Showing posts with label Massachusetts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Massachusetts. Show all posts

Friday, May 31, 2019

Travel to MGM Springfield - A New England Casino

Social Media Promotion: Sponsored  

MGM Resorts in Springfield MA


In mid-May we had the opportunity to spend a few days at one of New England's newest hotel and resort casinos, MGM Springfield, which opened in 2018 in Springfield Massachusetts. 

MGM Springfield is owned and operated by MGM Resorts International,  known for fabulous hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. 


MGM Springfield - Home Place Travels
Welcome to MGM Springfield

Getting there? Easy peasy! Just a little over an hour from our home in Connecticut and it's right off I-91. I do mean right off - like about a block from the exit! 

Parking? Also easy! A self parking garage enters right into and is just steps from the casino. Valet parking service (approximately $28) is also available.

We began our stay with a tour of the property, learning about MGM's commitment to remaining true to the spirit of the area and attention to details for the full consumer experience.  MGM is bringing the best of the best to Springfield with their partnership with the MassMutual Center with shows like CHER (that I was lucky enough to attend back in April) - and AEROSMITH coming in August 2019.  

In addition, there's always SOMETHING fun going on site in 'The Plaza' on MGM Springfield's grounds, as well as the the ROAR: Comedy Club also located in the plaza in the old Springfield Armory on weekends.  The Plaza is an incredible outdoor dining and entertainment district that highlights the outdoor beauty of the hotel and casino.

 "MGM International believes entertainment is a fundamental human need" explained marketing director, Saverio Mancini.

We couldn't agree more! And no one fills that need for entertainment better than MGM! 


The Springfield Armory
Now the ROAR Comedy Club
Located in MGM Springfield's Plaza are



MGM Springfield
Plaza Seating Area
MGM Springfield
Conference Center Veranda

It was easy to see that MGM was dedicated to being true to the area's historic location and place in the Springfield community. Building in the area certainly helped the city with their rebuilding efforts after a devastating tornado. (In June 2011 a category EF3 tornado with 160 mph winds ripped through Springfield destroying over 500 buildings in downtown Springfield and the surrounding area). 


MGM Springfield Hotel Exterior

The company built slowly and intentionally, integrating a historically accurate architectural aesthetic that blends seamlessly into the downtown landscape. 


MGM Springfield
Interactive History of Springfield MA

MGM Springfield remains true to the spirit of the city known as the "City of Firsts" with its nod to the number of items first invented in Springfield (the game of basketball, American dictionary, Indian Motorcycles, and so much more) -- all in the place that was once the epicenter for precision manufacturing - and the birthplace of Dr. Seuss!


ROAR Comedy Club
and Patio Seating Area
MGM Springfield

The attention to detail throughout the hotel and casino is incredible! Both are decorated in an early twentieth century decor with beautiful textiles and warm tones. 

The design team scoured the area and the nearby Brimfield Antique Flea Market for historically accurate pieces that represent and replicate the industrial revolution era that the area is known for.

MGM Springfield
Hotel Lobby



MGM Springfield
Antiques and Artifacts
Hotel Lobby


MGM Springfield
Hotel Lobby
Reading Nook

There's even a Starbucks in the Lobby!

We loved our hotel room! It was so tastefully decorated and had a great view of downtown Springfield!



It had a cozy little seating area that was the perfect space for our morning 'in room' breakfast! 





After breakfast - we hit the shops! There are some great little places in the surrounding block, like Kringle Emporium.




Kringle Emporium specializes in candles, but also offers coffee, baked goods, soups, sandwiches, paninis, and salads. 


Candles Galore at
Kringle Emporium


Kringle's Friendly Staff

In addition, they offer milkshakes and spiked milkshakes! This one is the S'more Something - a decadent concoction with flambeed marshmallows, chocolate goodness, vodka, and graham crackers.

Spiked Milkshakes
at Kringles Emporium

After all our indulging we headed over to the Indian Motorcycle store where we loved all the memorabilia items - and of course, the display Indian cycles!


Indian Motorcycle Memorabilia


Actual Indian Motorcycles on Display!

After our shopping excursion we decided to head on over to the Tap Sports Bar for lunch.



Tap features loads of TVs to show all the sports events with a great 'sports bar' menu, an extensive beer selection, and a creative cocktail menu. It was a beautiful spring day - so we decided to eat on the outdoor patio!


