For 17 days in September, all of New England comes to West Springfield — at least figuratively. The western Massachusetts town hosts the Big E, an annual exposition that represents the best of New England’s six states. More than 1.5 million people come to the town of 28,000 people over two and a half weeks. Daily attendance can climb past 150,000, temporarily making West Springfield New England’s fourth-biggest city. Springfield resident Kathryn Taccone describes it as a three-week county fair. “They have parades that go through every day. There are buildings for the states where people can visit each state from New England and get the best food from each state.” It’s fitting the Big E sets up in West Springfield every year, as the town is within a two-hour drive of New England’s biggest cities, including Boston, Providence and Bridgeport. When the Big E is torn down and the crowds leave, West Springfield returns to being a small, quiet town steeped in history, only a bridge’s length from the much larger city of Springfield.
People stroll along a thoroughfare with beverages in hand at the Big E in West Springfield.
The Big E, a 2 week celebratory faire of all things New England, takes place in West Springfield
Folks ride the giant slide on burlap sacks at the Big E in West Springfield.
Harvest Day at the Big E in West Springfield celebrates New England businesses.
1/4
Local perks for the exposition and museums
Most Big E attendees travel from outside West Springfield, but there are benefits for locals. A couple of months before the exposition begins, dozens of food vendors offer sneak peeks of the snacks they’ll sell at the event, Taccone says. Plus, it’s advantageous to tour the Big E on a weekday, as the weekend crowds often clog Memorial Bridge, Route 5 and other roadways with traffic.
Museums are common in West Springfield and surrounding communities. On the south end of town, Storrowton Village showcases life in the 1700s and 1800s with preserved buildings from the period and costumed re-enactors. In Springfield, museums display fine art and commemorate the works of local author Theodor Geisel, who wrote under the pen name Dr. Seuss. West Springfield Public Library cardholders get free or discounted admission to seven of the area’s museums.
An oyster vendor prepares for a busy event at Harvest Day at the Big E in West Springfield.
Downtown Springfield is a short drive across Memorial Bridge for West Springfield residents.
Folks in West Springfield are a short drive from Springfield Museums in Springfield.
West Springfield Public Library cardholders get free or discounted tickets to museums.
1/4
Big-box shopping and a small but mighty burger joint
Supermarkets and big-box stores like Costco and T.J. Maxx draw shoppers from across the Springfield region to West Springfield’s Riverdale Street and Memorial Avenue. It’s not only chains along these two commercial drags. Memorial Avenue is home to White Hut, a tiny joint that sells simple hamburgers so popular, the recipe hasn’t changed since 1939.
More boutique shops and restaurants line Elm Street in the center of town. Businesses in the street’s small storefronts sell cocktails, bagels and pastries. A grassy strip called the Town Common runs through the middle of Elm Street. In the 1780s, farmers-turned-insurgents trained at the Town Common for Shay’s Rebellion, a failed uprising against the young American government. Nearly 250 years later, it’s where West Springfield hosts community events and town meetings.
Costco Wholesale is a ten minute drive from Chicopee Center for residents looking to stock up.
T.J. Maxx is a department store chain that sells brand-name clothing near Downtown Springfield.
White Hut in West Springfield is counter-service hut that sells hot dogs, burgers and more.
Elm Street in West Springfield has a small strip of land separating the street.
1/4
Antique homes by the Connecticut River
Historical homes are concentrated near the riverfront on the town’s southeast side. Nineteenth-century Victorians and multifamily homes, along with the occasional 1700s house, are packed together. Over the years, development moved westward and northward, with builders constructing the Colonial Revivals and ranch homes that populate many of West Springfield’s neighborhoods today. Rare examples of new construction are usually in the northernmost neighborhoods. A large levee system reduces the flood risk of most riverside homes. Still, there are small flood zones, so homebuyers should research their particular areas. The town’s median single-family price is $320,000, much lower than the Massachusetts median price of $650,000.
A sage green Victorian style home in West Springfield has a large wraparound porch.
Homes in West Springfield sell for a median price of $320,000.
Homes in West Springfield on average cost $226 per square foot.
