How should I get there?

Springfield is nestled in the beautiful Pioneer Valley, two and a half hours from New York City and one and a half hours from Boston.

Bradley International Airport in Connecticut is the closest airport though flights into Boston’s Logan International Airport are sometimes easier on the wallet. Train and bus options also abound (and by “abound,” we mean “are occasionally available”). Check the Amrtak and Peter Pan Bus Company websites if that’s your speed.


 

Where should I stay?

We have reserved blocks at two downtown hotels for Saturday night.

Friday night hotel rooms are a hot commodity because the Basketball Hall of Fame induction is that night. Check back in a few weeks for our accommodation suggestions. In the meantime, please reach out to us if you’ll need a room for Friday and we’ll help you make arrangements.


 

Should I rent a car?

Renting a car is not a necessity because we’ll have a shuttle for the wedding. However, we do recommend a car if you want to explore the area. Parking downtown and at the hotels is a breeze. And yes, Ubers do roam the streets.


 

What should I do when I’m in Springfield?

Springfield is the City of Firsts, the City of Homes, and the Birthplace of Basketball. There’s plenty to do, including:

 

The Basketball Hall of Fame

The Basketball Hall of Fame and some 2016 Enshrinement public events.

 

Forest Park

Forest Park is a great place to picnic, run, forage, and play tennis (there are clay courts!), or re-live Mark and E’s childhoods by playing soccer or tee-ball on the fields by the grandstand. (Ask Colette about her illustrious tee-ball coaching career, while you’re at it.) Or dream up what you would do if you ran the Springfield zoo like Dr. Seuss’s father did.

 

Museums on the Quadrangle

It’s easy to hop around to all The Springfield Museums on the Quadrangle. Some highlights:

  • Get your Theodor Geisel fix at The Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden.
  • Challenge Jack to around of Springfield trivia after a trip to the Museum of Springfield History. (E’s favorite! It’s sooo good!).
  • Peggy’s got the scoop on the legendary Snowball polar bear while Kristie and Mark are fans of the T-Rex at the Springfield Science Museum.
  • See the ancient swords Molly was charged with cleaning as an intern at the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum. She swears she didn’t test out her dormant fencing training, but we’re skeptical.
  • Mark’s aunt Christine just retired as librarian at the Springfield City Library. Guess which library classification system was invented in Western Mass. Hint: It’s exactly what you think it is.

 

Quick Trips

Western Massachusetts gets rural quickly and, boy, is it pretty! Springfield is the perfect home base for exploring the college towns and nature-y things. Downtown Northampton is a great place to explore and shop. Faces is our perennial favorite, E always finds something at Cathy Cross, and Colette loves the Smith College Museum of Art (and, let’s be honest, museum store).

 

Hiking

You’re a short drive away from lots of hiking ranging in difficulty from slight uphill walking to “I’m going to feel this tomorrow.” Some of Molly and Neal’s favorites are:

  • M-M Trail. The whole thing hits all seven summits of the Seven Sisters and takes a full day, so you’ll want to pick a section to be sure you don’t miss the main event!
  • Mount Sugarloaf has two peaks, picnic spots, and car access for those of you saving your feet for the dance floor.
  • Peaked Mountain has a three trail options, including about a 2 mile loop with a pretty vista of the valley.

 

Golf

Want to play a round of golf? Franconia is a nearby public course and some area country clubs allow non-member reservations.

 

Shopping

The Holyoke Mall is the place to go if you really want to re-live E’s childhood. Or if you forget your pants at home. (It happens to the best of us, Pat.)

 

We’ll continue to update this as we remember more favorites!


 

Shuttles and Parking

Shuttle buses will depart for the ceremony from the Springfield Marriott for both Marriott and Sheraton guests. Buses will arrive at 5 p.m. and depart promptly at 5:10 p.m. Shuttles will be available to bring hotel guests to the reception from the church’s front entrance on State Street. Buses will then pick shuttle riders up from the church's entrance and drop off at the reception.

Shuttle vans will depart from Park Drive approximately every half hour between 10:30 p.m. and 1:30 a.m. The shuttle will drop guests off at both the Sheraton Monarch Place and the Springfield Marriott as necessary.

 

Contact Us

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