Are you in search of the best and most fun things to do in Springfield, MA?
Situated on the eastern shore of the Connecticut River, close to the convergence of four rivers; the Connecticut River, the Eastern Mill River, the Eastern Chicopee River, and the Western Westfield River.
After the 2020 census, Springfield was announced as the third-largest city in Massachusetts.
In addition to this, Springfield is known to be the fourth most populated town in New England and it’s even the 12th most populated city in the Northeastern part of the United States.
It may interest you to know that as a result of the numerous inventions made in the city like the First American Dictionary, the First American gas-powered automobile, and the First machining lathe for interchangeable parts, a lot of names have been attached to it including The City of Firsts.
That being said, in case you are planning a vacation in Springfield, I have a list of the 23 best things you can do in Springfield, Massachusetts.
23 Best & Fun Things to Do in Springfield (MA
1. Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
It may interest you to know that Springfield, Massachusetts is the birth place of famous Theodor Seuss Geisel, popularly known as Dr. Swiss, so, a visit to Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden sounds like a good idea, and should be considered one of the best things to do in Springfield, MA.
Also, his dad managed Forest park Zoo, Dr. Seuss grew up around Forest park.
Featuring different amazing sculptures such as the 14-foot Horton the Elephant with Sam-i-am, Sally, her brother, gorgeous sculptures of Dr. Seuss and the Cat in the Hat near the Springfield Library.
Address: 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States
2. Paramount Theater
For some movie time in Springfield, Paramount Theater is a place to go previously known as The Hippodrome and Julia Sanderson Theater.
Established in 1926, interestingly, the Springfield’s Paramount Theater is constantly improving and that’s why it has witnessed numerous renovations.
It may also interest you to know that since 2011, approximately two million dollars have been spent renovating the building.
In addition to this, you will find an organ at the cinema; though it’s old, it’s playable, the theatre is undoubtedly a place you can have maxum fun in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Address: 1676 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
3. Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is regarded as a sports as well as a history museum; this museum’s major sport is Basketball, little wonder why it’s named after James Naismith, the founder of Basketball, .
That being said, the aim of establishing this museum is for the preservation and promotion of Basketball.
Expect to have plenty of fun and feed your eyes with interactive exhibits at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, including incredible mini-games and stunning shows thereby making it one of the places you should visit in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Address: 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, Springfield, MA 01105, United States.
4. The Big E Fair
Speaking of the biggest agricultural event on the eastern shoreline and the sixth biggest fair In the United States, the Big E Fair previously known as the Eastern States Exposition comes to mind.
You will enjoy it the most between mid-September and the early days of October yearly, and there you can find equestrian shows, livestock competitions, and big vegetable displays at the Big E Fair.
One of the fun things you can do for yourself while in Springfield is to attend the Big E Fair.
Address: 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA 01089, United States.
5. Forest Park
Situated on the shores of the well-known Connecticut River, Forest Park is one of the nineteen parks in Springfield and occupies a landmass of approximately 736 acres.
It is safe to refer to this park as one of the largesr parks in the country, featuring an outdoor amphitheater, a zoo, a Basketball field, quaint forest trails, beautiful views, a tennis court, a baseball field, and an aquatic garden.
You will enjoy Forest Park the most during the Christmas holidays as it is more beautiful and fun as a result of the park’s decorations and high-tech lighting show.
Address: 293 Summer Ave, Springfield, MA 01108, United States.
6. Forest Park and Education Center Zoo
Forest Park and Education Center Zoo features more than 150 extraordinary and wonderful species ranging from amphibians, avers, mammals and reptiles inside the popular Forest Park.
Furthermore, the zoo serves as a host to several educational programs and events for children.
There is a popular program hosted in the zoo which is known as Adopt an Animal program and it’s targeted at assisting children understand conservation and animals.
Address: 293 Summer Avenue, Springfield, MA 01108, United States.
7. Storrowtown Village Museum
This is yet another historical museum in Springfield, and here you can learn about New England life in the previous moments, and it is a well-known tourist attraction.
If you are a history enthusiast, you will enjoy your stay here as the museum features the 19th-century lifestyle of this village alongside other living history programs and exciting programs.
In addition to this, there are informed and useful staff members who are on ground to lead tours of the village.
I want you to consider this to be one of the best places to visit in Springfield, MA.
Address: 1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield, MA 01089, United States.
8. Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History
You will find the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History next to the Springfield Museum, and this building as a result of a donation from from Mr. M. Allen Swift in 2005.
