Recommended Places to Visit: Springfield

Recreation

Golf
Veterans Memorial Golf Course
1059 South Branch Parkway

Casinos
MGM Springfield
One MGM Way

Water Bodies
Mona Lake
63 Geneva Street

Mill Pond
1321 Parker Street

Beaches
Loon Pond
379 Pasco Road

Five Mile Pond
1020 Boston Road

Bass Pond (private)
1257 South Branch Parkway

Movies
Cinemark Eastfield 16

1655 Boston Road

Entertainment Cinemas
1250 St. James Avenue

Parks

Hubbard Park

~180 Parker Street

Goodwin Park
1445 Berkshire Avenue

Van Horn Park
494 Armory Street

Lake Lorraine State Park
44 Lake Drive

Camp Wilder Park
1478 Parker Street

Forest Park
200 Trafton Road

Museums
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
1000 Hall of Fame Avenue

Springfield Armory
1 Armory Square

Titanic Historical Society
208 Main Street

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum

21 Edwards Street

Springfield Science Museum
21 Edwards Street

George Vincent Walter Smith Art Museum
21 Edwards Street

Museum of Springfield History
21 Edwards Street

Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Art
21 Edwards Street

Forest Park Zoo
293 Sumner Avenue


Arts Performances
Symphony Hall
34 Court Street

Architecture

Monuments

Court Square
Elm Street and Main Street

One Financial Plaza
1350 Main Street

Hampden Superior Court
50 State Street

Art and Soles

Deacon Samuel Chapin
State Street and Chestnut Street

Cannon
Pearl Street and Chestnut Street

Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
21 Edwards Street

National Guard
1505 Roosevelt Avenue

Mason Square
765 State Street

Memorials
State Street and Eastern Avenue

Armory Commons
Pearl Street and Spring Street

Memorial Square
Plainfield Street and Main Street

Stearns Square
Stearns Square and Bridge Street

Gate of Heaven Cemetery
421 Tinkham Road

Places of Worship

St. Jude Parish
221 Main Street

Chua Huyen Quang

321 Berkshire Street

Holy Name Church
323 Dickinson Street

Trinity United Methodist Church
361 Sumner Avenue

Calvary's Love Church
19 Oakland Street

St. Barnabas Church
41 Oakland Street

First Park Memorial Baptist Church
4 Garfield Street

Immaculate Conception Church
25 Parker Street

St. Catherine of Siena Church
1023 Parker Street

Foster Memorial Church
1791 Wilbraham Road

Church in the Acres
1383 Wilbraham Road

First Church of Christ, Congregational
50 Elm Street

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church
123 William Street

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
376 Maple Street

South Congregational Church
45 Maple Street

Christ Church Cathedral
35 Chestnut Street

St. Michael's Cathedral
254 State Street

Holy Cross Church
221 Plumtree Road

Heritage Baptist Church
640 Plumtree Road

Evangelical Covenant Church
915 Plumtree Road

Hispanic Baptist Church
22 Salem Street

Orchard Covenant Church
95 Berkshire Street

Mary, Mother of Hope Church
840 Page Boulevard

St. Gregory Armenian Church
135 Goodwin Street

Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church
417 Boston Road

Imam Buhari Mosque
50 Pinevale Road

Our Lady of the Rosary Church
334 Franklin Street

Gethsemane Church of Jesus Christ
47 Harvey Street

Shiloh Community Church of God in Christ
91 Jasper Street

Sovereign Grace Church
60 Bowles Park

St. Luke's Episcopal Church
961 St. James Avenue

Solid Rock Community Baptist Church
821 Liberty Street

Sacred Heart Church
395 Chestnut Street

St. Peter and St. Paul Orthodox Church
118 Carew Street

Gardner Memorial AME Zion Church
90 Carew Street

Bethel AME Church
27 Pendleton Avenue

Third Baptist Church
149 Walnut Street

St. John's Congregational Church
643 Union Street

Shiloh Seventh Day Adventist Church
797 State Street

Alden Baptist Church
649 State Street

Wesley United Methodist Church
741 State Street

Shaolin Meditation Temple
684 State Street

Our Lady of Hope Church
557 Carew Street

St. Rachel's Church
171 Eastern Avenue

Holy Family Church
235 Eastern Avenue

Grace Church of Christ
336 Springfield Street

Pentecostal Church of God El Sinai
74 Oak Street

Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ
57 Bay Street

Holy Temple Church of God in Christ
145 Bay Street

Progressive Community Baptist Church
599 State Street

St. Peter's Episcopal Church
45 Buckingham Street

Mission Church Ministries
20 Bowdoin Terrace

Iglesia Koinonia
25 Terrence Street

Basilica of the Holy Apostles
339 State Street

United House of Prayer

331 Wilbraham Road

Celestial Praise Church of God

321 Wilbraham Road

Trinity Lutheran Church

400 Wilbraham Road

Bethesda Lutheran Church

455 Island Pond Road

St. Anthony's Maronite Church

