United States Massachusetts The 12 Best Things to Do in Springfield, Massachusetts By Kim Knox Beckius Kim Knox Beckius Facebook Twitter Kim Knox Beckius is a Connecticut-based travel writer, author, photographer, and editor. She's been with TripSavvy since 1998. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 09/16/22 Fact checked by Jillian Dara Fact checked by Jillian Dara Instagram Emerson College Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. TripSavvy's fact-checking DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images Springfield was once the Massachusetts city that many had been through and few had been to, but everything changed when it opened the $960 million MGM Springfield, a 24/7 casino and entertainment complex. Now, New England's fourth largest city by population is not just a road trip pit stop but itself a destination. The addition of a Vegas-based franchise quickly changed the pulse and complexion of the city, catapulting it to the forefront of Pioneer Valley tourism at once. Springfield has no shortage of attractions—casino aside—from hip and music-oriented eateries to museums and a New England outpost of Six Flags, so be sure to peel yourself from away the slots for a bit of exploring during your stay. 01 of 12 Get Your Adrenaline Pumping at Six Flags New England Six Flags New England View Map Address 1623 Main St, Agawam, MA 01001, USA Get directions Phone +1 413-786-9300 Web Visit website Western Massachusetts is home to one of 27 Six Flags locations throughout North America. The largest theme park in New England, Six Flags New England covers an area of 235 acres, packed with a dozen thrilling coasters and a waterpark, Hurricane Harbor. Some of the most notable rides at Six Flags New England include Superman the Ride, one of the highest-ranked steel coasters in the world, and Wicked Cyclone, the first "hybrid roller coaster" (mixing wood and steel) to arrive on the East Coast. 02 of 12 Attend a Springfield Symphony Orchestra Concert Springfield Symphony Orchestra View Map Address 1441 Main St, Springfield, MA 01103, USA Get directions Phone +1 413-733-2291 Web Visit website The Springfield Symphony Orchestra—aka SSO—has been playing since 1944. It's now the largest symphony in Massachusetts outside of Boston, consisting of 80 musicians from New England and Canada. SSO plays most of its show at its home, Symphony Hall, a stunning, 2,611-seat Greek Revival performing arts venue worth visiting in itself. The architectural masterpiece was built in the early 1900s. 03 of 12 Brush up on Your Titanic History Titanic Historical Society View Map Address 208 Main St, Indian Orchard, MA 01151-1132, USA Get directions Phone +1 413-543-4770 Web Visit website Springfield has one of the many Titanic museums located throughout the country, but only this one is run by the official Titanic Historical Society, a nonprofit dedicated to the historical preservation of the famous ocean liner. The organization's extensive collection—housed in a tucked-away antique store-esque environment—includes such artifacts as life jackets, ship blueprints, china, and pieces of the boat's railing removed from the wreckage. 04 of 12 Try Your Luck at MGM Springfield MGM Springfield View Map Address One MGM Wy, Springfield, MA 01103, USA Get directions Phone +1 413-273-5000 Web Visit website Thoughtfully designed to reflect its location in a city known for 19th- and 20th-century industrial innovation, this 240-room hotel and casino is perhaps Springfield's most notable attraction. In addition to slot machines and table games, MGM Springfield has diverse nightlife and entertainment offerings including indoor and outdoor concert venues, a seven-screen cinema with recliner seats, and a comedy club. Restaurants include Wahlburgers, the actor-founded burger joint, and the Chandler Steakhouse, helmed by “Hell’s Kitchen” winner Meghan Gill. Continue to 5 of 12 below. 05 of 12 Shoot, Score, and More at the Basketball Hall of Fame Massachsuetts Office of Travel & Tourism View Map Address 1000 Hall of Fame Ave, Springfield, MA 01105, USA Get directions Phone +1 877-446-6752 Web Visit website James Naismith allegedly invented basketball in a Springfield YMCA gym in 1891. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is, of course, named after the legend and pays tribute to more than 400 star players and coaches. The museum packs 40,000 square feet of floor space with interactive exhibits, skills challenges, and shooting contests. The public can also buy tickets to the annual Enshrinement Ceremony (and related events). 06 of 12 Peruse Dr. Seuss Artifacts Kim Knox Beckius / TripSavvy View Map Address 21 Edwards St, Springfield, MA 01103, USA Get directions Phone +1 413-263-6800 Web Visit website Oh, the places you'll go... even without leaving Springfield. