Summary
Located on the border with Connecticut, Agawam is situated just across the Connecticut River from the city of Springfield.
The primary attraction in Agawam is Six Flags New England, the largest theme park in the region, offering rides suitable for all ages alongside an extensive water park.
Additionally, Agawam is adjacent to the fairgrounds for the Eastern States Exposition, a multi-state fair that draws nearly 1.5 million attendees each September.
Visitors can enjoy a diverse range of activities in Agawam, from hiking along impressive traprock ridges to mountain biking on professional-grade trails, golfing at picturesque courses, and exploring Springfield for a rich historical and cultural experience at the Quadrangle.
1. Six Flags New England
Agawam is home to the largest and most frequented theme park in New England, situated on a riverside plot near the MA-CT boundary. Originally established as Gallup’s Grove in 1870, Six Flags New England is the oldest park in the Six Flags chain.
The park adopted its current name in 2000 and features over 60 attractions, including thrilling roller coasters.
Among the recent additions is the spinning roller coaster, The Joker, while the long-standing favorite is the Batman: The Dark Knight, which includes five inversions.
There are also over a dozen rides specifically designed for younger children, ranging from a miniature train to a ferris wheel, and adults will likely appreciate the historic 1909 Illions Carousel.
During October, the park transforms for Fright Fest, featuring roaming characters, a variety of shows, and five haunted attractions.
2. Hurricane Harbor
Access to the largest waterpark in the region is included with admission to Six Flags New England. Hurricane Harbor, which first opened in 1997, features nearly 20 attractions and continues to expand with new additions each season.
The two main attractions are the expansive wave pools, Commotion Ocean and Buccaneer Beach, each holding half a million gallons of water.
Visitors seeking high-speed thrills will enjoy rides such as the Typhoon Water Coaster, Bonzai Pipelines, Shark Attack, Typhoon, and Tornado, which features a massive funnel.
For a more leisurely experience, the 1,000-foot Adventure River offers a relaxing float, while Splash Island serves as a dedicated water park for younger guests, complete with its own wave pool and lazy river.
3. Eastern States Exposition (The Big E)
Agawam is directly across the Westfield River from the largest agricultural event held on the eastern seaboard, recognized as the fifth-largest fair in the United States.
Beginning 17 days after Labor Day, the Eastern States Exposition, first inaugurated in 1917, is a remarkable event of substantial scale.
Attracting 1.5 million attendees, The Big E features trade and consumer exhibitions, numerous agricultural competitions and demonstrations, a home design showcase, a boat show, and EASTEC, the largest machine tool exposition in the Northeast.
Additional attractions include concerts by well-known artists, amusement rides, a variety of classic fair food, and the permanent Avenue of the States, showcasing life-sized replicas of the six original New England statehouses alongside the New England Grangehouse.
Storrowton Village, located at the fairgrounds, is an outdoor museum encompassing nine relocated structures from the 18th and 19th centuries, open year-round.
4. Robinson State Park
Situated on Agawam’s northern border, Robinson State Park encompasses a long stretch of the Westfield River while providing access to the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, which will be discussed further below.
A significant feature of the 1,025-acre park is the extensive paved roadway that follows the river, ideal for family-friendly nature walks.
For cycling enthusiasts, Robinson State Park offers premier mountain biking opportunities with 20 miles of expertly designed and maintained trails.
These trails typically ascend the Feeding Hills, providing glimpses of the river below as you navigate the terrain.
5. Metacomet-Monadnock Trail
Running alongside Agawam’s borders with Southwick and Westfield is the Metacomet Ridge, a traprock fault formed approximately 200 million years ago, stretching close to the Connecticut River for over 100 miles.
For nearly the entire length of this ridge, the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail follows its contours, maintaining a nearly uninterrupted path along Agawam’s western boundary.
One of the most notable sections is Provin Mountain, where visitors can enjoy stunning views of the western Massachusetts landscape, as well as a panorama across the Connecticut River toward downtown Springfield.
6. Agawam Historical Association
The local historical society manages two fascinating historical structures in Agawam. Located at 251 N West St in the Feeding Hills area is the Thomas Smith House, which dates back to 1757 and is one of the city’s oldest homes.
This remarkable Georgian dwelling with a gambrel roof has preserved much of its original character, as it was not significantly modernized before being taken over by the Agawam Historical Association in 2002, making it a unique time capsule of 18th-century domestic life.
The society also oversees the Fire House Museum, housed in a building constructed in 1918. The first floor showcases a collection of vintage fire engines and firefighting equipment, while the second floor regularly features changing exhibits.
7. Pynchon Point
Located in the northeast section of Agawam, Pynchon Point provides access to the waters where the Westfield and Connecticut rivers converge.
From 1658 until 1879, this site served as the landing point for the ferry connecting Agawam and Springfield, with ferry services concluding after the construction of the first bridge.
This original bridge was replaced in 1954 by the current Julia B. Buxton Bridge. Pynchon Point is a favored locality for fishing, as well as for launching canoes and kayaks.
