Overlooking the Connecticut River, West Springfield is a sprawling city in Hampden County, Massachusetts. It was settled in 1635 and developed on the back of the beaver skin trade and as a hub for subsistence farmers. In 1774, West Springfield was established as a town separate from Springfield, which lies directly across the water.
Things to do in West Springfield
For a retail fix, head to the Riverdale Shops where you’ll find a Kohl’s Department Store and a Dollar Tree. You can feast on Mexican cuisine at Bueno y Sano, enjoy Pan-Asian fare at the Nippon Grill or relax over a meal at the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant. On the edge of the shopping mall is a multi-screen cinema complex screening all the latest blockbuster films.
Want to stretch your legs? Follow the Bear Hole Reservoir Trail, an easy walk that takes in a man-made lake, a picturesque waterfall and an old stone chimney. Alternatively, you can enjoy a round of golf at the Springfield Country Club, which is renowned for its fast greens. Among the practice facilities is a three-tiered driving range.
West Springfield makes an ideal base for visiting the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, which celebrates and preserves the history of the game in the United States. It is named after James Naismith, who invented the sport and wrote the original rule book. In addition to learning about the individuals who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, you can discover Springfield’s role as the “birthplace of basketball”.
Getting around West Springfield
West Springfield is around five minutes’ drive from the centre of Springfield and 30 minutes from Bradley International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Buses connect to West Springfield, although renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.