Springfield, Massachusetts is known as the City of Homes for the number of people who choose to move here for the interesting variety of historic homes. But did you know that Springfield is actually a great place to come for a visit as well? So whether you're looking for a bit of a vacation from doing wedding catering in Toronto or you're on your way down to look at homes in preparation for a move, let us help you fill up your time here by pointing out some things to do in the area.
Sports
One of Springfield's other monikers is the Cradle of Basketball because that sport was invented here in 1891 by James Naismith (never mind that the owner of that Toronto bed & breakfast told you he was Canadian: his real legacy is here!). You can visit the basketball-shaped Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to learn all about it, or attend a basketball game to see how his legacy endures. The Hall of Fame Tip of Classic of college basketball is held here every year.
Parks
Named by Country Living Magazine as one of the Greenest Cities in the United States, Springfield has an elegant collection of parks and green spaces, including Forest Park, which was designed by famed landscape artist Frederick Law Olmstead. Use the park as a quiet place to take a walk or call your Riverside bankruptcy lawyers on your cell phone. You can visit the ponds, dinosaur tracks, or zoo, or tour the park to see a collection of sculptures of Doctor Seuss characters.
Arts
The best place to go to drink in Springfield's contribution to the arts is the Quadrangle, where you'll find the city's most popular museums. There's the library, a planetarium, and the Doctor Seuss Memorial Sculpture Garden. You can see paintings at the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, or play with test weights in the Springfield Science Museum. Or why not take in a concert by the Springfield Orchestra?
History
If the only history you know comes from the tags on local license plate covers, drop into the two history museums on the Quadrangle to get a start on local history. The Connecticut Valley museum covers the early pioneer era, while the Springfield museum covers the industrial period. You can also stroll the city looking at the places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They range from battlefields to Victorian Houses to old factories.
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