Springfield flourished in the 1700s and 1800s as a hub of innovation, so it’s only fitting that the western Massachusetts city is reinventing itself. Once a town of millworkers and manufacturers, it’s now a community of restauranteurs, doctors, nurses and finance professionals. A modern city of 150,000 people has taken shape, establishing itself atop an industrial foundation. For example, resident Kathryn Taccone, who co-founded local animation firm Open Pixel Studios, once rented an apartment in the same building where Milton Bradley Co. made board games, and she attended bungee fitness classes in a renovated mill. Founded in 1636, Springfield has a long history that has earned it the moniker “The City of Firsts.” The first American-made automobile, the earliest American-English dictionary and the original U.S. armory were born in Springfield.
However, Springfield has dealt with a bad reputation for decades. Factory closures hurt the economy at the end of the 20th century, and crime is high. But if someone crosses the Connecticut River and enters the city, they’ll find a vibrant cultural scene, world-class museums and a robust parks network. Taccone says the city reminds her of that former mill now hiding bungee aerobics and art studios behind its drab industrial exterior. “It might look dark on the outside, but when you go in, it’s full of color and lovely people.”
Springfield flourished in the 1700s and 1800s as a hub of innovation.
Brightwood residents can easily visit downtown Springfield within five minutes.
The original U.S. armory was born in Springfield.
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Restaurants and museums anchor downtown
Downtown once housed factories producing carriages and muskets, but today it’s home to a growing dining scene where Nepalese bistros and farm-to-table restaurants are opening their doors. “Every other month, you see another café pop up,” Taccone says. Blues and jazz clubs dot Worthington Street, the heart of the nightlife scene. To the east, five museums make up the Springfield Museums complex, often called the Quadrangle. One ticket grants access to all of them, where exhibits vary from historical artifacts to fine art. One of the Quadrangle attractions is The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, which explores the life and works of Springfield native Theodor Geisel — better known as Dr. Seuss. Downtown experienced a significant change in 2018 when MGM Springfield Casino and Resort opened. Some locals opposed the casino coming to town, but the majority of residents approved the casino in a citywide vote. In addition to a casino, the resort features a Topgolf and comedy club, but there’s another perk, Taccone says. “MGM has free parking, so people will usually park there when they go downtown.” The compact city center takes about 10 minutes to walk across. North of downtown are Mercy Medical Center and Baystate Medical Center, the latter one of the city’s biggest employers.
There are a few clothing boutiques and supermarkets downtown, but most of Springfield’s stores are dispersed among shopping centers on the city’s outskirts and in the suburbs. There are more than five shopping centers along a 2-mile stretch of Boston Road, a major retail corridor on the east side of town. It’s home to fast-food chains and big box stores such as Walmart and The Home Depot, as well as grocers such as Aldi and Big Y World Class Market. Shopping centers across the river in the town of West Springfield have more options including Costco and Kohl’s.
Worthington Street is the heart of the nightlife scene in Springfield.
Theodore's Blues, Booze and BBQ hosts music bands through the weekend in Springfield.
North of downtown are Mercy Medical Center and Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.
Springfield experienced a significant change in 2018 with the opening of MGM Casino.
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Victorian estates in the City of Homes
Springfield’s other nickname is the “City of Homes” because of the 19th-century Victorians lining many of its streets. The McKnight neighborhood east of downtown best showcases the fanciful architectural style. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, McKnight is home to 800 Victorians, many of them mansions with wraparound porches and turrets rising three stories from the ground. “This historic district has the largest collection of wood-framed Victorians of any neighborhood in the nation,” says Bob McCarroll, a member of Springfield Preservation Trust and a resident of Springfield for more than 40 years. Turnkey Victorians in this area often sell for between $200,000 and $450,000.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, builders constructed less ornate single-family houses for the city’s manufacturing workers. Colonial Revivals, Tudor Revivals and Arts and Crafts homes sprung up across Springfield, McCarroll says. As the city grew, bungalows, Cape Cods and ranch-style houses were built in newer neighborhoods like Pine Point and Liberty Heights. The median price is in the low $300,000s, lower than the national median price, according to data from the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley and the National Association of Realtors. Prices in Springfield are typically considered lower than in surrounding metros, says Peter Ruffini, president of the Springfield-based Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley. McCarroll puts it another way: “Homebuyers can find a house in Springfield that might sell for as much as $100,000 less than in any other city.”
Springfield is a huge nest of Victorian homes just east of downtown.
Springfield Victorian homes vary in colors giving even more life to the streetviews.
A Tudor Revival single family home sits on a quiet street with large lots in Liberty Heights.
Many two-story style homes can be seen in Sixteen Acres.
