Springfield, a wealthy suburb on the east bank of the Connecticut River, was first settled in the mid-17th century.
Until 1894, Longmeadow was part of East He was part of Longmeadow, and the town was noted for its sandstone quarries, from which material was extracted for large projects such as the Smithsonian Museum building (1855).
Preserved as a US Historic District, Town Green is a quintessential central community district surrounded by impressive old homes and is still the site of public gatherings such as the Long He Meadows Fall Festival.
Downtown Springfield is just a stone’s throw from Longmeadow, and the town offers easy access to his two summer farmers’ markets, elegant Forest Park, and Six Flags New England, the region’s largest theme park.
1. The Olde Burying Yarde
For those interested in early Longmeadow history, the town’s original cemetery has much to learn.
This is part of Longmeadow Cemetery behind the First Church of Christ in Town Green, the oldest sign being his 1682.
The Longmeadow Historical Society organizes self-guided walking tours of the Old Burying Ground starting at the western end of Williams Street, which can be accessed on their website.
In this guide, interpretations of the inscriptions and symbols inscribed on each stone are detailed to provide a vivid insight into the life and death of Longmeadow from the 17th century to the 18th century.
2. Riverfront Conservation Area
Another public location in Longmeadow with access to the banks of the Connecticut River is the city-owned nature reserve off Anthony Road, next to the Pioneer Valley Yacht Club.
With 300 feet of tranquil grassy shoreline shaded by mature trees, the Riverfront Preserve is the perfect place to relax late into the day with great views.
You can set sail here in a canoe or kayak, or pack a blanket and enjoy a quiet picnic under the trees on a sunny day.
3. Alex’s Bagel Shop
A popular long-established bagel store on Route 5 across from Laurel Park moved to this location in 2018.
Alex’s bagel shop landed here after her former landlord, the supermarket chain Big Y, asked her to evict the old building.
This sparked a surge of love, with more than 1,000 people signing a petition asking the supermarket to keep it open and not force them out of town.
Generations have grown up eating Alex’s bagels. Freshly cooked and baked, they come in an assortment of signature flavors such as sesame, poppy, onion, cumin, and raisins. A variety of cream cheese flavors are also available, all in 8 oz containers.
4. Springfield
Strolling through Longmeadow’s stately residential streets, it’s easy to forget that the bustling city is just minutes away.
Springfield is his third-largest city in Massachusetts, where the United States’ first military arsenal was founded, basketball was invented, and the popular children’s author, Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) was born in 1904.
With more than 30 colleges located along the famous Corridor of Knowledge, it’s no wonder Springfield has some great museums.
Many of these are located in The He Quadrangle, where you can ponder the art of the Impressionists, visit the nation’s first planetarium, admire artifacts from around the world, and learn all about Dr. Sousse can be experienced.
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is housed in a giant silver sphere on the waterfront, and the Springfield Armory is a National Historic Site with one of the world’s largest collections of firearms.
5. Enfield Regional Farmers’ Market
One reason to make the short jump across the state line to Enfield, Connecticut, is to browse this bustling farmer’s market with dozens of stalls each week.
The Enfield Regional Farmers Market is a Sunday event held at Town Green from June to October, but in recent years has moved to Enfield Square Mall, where the indoor market continues until the last Sunday before Christmas.
The selection changes seasonally and includes fresh produce from local farms, grass-fed meats, eggs, honey, herbs, baked goods, freshly roasted coffee, pet treats, numerous artisan vendors, and more.
There is always live music and several food trucks serving wood-fired pizzas and pierogi.
6. Max Burger
One of two chains, Max Burger is an acclaimed restaurant far beyond Longmeadow, an upscale burger joint with many gastropub hallmarks.
That means a seasonal cocktail menu and a beer menu that includes imported Belgian beers and local craft beers. Max Burger caters to those on a plant-based diet, offering not only veggie patties but also the Impossible Burger.
On the same theme, the sweet potato fries are also excellent. For starters, the candied bacon lollipop with cider glaze is exceptional, and a must-try main course for meat eaters is the Lord Rest Truffle with Gruyère and black truffle relish.
7. Six Flags New England
New England’s largest theme and water park is just across the Connecticut River from Longmeadow, but you’ll have to drive around Springfield to get there.
At 235 acres, Six Flags New England is the chain’s oldest park, attracting fun-seekers in the 1870s with picnic groves along the river.
From this lavish beginning, the park has grown into a thrill-seeking Mecca with ground-breaking DC-style rides such as Harley Quinn Spin Sanity, Superman the Ride, and Batman.
Dark Knight and Joker 4D Free Fly Coaster.
Six Flags New England also has three dedicated kid’s areas and a huge Hurricane Harbor Water park with over 30 slides and his 500,000-gallon wave pool.
