In Springfield, in the interior of the state on the border with Connecticut, is the oldest American arms factory. This is also where the national sport, basketball, was invented, witness the Basketball Hall of Fame. And if one Harley Davidson is not enough, visit the motorcycle museum, and pay homage to the legendary "Indian".
Agawam is a suburb of Springfield located 94 miles southwest of Boston. It is known for being the hometown of Helen Keller's tutor and companion, Anne Sullivan. Agawam is also home to Six Flags New England.
Six Flags is a 170-acre theme park that features over 130 rides, shows and attractions. Some of the highlights include the inverted looping "Mind Eraser" roller coaster, "Scream" and "Superman-Ride of Steel". There are specially designed areas for kids.
Tips: Hours vary, call ahead or check their website for opening times.
Parking: Pay
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service, Wheelchair loan or rental
Chicopee is an urban community located in Southwestern Massachusetts near the junction of the Mass turnpike with Interstate 91. It is home to the Westover Air Force Base, the staging ground for American soldiers during the Persian Gulf war. The city is perhaps best known to tourists for hosting the bi-annual Great New England Air Show and for the yearly shad run on the Connecticut and Chicopee Rivers.
Address: Chicopee Chamber of Commerce, 264 Exchange Street, Chicopee, MA 01013, United States
Phone: 1 (413) 594-2101, Fax: 1 (413) 594-2103
Life-size bronze statues of Springfield native Dr. Seuss and his favorite characters including Horton, the Grinch and the Lorax are found within the Dr Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.
INDIAN claims to be the first commercially marketed gasoline powered motorcycle manufacturing company in the United States. The museum features Indian Motorcycles and other Indian products as well as other motorcycles, photos, and other memorabilia.
The 1786 Storrs house was built by Richard Salter Storrs and occupied by three generations of Storrs. The house was moved here from it's original location in 1930 to make room for the library. Photos show the front and rear views of the house on the original site. The house was redecorated.
Monson is located in the Chicopee River valley, east of Springfield. The town features a National Register Historic Commercial District with several 1800's structures.
The Basketball Hall of Fame covers the history of basketball, from Dr. James Naismith's invention of basketball in 1891 to the modern game.
The unique architecture of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield.
Address: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, 1150 West Columbus Avenue, Springfield, MA 01105-2532, United States
Phone: 1 (413) 781-5759, Fax: 1 (413) 781-1939
Hours:
June 28 to September 4: 10am-6pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
September 5 to June 27: 10am-4pm; Sat:10am-5pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Always closed on: Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Northampton is located north of Springfield. The town was settled in the mid 1600's and is home to Smith College.
Clock tower on a building at the Smith College in Northampton.
Address: Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce, 99 Pleasant Street, Northampton, MA 01060, United States
Phone: 1 (413) 584-1900, Fax: 1 (413) 584-1934
Hadley is an active farming center, settled in 1659. The town features two central areas; North Hadley and Hadley Center, which features a number of historic colonial homes.
The Pan African Historical Museum offers art by African and American artists as well as a look at the history of Springfield's African American Community.
The Springfield Armory covers 55 acres and has several of the original buildings on site. The original 1840's arsenal houses the world's largest collection of American military firearms. The collection began as a technical reference collection for Armory workers in 1862 with a highlight on pistols, machine guns, edged weapons, and production machinery.
Address: Springfield Armory National Historic Site, One Armory Square, Springfield, MA 01105-1299, United States
Phone: 1 (413) 734-8551, Fax: 1 (413) 747-8062
Hours:
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The Springfield Science Museum offers a variety of exhibits including, a Dinosaur Hall, African cultural displays, an aquarium, a Native American Hall, a planetarium and observatory, an aviation section, as well as others.
The 1754 Josiah Day House was home to the Day family for over a century and is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, brick saltbox house in the United States. On display in the home are furnishings dating from the early 1700's to the 1900's.
The city of Westfield, located just west of Springfield, was first settled in 1660 and incorporated in 1920. Westfield is a manufacturing center and home to Westfield State College.
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Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Springfield
