Looking for the best things to do in Springfield, MA? From the Basketball Hall of Fame to the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss and many museums, we’ve rounded up the very best things to do in this Western Massachusetts city.
Springfield is the largest city in Western Massachusetts, Hampden County. The city is referred to as the ‘City of Firsts,’ thanks to the many innovations made here. Besides, it’s a tourist attraction center with several things to enjoy during your stay here.
Among the exciting things to do in Springfield, MA are visiting historical sites and museums, picnic areas in parks, musical and Broadway events, agricultural fairs, and trying the lottery at the MGM casino. With all it has to offer, Springfield is simply a must-visit!
The Best Things To Do In Springfield, MA
Visit the Many Springfield Museums
If you love museums, then you’re going to have a blast in Springfield, as they have museums on pretty much everything. Here are a few stand-out museums worth visiting, many of which have interactive exhibits.
The George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum showcases diverse art displays including the collection of cloisonné, Japanese artillery, Greek and Roman sculptures, and Middle-Eastern mats. It’s the oldest museum in Springfield.
The Springfield Science Museum displays giant dinosaur models at the Dinosaur Hall. It also has a planetary section that regenerates ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs, and rainforests.
The Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History showcases the life history of Springfield in the 19th and 20th centuries with a collection of Indian motorcycle brands. It also highlights the role of Springfield in the American Civil War housing the largest collection of Smith & Wesson guns.
The Titanic Museum houses the largest collection of artifacts from the historic voyage of the Titanic in 1912. It’s a must-visit for fans of the movie.
The Donald D’amour Museum of Fine Arts houses art history from artists in the Medieval and Renaissance periods. They include Monet, Pissarro, Degas, and O’Keeffe.
Visit the Springfield Armory National History Site
A trip to Springfield cannot be whole without visiting the Springfield Armory National History Site. The museum is situated where the armory regarded as General George Washington’s biggest arsenal was located and used to manufacture and test the nation’s military equipment for nearly 200 years.
The armory also contributed to the city’s nickname ‘City of Firsts’ as countless innovations were made here leading to the technological superiority of the military. Some of these innovations include the mass production and development of gun parts that could be interchanged with different models.
The museum is located at 1 Armory Street #2, Springfield, MA 01105, United States.
Tour the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is the place to visit if you’re a sports fan visiting Springfield, MA. Basketball enthusiasts visit the facility to learn more about basketball’s rich history and enjoy the sport.
The facility was set up in 1968 and it’s named after the Canadian- American basketball founder, James Naismith. It also pays tribute to over 400 basketball professionals by inducting them through the Annual Enrichment Ceremony. The Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams offers an interactive live skill exhibition and shooting contests on basketball courts that you’ll enjoy.
As the facility’s popularity grew, it was moved along the Connecticut River in 1985 from Springfield College. Later in 2002, the Hall of Fame moved to a new 80,000-square-foot facility in 1000 Hall of Fame Ave, Springfield, MA 01105, United States.
You can book your Hall of Fame admission tickets here or request a proposal for a special event here.
Take the Family to the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum
The City of Firsts is also home to Theodor Seuss Geisel, the beloved author behind Dr. Seuss. You and your kids can enjoy childhood fantasies by interacting with interesting sculptures in the memorial garden like Thidwick the big-hearted Moose, and the 14-foot Horton the Elephant with Sam-i-am.
Other sculptures to explore include the Cat in the Hat posing with Dr. Seuss at the Springfield library. You’ll also get to play interactive games like Giant Marble Maze, Lorax Recycle Game, and Whoville with Ball Hall and Light Wall at the museum.
Dr. Seuss Museum is free to children under 3 years and Springfield residents; however, it costs visitors $13 to $25 to access the facility.
The museum is located at 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA 01103.
Get Outside at Forest Park
Forest Park is the largest and most popular park in Springfield.
This expansive park sits on a 735-acre piece of land just next to the Connecticut River. It houses a zoo with over 200 species of local and exotic species. The zoo educates children on animal conservation.