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Events highlight New England, global culture
Community events often highlight Springfield’s diverse population. In June, the Springfield Pride Parade concludes with a free downtown block party. The next month, the annual Springfield Dragon Boat Festival fills the Connecticut River with dragon boats. These traditional Chinese canoes paddled by crews of 20 people race down the river that once powered Springfield’s mill industry. The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade has filled Main Street with floats, music and thousands of spectators every year since 1990.
Other annual festivities honor Springfield and American history. People gather on the riverfront to see the Star Spangled Springfield fireworks show, or head to the top of downtown parking garages to get an elevated view. The city celebrates its nearly 400 years of existence every May with the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast. Held on Main Street, the event welcomes the entire community to sit down and enjoy a hearty meal served by more than 300 volunteers. The Big E is the largest local event, drawing more than a million attendees to West Springfield over the course of two weeks in September. It’s reminiscent of a state fair, but it represents six New England states.
Community events often highlight Springfield’s diverse population.
Connecticut River runs along Downtown Springfield neighborhood.
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Natural beauty in and beyond Springfield
Springfield contains 19 parks. That puts 94% of residents within a 10-minute walk of a park, according to the Trust for Public Land. The largest is Forest Park, spanning 735 acres overlooking the Connecticut River. A trip to the park may include visiting the 200 animals at the zoo or skating at Cyr Arena, an indoor ice rink. Walkers, joggers and cyclists take in views of Springfield’s waterfront at Connecticut River Park. Its 4 miles of trails connect to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, an attraction full of interactive exhibits and memorabilia that enshrine the game’s history and its greatest players. James Naismith is credited with inventing basketball when he was teaching at Springfield College.
Popular activities in the surrounding area include Six Flags New England, about 5 miles south of downtown Springfield. About 50 miles west of the city, villages in the western Massachusetts mountains make up an area called The Berkshires. It’s a day trip and weekend getaway destination for those who want to spend time hiking, skiing or browsing art museums and antique shops. “When you want nature, art and beautiful scenery, you go to The Berkshires,” Taccone says. “When people want events and nightlife, they will come from The Berkshires to Springfield.”
Springfield experiences all four seasons, but western Massachusetts is probably best known for fall, when leaves transform from green to gold, red and orange. The foliage peaks in October, attracting so-called “leaf peepers” from New York and other states to the south who want to admire the colorful treetops. In the winter, temperatures fall below freezing and snow is common, but it doesn’t upend locals’ routines, Taccone says. “It could be a foot or two of snow on the ground, and they’re still going out to dinner.”
Forest Park is located in Springfield, MA.
River Front Park in Downtown Springfield, MA.
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School district tries new approach to boost grades
Springfield Public Schools teaches 24,000 students at its 70 campuses. Niche gives the district a C-plus. To improve test scores and grades, the local school district, teachers union and state government formed the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership. Principals and teachers at the 16 campuses that are part of the empowerment zone are given more autonomy on how to improve how to improve student performance, such as making school days longer. Students living outside the Springfield city limits are likely to be zoned to another school district, such as A-rated Longmeadow Public Schools, B-graded West Springfield Public Schools or Agawam Public Schools, which receives a B-minus. About 7% of Springfield students attend private schools. There are about 20 private schools in the city, and the top-rated is Springfield Commonwealth Academy. The A-plus-rated school teaches sixth through 12th graders. Springfield College is the city’s top-rated higher-learning option. The private four-year school gets a B-minus from Niche, and students most commonly major in community organizing, school counseling and social work.
The High School of Commerce prepares students for the future giving them key insight to succeed.
The Milton Bradley Elementary School is one place Springfield students may begin their education
White Street Elementary School in Springfield keeps kids minds intact.
Frederick Harris Elementary School boasts a strong curriculum and great teachers and nurturers.
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Crime in Springfield
Springfield’s 2023 crime rate was higher than the state average, and the number of crimes reported in Springfield increased 10% between 2022 and 2023. Data compiled by New England Public Media found that Springfield had the highest 2023 homicide rate of any major New England city. The Springfield Police Department runs a Firearms Investigation Unit tasked with reducing the causes of the gun violence driving the homicide rate, such as finding and confiscating illegal firearms.
An intersection of interstates
Springfield is a spread-out city where most residents live in surrounding suburbs and use cars to get around. The city sits at a crossroads of three interstates and two U.S. highways. Interstate 91 leads to Hartford, Connecticut; the 25-mile trip between the two cities is a common commuting route, with some Massachusetts residents heading to Connecticut for work and vice versa. Connecticut is also home to Bradley International Airport, from which fliers can reach more than 45 destinations. Back in Springfield, Pioneer Valley Transit Authority buses provide service across town. Amtrak trains stop at Union Station downtown, making trips to Hartford, Boston and New York, among other cities.
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