Cocktails at Tap Sports Bar
MGM Springfield



Lunch at Tap Sports Bar
MGM Springfield


Want more options? Head over to the South End Market Place for a plethora of flavors Diner Favorites to Noodles to Lobster to Wine & Cheese --- and so much more! And it's open 24 hours!








If you're visiting on a Friday - make sure you stop into the plaza to enjoy "Food Truck Friday" where a variety of food trucks gather for some food and music and fun!




Food Truck Fridays
MGM Springfield Plaza

After lunch while the cowboy visited 'the slots' we headed over to the Salon for a well deserved pedicure! Not only does the hotel feature a full spa -- but they also feature a full service salon, with some great specials that sometimes come with a champagne perk!


MGM Springfield
Salon


Enjoy a bit of bubbly
with select services
MGM Springfield Salon


MGM Springfield Salon
Enjoying a Pedicure

After an afternoon shopping, relaxing, getting spoiled in the salon, and visiting the casino's gaming area, we headed out to dinner at Cal Mare.


The Cal Mare Restaurant

Cal Mare's chef, Michael Mina, fuses the authentic Italian coastal cuisine from the Amalfi Coast that he is know for, with New England's signature style. The marriage is a win-win!

Cocktails at the Cal Mare Restaurant
MGM Springfield

Cal Mare at MGM Springfield
Gnocchi




MGM Springfield
Cal Mare Restaurant
Lasagna

We ate soooo much that we needed to walk off our dinner, so we did some more strolling through the area and visited the gaming area. We ended our night over cocktails at MGM Springfield's Commonwealth Club where as the night goes on the music and fun gets pumped up!


MGM Springfield
Commonwealth Club


Commonwealth Club
Espresso Martini Nightcap

There's also a fun little hotel cocktail bar where drinks are found in a storybook menu and based on fairy tale names. 


Bibidi Bobbidity Booze Cocktail
MGM Springfield Hotel Lobby

Cocktails at the Hotel Lobby Bar
MGM Springfield

We loved our little getaway to MGM Springfield! We know you will too! We can't wait to visit again to enjoy more of all there is to do! 

Next time we're planning on indulging in their new BRUNCH BUFFET (!!), taking in a movie in their on premise Regal Theater, having fun with a little competitive bowling at the Tap Sports Bar, and taking in a show at the comedy club!

Hope we see you there!


MGM Grand

One MGM Way
Springfield, CT
https://mgmspringfield.mgmresorts.com/en.html

413.273.5000

Disclaimer: We were invited to MGM Springfield by members of the company's management and marketing team and portions of this post are sponsored. However, all views and opinions are our own.

©  Home Place 2019

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

MGM Springfield - May 2019 Highlights

MGM Springfield Kicks Off May with 
“Food Truck Fridays” and 
“Derby de Mayo Weekend” on Armory Square


Get ready for May fun at MGM Springfield where they are ready to  kick off a weekend of fun and fabulous festivities beginning on Friday, May 3 with the launch of “Food Truck Fridays” and “Derby de Mayo Weekend” on Armory Square.

“Derby de Mayo Weekend” kicks off at 11 a.m. with a performance by local cover band Feel Good Drift, lawn games and bites from “Food Truck Fridays” inaugural event. 

Guests can also enjoy TAP Sports Bar’s signature outdoor beer garden, which will be open for the first time this season. 

Then, on Saturday, May 4 at 4:30 p.m., Armory Square will transform into an outdoor viewing party for the highly anticipated horse race, the Kentucky Derby, as it plays live on the 330-square-foot marquee screen. The event also will feature live music and MGM Springfield’s three food trucks. 

It's not over yet! The party continues Sunday, May 5 starting at 1 p.m. with a Cinco de Mayo fiesta complete with a mariachi band and custom tequila bar.
And the weekend fun continues all summer!

It's still not over! Every week throughout the spring and summer, “Food Truck Fridays” will bring local eats to downtown Springfield from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

The culinary bonanza will include three original concept food trucks from MGM Springfield, serving tacos, gelato and Asian-inspired dishes. A variety of other popular food trucks from across the region, such as Wahlburgers, Hot Oven Cookies and Say Cheese, will be offered on a rotating schedule. 

