- Sculpture from the Dr. Seuss Garden
- Springfield Symphony Hall
- The Student Prince (aka The Fort)
- Springfield Falcons (American Hockey League)
- Interior of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Arts and Entertainment in Springfield
The City of Springfield, Massachusetts offers a diverse array of arts and cultural experiences suitable for families and those of all ages.
One of Springfield's best known natives is Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known to the world as the beloved Dr. Seuss, born in 1904 on Howard Street in Springfield, Massachusetts.
As such, one of Springfield's top attractions is the The Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden located at the center of the Springfield Museums Quadrangle complex. The Quadrangle includes the Springfield Science Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, and the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum. Currently under construction is the Museum of Springfield History, expected to open in Fall, 2008. The entire Quadrangle area is located just two blocks east of Court Square.
Another unique attribute in downtown Springfield is the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra performs at Symphony Hall, a 2,611-seat venue home to Broadway-style theatre, top-quality children’s programming, internationally-recognized speakers and numerous concerts and performances. Built in the early 1900s, the historic building underwent an extensive renovation in the fall of 2004. Symphony Hall is playing host to acts such as Jerry Seinfeld in March, 2008 and a host of theatre performances such as Chicago in February, 2008. Symphony Hall is part of the Municipal Group along with City Hall and the Campanile, all of which is located on the other side of Court Square Park from the project site.
Just a few blocks north of Court Square is CityStage, which hosts Off-Broadway comedies, dramas and musicals presented October through April in the intimate, 487-seat Blake Theatre. In addition the 70-seat Winifred Arms Theatre is host to numerous community events, performances and meetings.
The area also offers many sporting opportunities. The Springfield Falcons, a professional hockey team, play at the MassMutual Center which also can host conventions and music concerts. Nearby is the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame complex and a new $17 million L.A. Fitness facility with a restaurant and sports medicine facility under construction on the riverfront, all located right off of I-91 and within walking distance from Court Square. Local universities also offer many different sports for both men and women.
Downtown Hotels:
Hilton Garden Inn Hotel at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Sheraton Springfield Monarch Place Hotel
Sampling of Downtown Restaurants:
Chef Wayne's Big Mamou (Cajun)
Frigo's Gourmet Foods (Italian)
Max's Tavern at the Basketball Hall of Fame (Chop House)
Pazzo Ristorante at the Basketball Hall of Fame (Italian)
