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.
Trinity Episcopal Church is a charming church nestled at the heart of the city. This church dates back to the 1859 and was situated at a different location. The church was moved to the present address only in the late 19th Century. The church welcomes everyone for worshiping and regularly arranges masses and prayers. Besides being a religious place, the church is the meeting venue for people fighting against social problems.
The Hampshire College Art Gallery exhibits works ranging from traditional media such as painting and sculpture, to installations and performance pieces. With works by graduate students, faculty, local artists and even some national and international artists, the Art Gallery helps support the teaching function of Hampshire College. The Art Gallery also hosts talks by artists and scholars from time to time.
The New England Civil War Museum in Rockville, Connecticut is located northeast of Hartford and is a wonderful small, volunteer-run museum dedicated to the role of New England and its inhabitants during the Civil War. It is housed inside of a lovely brick structure (the Memorial Building) built in 1890 to honor veteran Union soldiers. The museum houses three different collections: the Hirst Brothers Collection of the 14th Connecticut Infantry, the Weston Collection of the 4th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry and the Thomas F. Burpee Collection of the 21st Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. Visitors can check out the exhibits on the second and fourth Sunday of the month.
In 2009, the Playhouse Theatre Group decided to open the doors and present some of the best classic plays and other performance pieces on stage. From comedy and children's shows to Othello and modern, interpretive dance, there is something for all tastes. Tickets are relatively inexpensive and the organization constantly provides outreach programs to foment a love for the arts in the greater Hartford region.
This theater in downtown Hartford is where you come and see freestyle performances that take the word improv to a new level. From spoken-word sessions with the audience to choreographed miming and situational comedy, the Sea Tea group always provides a laugh or two. Many of their members have learned from the best at renowned comedy institutions such as Second City, Groundlings and the Upright Citizens Brigade.
Nestled in the scenic Parkville region, Our Lady of Sorrows is one of the most important churches in the city. The church dates back to be built in the 19th Century and is affiliated to the Roman Catholic faith of Christianity. Our Lady of Sorrows has many followers and holds masses in both, English and Spanish languages. Besides, it also hosts several religious events and choir sessions regularly. Even if you're not religious, you can't miss the impressive grandeur of this beautiful church.