Springfield Attractions

A boat cruise is one of the most delightful ways to enjoy Springfield and the Connecticut River. Peter Pan's RiverBus provides a number of cruises from mid-May through mid-October. The leisurely boat rides provide historical information about the city and environmental knowledge about its wildlife. Theme cruises are available in June, July, and August. The theme cruises have titles like “Happy Hour Cocktail Cruise” (Thursdays and Saturdays), “Escape to Margaritaville!” (Fridays), and “Blues Cruise” (Fridays). Call Peter Pan Bus Lines at (877) 746-6679 for information about rates.

The Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden memorializes the author and his work. The sculptures there aim to inspire creativity in all that see them. Sculptures include Dr. Seuss himself and Seuss characters, such as the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Yertle the Turtle, the Grinch and his dog Max, the Lorax, Gertrude McFuss, Things One and Two, and Thidwick the Moose. The Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden is located at the Quadrangle, at State and Chestnut streets in Springfield. Call (800) 625-7738 for additional information.

The Indian Motocycle Museum and Hall of Fame is located at 33 Hendee St. in Springfield. Indian was the first commercially marketed company that sold gasoline-powered motorcycles. Indian Motocycle Museum features a huge collection of Indian Motocycles, and other Indian products. It also offers a collection of toy motorcycles, a photo gallery, memorabilia showcases, and other American-made motorcycles. Contact the museum at (413) 727-2624 to get its rates and variable hours.

Springfield is the town where basketball was invented, so it is fitting that the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is situated there. The museum, located at 1000 West Columbus Ave., is devoted to preserving basketball history. Five teams and 246 individuals are currently enshrined at the hall of fame. Museum tourists can shoot baskets, measure the height of their leaps against Michael Jordan's jumps, view lockers of NBA stars, and browse over 4,000 artifacts of the game. Contact the museum at (877) 4HOOPLA (446-6752) for information about admission rates and hours.

The Shooting Sports Center at Smith & Wesson is located at 299 Page Blvd. The indoor shooting range has 20 lanes open to the public. It also houses a firearm museum and retail store. The museum focuses on the history of the firearm and the role the Connecticut Valley played in that history. The store sells Smith & Wesson firearms and accessories. Call (800) 331-0852 for more details.

Gun aficionados will appreciate the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, which is located at One Armory Square. The armory produced rifles and muskets for almost two centuries before it was shutdown in 1968. In 1978, it re-opened as a historic site at no charge to visitors. The armory houses the world's largest collection of American military firearms. It also organizes public programs, exhibitions, and special events throughout the year. Contact the Springfield Armory National Historic Site at (413) 734-8551 for more information.

The Springfield Museum of Fine Arts is located at the Quadrangle, at State and Chester streets in Springfield. The museum's 14 galleries comprise paintings, sculptures, and works on paper. Its collection contains works from famous 20th-century American artists, including Georgia O’Keefe. Works of 14th- to 20th-century European artists also are showcased at the museum. Contact the museum at (413) 263-6800 for information about its rates and hours.

The Springfield Science Museum, a popular family attraction, is located at the Quadrangle (at State and Chestnut streets in Springfield). The museum houses a Dinosaur Hall, Mineral Hall, R.E. Phelon African Hall, Solutia Eco-Center, Native American Hall, 100-seat planetarium, “Granville Brothers” exhibit, observatory, and museum shop. The Dinosaur Hall even boasts a life-size replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex. Other special exhibitions are showcased throughout the year. Contact the Springfield Science Museum at (413) 263-6800 for information about its rates, hours, and current exhibitions.

The Titanic Museum explores the history behind the ship's tragic sinking. It has a renowned collection of Titanic items and relics, ranging from letters handwritten aboard the ship to pieces of the ship itself. Visitors who browse the museum's artifacts will be able to imagine what Titanic was like before and after it sank. This is an excellent real history attraction. The Titanic Museum, located at 208 Main St., can be reached at (413) 543-4770 for rates and hours.

The Zoo in Forest Park is located on Sumner Avenue. The zoo houses more than 150 animals, including bears and lemurs. Children are allowed to feed the deer, goats, and sheep that live in the zoo. The animal refuge also offers educational programs for adults and children, including a junior zookeeper program, as part of its commitment to provide wildlife edification. The Zoo in Forest Park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 15 through Nov. 15. Call the zoo at (413) 733-2251 for information about its rates.