15 Best Things to Do in East Longmeadow (MA)
A southeastern suburb of Springfield, East Longmeadow is on the Massachusetts/Connecticut line and just minutes from Springfield’s vibrant Metro Center district. Historically, the area was known for its sandstone quarries, which supplied material for large projects such as the Smithsonian Institution Building in Washington (1855). An interesting feature of East Longmeadow is that the seven boulevards converge in a roundabout in the city center known as ‘The Roundabout’. Many of the city’s local businesses are based here or nearby. East Longmeadow’s community spirit and patriotism are expressed each year with one of the largest Fourth of July parades, multi-day carnivals, and a mesmerizing fireworks display. 1. Fenway Golf A summer treat for all ages, Fenway Golf combines a range of golf-themed attractions, with something for all ages and abilities. First, there’s an 18-hole mini golf course, with all the traditional elements like bubbling streams and cascading waterfalls. For a longer challenge, there’s the pitch & putt, suitable for youngsters swinging the club for the first time, as well as seasoned players trying to get as close to the pin as possible. Around the corner, the same company runs Pine Knoll, a true 18-hole par 3 golf course, while onsite you also have batting cages and a snack bar with 24 light serving flavors mildly different. 2. Meadowbrook Farm On 275 acres in the southeast part of town, this ranch has been in business for over 30 years. You can go from April to December, and as the year goes by, there’s always a new reason to visit. Things kick off in spring with perennials, lilies, vegetable crops, and a host of other flowers and greenhouse horticultural products. You can then shop for a wealth of fresh produce at Meadowbrook Farms, from strawberries in July to pumpkins in the fall, then Christmas trees a little later in the holiday season. 3. Frigo Foods This East Longmeadow Italian delicacy is part of a small chain of stores in the Springfield area, with a history dating back to the early 20th century. The Frigo family first settled in Chicago in the 1900s, established a successful cheese business, and in the 1950s they expanded northeast, opening a snack bar in Springfield South End. Fast-forward to the 21st century and the new Frigo Foods location in East Longmeadow offers a range of delicious ready-to-go meals, from sandwiches to salads, and a great selection of freshly made pasta dishes like ravioli and lasagna. 4. Springfield Springfield’s historic, walkable, and cultural center is just 15 minutes from the Rotary in East Longmeadow. First of all, you need to visit The Quadrangle and its collection of five high-quality museums under the umbrella of the Springfield Museum. You could easily spend an entire day perusing Impressionist masterpieces, pondering the big questions of the universe, uncovering the treasures of ancient civilizations, and immersing yourself in the world of Dr. Seuss, who was born in this city. A National Historic Landmark, the Springfield Armory was the primary source of weapons for the United States military, from 1777 to 1969, and is another priority. Springfield is also where physical educator James Naismith invented basketball in 1891, an event honored at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. 5. Maureen’s Sweet Shoppe Around East Longmeadow, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to shop locally and support some of the beloved businesses that have been here for decades. Right on the Rotary, you have Maureen’s Sweet Shoppe, which opened in 1997. The owner of Maureen continues to craft the store’s list of premium sweets. For an idea of the range, there are caramel apples, chocolate-covered cookies, pretzels, gourmet popcorn, salted caramel, truffles, marshmallows, and more. 6. Rotary Summer Concert Series A summer feature in East Longmeadow is parades, carnivals, and fireworks, and there’s also a much-anticipated outdoor concert season hosted by the Rotary Club of East Longmeadow. Beginning at 7 p.m. Sundays from July to mid-August, these performances take place at East Longmeadow High School. The first day of the series in July is usually the warm-up of the fireworks. It is recommended that you walk or carpool to the high school because parking is limited. In terms of style, bands tend to play classic rock hits like Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Eagles. 7. Shaker Bowl Attracting families, groups of friends, and competitive pitchers for decades, the Shaker Bowl is a side street that has survived the years. On weekend nights, you’ll see disco lights, party music, and giant screens at the end of the lane. Children are well catered for, with bumpers available in the lanes, as well as charming alligator ramps for the little ones who haven’t mastered their bowling techniques yet. The Shaker Bowl also has a grill for bowling alley favorites like pizza, tender chicken, sliders, mozzarella sticks, and cookies. 8. Pell Family Farm Another long-standing family business in the area is Pell Family Farm, which has been around since 1930. First, in the dairy sector, the farm’s orientation has evolved over the years, and today there is a nursery, growing Christmas trees and strawberries, which markets local produce. In the recent past, there was a petting zoo and typical fall activities on the farm, and those days may return in the future. For now, you can drop by during the holiday season to cut your own Christmas tree. The nursery is open year-round and specializes in private plants including a variety of arborvitae, winter hemlock, and blue spruce. 9. Skyline Scenic Area The Northern Connecticut Land Trust manages 65 acres of rolling forest just a few miles from Somers, CT. Starting at Stafford Road, the yellow-marked path leads you through the rocky landscape and brings you to a beautiful viewpoint from which you can look out over the Connecticut River Valley. In recent years, overgrown trees have obscured the view from spring to autumn, but if you arrive at a time when the trees are bare, the view is