Residents of West Springfield live near over 25 schools to send children to.
1/4
Mittineague Park headlines recreation options
The town’s Park & Recreation Department oversees a handful of green spaces; one of the most popular is Mittineague Park, where visitors play disc golf or hike over small waterfalls. The Park & Recreation Department also runs sports programs, such as swimming and basketball for kids and cornhole and pickleball for adults. Larger parks on the town's west and south edges, such as Robinson State Park on the Westfield River, offer forested hiking and mountain biking trails. Plus, there are seven golf courses within 10 miles of West Springfield.
The town enjoys warm summers and mild springs and autumns, but winter brings freezing temperatures and an average of 40 inches of snowfall. Some locals elect for snowy hikes through West Springfield’s parks, but there are indoor recreation options too. West Springfield Public Library hosts Lego clubs and video game nights for kids, and the actors at Majestic Theater are putting on plays most nights.
Folks in West Springfield can play disc golf at Mittineague Park.
Folks play catch in large field at Mittineague Park in West Springfield.
A person rides a mountain bike through the trails of Robinson State Park in West Springfield
The Majestic Theatre in West Springfield is a community performance-arts theater.
1/4
Early education programs at West Springfield Public Schools
West Springfield Public Schools oversees the town’s eight schools, with the district receiving a B grade from Niche. In addition to handling kindergarten through 12th-grade education, the district provides programs for kids under 6 years old. Families can bring their children to playgroups that meet weekly at Mittineague Park or join the Book Bunch program to build reading habits before kindergarten.
About 7% of students in West Springfield go to private schools. Notable private options include St. Thomas the Apostle School, a Catholic school for kindergartners through eighth graders, and Springfield Commonwealth Academy. The latter teaches sixth through 12th graders, getting an A-plus from Niche.
Fausey Elementary School is a public elementary school located in West Springfield, MA.
West Springfield Middle School is public middle school located in West Springfield.
St. Thomas the Apostle School is a private, Catholic school in West Springfield for grades PK-8.
Springfield Commonwealth Academy is a private school near West Springfield for grades 6-12.
1/4
Connectivity across New England
The floodwaters of the Connecticut River created rich soil that made West Springfield a fertile farming community. Few farms remain; instead, large shopping centers have sprouted, employing thousands in town. There are also small manufacturers, but it’s common for residents to commute across the river to Springfield, where hospitals and colleges are some of the biggest employers. Memorial Bridge crosses the Connecticut River and takes drivers to Springfield.
U.S. Route 5 and Interstate 91 lead from West Springfield to Hartford, a common commuting destination about 30 miles to the south. Interstate 90, also known as the Massachusetts Turnpike, passes through West Springfield on its way to Worcester, about 50 miles away, and Boston, 90 miles away. Pioneer Valley Transit Authority provides four bus lines for the town. The closest airport is Bradley International Airport, about 14 miles away in Connecticut.
Revitalization on the horizon
Construction of a new five-story hotel is underway off the Route 5 corridor. A developer purchased a dilapidated building in 2022 with plans to convert it into Flagship National Hotel, a 12,000-square-foot property with 102 rooms. West Springfield has also put forth a master plan for the town, with the bulk of it aiming to revitalize the downtown district by adding more shops, restaurants and attractions.
Memorial Bridge in West Springfield connects drivers to Springfield and beyond.
Although West Springfield isn't primarily an industrial hub, it still has manufacturing.
"YOUR REAL ESTATE PARTNER" is not just a tag line; it is how Bill does business! His interest in real estate began when he was 21 years old, and he purchased his first multi-family property. Over the subsequent years, he has been an owner and/landlord of single-family homes, condominiums and multi-family properties in Western MA and CT. He has also been a MA licensed Realtor since 2007 and licensed in CT since 2012. He utilizes his extensive background to assist his clients; buyers, sellers, property owners and investors achieve their real estate goals. He strongly believes that every real estate transaction needs to be a partnership between the client and their agent. Each person has specific roles to play in a successful transaction, but the basis to facilitate these roles is built on honest communication, mutual respect, and the alignment of goals. If this makes sense to you, LET'S TALK!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
