Bright Nights at Forest Park
There really is no place like home for the holidays, and even though I’ve lived in New Hampshire for thirty one years (!), Springfield Mass is still “home”. My very favorite thing to do around the holidays is to visit Forest Park in Springfield for their famous “Bright Nights at Forest Park”.
This 735 acre park has been a landmark in Springfield since the late 1800’s and is worth a trip any time of year. But for THE BEST lights display, head to the park between 11/21 and 1/1/13. For a small fee, you can pack your car with as many people as will fit and drive through a 2.6 mile route lined all around with lighted displays. Some are actually cleverly timed so they look alive (my favorite is the deer leaping across the road, or maybe it’s the frog jumping into the pond, but I do love the kids sledding down the hill…hmm can’t pick).
Add to the atmosphere by tuning in your radio to a special station that plays Christmas music (the station is listed as you enter the park) then stop at the snack area for a hot chocolate and salted pretzel (sweet and salt – is there a better combination?).
My last recommendation for the perfect outing is to have your dinner at Red Rose Pizzeria on Main Street in Springfield – great food, fun atmosphere, and another Springfield landmark.
Here are the links; check them out, get directions, pack your car, head to Springfield, and have a really great time!
http://brightnights.org
http://www.redrosepizzeria.com