Springfield's Museum of Fine Arts includes collections of fine works by some of the world's greatest painters and sculptors. Highlights of the permanent collection include works by Monet, Gauguin, Degas, Pissarro, and Renoir, 19th-and 20th-century Japanese prints, and modern artworks by O'Keefe. The Fine Arts Museum also boasts the only permanent collection of Currier & Ives lithographs.
One of the most unique public spaces in the country, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden has five different statues and sculptures of some of Dr Seuss' most beloved characters. A ten-foot tall Horton, plus the Lorax, Yertle the Turtle and the Cat in the Hat are some of the cartoon creatures that come to life in this playful garden. The largest sculpture is an enormous replica of Oh, the Places You'll Go!, and there is also a statue of Dr. Seuss sitting at his writing desk. Free and open daily, the garden is a great stop for anyone and everyone who loves Dr. Seuss.
The Springfield Armory, located in the heart of the city, is the location of one of the country's first armory and is also where the U.S. military arms were manufactured during most of the 18th Century. This significant national site is featured on the National Register of Historic Places and preserves the largest collection of historic American firearms in the world.
Forest Park is 785 acres of pure outdoor fun. With all kinds of entertainment, including a zoo, paddleboats, tennis courts, bocce ball, playgrounds and hiking trails, Forest Park has something for everyone. In the winter, the park is a great location for sledding and snowshoeing. Whether its summer, spring, winter or fall, Forest Park has got it all.
The Springfield Science Museum and Seymour Planetarium is dedicated to the natural sciences and artifacts found throughout New England. Children can explore and learn about the habitats of the Amazon rainforest, African savanna, a coral reef or the New England coastal areas. If a trip through time is more their thing, the Dinosaur Hall has replicas of Tyrannosaurus Rex as well as some dinosaurs native to the Connecticut River Valley. Tickets to the Seymour Planetarium (the nation's oldest) can be purchased separately, so sit back and check out over 7000 stars from our solar system.
Symphony Hall, located on the Court Street, is a dynamic performing arts venue for a wide range of cultural extravaganzas. There is not a bad seat in the house and equipped with excellent acoustics and state-of-the-art facilities, every event held here is a success. Home to a gamut of events; from Broadway productions to theater for children, Symphony Hall will have a performance that everyone will love.
Located in Merrick Park, the Puritan Statue is a famous bronze statue of Deacon Samuel Chapin who was one of the founding fathers of the city. The statue shows a distinguished man in Puritan clothing, including a cape and a walking stick. The sculpture was created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in the 1880s. The statue quickly became popular and the artist reproduced smaller versions of his work which are displayed in museums, art galleries, and other collections. Today, the Puritan Statue remains an important landmark in Springfield.
Built in the style of an Italian villa in 1895, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum houses an eclectic collection of artifacts from Ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt and China, plus artworks, Chinese ceramics, Japanese armor and plaster casts of major European sculptures. This art museum is a must-see for art enthusiasts of all ages who are visiting the Springfield Museums, especially with the Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center that encourages children to learn about art and history through interactive displays and activities.
Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum is a part of Springfield Museums and was inaugurated in 2017. This three storied museum is dedicated to Springfield Native Theodor Giesel; who is more popularly known as Dr. Suess. They have a huge collection of all his work along with artifacts and furniture he used during his lifetime on display.
Springfield's Museum of Fine Arts includes collections of fine works by some of the world's greatest painters and sculptors. Highlights of the permanent collection include works by Monet, Gauguin, Degas, Pissarro, and Renoir, 19th-and 20th-century Japanese prints, and modern artworks by O'Keefe. The Fine Arts Museum also boasts the only permanent collection of Currier & Ives lithographs.
This cluster of museums, plus a library and a national memorial, on the corner of Chestnut Street and State Street comprises the Quadrangle. The George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum is the oldest of the group, and consists of collection of ancient art and artifacts from Greek and Roman civilizations. The Michele & Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts is where you can find the collection of work by European and American artists collected over time. Among the most notable collection in the permanent exhibit of the museum includes paintings of John Singleton Copley and Currier & Ives' lithograph works. The Springfield Science Museum is a fine center where you can learn about the physical and natural science and its exhibits display such things as life size models and remains of dinosaurs and animals from Savannah. Various antique automobiles and weapons that were part of the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum, are displayed inside the Museum of Springfield History that opened to the public in 2009. The Quadrangle also houses the Springfield City Library, which was built in 1913, the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum, and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden. Hours and prices vary for each museum and attraction.
The Mass Mutual Center is a 6,679-seat multi-purpose arena in Springfield. It opened in 1972 and was the largest arenas in the region. It was owned and operated by the city for eighteen years. It provides an exhibition hall, ballroom and meeting rooms. Fairs, meetings, conferences, exhibitions and various events are scheduled here throughout the year.