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and corresponding Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden is a tribute to beloved Springfieldian Theodor Geisel, the children's book author behind Dr. Seuss. His first published book, "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street," was inspired by a street you can still stroll down today: It's just outside downtown. The outdoor sculpture garden, featuring famous Seuss characters like the Cat in the Hat and the Lorax, has been an attraction since 2002, but the museum didn't make its debut until 2017. Inside, you'll find kid-friendly, interactive spaces and an artifact-filled recreation of Dr. Seuss's studio. The museum even owns the author's 117 bowties. Consider a visit in early March to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday. 07 of 12 Sample Authentic German Food Student Prince View Map Address 8 Fort St, Springfield, MA 01103, USA Get directions Phone +1 413-734-7475 Web Visit website Be it bratwurst or spätzle, or schnitzel with noodles, your favorite German dishes are all on the menu at the Student Prince, a Springfield dining destination since 1935. German beers are on tap, too, and always served in traditional steins (the largest stein collection in the U.S. resides here). Known as "The Fort" to locals, this enduring institution—adorned with Old World stained glass and woodwork—is on the site of a fort constructed in 1660 that survived the burning of Springfield in 1675. Here's hoping your appetite has the same staying power because you certainly won't want to say "no" to desserts like apple strudel. 08 of 12 Visit a Revolutionary-Era Armory Westhoff / Getty Images View Map Address 1 Armory St #2, Springfield, MA 01105, USA Get directions Phone +1 413-734-8551 Web Visit website Springfield holds a unique place in U.S. military history. Visit the Springfield Armory National Historic Site and you'll be at the very spot where guns that won the American Revolution were manufactured. From 1777 until 1968, this factory supplied the U.S. armed forces with weapons. Today, the museum holds the world's largest collection of American military small arms, some of which are on exhibit. Big-band concerts and other special events held here whisk visitors back to wartime eras in American history. Continue to 9 of 12 below. 09 of 12 Catch a Concert or Game at the MassMutual Center MassMutual Center View Map Address 1277 Main St, Springfield, MA 01103-1901, USA Get directions Phone +1 413-787-6610 Web Visit website Managed by MGM Springfield, the MassMutual Center's 8,000-seat arena is the largest venue in the city. It's where big-name concerts (Stevie Wonder, Cher) are held and where the Springfield Thunderbirds, a minor-league hockey team, plays from late September through early April. Kids love Boomer, the team's colorful mascot, and tickets are priced as low as $22. 10 of 12 Explore Forest Park Forest Park Zoo View Map Address 293 Sumner Ave, Springfield, MA 01108, USA Get directions Phone +1 413-733-2251 Web Visit website Springfield's Forest Park is the 735-acre green space that houses an entire zoo, containing 150 animals, plus aquatic gardens and an outdoor amphitheater. In fact, it's one of the largest urban, municipal parks in the U.S. The zoo focuses primarily on education, and up-close encounters are on its daily schedule. The park's other claim to fame, kicking off on the eve of Thanksgiving, is Bright Nights, a drive-through holiday light show with enchanting horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides and suppers with Santa. 11 of 12 Tour Storrowton Village Storrowton Village Museum View Map Address 1305 Memorial Ave, West Springfield, MA 01089, USA Get directions Phone +1 413-205-5051 Web Visit website On the Eastern States Exposition grounds, this recreated village whisks you back to old-time New England. The 18th- and 19th-century buildings were moved here from Massachusetts and New Hampshire towns and tours led by docents in period costume are offered from mid-June through mid-August. In early December, holiday decorations and delights await visitors to the Storrowton Village Museum. Santa will be making regular appearances and the shop is ideal for finding unique gifts. 12 of 12 Enjoy Blues with Your BBQ Theodores' Booze, Blues, and BBQ View Map Address 201 Worthington St, Springfield, MA 01103-2304, USA Get directions Phone +1 413-736-6000 Web Visit website Theodores' Booze, Blues, and BBQ has kept Springfieldians and visitors fed and entertained for more than three decades. Friday and Saturday late nights are the time to hear live blues bands with acts playing from 9 p.m to just before midnight. The menu's a mix of classic barbecue staples—from burnt ends to ribs—and Cajun and Creole dishes. Article Sources TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy. World Atlas. "Largest Cities in New England." Retrieved April 5, 2021 Springfield College. "Where Basketball was Invented." Retrieved April 5, 2021 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email