[September 28, 2002 Note: A brand new Basketball Hall of Fame has opened in Springfield, Massachusetts. Click Here for complete and updated details on visiting the Hall, plus a Virtual Tour from the Grand Opening celebration.]
[January 7, 1999 Note: NBA players and owners have reached an agreement "that will allow the NBA to avoid becoming the first major professional sports league to cancel a season in its entirety," reports Michael Methvin, The Mining Co.'s Guide to Pro Basketball. Read his Let the Games Begin feature for complete details. Even though it appears the pros will play, the Basketball Hall of Fame is still a great place to visit for a day!]
Tomorrow is judgment day.
Michael Methvin, About.com.'s Guide to Pro Basketball, reported recently in his Judgment Day feature that NBA Commissioner David Stern has set January 7 as the date when:
We will learn whether this league has an ounce of respect for the game that has made fortunes possible, and made living legends of many a man. We will find out if there is any love left in this league at all, or if it is all just a nifty little campaign slogan.
Well, you can continue reading Michael's article if you want to get really depressed about the prospects for a 1998-99 NBA basketball season, or, you can fight back! How, you ask? By planning your trip to Springfield, Massachusetts, and the Basketball Hall of Fame--a place where players are remembered for the shots they made, not the season they may let slip away quibbling over cash.
Did you know that Springfield is the birthplace of basketball? Not only does the Basketball Hall of Fame commemorate Dr. James Naismith's sporting invention and the great players, coaches, and teams that have captured fans' imaginations, it also is home to interactive exhibits that let you get in the game--and for the same salary that most of your favorite NBA players will be taking home this year! You'll have a chance to test your skills and explore and celebrate the history of a truly American game.
The Basketball Hall of Fame is open daily from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and hours are extended until 8 p.m. in spring and summer. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors and students ages 7 to 15, and free for children under 7 when accompanied by an adult. The Hall is located at Exit 4 off I-91; directions are available online. For more information, call the Hall at (413) 781-6500.
While you're visiting central Massachusetts...
Dine at Chuck's Steak House in Southwick, Massachusetts, voted "The Best Steak House" by the readers of The Springfield Advocate in 1998 for the fourth consecutive year, or check The Mining Co.'s Local Western Massachusetts site for links to more restaurants in the area.
Visit The Yankee Candle Car Museum in South Deerfield; a list of cars currently on display is online. Worcester's EcoTarium is an environmental museum with a focus on wildlife and also is home to a 59-acre park and zoo and a planetarium. While you're in Worcester, stop by the Higgins Armory Museum, too, and take a romantic trip back to the days of knights and chivalry. Or, visit the Worcester Art Museum. In addition to showcasing 50 centuries of art, the museum even has a 13th century French chapel rebuilt there stone by stone! Also nearby is Sturbridge Village, a reconstructed colonial town with ongoing traditional craft demonstrations, seven galleries, quaint shops, and much more.
Staying Overnight? The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism offers a comprehensive central Massachusetts lodging directory that you can explore by price or by type of lodgings you're seeking. The Sheraton Springfield at Monarch Place is very close to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Looking for a cozy bed & breakfast? Try Pine Hill Farm Bed and Breakfast in Paxton.
Call The Central Massachusetts Tourist Council toll free at 800 231-7557 for more trip planning information.
Enjoy!
More from New England for Visitors
Looking for more New England travel information? Start with the New England for Visitors Home Page, where you'll find current features and links to the best of the Net for all of your travel planning needs.
Don't miss our free email newsletter, New England NewsBeam, which keeps you up to date on what's happening in the region. Subscribe today!
Previous Features from your New England for Visitors Guide
No NBA? banner created by Kim Knox in NetStudio with images from MasterClips Premium Image Collection.
