Hi, I am traveling from Albany to Boston by train as part of a trip to the US. As we will be passing through Springfield when the Big E is on, we thought we might stop off for a night there. We would like to ideally stay somewhere relatively close to the Springfield Amtrak as we plan to arrive in the evening, stay one night, go to the Big E and get the train to Boston that evening, picking up our bags in the hotel on the way to the station. Could anyone recommend a place to stay that fits this and is relatively nice and comfortable. We hope to find something for under $150 dollars, that need not be luxurious but is reasonably nice. (It would also work if it was a bit outside but provided shuttles/was not too expensive by taxi to reach the Big E/ Amtrak).

Would really appreciate any guidance as I am not familiar with the area at all.

Thanks!

There isn't much for hotels in Springfield. I would probably stay at the hotel next to the Basketball Hall of Fame. There was a damaging tornado that damaged a lot in Springfield and was right in this area. I would imagine that shuttles probably run from this hotel(check on shuttles) to the Big E but you will need a taxi to get to the hotel as I would not walk that area.


Hilton Garden Inn Springfield is right next to the Hall of Fame. There are a lot of nearby restaurants / shops.

There are also a Marriot and a Sheraton downtown that are close to the Amtrak station (just a few blocks away) and easy access to the Big E which is across the river. Just a couple miles to the Big E so taxis should be fine if they don't have a shuttle.

If too expensive, try the City Place Inn and Suites, formerly the City Inn -- a little further out of the way for you, but not much.

Nearby in downtown is the Student Prince restaurant, which is well-recommended, although I have never been so can't speak from experience.

The Student Prince, serving traditional style German food in a relaxed setting (that's what their website says!):

http://studentprince.com/

They serve great German style food if that's your thing.

I've been to the Student Prince a couple times and liked the food there very much. It's traditional German fare, but done well. Another place I've liked in Springfield is Chef Wayne's Big Mamou, a Cajun place, which is a short walk from the Peter Pan bus station and Amtrak.

Both do very well with cuisines not found much in Massachusetts, in my experience, and put out eminently worthy eats. Boston has nothing of this caliber for either food type.

A Cajun place in Springfield??! I'm there, bachslunch!

ems: I hope you are not disappointed in the Big E.

Carnival rides, leather goods, stainless steel pots and pans, best in show, crafts, fried dough, sheep, cows, bunnies and chickens...What's not to like??!

I dislike the bigE, bowspirit, despite really enjoying most of the things you mention.
All are found with so much more charm and actual feel for the place they are in at innumerable actual small fairs throughout New England. Just in Western Mass, where the Big E occurs, there are fairs in Greenfield, Northampton , Belchertwon , Blandford and Cummington . Each of these has a different feel .

I am not a huge fan of the Big E either, jubilada. I much prefer some of the Apple Festivals and other fairs that are going on in various New England towns around the same time.

Bowspirit: do you go to the garlic festival in Orange?

No; never made it there. There's a garlic festival near one of the Finger Lakes at one of the vineyards that was kind of nice when we visited one July a few years ago. It was fun. When's the Orange garlic fest this year?

Thanks for the suggestions - much appreciated. For those who don't recommend the Big E, is there another Festival or Fair that you would recommend? We travel Albany to Boston on 28 or 29 Sept, flexible to stop anywhere on the way or go direct to Boston, and then have 10 days in Boston with a friend. We will have access to a car at the weekends only. If there are any suggestions for day trips, fairs, festivals etc. (accessible by train) I would be delighted to hear them! At the moment, besides the big e, we are thinking Salem, Cape Ann and North Conway. Thanks for all of the help!

Garlic festival is Oct 1 and 2 this year.

Plymouth is not a bad place to explore.

Got the Sheraton on Priceline...thanks for all of the advice! It will be something different to see the Big E anyhow...will probably be my only time passing through Springfield.

ems: consider eating at the Big Mamou, cajun food.