Having a landmass of approximately 40,000 square feet, this museum concentrates majorly on the latest (19th and 20th Centuries) history of Springfield.
The Springfield History Library and Archives, which are manuscripts, computer databases, books, as well as photographs are some of the things you will see in Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.
Address: 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
9. Blunt Park
Offering different outdoor activities, Blunt Park is an attractive place to spend time in the city, and it’s perfect for picnicking and other family fun activities.
Blunt Park contains an outdoor grilling, a stunning water fountain,Children playground, excellent picnic area, basketball field, 90’ diamond, soccer field, football field, tennis court, and lots more to ensure that you enjoy their visit.
Also, you can play sports like football, basketball,tennis, soccer, and lots of others if you are a sports enthusiast.
That being said, feel free to come along with your kids to have some fun time.
Address: 1780 Roosevelt Avenue, Springfield, MA 01109, United States.
10. George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum
Going forward, you will see that Springfield has incredible museums, and George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum is one of them.
This museum concentrated majorly on decorative and Fine Arts; Mr. Smith was a well-known art collector whose major focus is on Asian artworks, including artworks from China,Japan, and the Middle East.
Different exhibits are accessible for viewing at this museum as the Museum accommodates a Hands-on Center for children, Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center.
Be sure to have enough fun if you make a trip to George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, and it is notably one of the fun things to do in Springfield, MA.
Address: 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
11. Springfield Armory National Historic Site
The essence of establishing Springfield Armory National Historic Site is to preserve and interpret the City’s History and the significance of the Springfield Armory as regards providing exceptional firearms to the US Armed Forces.
The Museum features different fascinating exhibits, public programs, events and online resources.
Furthermore, Springfield Armory is notably the first federal armory and also one of the first manufacturers of weapons in the United States resulting to it being the house the most comprehensive collection of American Historic Firearms globally.
Address: 1 Armory Street #2, Springfield, MA 01105, United States.
12. Max’s Tavern
It may interest you to know that Max’s Tavern is one of the people’s most preferred dining locations in Springfield, and is situated at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, and it’s a well-known location for sports fans in the area.
Some of the house specials served at this restaurant are impressive, such as sweet potato fries, grilled red-onion, arugula, Caribbean Jerk Chicken sandwich with Pineapple aioli, and fried cherry peppers.
In addition to that, they have incredible wine and craft beer selections, and Max’s Tavern is where to go if you decide to eat at one of the best fun diners in Springfield.
Address: 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, Springfield, MA 01105, United States.
13. Springfield Museums
Springfield Museums is the major center of cultural life and one of the well-known attractions in the City situated in downtown of the city, and it includes five unique, world-class Museums.
They invlude the Springfield Science Museum, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, the George Walter Vincent Smith art Museum, and the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.
The interesting fact is that each of the museums has something to offer depending on your interest, and it features Permanent Collections, temporary exhibit galleries, Travelling exhibitions of arts, science, history, and numerous special events can be seen at these museums.
Address: 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
14. Red Rose Pizzeria
If you are looking for where to satisfy your cravings in Springfield, Red Rose Pizzeria is yet another incredible dining location in the city and presently managed by the fourth generation of the Caputos family.
Interestingly, since its inception in 1963, this place has been expanded four times, and till date, their pizza is still well-known among visitors and locals having a simple recipe of green and red peppers, and lots of mozzarella cheese.
Interestingly, this location possesses a pleasant, and comfortable atmosphere in the dining room, and the dining room houses a gleaming wood paneling, wonderful crystal chandelier and Italian dishes available on the menu.
Address: 1060 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
15. Springfield College
Paying a visit to Springfield College is one of the best things to do while in Springfield, MA, and I will tell you why.
Worthy of note is the fact that this college has been in existence for more than 130 years and houses a wide range of intriguing amenities.
Some of them include several displays, historical information, exhibits, the Birthplace of Basketball.
This College is another historic site in the city and has been around for over 130 years; the college also has a great athletics section known as the Birthplace of Basketball, handwritten application letter of James Naismith to the college and so on.
Offering undergraduate, post-graduate, and doctoral degrees, BA majors, several doctoral programs, and 12 master’s degree fields, Springfield College has nine regional campuses aside from the major campus.
Address: 263 Alden Street, Springfield, MA 01109, United States.
16. Titanic Museum
Situated on Main Street, this historic museum is home to the Titanic Historical Society Collection.l and was established by Edward S. Kamuda founded.
