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Nothing completes a Sunday afternoon like a long scenic drive along the byways in the Springfield area. After a good home-cooked meal and a movie, many families enjoy the old-fashioned amusement that involves simply hopping in the car and putting your feet on the gas. Slow cruising is highly recommended for some of the most majestic scenic drives near Springfield. Historic Pedaling Many enjoy the timeless sights of the Western Massachusetts' historic Route 20. Jacob's Ladder Trail spans over 100 years of development, revealing an expansive landscape that includes ginormous trees, colorful foothills, and mountainous terrain. Drivers can reach the byway from the Massachusetts turnpike, Route 102 East in Stockbridge, or from Route 10/202 South. Memories are easy to create during these relaxing rides. more Simplistic Fun While traveling around Western Massachusetts, drivers might also want to check out the Stockbridge area. This includes a botanical garden, the Chesterwood home designed by a revered sculptor, the Norman Rockwell Museum, and the Schantz Galleries. If there are a few moments to spare, families will most definitely enjoy quaint little shops like the Williams & Sons and the Charles H. Baldwin & Sons country stores along the way. Artistic Vroom If there's time to press on to Lenox, families will be delighted to catch a glimpse of the town's performing arts centerpieces located less than 10 miles away from Stockbridge off Route 7. Tanglewood hosts the Boston Symphony and its many guests throughout the year. Shakespeare & Company also offers a wide range of performances for arts enthusiasts. You can croon over the timeless architectural design of the Ventfort Hall Mansion and the Mount while you're passing through or stop by a few authentic shops in the area, such as R.W. Wise, Goldsmiths, and Berkshire Classic Leather & Silver. Crafty Kingship Another well-known path is Route 6A in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. A ride along this path includes over 30 miles of nature's best sights and sounds. Enjoy the landscape of the shoreside's captains' homes, along with the intrigue of nearby marshes and waterfronts. This route is also known as Old King's Highway. While enjoying a beautiful view of endless sky and land, drivers and passengers might also pass by Sandy Neck Beach and Sandwich Town Beach, several boutique shops, a few museums, and the Cape Cod Rail Trail. Whether driving a new car, old car, sports car, minivan or SUV, there's always a reason to hit the road and check out the Springfield area. Families can stop to eat, shop, and sightsee while the avoiding the hefty price tag that often goes along with formal events. No admissions prices or advanced purchases necessary. Well-planned drives are bound to be inspiring enough to delight families of all sizes. For some, the stop and go may be unnecessary. The boutiques, museums, and trails are all wonderful experiences to add to the journey, but the area's landscape can be entertaining enough on its own. One thing is for certain: scenic drives are still tons of fun, whether traveling along Route 20, around Stockbridge, through Lenox, or along Route 6A. https://www.flickr.com/photos/aresauburnphotos/793935625/sizes/o/ Image via Flickr by aresauburnphotos

The season of fall is loved by many all across the nation, and for good reason. With cooler weather, layered clothing, and pumpkin spice-flavored coffee, what's not to love? If you and your family are looking to get out this fall and enjoy the season, here are four events you can't miss, happening right here in Springfield, Massachusetts. more "Cats in Hats" Oct. 4, 2016 to April 30, 2017 at Springfield Museums Theodor Geisel, more famously known as Dr. Seuss, was actually a Springfield native. The Springfield Museums have given Geisel his own exhibit to honor the success of his beloved children's stories. More than 40 original artworks are in the exhibit, all with a theme of "cats in hats," in homage to one of Geisel's most successful books. Interactive features at the museum include the "Cat Walk" scavenger hunt, a Cat "Paw-trait" Wall-Selfie Photo Booth, and a Cat-Toons cartoon station area. If your kid is dressing as a Dr. Seuss character this Halloween, this is an exhibit they won't want to miss. Storrowton Village New England Scare Fest 2016 Oct. 13 to Oct. 31, 2016 at Eastern States Exposition, Big E Fairgrounds For 13 nights, this thrilling scare attraction will be open so that you can get your fright on this fall. This Massachusetts tradition is modeled after the Storrowton Village that was established in 1808 and then later haunted by allegedly possessed New England Settlers. You and your friends can brave the haunted house attraction together, if you dare. If you make it out of the haunted house, there is a Zombie Parking Lot Party where you can enjoy food, beer, outdoor games, and live music. There's also a family-friendly area with a kids' zone open on the weekends that offers a pumpkin patch, face painting, bounce houses, and games. Three County Fair Kick Off Celebration Oct. 15, 2016 at Barn Three County Fairgrounds This year, you and your family can participate in the 200th Fair Kick Off Celebration at the Barn Three County Fairgrounds in Northhampton. With a delicious BBQ chicken dinner, live music, and dancing, this is sure to be an event that you and your family won't soon forget. It's a great way to start the fall season and to get out enjoy the gorgeous autumn weather. Springfield Thunderbirds Home Opener Oct. 22, 2016 at MassMutual Center For the fall sports lovers out there, the Springfield Thunderbirds are kicking off their 2016 season this October with a home opener against the St. John's Icecaps. To get the most bang for your buck, check out the Opening Night Pack, containing two tickets, four game vouchers, a commemorative puck, and a $5 gift card to your favorite donut shop. Following the game, on Main Street, sing-songwriter Jake Manzi will be performing. As you can see, fall is going to be an exciting time in Springfield this year. Bundle up and head out, so that you don't miss out on all the fun! https://www.flickr.com/photos/quintanomedia/15363469907/sizes/l Image via Flickr by Anthony Quintano