375 Island Pond Road

Zion Community Baptist Church

1140 Roosevelt Avenue

Harvest Fellowship Church

761 Sumner Avenue

Whole Truth Temple

8 Norfolk Street

Mount Calvary Baptist Church

17 John Street

St. George Cathedral

22 St. George Road

All Souls Church

449 Plainfield Street

Faith United Church

52 Sumner Avenue

St. Mark's Armenian Church

2427 Wilbraham Road

St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church

1900 Allen Street

Christ Presbyterian Church

1597 Allen Street

Christian Life Center

1590 Sumner Avenue

Wachogue Congregational Church

80 Arvilla Street

First Springfield Seventh Day Adventist Church

1118 Sumner Avenue

House of God Church

1008 Sumner Avenue

Harvest Fellowship Church

761 Sumner Avenue

Iglesia Apostolica Renovacion Church New Generation Youth Center

1602 Allen Street

Bridges
Memorial Bridge
1502 West Columbus Avenue

North End Bridge
West Street and Riverside Road


Town Facilities
Sixteen Acres Library
1187 Parker Street

Housing Court
37 Elm Street

City Hall
36 Court Street

United States District Court
300 State Street

Springfield City Library
220 State Street

Indian Orchard Library
44 Oak Street

Raymond J Sullivan Public Safety Complex
1212 Carew Street

Fire Station 3
382 White Street

Sixteen Acres Fire Station 12
1265 Parker Street


Schools
Springfield Technical Community College
1 Armory Square

Pioneer Valley Christian Academy
965 Plumtree Road

High School of Commerce
415 State Street

Springfield College
263 Alden Street

Brightwood Elementary School
471 Plainfield Street

Historical Buildings

Old South End Community Center
29 Howard Street

Old First Spiritualist Church
33 Bliss Street

Court Square Building
13-31 Elm Street

Sampson Chapel of the Acres
21 Tinkham Road

New England Funeral and Cremation Center
25 Mill Street

Old Julius H. Appleton House
313 Maple Street

Old Indian Orchard Fire Station
95 Oak Street

Old Handy Chocolate Company Building
616 Berkshire Avenue

Massachusetts Career Development Institute
140 Wilbraham Road

Mainline Industries
1 Allen Street

Old Horace Mann New Leadership Charter School
37 Alderman Street

Old Jefferson Avenue School
67 Jefferson Avenue

Commercial Buildings
Monarch Place
1414 Main Street

115 State Street
115 State Street

Northwestern Mutual Life Building
1351 Main Street

MassMutual Life Insurance Company
1295 State Street

Restaurants

Highly Recommended:
Western
Blackjack's Steakhouse
912 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Beef Marsala

Max's Tavern

1000 Hall of Fame Avenue

Recommended Dishes:

Shrimp Pasta

Beer Battered Fish and Chips

Japanese

Tokyo Asian Fusion
415 Cooley Street
Recommended Dishes:
Crispy Duck Salad
Tuna Amazing Roll
Edamame Soup
Lobster Spring Roll
Chicken Cheese Maki

Tried:
Caribbean

Khi and Eli's Food for the Soul

882 Sumner Avenue
Recommended Dishes:
Whiting Fish Sandwich

Seafood
Jack's Lobster Shack
One MGM Way
Recommended Dishes:
Hot Lobster Roll
Onion Rings
New England Clam Chowder


Vietnamese
Soc Trang Vietnamese Restaurant
113 Vermont Street
Recommended Dishes:
Mee Ka Thang
Bun Bo Hue 

Western
Mike's East Side Pub
535 Page Boulevard
Recommended Dishes:
Clam Chowder 
Fish and Chips

Moriarty's Pub and Grill
655 Liberty Street
Recommended Dishes:
Fire Bread
Drunken Shrimp 

Shakago Martini and Piano Bar
23 Hampden Street
Recommended Dishes:
Asian Salmon Salad
Shakago Alfredo
Pineapple Stuffed Sorbet


Japanese
Hana Saki
1404 Boston Road
Recommended Dishes:
Spiderman Roll
OMG Roll
Sunomono
Creamy Seafood Ramen


Portuguese

Solmar Restaurant and Pub
132 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Caldo Verde
Ameijoas A Portuguesa
Arroz de Tamboril
Rice Pudding

Italian
Frankie and Johnnie Pizzeria
35 Island Pond Road
Recommended Dishes:
Steak and Cheese Grinder
Meat Lovers Pizza

Siano's Pizzeria and Restaurant
965 Boston Road
Recommended Dishes:
Fried Clams
BBQ Chicken, Bacon and Ranch Pizza

Deli
Six Corners Sandwich Shop
130 Walnut Street
Recommended Dishes:
Vanilla Milkshake
Balboa

Jamaican
Yaad Jamaican Food
87 Main Street
Recommended Dishes:
Oxtail

Mexican
Casa de Nana
995 Boston Road
Recommended Dishes:
Black Bean Soup
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Seafood Diablo Dinner
Fruit Empanadas

February 15th 2025: Aviation Museum of New Hampshire, Londonderry NH

 Today, after passing by a few Bulldogs of Bedford statues in Bedford NH,

Trader Joe's

The Friendly Toast

Whole Foods

we headed into Londonderry NH,

Manchester-Boston Regional Airport

going to check out the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire. Pretty nice museum catering to kids.