8. Long Meddowe Fall Festival
This long-running festival, now sponsored and hosted by the city’s American Legion Post 175, was formerly known as Long Meadow Days and has been held for over 40 years.
Over a weekend in early October, Town Green is the traditional venue for the festival, with long alleyways lined with stalls selling all manner of crafts, arts, and food.
There are a variety of activities on offer that will appeal to young families, but there are also musician appearances, non-profit visits, car shows, and more.
9. The Longmeadow Shops
The closest gated mall to Longmeadow is Enfield Square Mall, less than 10 minutes south. For a more relaxed shopping experience, visit the nearby Longmeadow Shops. This open-air mall is designed like an old New England village.
The brick sidewalks are lined with local and international retailers like Gap, J. Jill, Francesca’s, J. Crew Factory, Fleet Feet, and Ann Taylor. In between are plenty of outdoor seating, restaurants serving sushi, Italian food, a deli, high-end burgers (Max Burger), and even a Starbucks.
10. Greenwood Park
Just off the MA/CT line in Longmeadow is a park dedicated to active recreation. For parents, the highlight of Greenwood Park is the huge Molly’s Playground, arguably one of the best he’s in the area.
There are separate sections for younger and older children, an engaging playground for toddlers, tunnels and swinging bridges, and more challenging playground equipment for older children.
Greenwood Park also has a swimming pool that is open during the school summer holidays, a multipurpose playground, tennis courts, and a multipurpose building that can be used for childcare and camping.
11. Longmeadow Historic District (Town Green)
If I had to imagine a landscape that embodied a thriving New England town, it might look a lot like the gorgeous town greens of Longmeadow.
This north-south prairie sits on a long sandy ridge about a mile east of the Connecticut River.
To the side are fine examples of his 18th-century and his 19th-century architecture, as well as the First Church of Christ, which he presided over in 1768, assisted by the Old Cemetery with 17th-century tombstones (details below).
All this has been the heart of Longmeadow for over 300 years, with the oldest surviving house dating from 1725.
The only commercial building in the entire district is the Old Country Store (776 Longmeadow St). This building was built in 1805 and operated as Spa on Green at the time of this writing.
12. Forest Park
Longmeadow is adjacent to this sprawling Victorian park, created in the 1880s on a bluff overlooking the Connecticut River.
With an area of 735 hectares, Forest Park is one of the country’s largest urban parks, with a wide range of recreational facilities as well as beautiful natural areas for passive activities.
Near Longmeadow on the south side, you can hike along the steep banks of the Pekusic River, crossed by a charming old footbridge.
Elsewhere, there are beautiful views, flower gardens, water gardens, and his farmer’s market that has been running for over 20 years.
During the holiday season, you can visit Bright Lights in Forest Park. This Bright Lights is his two-mile driveway lined with high-tech lighting installations honoring the Springfield native. It’s Sousse.
13. Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge
The reserve protects over 800 acres of beautiful and varied land along the banks of the Connecticut River in Longmeadow.
Established in the early 1950s, the Fanny Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge encompasses a portion of the floodplain known as the Longmeadow Flats, composed of forests, meadows, and swamps, each providing diverse habitats, especially for bird species.
In the 2010s, much of the site was given to the Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge, which installed signage describing the many species of flora and fauna that inhabit the floodplain, from skunk cabbages to gray herons.
4. Zoo in Forest Park and Education Center
Forest Park’s main year-round attraction is the zoo, which has been a staple since 1894. The non-profit Forest Park Zoo is home to more than 200 native and exotic animals and works with wildlife rehabilitators across the country.
Overview of different species in the zoo: arctic fox, spotted leopard, timber wolf, fennec fox, ring-tailed lemur, spider monkey, python, boa, axolotl, American crocodile, various parrots, and macaws.
The zoo also has a barn area with cute pet breeds such as mini donkeys, potbellied pigs, mini goats, miniature horses, llamas, alpacas, and baby Dahl sheep.
During the winter and summer holidays, camps are held for children aged 6 to 13 who are interested in wildlife and nature.
5. Longmeadow Historical Society
The local historical society was founded in 1899 and maintains the Storrs House Museum, a beautiful colonial mansion built in 1786 overlooking Town Green.
Each room in this building is decorated to reflect different periods and aspects of Longmeadow’s history.
As you walk through the mansion, you’ll come across furniture, textiles, clothing, paintings, newspaper clippings, official documents, decorative arts, and other memorabilia spanning hundreds of years.
Recent exhibitions explore local, national, and international history from the perspective of this small town south of Springfield, as well as the story behind Longmeadow’s 1894 separation from its industrial partner, East Longmeadow.