The park also features an aquatic garden and a stunning flower bed that can be used as a picnic area. Or, you can ride through the park on the zoo train.
Other things you can do while in Forest Park include relaxing at the amphitheater, strolling in the nature trails, and playing in the baseball fields, baseball diamonds, and tennis courts.
While you can visit Forest Park all year round, the most memorable time to pop around Forest Park is during Christmas because of the beautiful lighting show producing bright nights.
The park is located at 293 Summer Ave, Springfield, MA 01108, United States.
Catch a Performance at Springfield Symphony Orchestra
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra was initially built as an Auditorium in 1913 and later named the Symphony Hall in the 1940s. The building attracts architectural enthusiasts as it’s inspired by the Greek revival flair.
The Symphony hall is cherished for its top-notch acoustics and plays home to the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, which features several Springfield shows. The hall can host around 2,600 people.
The hall also hosts the annual Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Broadway-style theatre productions, children plays, lectures, and graduation ceremonies.
The Symphony hall is located at 34 Court Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
Attend The World’s Only Multi-State Fair (The Big E)
The Big E is a multi-state fair hosting the six states of New England. It’s one of the largest fairs in the US and the biggest on the east coast.
The fair runs for 17 days starting on the second Friday after Labor Day. During the fair, be sure to visit the six full-size models of the region’s statehouses, classic carnival rides, culinary culture with ample drinks, and midway-style games.
However, the main cultural and attraction activity in the Big E is the agricultural fair, where New England residents display their agricultural prowess. They do this through livestock competitions, horse riding events, and sizeable vegetable displays.
You can attend the Big E at 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA 01089, United States.
Get an Adrenaline Rush at Six Flags New England
Six Flags New England is an amusement park that has been in operation since the 1870s. It’s the oldest amusement park in New England and one of the sixteen of its kind amusement parks countrywide. The park is located in Agawam and sits on a 235-acre landmass.
One of the notable roller coaster rides in this thrill center is the Superman Ride. It has won international recognition for its 63-meter plunge. The Wicked Cyclone and Batman the Dark Knight are also top-rated rides. Batman consists of five loops with speeds of up to 89km/h while the Cyclone has 9 tubes and a more than 450,000-gallon water pool. Hurricane Harbor, the waterpark portion, is also included with admission.
The park has been under the management of the Six Flags brand since 1999 and also hosts special events that you can do throughout the year. In the summer, the best thing to do is gracing the Food and Brew Festival, the Holiday in the Park at Christmas, and the yearly Fright Fest on Halloween.
The Six Flags New England amusement park is located at 1623 Main Street, Agawam, MA 010001, United States.
Wander the Historic Campus of Springfield College
The Historic Campus of Springfield College was first known as the International YMCA Collage before changing its name in 1954. It has a proud history with basketball because James Naismith, the founder of basketball, studied here.
You should explore the Springfield College Museum to gain historical insights, marvel at displays and exhibits, and explore the student-life in the college.
You can visit Springfield College Campus at 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109, United States.
Try Your Luck at MGM Springfield
The MGM Springfield is a massive 252 room hotel. It’s a great place to stay in during your visit in Springfield with ample entertainment events, eateries, and a complete casino.
The MGM Casino consists of poker rooms, table games, and slot machines that are worth gambling your luck. You can also relax at its bars, get funky at its Commonwealth Night Club, go gaming at the arcade, or hone your skills in bowling and golfing in the TopGolf Swing Suite Simulator.
MGM Springfield also houses a ton of events and activities including a family oriented comedy club, outdoor concert venues, and a modern cinema complex.
The location of MGM Springfield is One MGM Way, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
Catch an Event At the Mass Mutual Center
This multifunctional sports and concerts complex was initially regarded as the Springfield Civic Centre. It’s located across the Court Square in the Springfield’s Metro Area.
The home ground of the Springfield Thunderbirds and the American International Yellow Jackets is the Mutual Center. The center is also a great place for comedy tours, family shows, and captivating sporting events, and concerts. These activities change on a timely basis.
