For a city of around 150,000 souls, Springfield offers a wide array of attractions and entertainment, and even more cultural opportunities can be found within a short drive.
The historic Mattoon Street neighborhood is home to the longest running arts festival in the region. The local colleges also offer many arts-related activities, and Springfield is part of the Museums 10 collaborative which features themed exhibits year-round. Hartford's Wadsworth Atheneum is a 30 minute drive, and the many museums and galleries of the Berkshires are less than an hour away, along with Tanglewood, Jacob's Pillow, and the many other cultural riches of that region of Western Mass.
If music is what you crave, subscribe to the world-class Springfield Symphony Orchestra, headed by Maestro Kevin Rhodes. Or visit Theodore's, voted the best blues club in the country. The dozens of other venues in the Club Quarter also offer live musical entertainment in all genres. A variety of concerts are held throughout the summer in the Downtown area as well as in city parks. The uNi coffeehouse has been showcase international folk talent since 1985. The Community Music School offers classes and performances by its renowned instructors. Summer music opportunities abound, including the nearby Bushnell Theater in Hartford and Tanglewood in the Berkshires.
Theater enthusiasts will enjoy Springfield's City Stage and Panache Players. West Springfield's Majestic Theater, and the many productions put on by the local colleges. The summer brings repertory theater to nearby Williamstown and other locations in the Berkshires, as well as the Ne
w Century Theater in Northampton and the Miniature Theater of Chester.
Those who enjoy dining out will love living in Springfield. The celebrated Student Prince restaurant (known as The Fort to the locals) has been serving German food in downtown Springfield since 1935. The contemporary L'Uva is a diner's and critic's favorite. The Sitar offers outstanding Indian cuisine. Cafe Lebanon offers fine middle eastern cuisine and weekly belly dancing performances. Italian restaurants, Vietnamese restaurants, steak houses, and more -- a menu to suit all tastes can be found in this remarkable city.
Professional sports events in Springfield are held by the Springfield Falcons home games and the Western Mass Pioneers, a professional men's soccer franchise with women's and junior's affiliate teams. Collegiate events include the NCAA Division II Elite Eight men's finals which are held at the MassMutual Center.
What else is there to do? Lots! Explore Springfield on a visit, or contact Choose Springfield to learn more about your own areas of interest.