The Ultimate Daytrip in Springfield, Massachusetts

If you're looking for somewhere to get outside and enjoy the weather, West Springfield and the surrounding area offer a number of great outdoor spots. Check out the parks, green spaces, and more around the city this spring and summer. You may be surprised at the variety of options you can find. Robinson State Park Right outside of West Springfield you'll find Robinson State Park. The park is located at 428 North St. in Feeding Hills. Daily parking costs $8 for MA-licensed vehicles or $10 for non-MA vehicles. With over 800 acres of land, there's something for everyone at Robinson State Park. There are over 20 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Other activities in the park include fishing, canoeing, swimming, and more. With options for everyone, this is a great option for families, friends, or to visit by yourself. There are picnicking areas, so bring along a lunch to make your day even more enjoyable. more Chicopee Memorial State Park Another beautiful outdoor spot around West Springfield is Chicopee Memorial State Park. Parking is $8 for MA vehicles or $10 for non-MA vehicles. The park features 575 acres and includes a beautiful 25-acre pond. With options for group day use, you can find something for everyone here. There are accessible beaches, biking and hiking trails, picnic spots, and swimming spots. Sometimes during the weekends or on holidays, Chicopee Memorial State Park hits their allowable capacity, so make sure if you're planning the day at the park you get here early. Balise Scion Skate Park Located off of Morton Street in West Springfield, you'll find Balise Scion Skate Park. This park opened in 2007 and was made possible by a donation from BALISE. The only wheeled devices allowed at the skate park are skateboards and in-line skates. Keep in mind that this is a non-supervised area, so it's important to skate at your own risk and wear proper protective equipment, such as helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads. Balise Scion Skate Park is open from 9 a.m. to dusk every day and is free to the public. However, skating when it is wet or rainy is prohibited. Garden Plots The West Springfield Park and Recreation Department, working alongside the Department of Public Works, offers residents 16-foot by 20-foot garden plots in Mittineague Park. Plots are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Only one plot is available per person or family unit, and those not planted before June 5 will be reassigned. Garden space is $25 for the season for residents or $30 for non-residents of West Springfield. This is a great option for anyone looking to spend some time outside regularly throughout the spring and summer. Make the most of the warm months this year by exploring the beauty of the outdoor spaces around West Springfield. Whether you're heading out for a one-day adventure or you're planning a garden for the summer, these spots around the area allow you to get out and enjoy everything that nature has to offer. Image via pixabay.com

No matter what you're hungry for, you'll find something amazing to eat in Springfield. The food here is outstanding, and with a huge variety of options, you'll always have something new to try. Take some time to check out the best restaurants in the city with your family, friends, or significant other tonight. Frigo's Located at 90 William Street in Springfield, Frigo's is one of the local favorites. They are option Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. With 65 types of pasta, 25 Italian deli meats, and 75 different cheeses, Frigos has what you need to satisfy your Italian craving. With nearly 30 different sandwiches on their menu, you can get just about anything you want. They also offer prepared food that you can pick up and take home, such as chicken Franciase or eggplant parmesan. Grab some specialty cheese or olive oil while you're here, as well. more Eat If you're in the mood for some comfort food, check out Eat at 609 Page Blvd in Springfield. They are open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and offer some of the best breakfast and lunch options around. For breakfast, grab a three-egg omelet, a breakfast sandwich, or Belgian waffles. The lunch menu offers options such as foot-long hot dogs, specialty sandwiches, and hamburgers. Food is all fresh and made to order, and the staff is friendly. The prices are extremely reasonable here, with entrees priced under $10. Chef Wayne's Big Mamou Head to 63 Liberty Street in Springfield for Chef Wayne's Big Mamou. This restaurant is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Friday 11 ..m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday noon to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You'll love the Cajun food offered here, with appetizers such as Louisiana fried oysters, Bourbon Street corn bread, and crab cakes Natchitoches. Entrees include Chicken Mississippi, shrimp-n-sausage jambalaya, and Bayou meat loaf. Don't forget dessert, such as sweet potato pie, deep dish bourbon pecan pie, or classic New Orleans bread pudding with whiskey sauce. Theodore's Booze, Blues, & BBQ If you want delicious BBQ, look no further than 201 Worthington St in Springfield. Here you'll find Theodore's Booze, Blues, & BBQ. The restaurant is open Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Start your meal with corn fritters, burnt ends, or deep fried pickle spears. Bar-b-que options include beef brisket, pulled pork, hot links, or half a chicken. Sides such as garlic mashed potatoes, sweet potato fries, collard greens, and corn bread are all available. You can also choose any of their rib combos. Whether you want comfort food or something to spice up your mouth, check out the amazing restaurants around Springfield. These delicious meals are great for any time of the year, and offer a variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. Whether you're heading out for a special occasion or just because, you'll love the food you find. Image via pixabay.com

Spring is a great time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Winters in Massachusetts are cold, and many areas see not only inches but feet of snow. Most of the area parks stay open through the winter, but when the temperatures start to rise and the snow starts to melt, it's fun to head to a local park to enjoy the nice weather. Here are some of the best Springfield Parks to explore this spring. Stanley Park Stanley Park is a large park in Westfield that is open year-round and is free to the public. It covers more than 300 acres and includes beautiful gardens, fields for a variety of sports, pavilions for picnics, and walking and hiking trails. A natural spring-fed duck pond is home to ducks, fish, and swans. Sit on one of the benches along the shore, or walk around the pond to take it all in. There is also a wildlife sanctuary at Stanley Park. The managed trails feature native trees, flowers, and plant life as well as birds and other wildlife. All the trails are well-marked, and you can get a map to follow if you want to explore. more Forest Park Springfield is home to Forest Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. It has plenty of open space, a playground for the kids, and several picnic areas with outdoor grilling. Head to Forest Park to play on the soccer field, the football field, or the tennis court, or sit on the sidelines and watch a game. This is also home to the Forest Park Zoo, which has monkeys, birds, large cats, and other animals. Other fun features of Forest Park include America's first swimming pool, which originally opened in 1899, ponds to walk around, and an exhibit featuring ancient dinosaur tracks. You can get to the park by the entrance on Sumner Avenue or Trafton Road, or you can enter from Route 5 and the Longmeadow Line. The Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden If you want a different kind of park to explore, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garde n at the Springfield Museums is a great place to spend the afternoon. This garden celebrates Dr. Suess in the city where he was born. His wife partnered with the Museums to create the special garden after his death in 1991. Here, you'll find a sculpture of Dr. Seuss himself, along with some of his most memorable characters. Visit Horton Court where you'll find Sam-I-Am serving up his green eggs and ham and Horton the Elephant. Make sure to look closely at his trunk though. The clover blossom holds a tiny ball that represents Whoville. These are some of the parks and places that are fun to explore in the Springfield area in the spring. Pack a lunch and your good walking or hiking shoes, and get outside with the family to enjoy the nice New England weather. Image via pixabay.com