Opening day of “Food Truck Fridays” on Friday, May 3 will include:
  • Guac This Way by MGM Springfield
  • Asian-Inspired Food Truck by MGM Springfield
  • Italian Gelato by MGM Springfield
  • Wahlburgers of Boston
  • Liberty Rock Tavern of Milford, Conn.
  • Holyoke Hummus of Holyoke, Mass.
  • Say Cheese of Worcester, Conn.
  • Hot Oven Cookies of Springfield, Mass.
  • Kona Ice of Stamford, Conn.
  • Palazzo of Springfield, Mass. 
  • Sweet Chili’s of Springfield, Mass. 

For more information on “Food Truck Fridays” and “Derby de Mayo Weekend” at MGM Springfield, please visit mgmspringfield.com

MGM Springfield

One MGM Way
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 273-5000

About MGM Springfield

MGM Springfield covers three city blocks in the heart of downtown Springfield, Mass. Igniting a cultural and economic renaissance in a historic New England city, the resort, which combines new construction with revived historic buildings, offers more than 125,000 square feet of gaming space, a 250-room boutique hotel on Main Street, superior spa services, diverse retail and inspired dining headlined by award-winning Chef Michael Mina’s Cal Mare. MGM Springfield also features the seven-screen Regal luxury cinema complex, bowling lanes, a seasonal skating rink and outdoor marketplace displaying local art, events and talent. MGM Springfield opened on August 24, 2018. For additional information, please visit www.mgmspringfield.com.

Wednesday, April 5, 2017

The Other Side of MA - Cocktails & Charcuterie at 30Boltwood

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Cocktails and Charcuterie

at 

30Boltwood at the Lord Jeffery Inn


One of my favorite things to do when on vacation is to take a mid-afternoon break from touring the local attractions and give my tired feet a rest and chill over some light snacks and cocktails. It's a way to relax and not feel so stressed from trying to fit so many things in - in a short amount of time. In addition, it gives us the opportunity to discuss upcoming plans and meet ups with traveling companions. And this trip to Hampshire County MA was no exception!

30Boltwood Entrance #OtherSideMA Photo property of CTLifestyles
Photo Courtesy Connecticut Lifestyles Magazine


Because the cowboy couldn't make this trip to Hampshire County MA, at the last minute, my friend Gayle stepped up to the plate making it a 'girls getaway' weekend. After a morning spent exploring the area, having lunch, and fitting in some museum time, we decided to take a break and catch up with friends Wendy and Greg from Connecticut Lifestyles Magazine, also visiting Amherst, at 30Boltwood Restaurant at the Lord Jeffery Inn.

The Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst MA
The Lord Jeffery Inn


Wendy and Greg had stayed in the area before so they gave us a mini tour of the beautiful Lord Jeffery Inn. This historic inn has been operating in Western Massachusetts since 1926. Fondly referred to as “The Jeff” it is the perfect choice for travelers seeking the quintessential New England experience.

The Lord Jeffery Inn in Amherst MA
The Sitting Room at "The Jeff"

We meandered into the attached restaurant, 30Boltwood, to get caught up on our evening plans and enjoy a bite to eat.

30Boltwood is a full-service restaurant, that emphasizes farm-to-table cuisine prepared with natural, farm-fresh local ingredients. We settled in at a cozy corner table and perused their cocktail menu.

30Boltwood at the Lord Jeffery Inn
30Boltwood at the Lord Jeffery Inn


Their cocktail menu was dubbed the "Naughty List" and contained some creative cocktails! I ordered the Devil Buddha made with Buddhas Hand Peublo Viejo, Egyptian Licorice Tea, Blood Orange Lime, and Chili Infused Agave, pictured bottom left. We enjoyed all the cocktails!


Cocktails from 30Boltwood's Naughty List
Cocktails from 30Boltwood's Naughty List


We were also offered a charcuterie plate, one of my favorite things to pair with afternoon cocktails! I mean really, what's better than cocktails and charcuterie when day drinking!

Charcuterie from 30Boltwood
Charcuterie from 30Boltwood



Cocktails and Charcuterie
Cocktails and Charcuterie


Copper Vessels at 30Boltwood
Copper Vessels at 30Boltwood



Dining Room at 30Boltwood
Dining Room at 30Boltwood



30Boltwood at the Lord Jeffery Room - Lantern
30Boltwood at the Lord Jeffery Room


Be sure to visit the Lord Jeffery Inn, either for an overnight stay, or simply to enjoy the fine food and drink at 30Boltwood! Both places are high on our list for a return trip to both spend a night in the beautiful inn and sample some more delicious food from their extensive menu.

We know you'll like it too!