After leaving the museum, we headed into Manchester NH for lunch, checking out The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, which apparently has many other locations across the country.

We got the Four Dip Combo (Tzatziki (Greek yogurt, labne, cucumber, garlic, dill), Hummus (Garbanzo Beans Crushed with Garlic, Olive Oil and Lemon Juice), Tirokafteri (Creamy Greek Feta with Spicy Roasted Peppers), Melitzanosalata (roasted eggplant, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic), Pita Bread),

the Australian Lamb Souvlaki Plate (served with side salad, Tzatziki and Pita plus French Fries)

and the Side Salad.

Pretty tasty I must say. Can see why they have so many locations. With that, we hurried home, before the snow storm came.

February 14th 2025: Two Museums in Worcester

 Today, after checking out Mamacitas West Boylston, a Mexican restaurant in West Boylston,

getting a delicious Cali-Mama Burrito (famous California Burrito with a Mamacitas twist. Asada, chihuahua cheese, french fries, guacamole, sour cream and homemade chipotle aioli sauce in a flour or wheat wrap),

I decided to check out two museums in Worcester, firstly the Blackstone Valley Heritage Center,

and secondly the American Antiquarian Society, which is more a research library than a museum.

I ended the day with a trip to Mochinut, a mochi donut place in town.

I got the Strawberry

and the Blueberry flavors.

A tad sweet, but at least I got to see two places in Worcester after that many years.

January 2nd 2025: Nautical Bowls, Shrewsbury

 Today, after my dental appointment, I decided to check out a new food place in Shrewsbury, Nautical Bowls. Pretty nice inside for a health food place.

I got the Paddle Bowl (Blue Majik, Mango, Coconut, Granola, Strawberries, Coconut Flakes, Honey),

Pretty tasty, I must say. I might actually come back again with family.

December 30th 2024: Disappointing Meal at Ming's Seafood, Malden

 After dropping off family at the airport today, we decided to have some dimsum at Ming's Seafood in Malden, this time getting the Sauteed Turnip Cake with XO Sauce,

the Shrimp and Chives Dumplings, Fung Zau (chicken claws in black bean sauce), Crispy Shrimp and Celery Rolls, Egg Tofu and Peapods Stem Rice Roll,

the Pork and Preserved Egg Congee,

the Fried Dough,

and the Steamed Rice Rolls with BBQ Pork

Really bland food this time around. Perhaps it was just the late time of day.

December 29th 2024: Big Meal at Cheesecake Factory, Natick

 Today, we took our relatives to the Cheesecake Factory 

in Natick at the Natick Mall, where the new Bosse pickleball courts have opened, for dinner, 

this time getting the Vegan Cobb Salad (crisp lettuce, grilled asparagus, avocado, roasted beets, green beans and tomato, cucumber, carrot, white beans, quinoa, farro, almonds and toasted pepitas with house vinaigrette),

the Miso Salmon (fresh miso marinated salmon served with snow peas, white rice and a delicious miso sauce),

the Pasta Carbonara (sphagetti with smoked bacon, green peas and a garlic parmesan cream sauce),

the Loaded Mashed Potato Omelette (mashed potatoes and crispy breakfast potatoes with bacon, grilled onion, cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese. Topped with Sour Cream),

the Oreo Dream Extreme Cheesecake (Creamy Cheesecake layered with Oreo Cookies, Topped with Oreo Cookie Mousse and Chocolate Icing)

the Santa Fe Salad (marinated chicken, fresh corn, black beans, cheese, tortilla strips, tomato and romaine with a spicy peanut cilantro vinaigrette)

and the Bistro Shrimp Pasta (crispy battered shrimp, fresh mushrooms, tomato and arugula tossed with sphagettini and a basil garlic lemon cream sauce).

Not bad at all, and we had leftovers to go.

December 28th 2024: Trampolining and Candlepin Bowling

Today, with a cousin visiting from out of town, we decided to first check out the Altitude Trampoline Park, located within the Apex Entertainment Center in Marlborough.

Not bad, although we had to buy trampoline socks, as regular socks are not counted. Another souvenir I guess. 

From here, we headed to Sawyer's Bowladrome at 13 Blake Street in Northborough for some candlepin bowling.

The first time bowling for the little one, always a lot of fun, but we risked spoiling the old lanes by not resetting the pins often enough. Apparently not doing that taxes the machinery with too many balls, but wouldn't resetting add pins to the mix too? Not sure how that works. Anyway, probably not coming back again in case we pissed the owner off.