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10 Family Friendly Attractions in Springfield, Massachusetts

ByJennRecord August 21, 2023August 21, 2023

Springfield, the third most populated city in Massachusetts, may be most well known as the “Birthplace of Basketball” but is also home to many historical sites and family friendly attractions.

The greater Springfield area is located in Western Massachusetts, about 90 miles west of both Boston and Providence, Rhode Island and 30 miles north of Hartford, Connecticut. The attractions in this post are spread throughout towns in Hampden and Hampshire Counties. Hampden County includes the city of Springfield and almost two dozen towns from Brimfield in the east and Tolland in the west, and includes Holyoke and Ludlow. Directly north of the Hampden County is Hampshire County, which includes towns another 20 towns, a couple of which are home to the Five College Consortium: Amherst College (in Amherst), Hampshire College (in Amherst) , UMASS Amherst (in Amherst), Smith College (in Northampton), Mount Holyoke College (in South Hadley).

family travel | Massachusetts | Springfield | Springfield | Zoo

Eight Ways to Have Fun at the Lupa Zoo in Springfield, MA

ByJennRecord June 6, 2023September 3, 2023

The 20 acre Lupa Zoo in Ludlow, Massachusetts (just 15 minutes from downtown Springfield, Massachusetts) is home to over 500 animals, including everything from bobcats, zebras, bears, and donkeys to camels, antelope, goats, ostriches and emus. Polish immigrants Henry and Joan Lupa owned a landscaping and construction business in the 1960s and 1970s and later grew such a large collection of farm animals that locals began visiting. The Lupas decided to open a zoo to the general public in 1996. Today, there are additions that include ponds with several species of birds, a critter garden, and an indoor habitat for sloths, lizards, snakes, and more! Kids of all ages will enjoy learning about, and seeing up close, over 100 species of animals.

25 Ways to Love the Springfield Museums in Springfield, Massachusetts

ByJennRecord May 2, 2023September 3, 2023

One of the most popular attractions in the Western part of Massachusetts, the Springfield Museums are a collection of five museums that showcase over 130,000 artifacts related to the areas of science, history, art, and culture. Located in downtown Springfield, the third largest city in Massachusetts, 90 minutes west of Boston and 30 minutes north of Hartford, Connecticut, the Springfield Museum welcome close to 400,000 visitors each year and offer dozens of exhibits that will engage families of all ages.

Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts

ByJennRecord September 7, 2017September 3, 2023

here’s a Hall of Fame for just about every sport in America, and my family has visited six athletic halls of fame to date. Halls of Fame are a great way to learn the history and rules of a sport, the evolution of the game, and the background and stats on famous players. There are always plenty of interactive exhibits to keep children entertained. The “do not touch, please stay quiet” rules of many museums are non existent at athletic halls of fame.

Recently, when my family was in Springfield, Massachusetts, we stopped at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. I’d plan on at least a half day at the Hall of Fame, but if you find yourself with extra time, take a quick five minute drive and visit the Dr. Seuss Museum (read my tips here) or the Springfield Armory (read my tips here).

Springfield Armory NHS Springfield, Massachusetts

ByJennRecord September 4, 2017September 3, 2023

I’ve visited Springfield, Massachusetts many times to meet up with my husband’s relatives and to explore some of the many family friendly activities (like the Dr. Seuss Museum and the Basketball Hall of Fame- tips coming at the end of the week) the city has to offer. However, until recently, I haven’t had the chance to explore the Springfield Armory, part of the National Parks Service. Since my family has been learning a lot about the the beginning of America’s formation (see my posts on Saratoga National Historic Site, Minute Man National Historic Park, and Fort Stanwix), I figured visiting the Armory would be the perfect complement.

Armories were places to create weapons and arsenals were places to store those weapons. After the Revolutionary War, George Washington proposed having armories built on the east coast so that the United States did not have to rely on other countries for production. He designated Springfield in Massachusetts and Harper’s Ferry in West Virginia ideal locations for armories.

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss, Springfield, MA

ByJennRecord June 4, 2017March 12, 2023

Springfield, Massachusetts, located about 90 minutes west of Boston, is known as the birthplace of basketball and is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame; a post on the Hall of Fame is coming soon. However, there are plenty of other places to visit if you’re in town; especially if you’re visiting with young children.

Since 2002, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden has been a popular spot for children to enjoy climbing and exploring 14 Seuss-themed sculptures. Featured in a grassy “quad”, the sculptures are surrounded by five museums: the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Springfield Science Museum, the Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, and the brand new Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum. Purchasing one ticket (or a membership) will allow you to explore all five museums and there is lots of free parking in nearby parking lots.