Travel to MGM Springfield - A New England Casino

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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. 

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

End of Summer Vacation with Tenth Street Hats

Thank you Tenth Street Hats for Sponsoring this Post

Farewell to Summer with Tenth Street Hats

Tenth Street Hats - Style Challenge

First of all, can we give a big round of applause to the Royal Family for the huge comeback in hats! Ever since Kate Middleton's wedding there has been such a resurgence in millinery fashions, and our favorite new Royal, Meghan Markle, is also championing the cause! 

As a little girl, I remember my mom always wearing such stylish hats with every outfit. I also remember getting special hats myself to wear for holidays, especially Easter, along with a new spring dress and spring coat. 

And nowadays, I find ANY reason I can to wear a hat, like a visit to Saratoga Race Track or even a Royal Wedding.

When Tenth Street Hats reached out to challenge me to select a hat to style, I jumped at the opportunity! With a New England travel tour already on my schedule, I knew I'd have plenty of opportunities and NEEDS for a hat.

Traveling through three of the five New England States, we spent most of our time in sunny New Hampshire and Vermont touring antique shops, local attractions, and eating our share of great food throughout each state! We also did plenty of sightseeing, which meant plenty of time out in direct sun. A hat was definitely in order!

For my style challenge, I selected the Hokkaido from Tenth Street. The Hokkaido is a wide brim women's boater hat made with a natural straw fiber. I knew it would be casual enough that it would see plenty of wear, and yet, I could dress it up enough for church, a summer garden wedding, or to wear to my beloved Saratoga. It had a gorgeous baby blue grosgrain ribbon, and a cute little bumble bee adorning the bow.

Tenth Street was founded in 1921 by Jack Dorfman and Arthur Hyman. The Tenth Street name is from the original warehouse on 10th Street and Broadway in Oakland, California. The company is known for their blend of a vintage feel with modern sensibilities. Almost 100 years later, they remain a family-run organization.

First up, a casual look. Perfect for my breakfast meetup with friends, shopping, and sightseeing throughout New England.

Shopping Excursion in Lebanon New Hampshire

Hat: c/o Tenth Street
Top: Roz & Ali
Jeans: Nordstroms
Purse: Amazon Fashion

Town Green in Lebanon New Hampshire
Hat:  c/o Tenth Street
Top: Roz & Ali 

Sightseeing in Lebanon New Hampshire
Hat: c/o Tenth Street
Top: Roz & Ali
Jeans: Nordstroms
Purse: Amazon Fashion

Next up, we take it up a notch, but easy breezy none the less. 

This is a great look for brunch with friends, church, or a little garden party I attended at our bed and breakfast.

In Lebanon New Hampshire
Hat: c/o Tenth Street
Dress: Jessica Howard for Dillards
Purse: Amazon Fashion

In Lebanon New Hampshire
Hat: c/o Tenth Street
Dress: Jessica Howard for Dillards
Purse: Amazon Fashion

I just loved my weekend away exploring all that New England has to offer!  I hope you enjoyed my style challenge looks with Tenth Street.

Tenth Street Hats 
Designer hats, made the old way, sold the new way. 
Hats for both men and women!
Find them online at https://tenthstreethats.com/

This post was sponsored by Tenth Street Hats, but all opinions are my own.

©  Home Place 2018

MGM Springfield - Coming in 2018

MGM Resorts to Debut 

New England Luxury Gaming Resort in Late 2018

$960 Million MGM Springfield Marks Largest Private Investment in Western Massachusetts

It's coming! Expanding its presence on the East Coast, MGM Resorts will debut MGM Springfield, the Commonwealth’s first integrated luxury resort and entertainment destination, in Q3 2018. The $960 million project will celebrate Springfield’s rich heritage while establishing its role as the gateway to New England.

As the largest private investment in the history of Western Massachusetts, MGM Springfield is at the forefront of the burgeoning revitalization of Springfield, primed to attract thousands of new travelers from the region and beyond.

It's said the property will span 14 acres and three blocks within the heart of the historic city. Igniting a cultural and economic renaissance, the development will encompass a 250-room boutique hotel, gourmet dining options, well-curated retail stores, tranquil spa facilities, more than 125,000 square feet of gaming space and an 8,000-seat entertainment and events venue via a partnership with MassMutual Center. Interactive entertainment elements such as a contemporary cinema, bowling complex, seasonal skating rink and an outdoor marketplace spotlighting local art, events and talent will round out the resort’s offerings.

