The Eastern States Exposition - "The Big E"

City / town · Massachusetts

West Springfield

The Eastern States Exposition - "The Big E"

Best timeMay–Oct
From you
Nearest airportBDL · 12 mi
On this page

Overview

West Springfield is a city (known as a town) in Hampden County in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts. Often referred to as West Side, West Springfield is just west of Springfield (Massachusetts), divided by the Connecticut River. West Springfield gained its independence from Springfield in 1774, with residents becoming tiresome of crossing the Connecticut River to attend town meetings. Today the town has a population of about 28,000. West Springfield is a beautiful town, in a great location of Hampden County.

1 things to do · 6 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 4 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about West Springfield

The Eastern States Exposition - "The Big E"

The Eastern States Exposition - "The Big E"

The six New England States' collective State Fair, held for 17 days each September. The Big E is the largest fair in New England, and the 6th largest agricultural fair in the United States. Attractions include fair vendo…

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Sep. (climate data from nearby Hartford)

Jan: 3.3 in rain3.3"Jan: high 36°F, low 19°F36°19°JanFeb: 3.1 in rain3.1"Feb: high 38°F, low 21°F38°21°FebMar: 3.8 in rain3.8"Mar: high 47°F, low 28°F47°28°MarApr: 3.9 in rain3.9"Apr: high 60°F, low 38°F60°38°AprMay: 3.8 in rain3.8"May: high 72°F, low 48°F72°48°MayJun: 4.3 in rain4.3"Jun: high 80°F, low 58°F80°58°JunJul: 4.2 in rain4.2"Jul: high 85°F, low 63°F85°63°JulAug: 4.2 in rain4.2"Aug: high 83°F, low 62°F83°62°AugSep: 4.4 in rain4.4"Sep: high 76°F, low 54°F76°54°SepOct: 4.5 in rain4.5"Oct: high 64°F, low 42°F64°42°OctNov: 3.5 in rain3.5"Nov: high 52°F, low 33°F52°33°NovDec: 4.1 in rain4.1"Dec: high 41°F, low 25°F41°25°Dec

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

  • From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
  • BDL Bradley International Airport, Hartford — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
  • ORH Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester — 40 mi away. Directions

By car

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

    Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

    Photos

    The Eastern States Exposition - "The Big E"West Springfield

    Map

    Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

    Get in

    By car

    West Springfield is accessible from the east and west via the Massachusetts Turnpike (U.S. I-90) and U.S. Route 20. It is accessible from the east and west by U.S. I-91 and U.S. Route 5.

    By plane

    Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Windsor, Connecticut is the closest major airport. Take U.S. I-91 north from the airport.

    By train

    Amtrak service is available to adjacent Springfield.

    Get around

    A car is the best way to travel in West Springfield. Downtown West Springfield has ample free street parking, with the post office, library, and other city offices within walking distance.

    Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) provides service sporadically throughout West Springfield. Rate: One-Way $1.25, Transfer $0.25, One Day Pass $3.00, Week Pass $12.50. +1 413 781-7882. http://www.pvta.com/

    Yellow Cab service by phone call +1 413 739-9999.

    Do

    The Eastern States Exposition - "The Big E"

    Do The Eastern States Exposition - "The Big E"

    The six New England States' collective State Fair, held for 17 days each September. The Big E is the largest fair in New England, and the 6th largest agricultural fair in the United States. Attractions include fair vendors, a small circus, musical performers, agricultural exhibits and competitions, carnival games and carnival rides, a small collection of historic buildings known as Storrowton Village, and state buildings for each of the New England states featuring local products and vendors.

    📍 1305 Memorial Av, West Springfield.☎ +1 413 737-2446
    MapsWebsite

    Storrowton Village, 305 Memorial Avenue, located on the Big E fairgrounds . Storrowton Village is a small collection of antique buildings. Schedule varies, open for group tours by appointment year round.

    Buy

    Shop Stop and Shop

    Supermarket in the northeastern section of West Springfield. Great prices on both name brand and store brand products. "Gas Points" are accrued with each purchase, and can be used to reduce the gas price at the Stop and Shop gas station in Chicopee.

    📍 935 Riverdale Street🕒 7AM-10PM☎ +1 413-737-8770
    MapsWebsite

    Shop Big Y

    Independently-owned supermaket chain in the southeastern section of West Springfield.

    📍 503 Memorial Ave. Suite 1☎ +1 413 746-0999
    MapsWebsite

    Shop Daddy's Junky Music

    Music shop to buy new and used equipment. Great place to trade-in old or unused gear.

    📍 935 Riverdale Street☎ +1 413 737-4443
    MapsWebsite

    Eat

    Eat On the Border

    MexicanAmerican

    Terrific Mexican grill. Bottomless chips and salsa, delicious margaritas, and great food. Request a bag of chips and salsa to go.

    📍 1228 Riverdale Street☎ +1 413 788-5150
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Drink

    Sleep

    Stay Hampton Inn West Springfield

    Close to Riverdale Shops, the Holyoke Mall, the Big E, and Six Flags New England. Right off I-91.

    📍 1011 Riverdale Street☎ +1 413 732-1300
    MapsWebsite

    Stay Candlewood Suites West Springfield

    Good rates, close to Riverdale Shops, the Holyoke Mall, the Big E, and Six Flags New England. Right off I-91.

    📍 572 Riverdale Street☎ +1 413 739-1122
    MapsWebsite

    Stay Red Roof Inn West Springfield

    Good rates, close to Riverdale Shops, the Holyoke Mall, the Big E, and Six Flags New England. Right off I-91.

    📍 1254 Riverdale Street☎ +1 413 731-1010
    MapsWebsite

    Go next

    Hampden County has a lot to offer, and West Springfield is very close to all of the major attractions.

    • Six Flags New England, 1623 Main Street, +1 413 786-9300, . Located about 10 minutes south of West Springfield in Agawam, MA, Six Flags is the largest theme park in New England. General Admission tickets are $44.99. Save $10 by buying your tickets online. Season pass is $59.99, so if you live in the area and plan on going more than once, a season pass is the way to go.
    • The Basketball Hall of Fame, 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, +1 413 781-6500, . Located just over the Memorial Bridge in Springfield, MA, the Basketball Hall of Fame is a great museum for basketball fans of all ages. There are many fun things for children, including a sportscast desk in which you are filmed reading a breaking sports story and can watch after. It does a great job of bringing you through the history of basketball, with amazing artifacts. Adults $16.99, Seniors $13.99, Ages 5 - 15 $11.99, 4 and under Free. Show your AAA Card or your Big Y Express Savings Club Card and save on admission.

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