SPRINGFIELD

Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States.Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern Mill River.

Museums

• Air Combat Museum

http://www.aircombatmuseum.org/

The Air Combat Museum was established to recognize, remember and pay tribute to both men and women veterans who operated, maintained and otherwise directly support America’s military aircraft, through the display of military aircraft.

• Springfield Science Museum

 http://www.springfieldmuseums.org/the_museums/science/

The origins of the Springfield Science Museum go back to 1859, the same year that Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species.

The Museum was established as the Springfield Ethnological and Natural History Museum, “a collection of specimens of natural history and a repository of arts and curiosities, a Museum, in fact, of curious or instructive objects.”The first collections were housed in a room in City Hall, then in the City Library building, and then in what is now the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum. In 1899, a new Museum of Natural History building opened.

 City Guides

• Springfield Illinois

http://www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/

Whether you’re looking for a time travel vacation with the family to explore the world of Mr. Lincoln, or just a great girls’ getaway weekend, there’s a special package just waiting for you. And, with new packages being added all the time, you’ll want to check back often.

 Celebrity Homes

• Vachel Lindsay Home

http://www.visit-springfieldillinois.com/Things-To-Do/Attractions/Details.aspx?id=47

The Vachel Lindsay House in Springfield, a national landmark. It was the birthplace and home of Vachel Lindsay, a poet who wrote in verses that were meant to be sung. He became part of the peotic renaissance movement in the 1910s along with fellow Illinois poets Carl Sandburg and Edgar Lee Masters. Among his most famous works include “Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan” (about William Jennings Bryans 1896 presidential campaign) and “Santa Fe Trail”. Increasingly reclusive and suffering from depression, he committed suicide in 1931 at the age of 52.

Acquired by the State of Illinois in 1991, the home recently reopened after an extensive, state-funded restoration project.

 Hotels and Resorts

• Courtyard Springfield

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/wassp-courtyard-springfield/

 You’ll find the new state-of-the-art lobby and rooms at our Courtyard Springfield VA hotel provides greater flexibility and choice. Located just 15 minutes from our nation’s capital, its monuments and museums, shopping and fine dining. Near important government facilities including The Pentagon, Quantico and Fort Belvoir, the Courtyard by Marriott Springfield keeps you in impressive surroundings. Our New Lobby features inviting, flexible spaces to work or relax, Upgraded Free Wi-Fi throughout and easy access to the latest news, weather and airport conditions via our GoBoard. Experience The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect., which provides healthy offerings in the morning, plus dinner service with cocktail selections in the evening. You’ll find outdoor spaces with seating, an indoor pool, fitness center, 24-hour self-serve business center and boarding pass printing station. Your stay at the Courtyard hotel is sure to be more comfortable, more productive and more enjoyable than ever before.

• Hampton In Springfield

 http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/virginia/hampton-inn-springfield-WASSPHX/index.html

Stay in the heart of Springfield at the Hampton Inn Springfield hotel. Located a short walk from Springfield Mall, our hotel is near a vibrant mix of shops and restaurants. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Washington, D.C. are just 25 minutes away. Spend leisurely days shopping and dining at the mall or try hiking, biking or fishing by nearby Lake Accotink. Enjoy our free shuttle service to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station.

Points of Interest

• Inaugural Journey

http://www.planonspringfieldil.com/seeanddo/sites_attractions/site/558/lincoln-depot

Just two blocks distant from the Lincoln Home, the place still carries the imprint of an uncommon common man heading off to meet his destiny. Lincoln never returned until his funeral train bore him back through this same terminal. An associate remembered, “Others have gone forth to power and fame with gladness and with song. He went forth prayerfully as to a sacrifice.”

The Depot contains restored waiting rooms (one for ladies and one for the luggage and tobacco-spitting men), exhibits of people and places dear to Lincoln, and a state-of-the-art video presentation recreating the 12-day journey to his inauguration.

• Southwind Parkw

 http://www.southwindpark.org/

Southwind Park is a National Model Park.  Our unique 80 acre state-of-the-art park serves as a national model by providing a new dimension of inclusion for all people, “without boundaries.”  We’ve gone beyond full compliance of the American Disabilities Act, with a special emphasis and attention given to individuals with physical and cognitive needs.  Take a stroll on our 2.5 miles of urban trails.  Play a game of bocce ball or shuffleboard on our sports courts near the Hope Family Picnic Pavilion.  Enjoy the music and light show at the Selvaggio Historic Arches.  Walk, stroll or roll up the ramping system to the fully accessible Treeless Treehouse.  Bring the family out and play on Springfield Park District’s largest accessible playground.  Grab your poles because our lake outside Erin’s Pavilion is filled with catfish, bluegill and bass!  There is something to do for everyone and for all ages in our 80 acre park.  As we grow, watch for more exciting things and events to come.

Design Shops

• Consign & Design

http://consignanddesignspringfield.com/

Consign & Design is your one-stop consignment shop in Springfield, IL. We accept floral displays, candles, fine jewelry armoires, and more. All items must be in top condition – free of stains, rips or tears, odors from smoke, or chips. Bring in your items and receive 50% of everything we sell for you! Your consignment is very important to us.

• Rose Diamonds Custom Design & Repair

 http://rosediamonds.wordpress.com/

Stop by either of our two locations for FREE jewelry cleaning & prong inspection everyday! Rose Diamonds Custom Design & Repair specializes in custom jewelry design & speedy repair service completed in our “open vision” repair center. We also offer appraisals, engraving, pawn service, & gold buying and trade in.

