As the third-largest city in the state, and the hub of the region, Springfield offers many important amenities. Home to Peter Pan bus lines, Springfield offers daily bus service throughout the Northeast. The Amtrak station
provides long-distance and commuter rail in the region. Bradley International Airport (BDL) is only a 20 minute drive from Springfield.
In the city, you'll find our amazing parks system with its 2400 acres of park land and forestry. There are year-round educational and recreational activities in the parks; including ice-skating, sports leagues, and after school programs. Two public golf courses are located in Springfield, with several private country clubs nearby. The Connecticut River, which separates Springfield from West Springfield, offers opportunities for rowing and boating, as well as miles of bike and walking trails. The Springfield Armory National Historic Site is an oasis of nature in the heart of the city, and the Armory museum highlights the many manufacturing and engineering innovations from Springfield. There are also two yacht clubs nearby: the Springfield and the Pioneer Valley Yacht clubs, as well as numerous skiing opportunities.
Going green? Springfield was named the 4th Greenest City in America in a 2006 survey by Country Home magazine. The Re-Store Home Improvement Center, excellent city recycling program, pure drinking water, and solar powered energy at Springfield Technical Community College were among the reasons cited for our high ranking. There are also more than 20 local bus routes, and many of the buses run on hybrid technology.
The Springfield Library system has ten branches throughout the city, and the libraries are host to many family activities, adult and teen book groups, spoken word recitations, and film series. The Central branch of the librar
y offers free wireless access for computers, and the city is also on a super-fast DSL line, making high-speed Internet available to every home.
Springfield is home to Baystate Medical Center, the Western Campus of Tufts University School of Medicine, and Mercy Medical Center. There are generalists and specialists in private practice throughout the city.
Springfield contains a wide variety of churches, synagogues and mosques, as well as a Spiritualist church and a Buddhist temple.