The Titanic Museum have various exhibits and artifacts in connection to the 1912 Titanic voyage, and a wide range of the artifacts were donated by the survivors of the ship’s sinking, including lifejackets worn by Mrs. John Jacob Astor, the ship’s blueprints, and many others.
This is undoubtedly a great fun location and will make a great addition to the list of things you should do in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Address: 208 Main Street, Indian Orchard, MA 01151, United States.
17. Symphony Hall
Initially, Symphony Hall was referred to as “The Auditorium” and it’s a venue located on Court Street majorly used for concerts, and was constructed around 1911 and 1913 in a Greek revival flair.
In addition to this, the Symphony Hall can comfortably seat about 2,611 and is popular for its extraordinary acoustics, also, it is an outstanding place to watch Springfield shows.
Aside from housing the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall hosts different events such as Children’s Productions, lectures,graduation ceremonies, and the annu Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Broadway-style theater productions, and more.
Address: 34 Court Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
18. Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts
Established in 1934, the Michele and D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts was opened to the public through art donations and funds donated by Mr. and Mrs. Philip Gray.
Also, this Museum contains different American and European artworks such aa the works of these well,-known artists like Pissarro, John Singleton Copley, Monet,Gauguin, Degas, and O’Keeffe.
It may interest you to know that the artworks at this museum can be traced as far back as the late Medieval and Renaissance times, and a comprehensive collection of Currier and Ives Lithographs can be found in the museum.
Address: 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
19. Six Flags New England
Six Flags New England can be traced as far back as 1870, and it’s safe to refer to it as a historical amusement park.
In 1999, the six Flags brand got this park and since then, it has recorded tremendous improvements and some changes are visible in the park such as adding more rides and attractions; some of the well-known rides are Superman, The Dark Knight (which has five loops and a maximum speed of 89km/hr) and the rest.
This attraction spot has an enormous space as it occupies more than 235 acres of land, and it’s yet another beautiful place to have fun in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Address: 1623 Main Street, Agawam, MA 010001, United States.
20. Springfield Science Museum
Paying a visit to Springfield Science Museum is undeniably one if the impressive things to do in Springfield, MA.
This museum houses exhibits from the natural and physical sciences, and some of the well-known exhibits you can find in this museum are the Dinosaur Hall, R.E. Phelon African Hall, Native American Hall, Astronomy Hall, and more.
I will also like to state thus is one of the best attraction sites you can take your kids to in Springfield as they organise education programs, and is known as an incredibldible fun spot to visit in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Address: 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
21. MGM Springfield
This is a 252-room hotel and casino and it is notably one of Springfield’s attractions featuring slot machines, table games, and more. T
Furthermore, you are sure to be entertained in MGM Springfield via its numerous entertainment options ranging from a seven-screen cinema with recliner seats, a comedy club, indoor and outdoor concert venues, as well as Top golf Swing Suites for Simulated play.
Have you heard of the popular Kringle Emporium? It is located in this area, so, feel free to shop at this location as it offers all types of scented candles among others.
Address: One MGM Way, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
22. Student Prince Authentic German Foods
Are you looking for where to get the best German Foods in Springfield? You don’t have to worry, Student Prince is another one of the best dining options in Springfield.
Established in 1935, this restaurant is also known as “The Fort” by locals and it’s an incredible place to have German meals such as Spätzle, Bratwurst, or schnitzel with noodles.
In addition to this, they have some extraordinary dessert options including Black Forest Cake and Apple Strudel.
Address: 8 Fort Street, Springfield, MA 01103, United States.
23. Van Horn Park
Van Horn Park is one of the places where you can have maximum fun in Springfield and it is known to be the second biggest and one of the most well-known parks in the city.
Interestingly, this park has something for everyone so you are sure to have maximum fun.
Featuring a picnic area, stunning views, playground, outdoor grilling, water fountain, football field, tennis court, soccer field, 90’ Diamond,60’ Diamond, and lots of other fun facilities to make sure that visitors have an exciting experience.
Address: 494 Armory Street, Springfield, MA 01104, United States.
Conclusion
Springfield, MA is one of the best vacation destinations anyone can settle for.
The reason for the above statement is not far-fetched as the city has several fun amenities to keep you engaged throughout your stay in Springfield.
Are you looking for fun things to do in Springfield? The search is over, I bet you will exhaust your time while exploring the ones I mentioned above.
Enjoy your stay in Springfield and have all the fun you can.