The Lord Jeffery Inn

30Boltwood Restaurant

30 Boltwood Avenue
Amherst, MA 01002

Hotel Inn: http://www.lordjefferyinn.com/    Phone: (800) 742-0358
Restauranthttp://30boltwood.com/              Phone: (413) 835-2011



About Amherst MA


Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, in the Connecticut River valley. With a population of 37,819 (2010 census), it is the largest community in Hampshire County. The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.


Disclaimer: This visit was part of a trip sponsored in part by the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council, however all opinions are my own.


© Home Place 2017

Sunday, March 26, 2017

The Other Side of MA - at the Emily Dickinson Museum

Social Media Promotion
Portions of this trip were sponsored


The Emily Dickinson Museum


One of the first stops on our itinerary for the weekend to "the other side of MA" was a visit to the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst MA. My English lit classes were a VERY long time ago - so before we left I did a bit of research to refresh my poetic memory. I quickly found that one of my mom's favorite quotes to her bookworm daughter (me!) was Emily Dickinson's “To travel far, there is no better ship than a book.” 

It was the perfect way to start this  "girl's getaway" travel weekend that my friend Gayle and I, both avid readers, had embarked on! 


Emily Dickinson Museum Amherst MA
The Emily Dickinson Museum
"The Homestead"

The Museum offers several different guided tours of the Dickinson houses as well as an audio tour of the outdoor grounds. We began our visit to the Emily Dickinson Museum at the Tour Center which is part of the original 'Homestead' where Dickinson lived. The tour center includes a free exhibit about the publication of Emily Dickinson's poetry which is also located in the Tour Center. The Tour Center is open to the public - but tours beyond the lobby charge a fee.

Emily Dickinson Museum Amherst MA
About Emily Dickinson
From the Emily Dickinson Museum


Tours are scheduled regularly throughout the day.  Fees (see https://emilydickinsonmuseum.org/tours) and tickets are sold in the tour center's lobby on a first-come, first-served basis.  Tour size may be limited and visitors cannot reserve tickets in advance of the day of the visit unless a group tour has been pre-arranged.  The Museum is happy to arrange tours for groups (parties of six or more people). Reservations for group tours must be made at least two weeks in advance and are subject to availability.

For additional information about Group Tours, please visit https://emilydickinsonmuseum.org/group_tours

Emily Dickinson Museum Amherst MA
Emily Dickinson Museum

Unfortunately we weren't allowed to photograph anything beyond the museum's center but the tour we chose was titled "This Was a Poet" (from Dickinson's poem) and included the following:

  • a 45-minute guided tour of the Homestead (Emily Dickinson's house)
  • history of the home and Emily Dickinson by discussing her family, her education, and her poetry.
  • the parlors, library, and Dickinson's bedroom
  • an informal participatory reading of a few Dickinson poems

The museum notes that this tour is especially suitable for visitors who are new to Emily Dickinson, including families with small children.

Emily Dickinson Museum Amherst MA
Emily Dickinson Donor Statue
"I'm nobody, who are you?"
The line is from a short lyric poem
by Emily Dickinson first published in 1891

We especially found interesting the fact that the home was sold to a local Amherst family where it remained a private residence until Amherst College, recognizing Dickinson's growing literary prominence, purchased it for private tours, and a faculty residence. In 2003 the museum was created and it is currently in the process of renovating as well as refurbishing the home with artifacts consistent with the times. While none of the clothing or furniture in the rooms are Dickinson's they are true to the style of era.

Emily Dickinson Museum Amherst MA
I loved this beautiful Radiator
found in the Museum's Center

There is still much work to be done to bring the homestead to true museum quality stature - so the museum holds many fundraising events to help with costs. For information see https://emilydickinsonmuseum.org/events

For those visiting from Connecticut, the museum is about a 1.5 hour drive from my native New Haven CT and about an hour from Hartford CT. The museum is great place to visit for Dickinson fans when touring local colleges, other museums, and area attractions.

The area is a great destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway!  For more area attractions visit http://visithampshirecounty.com/

Emily Dickinson Museum

280 Main Street
Amherst, MA 01002
413-542-2154
https://emilydickinsonmuseum.org/

About Amherst MA


Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, in the Connecticut River valley. With a population of 37,819 (2010 census), it is the largest community in Hampshire County. The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Disclaimer: This visit was part of a trip sponsored in part by the Hampshire County Regional Tourism Council, however all opinions are my own.

© Home Place 2017
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