Galleries

• Good Girl Art

http://www.goodgirlartgallery.com/

Good Girl Art Gallery came to life as the result of the yearnings of two artists for a place where contemporary, compelling non-mainstream artwork could be shown.

Good Girl Art now represents over 40 artists, local and those non-local usually have a connection to Springfield. Artist made items include such mediums painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, furniture, card art and vintage hand made clothing and handbags. There is an interesting mix of boutique items ranging from limited edition out of print books (a signed Andy Warhol!) to unexpected action figures (Jane Austen, her quill pen in hand) to Kosher, Matzo Ball soap. In other words, art is innate at Good Girl Art in that the idea of the items available is art unto itself.

• Josh Mitchell  Fine Art Gallery

http://joshmitchell.com/gallery.php

Josh Mitchell fine art photography specializes in large canvas and archival paper prints – dynamic in their composition and wall presentation. In both black and white and full color media, Josh allows the subject and the statement to speak dramatically. His work is featured in upscale galleries both on the west coast and the midwest with buyers ranging from interior designers to private collectors.

Josh Mitchell Giclee Prints are archival and treated with a special UV protective coating to ensure longevity. Please feel free to call for any additional information on the printing process or to see other interpretive images in the collection.

Country Club Living

• Illini Country Club

https://www.illinicc.net/default.aspx

For over 100 years Illini Country Club has sustained a tradition of enriching the lives of its members and families by providing the finest in dining, social and recreational amenities in a private club environment.

Located in the heart of Springfield, Illini Country Club’s family oriented philosophy, 18-hole championship golf course, 30,000 square foot clubhouse, tennis courts and pool complex make this the premier private club in the Central Illinois area.

Illini Country Club offers a variety of member dining options where members enjoy a diverse selection of foods and beverages from award winning Chef Robb Wyss. In addition, Illini also offers banquet facilities that can accommodate up to 300 guests.

The golf course enjoys a reputation as one of the best in the state and annually hosts a US Open Qualifier as well as other member and non-member golf tournaments.

Restaurants

• Chesapeake Seafood House

http://www.chesapeakeseafoodhouse.com/

Chesapeake Seafood House Chesapeake Seafood House is a Restaurant in Springfield, IL that has been doing business since 1983, specializing in Seafood Restaurant, Lobster Restaurant, Crab, Fine Dining, Steak House, Baby Back Ribs, Pasta, Chicken, Parties, and Banquets.

There is a fine lawn with stately old trees where departing guest may linger and perhaps imagine the old Bergen homestead with a young man reading Blackstone on a raining day.

• Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou

http://www.chefwaynes-bigmamou.com/

Welcome to Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou. Offering the best in Cajun dishes from Gumbo to Crawfish Etoufee. Where you’ll always find the Heat!  And while you are here, just.Laissez les bons temps rouler.  Let the Good Times Roll !!!

Spas

• Watson Wellness Center & Beauty Spa

http://watsonwellnessspa.com/

The Watson Wellness Center and Beauty Spa has its own special ambiance and vision of purpose. The concept for the spa is that it serves as a quality, intimate setting where guests can enjoy a luxurious, pampered experience. The spa serves as a kind of cozy, mini-retreat from the daily stresses and worries of life.

Quality is a key concept in thinking of the Watson Wellness Spa. Our goal is to provide top-notch service in an upscale environment using the best quality products and techniques. Our staff is highly experienced and has been specially selected to be professional and courteous. Our products are some of the best in the industry, especially our SkinCeuticals line of skin products. The Watson Wellness spa is the only spa in Western Mass that carries this exclusive skin line. When a guest leaves our spa, we want them to think of it as being more than just a good experience, we want them to think “Wow, what a wonderful experience!”

The ultimate goal for the Watson Wellness Center and Beauty Spa is to make health and beauty a priority in the life of each guest. Our greatest desire is that with each visit our guests will discover a healthier and more beautiful person within themselves.

• Mind Body Skin

http://www.mindbodyandskin.com/

Our mission here at Mind, Body & Skin is to assist you to maintain a balance in life. We offer a luxurious retreat from your day-to-day experiences coupled with professional mind, body and skin care. We invite you to join us on a path to wellness. After all, when mind and body are in balance we are truly healthy and this creates a shine from within that cannot be denied.

Luxury Properties

• Bean Group

http://www.beangroup.com/real_estate/listings/Homes/MA/Springfield/1688895

Magnificent waterfront home recently updated inside & out. Gorgeous views of the back grounds. 10 Room home plus separate 5 Room attached home for extended familyIn ground pool, extra lot included and art work thruout. The owner is an artist & home has all glass walls overlooking waterview. This home is beautifully appointed with marble flooring.

• Bean Group

http://www.beangroup.com/real_estate/listings/Homes/MA/Springfield/1579816

Spectacular brick home with all the charm of 1923 & all the amenities of 2012! Totally remodeled kitchen-marble counters/island,dining and sitting area, Viking stove, Bosch DW, full refrig & full freezer. High ceilings,magnificent woodwork and spacious rooms combine to make this one of the finest homes in Springfield.Interior has been totally redecorated/painted with a flair! A great place for the most lavish entertaining as well as a warm atmosphere for everyday living.Be the next proud owner!

Showrooms

• Ideal Kitchens – Leaders in home improvement

http://www.idealkitchens.us/photogallery.html