MGM Springfield’s design will fuse modern construction with historical buildings—including First Spiritualist Church, Springfield Armory and Chandler Union Hotel—to pay tribute to the city’s revered past while delivering entirely new experiences for guests. Serving as an integral part of the community, its retail and dining options will accessible via Main Street, allowing visitors easy access between the property’s shops and restaurants and other Downtown Springfield attractions.

A Glimpse into MGM Springfield:

·         Accommodations – MGM Springfield’s six-story boutique-style hotel will be a whimsical-yet-sophisticated retreat. Design details—including factory-style paned glass and Edison bulb fixtures—will harken to Springfield’s industrial roots, while eclectic artwork will evoke the locale’s creative iconography, visually referencing Dr. Seuss, Emily Dickenson and Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

• Retail – New England’s own Kringle Candle is the first partner to announce new boutique locations within MGM Springfield’s curated shopping collection. The much-anticipated retail lineup will animate MGM Springfield’s street-level with exciting offerings, creating a vibrant interface with Springfield’s revitalized downtown experience.

·         Art – Woven through all elements of the resort, a public art program will feature a captivating collection of commissioned and hand-selected pieces, including an exclusive exhibit developed in partnership withSpringfield Museums: “Cabinet of Curiosities: Springfield Innovations from the Springfield Museums.” The specially curated exhibition will embody the enterprising legacy of Springfield, showcasing turn-of-the-century objects such as a 1925 Edison Western Union Stock Ticker, a 1915 Springfield-made Telegraphone, an 1895 Edison Home Phonograph, thoughtfully placed throughout the resort.

·        Food & Beverage - MGM Springfield will offer an array of food-and-beverage spots, including MGM's signature TAP Sports Bar, the bustling South End Market off Main Street and numerous new-to-market concepts ranging from specialty restaurants and fast-casual venues to in-room dining.

·         Entertainment – The 8,000-seat MassMutual Center is MGM Springfield’s official entertainment venue, serving as the home for large-scale conventions and events along with its 100,000-square-foot convention center. As one of the world’s leading presenters of live entertainment, MGM Resorts International will leverage its pipeline of global relationships to attract first-rate events, reinforcing the city’s reputation as the region’s premier entertainment hub. MGM Springfield also will partner with other local venues such as Symphony Hall.

• Open-Air Plaza – Inspired by the classic New England town common, MGM Springfield will create a lively outdoor plaza and thriving public space, with the iconic Revolutionary-War-era Springfield Armory at the center. The historic United States arsenal will offer a remarkable backdrop for an open-air marketplace, which will offer live events, local artisans, a weekly farmers market and seasonal programming including an outdoor ice rink. The plaza will become the anchor for the neighborhood’s pedestrian crowd, encouraging guests to explore the many local businesses and historical sites nearby.
• Enjoyment for all – Extending from the outdoor plaza, the resort will offer several multi-use amenities, including an eight-screen movie theater complex; 10-lane bowling center; serene spa; and an 8,000-square-foot pool situated within a terraced rooftop garden.

·         Meetings & Events – In addition to large-scale convention capabilities at MassMutual Center, MGM Springfield will offer approximately 44,000 square feet of meeting-and-event space to accommodate events ranging from business to social gatherings.

• Casino – An expansive, 125,000-square-foot gaming floor will feature approximately 2,550 slot machines, 120 gaming tables, a poker room and high-limit VIP gaming area for a variety of experiences.

Located approximately 80 miles west of Boston, Springfield boasts a 375-year legacy as a major crossroads of New England. Among the city’s numerous draws are the Basketball Hall of Fame—a shrine to the sport in its founding locale—and The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, a recently debuted interactive center devoted to literary great and Springfield native Theodor Geisel.

Immediate access to Interstate 91 and the Mass. Pike, as well as nearby Bradley International Airport in Hartford and the Amtrak-serviced Union Station, make MGM Springfield well connected and accessible to local and global audiences

In the coming months, MGM Springfield will unveil more details about the offerings and amenities available to guests. For more information, visit mgmspringfield.com. 

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! 

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.

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

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 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.

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