Hampden: Nature, Culture and Unique Experiences

Hampden brings together natural attractions, museums, and a distinctive sports history. Travel ideas range from forest trails and water activities to dinosaur footprints in sandstone and collections exploring industrial and cultural history. You can plan your time around scenery, outdoor activities, or particular interests—or combine several of them.

Forests, Water, and Trails

Forest Park is a 735-acre urban park in Springfield. Its zoo is home to more than 225 native and non-native animals; the animal population may change. More than 900 trees have been mapped and cataloged at the Forest Park Arboretum. Over 200 are labeled with their common and scientific names, offering a way to appreciate the trees not only as part of the landscape, but also as individual species.

The trails also vary in character. Chester-Blandford State Forest has trails for hikers and walkers of all experience levels. At Chicopee Memorial State Park, you can hike and bike year-round, and swim in the Chicopee Reservoir. Hampton Ponds State Park offers a different focus: boating, canoeing, and kayaking are available on its pond.

Otis Reservoir in Tolland State Forest covers 1,065 acres. A boat ramp there accommodates boats up to 24 feet long. The state forest also has a campground with a beach and restroom facilities. Reservations are required for the campground; the restroom facilities are for campers. This combination of open water, a boat ramp, and camping makes Tolland State Forest especially appealing to travelers who want to spend time on the water.

In Holyoke, Mount Tom State Reservation rises as a traprock ridge above the Connecticut River. Dinosaur Footprints reveals a very different geological trace: this eight-acre site preserves 200-million-year-old dinosaur footprints on exposed sandstone. Tracks from four different dinosaurs, as well as stromatolites, fish, an alligator ancestor, and plants, are visible on-site. Sanderson Brook Falls offers another distinctive natural scene: the 60-foot, multi-tiered waterfall is accessible via a short footpath from a forest road.

Animals and Attractions

Lupa Zoo is a 20-acre conservation and education facility. Its endangered-species enclosures recreate natural habitats. Here, the focus is not solely on observing animals, but also on how habitat design draws on the natural environments of the species.

Six Flags New England offers more than 100 rides, shows, and attractions, including 12 roller coasters. The selection includes family rides ranging from gentle adventures to high-thrill rides; the rides and figures may change. Hurricane Harbor is the Six Flags New England water park, featuring wave attractions and cabanas. Visitors focused on amusement-park fun can choose from a variety of attractions.

History, Collections, and Sports

Springfield Armory National Historic Site preserves and interprets the world’s largest historical collection of U.S. military small arms. The Main Arsenal houses a museum about the history of its workers, technological innovation, and the development of firearms. The museum collections include more than 13,000 cataloged objects and archival holdings. Exploring the collection can also offer insight into the history of labor and technological development.

Wistariahurst adds to the cultural offerings with an educational and cultural program of workshops, concerts, lectures, and demonstrations; individual programs vary. The grounds and gardens cover three acres and include historically inspired and restored gardens. In Holyoke, the antique Holyoke Merry-Go-Round preserves hand-carved and painted horses. The International Volleyball Hall of Fame showcases more than 5,000 square feet of volleyball history and honors more than 160 inductees from 25 countries; the number of honorees may grow.

Springfield is another place to explore sports history. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s 1891 Gallery traces the origins of basketball there on December 21, 1891. The Hall of Honor recognizes players, coaches, contributors, referees, and teams. At the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams, players of all ages are invited to test their basketball skills and show what they can do. Together, these spaces take visitors from the origins of the sport, through recognition of those who contributed to it, to an interactive experience on the court.

Discover more destinations: West Springfield, Chicopee, Holyoke, Westfield, Wilbraham, Ludlow, Wales, Agawam, Springfield.

For the regional travel overview: Massachusetts.