On the banks of the Connecticut River, Springfield blends an innovative history with a creative and vibrant art scene and loads of family-friendly attractions. The river, once the conduit for early industrial activities, now serves the city as a site of leisure and recreation. The “City of Firsts” has an incredible mix of things to do and see for solo travelers and families alike. Here are the 4 things you absolutely need to experience.
Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
Tucked into the campus of the Springfield Museums, one can explore the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden. It’s the logical place for such a whimsical bit of public art, as Dr. Seuss (born Theodor Seuss Geisel in 1904) grew up on Howard Street in Springfield. As a child, Geisel developed a love of animals by visiting the Forest Park Zoo, which later inspired many of his most famous creations. Here visitors can meet the Lorax get up close and personal with Horton the Elephant, and of course, play with the Cat in the Hat.
Forest Park
Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York City’s Central Park and the Emerald Necklace in Boston, Springfield’s Forest Park covers over 700 acres of walking trails, gardens, ponds, sports fields, and picnic spaces. The Zoo in Forest Park and Education Center is open between March and November, and is perfect for families and animal lovers of all ages. Nearby, the Forest Park Heights Historic District is made up of 600 houses built between 1890 and 1910 – a great place for any fans of historic homes and turn-of-the-century architecture.
Springfield Armory National Historic Site
Nearby the Seuss Sculpture Garden sits the monumental Springfield Armory, which was turned into an impressive National Historic site in 1968 after its closure as a weapons manufacturing plant. There are over two centuries of history on these grounds, as weapons were made on site for the United States military from 1777 to the late 1960s. Today, the grounds include the historic site, which features guided tours, a range of interactive displays, opportunities to learn more about weapons manufacturing, and frequent public events. It’s the perfect place to learn about military history and to learn about Springfield’s role in the Industrial Revolution.
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
On a cold day in 1891 at what is now Springfield College, noted physical culture enthusiast Dr. James Naismith invented a simple game to keep young men active during the chill of winter – basketball. Today, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame keeps the love of this amazing game going, offering a range of exhibits and activities to celebrate its history and keep fans coming back on return visits.
Once inside, you’ll find more than 40,000 square feet of basketball exhibits and memorabilia, including the Hall of Fame, which celebrates legends from the NBA, the WBNA, the NCAA, and more. Visitors can also take part in skills clinics, and a range of special events throughout the year. Young and old fans alike will appreciate the opportunity to create their own basketball players card at the photo center.
The Student Prince Cafe and the Fort Dining Room
The Student Prince Cafe and the Fort Dining Room offer a bit of Deutschland in downtown Springfield. Inspired by German beer halls and complete with gemutlichkeit to go around, it’s a great place for the whole family to sit and relax with some great food after a day of exploring Springfield. Inside you’ll find dozens of decorative beer steins, wonderful flags, and a general inviting coziness. In the dining room you can try some of the house specialties, including the goulash soup, the half-roasted stuffed duck, and their meatloaf.
Equal parts big city and charming small town, Springfield is a destination ripe for exploration and discovery. Explore Western Mass is your place to learn everything you need to know about planning a Springfield trip – check them out and start planning your trip today.
This post was updated in 2025.
