15 Best Things to Do in Longmeadow (MA)
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