Springfield, MA?

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Joined
Jun 13, 2008
Messages
3,250
Location
Central Jersey
Seems like a nice place for folks in the Northeast to take advantage of the shuttles to rack up a few more AGR points, so is it a decent place to spend a couple of hours? Are there things to see or places to eat within walking distance of the station?
 
Never been there by train, except to pass thru on the LSL, so I don't know the area around the station. A better place (and less for the same amount of points) is Hartford, CT. It's right downtown.

Even better places (and even less costs) are Meriden or IIRC Wallingsford, CT. The later has a pizza place within a block!
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(Be aware that these stations are un-staffed on the weekends, so you must call and say you'll pick them up elsewhere - otherwise they will mail the tickets to you!)
 
IIRC, basketball was invented by the YMCA in Springfield. Don't know if they have a museum or not. My favorite non-Amtrak stop is Wilbraham, home of Friendly's Ice cream.
 
IIRC, basketball was invented by the YMCA in Springfield. Don't know if they have a museum or not. My favorite non-Amtrak stop is Wilbraham, home of Friendly's Ice cream.
Stephen:(Jay) The Basketball Hall of Fame is in Springfield! (I haven't been yet but it's on the Bucket List!) Google up Springfield, I'm sure there's lots of info out there! Ive only been through on the Train also but next time I'm in New England I'll check it out! (if I get a free Hotel @ chez traveler east! :lol: :lol: :lol: )
 
The Basketball Hall of Fame is indeed in Springfield. It is located on the west side of downtown along I-91. AFAIK, the train station is on the east side of Springfield. I don't know how far or easy it is to get to.
 
I went up there on Saturday afternoon for a couple hours. It was an interesting place to spend a couple of hours. I walked to the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden. There were a few museums one could check out if they had more time. On the way back I came across a bakery with some hot fresh bread that made for a pleasant surprise. I think next time I'll check out Hartford, CT.
 
I went up there on Saturday afternoon for a couple hours. It was an interesting place to spend a couple of hours. I walked to the Dr. Seuss sculpture garden. There were a few museums one could check out if they had more time. On the way back I came across a bakery with some hot fresh bread that made for a pleasant surprise. I think next time I'll check out Hartford, CT.
Doesnt sound like the town was overun with hot babes Stephen! :lol: Dont think Hartford is either, there's lots of Insurance offcies there! ^_^ Since your so close to NYC why not day trips into the city,or even Philly, there's plenty to do there even if youve been a million times! :cool:
 
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Because by going to Springfield and/or Hartford you do an across the platform transfer to the shuttle (train) at NHV. It has a separate train number, thus another 100 points!
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By going to NYP, you earn 200 points RT, while SPG or HFD earns 400 points RT!
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Because by going to Springfield and/or Hartford you do an across the platform transfer to the shuttle (train) at NHV. It has a separate train number, thus another 100 points!
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By going to NYP, you earn 200 points RT, while SPG or HFD earns 400 points RT!
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And so sayeth the AGR Guru! Youre right Dave, just not much to do, sort of like going to Taylor on a Points run! :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
I would second the suggestion for Wallingford. I have some family that lives there and it is a very cute little downtown with some restaurants. The train station is downtown and they have a farmer's market there on Saturdays during the summer. The station IS unstaffed and with no QT, so make sure you get your return ticket from your origination point. You can also walk up the hill to the campus of Choate Rosemary Hall, a quintessential New England boarding school. It is a pretty campus with some buildings designed by IM Pei.
 
I would like to go to Springfield during the Big E but have never really looked into accomodations and how easy it would be to get between the train station, a hotel, and the Big E.
 
If you are going up that way, both Wallingford ct and Berlin CT have pleasant downtown with diners, and pizza parlors and small parks. Nothing spectacular, but nonetheless pleasant

I have always enjoyed that as you head out of New Haven towards Vermont, you feel the pull of the north, of the cool air, the blue sky, and a landscape where birch and and hemlock trees become more numerous.. It is not the beauty of California or Colorado, but on its own terms it is lovely
 
I am bringing up this thread again because I am thinking of going to the Rail Users Network meeting in Springfield, MA, on October 13. I will be up in CT visiting my cousins that week, so it seems like a no-brainer to go half an hour up the road. Although I don't live in CT, I visit a lot up there, both in central CT and on the coast, so am interested in any updates to transit there.

I am thinking of keeping my hotel in Windsor, CT, and going up and back on either the Amtrak shuttle or the new CTrail. The meeting is from noon to 5:00, and it looks like a very short walk to the meeting place from the station. However, from Google maps, it also looks a bit deserted/industrialized, and I'm not sure how safe it would be to walk, especially coming back to the station in the evening (the meeting is on Congress Street, and it's about a 4-minute walk from the station).

Anyone have any experience/advice on this area?

Also, any AUers from New England going? (If so, I'd love to meet you.
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Bound to be Uber,Lyft or Local Taxis Patty.

Sorry I can't provide info, but there probably will be others going to the meeting that will use Rail and be willing to accompany you for the short walk?
 
Wonderful, daybeers!
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I will PM you when the date is closer and tell you what I'm wearing so you can recognize me. Maybe we can say hello at the refreshment break.

Jim,

According to Google maps, it's only a 4-minute walk, so I should be fine. I may leave before the end, though, so I can come back to the station when it's still light.
 
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A new MGM Casino has recently opened.  It is close to the train station. 
 
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