If you love the beauty of autumn, few states offer such gorgeous fall foliage as Massachusetts. Whether you live there or plan to visit this fall, you have plenty of options around the state for viewing the orange, red, and golden leaves. Here's a list of the top four places to see fall foliage in Massachusetts this year. more 1. An Autumn Tour by the Coast You may not think driving by the coast is the best way to see autumn leaves, but it's a great way to enjoy scenic views of the season's best foliage. Start your trip at Maudslay State Park near Newburyport and head south on Route 1A. Along the way, you'll pass several charming towns including Newbury and Rowley. At Ipswich, head southeast on Route 133 to Essex. You'll eventually take the Route 127 loop, beginning and ending near Gloucester. Along these roadways, you're sure to see a wide range of trees blazing with a variety of brilliant colors. To wrap up, head west on Route 127, passing Manchester-by-the-Sea and ending in Salem. If you take this drive in the weeks leading up to Halloween, be sure to spend some time in Salem, the most popular spot in the state for spooky celebrations. 2. Stroll Around the Bryant Homestead If you'd prefer to do most of your leaf viewing by foot, take a drive to western Massachusetts and visit the William Cullen Bryant Homestead in Cummington. Known for its birches with their yellow leaves, the homestead has well-kept grounds that are ideal for an autumn stroll. Though their colors don't change, the towering evergreens make for an impressive site, soaring as high as 150 feet. The most popular sight at the homestead is the maple tree-lined entryway. Through the fall, they change to a deep scarlet, creating a memorable entrance to the grounds. 3. Drive the Mohawk Trail Popular and beloved, the Mohawk Trail can become crowded during the height of autumn. It's no wonder so many people turn west on Route 2. Along the way, they see more than fall foliage. They also pass through small towns that are so picturesque and welcoming you'll want to stop and stay a while. The conclusion of this trail takes you through the Berkshires, a mountainous region that's renowned for trees that produce vibrant fall colors. 4. See an Explosion of Color in Walpole Bird Park is located in Walpole, which is about a 35-minute drive southwest of Boston. Take a walk through the three miles of trails and explore the various features of this park. Frog ponds, streams, stone bridges, and groves of trees in full fall colors make this park a special attraction in autumn. At the park's entrance, orange-red birches provide a visual pop. Inside Bird Park, you'll find red and sugar maple trees. There are plenty of benches if you want to sit and soak in the glory of fall. To increase the chances that you'll have a pleasant time viewing the fall foliage in Massachusetts, avoid driving on the more popular routes during the weekends. Instead, opt for a drive on a weekday afternoon. Image via Flickr by tweber1 under use of CC BY-SA 2.0

For American history buffs, Massachusetts is an ideal place to visit. You can explore sites that connect to the country's earliest days. There are also natural preserves and parks with connections to historical events. If you're near Springfield, check out this list of four historic sites in the area. more 1. Hike, Fish, and Learn the History of Wells State Park Only a 40-minute drive east on I-90 from Springfield, Wells State Park consists of 1,400 acres. Visitors who want to learn local history should plan to attend an interpretive program such as a guided walk or an evening campfire. One trail in the park leads you to Carpenter Rocks with their beautiful cliffs. The natural landmark was named to memorialize John Carpenter, a local man who built and ran a sawmill in the area. Hiking on the 10 miles of paths is a good way to enjoy your time at this park. 2. Experience the 1830s at Old Sturbridge Village After visiting Wells State Park, hop in your Scion and drive five miles to visit Old Sturbridge Village. Spread across 200 acres is a museum and rural town recreated to capture the look and feel of the 1830s. Roam around the countryside area, mills section, and central village. Among the more than 40 buildings included in the village are restored structures that came from all over New England. Daily activities provide a glimpse into life in early America. Watch demonstrations of muskets, the carding mill, milking, and broom making. A non-profit organization runs this attraction, which is dedicated to keeping a slice of American history alive. 3. See Where Early Settlers Lived at Mount Holyoke Range State Park Covering 3,000 acres and rising more than 1,000 feet in elevation, Mount Holyoke Range State Park near Amherst is majestic. Take I-91 north from Springfield to head toward this park. Geologists believe the mountains formed millions of years ago when lava rose from the valley and was upended after it had cooled. The earliest settlers set up pastures on what is now parkland. Experience the same terrain, forests, and wildlife as the settlers by walking on the more than 30 miles of trails. You'll see ponds, creeks, wetlands, and hardwood forests as you explore this park. 4. Visit Early American Sites in Boston It's worth driving an hour and a half to Boston on I-90 if you love history. Stop in the Old North Church, the site where Paul Revere famously arranged for the signal lanterns that warned the colonists that the British were arriving by sea in April, 1775. If you want to retrace history, walk the 2.5-mile path from Boston Common to Bunker Hill. The starting point, Boston Common, is the oldest public park in America, having been established in 1634. The park features a manmade pond where you can ride the swan boats, a fixture since 1877. The Freedom Trail takes you to Bunker Hill, the site of the Revolutionary War's first major battle. Though the British won this skirmish, it demonstrated the colonists' ability to defend themselves. When you're ready to experience history, take a drive to any of these historical sites near Springfield, Massachusetts. Image via Flickr by Doug Kerr under use of CC BY-SA 2.0