859 and opened for public in 1899. The museum features a permanent collection of Physical science, Anthropology and Natural Science. It has a slew of exhibits on physical and natural sciences. It houses a Seymour Planetarium that includes the oldest operating star-projector in the US- the Korkosz Starball; Eco-center that features live animals like coral reefs, rainforests and mangroves; an African Hall that shows the Savannah ecosystem; a Dinosaur Hall that features gigantic models of dinosaurs; a 1910s telegraphone recorder; and a planetarium which was the first one in the USA. This museum creates an eye-popping and wonderful experience for kids and adults alike. It is a perfect place where kids can learn wildlife, natural science, dinosaurs, stars, and much more.
Lyman and Merrie Wood History Museum of Springfield History: Take a trip to the world of yesterday at the Lyman and Merrie Wood History Museum. This museum offers a glimpse of the history of Springfield from its early beginnings to how it became the City of Firsts and the City of Progress, and beyond. It features numerous exhibits on the inventions done in the city, its role in American history, life in 19th and 20th century Springfield, and the industries and technology in Springfield. The exhibits bring the “Story of Springfield” to life! Highlights include Indian Motorcycle collection, Smith & Wesson pistols and revolvers collection, Granville brother’s aircraft, Civil War exhibits, and Automobile collection that includes Rolls-Royce roadster of 1925 and 1928, Crestmobile 1901 and Knox 1899. It also has a Springfield History Library and Archives that features historical documents and papers. A must-see museum for the lovers of Springfield and for history fans!
Springfield Armory National Historic Site
Interested in American history, do swing by the Springfield Armory National Historic Site that was founded by Henry Knox and George Washington in 1777. The Springfield Armory preserves the United States national heritage and is known for its numerous innovations like the gun parts and mass production. It was the major site for manufacturing the firearms for U.S. military from 1777 until 1968. This site comprises of several historic buildings and a museum that features extensive collection of U.S. military weapons spanning over two centuries, like the Firearms donated by President Roosevelt, Kennedy, Wilson, and Eisenhower; the M-1 rifle of WWII and M-14 rifle. This site illustrates the history of Springfield Armory and its role in American history and US Armed Forces!
Address: 1 Armory Square #2, Springfield, MA 01105, United States
Phone: 1 413-734-8551
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Springfield Symphony Orchestra
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is one of the well-known orchestra in Massachusetts. It plays a host to a variety of programs year-round, including Broadway shows, plays, comedy shows and musicals that wow the audience. The first concert was performed in 1940s at the Municipal Auditorium and since then it has been entertaining the denizens and visitors of the city with a repertoire of concerts and performances. Today, it performs at the Symphony Hall that can accommodate over 2,600 people. The orchestra is performed from October until April. The gorgeous setting and the world-class talent showcased here will mesmerize you as you journey with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
Address: 1350 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States
Phone: 1 413-733-2291
Best Tourist Spots in Springfield Map Guide