In addition to these activities, visitors can relish the view and enjoy a picnic in the nearby grove.
8. Golf
For golf enthusiasts, Agawam offers four golf courses within its boundaries, three of which are accessible to the public.
Crestview Country Club (281 Shoemaker Ln) lies right on the MA-CT line, boasting scenic vistas over the Pioneer Valley.
This 18-hole championship course is recognized as one of the top semi-private courses in the region, hosting PGA Tour qualifiers and LPGA tournaments.
The public Oak Ridge Golf Club (850 S Westfield St) is celebrated for its playability, providing a diverse mix of terrain with numerous water hazards.
Additionally, the 18-hole Agawam Municipal Golf Course (128 Southwick St) is noteworthy for its significant elevation changes, rolling greens, and stunning panoramas.
9. Agawam Axe House
If you have ever wished to try axe-throwing, Agawam provides a suitable venue. Established in 2018, the Agawam Axe House was one of the earliest locations of its kind in New England, making it an excellent place to engage with this emerging pastime.
Upon completion of a digital waiver, visitors can reserve a lane for one hour, accommodating 2 to 6 individuals. Newcomers will find reassurance in a lesson provided at the start, covering essential techniques and safety guidelines, along with a wide selection of axe types available for use.
Should you discover a talent for axe throwing or wish to compete, leagues similar to those found in bowling are available here.
10. School Street Park
Adjacent to the Connecticut River, this expansive park offers a comprehensive family experience, particularly on warm summer days.
The main attraction during this season is the spray park, which is also a viable option for children’s birthday celebrations, thanks to the available pavilion.
School Street Park features extensive sports facilities, including soccer fields, a baseball diamond, a basketball court, and a nine-hole disc golf course that meanders through the area.
Until the late 1980s, this land functioned as farmland, with a remnant displayed in the form of the School Street Barn, constructed in 1880, which is recognized as the last surviving 19th-century barn in Agawam.
11. Agawam Bowl
For those unfamiliar, candlepin bowling is a regional variant of tenpin bowling that originated in Worcester, MA around 1880.
This game employs ten tall and slender pins that players must knock down using a smaller ball that fits comfortably in one’s hand. The pins are heavier than the ball, adding to the challenge of candlepin bowling.
Agawam Bowl features a 22-lane alley located just across the Westfield River from the Eastern States Exposition, recognized as the southernmost and westernmost venue for candlepin bowling. Fourteen of the lanes are equipped with bumpers, and the facility includes a snack bar, arcade games, a jukebox, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
12. Crowley’s Sales Barn & Trails
This longstanding local equestrian sales barn, operated by Dennis Crowley, a highly knowledgeable horseman, has been in service for decades and has facilitated the sale of hundreds of thousands of horses since he began as a teenager in 1960.
This establishment is notable not only for its sales but also for offering trail rides on extensive wooded trails during the spring and summer months.
Group trail rides last one or two hours, and no prior horseback riding experience is required. Private rides are also available, along with pony rides for children aged 7 and under in the yard.
13. Springfield
As the third-largest city in the state, Springfield is virtually adjacent to Agawam, providing easy access to numerous historical sites and key cultural institutions.
Regarding museums, the Quadrangle is an excellent destination, offering insights into the life of Springfield-native Dr. Seuss, fine art collections, local history, and scientific exhibits.
Springfield enjoys a storied reputation for technological innovation, having been the birthplace of both the first gas-powered vehicle (1893) and the first successful motorcycle company (1901).
The assembly line production method originated at the Springfield Armory (1777-1968), now preserved as a significant National Historic Site. Additionally, basketball was invented by Canadian James Naismith in Springfield in 1891.
Basketball enthusiasts should visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to honor legendary players, teams, coaches, referees, and contributors.
14. Agawam Cinemas
Located in Southgate Shopping Plaza, Agawam Cinemas is a rare locally-operated movie theater. First opened in the 1960s, it retains a layout similar to that time, showcasing two screens that feature first-run films.
One distinct characteristic of the theater is the long counter situated in front of each row of seats for accommodating snacks and beverages.
While the amenities may not be cutting-edge, ticket prices remain reasonable, typically under $10 for adults at the time of writing, and there is a broad selection of concessions available, ranging from popcorn to taquitos.
15. Xtreme Paintball
This 20-acre outdoor facility in Agawam provides an array of paintball, low-impact paintball, and airsoft activities. Xtreme Paintball consists of seven fields, each tailored to different games and tactical strategies.
For example, the primary “attack and defend” field is The Village, featuring huts scattered throughout a basin, while Nuketown is inspired by the Call of Duty map and is filled with vehicles and structures, necessitating teamwork for progression.
Friends, family, and spectators can safely observe the action from a netted area, and the facility offers a calendar of special events for airsoft and paintball enthusiasts, including the notable Attack the Fort at Fort Xtreme held in September.
