Six Flags New England, set in the heart of Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley, is the perfect theme part for anyone looking for more than rollercoasters, bumper cars, and rigged softball toss games. Springfield is a stone's throw from mountains, state parks, thousands of acres of unspoiled woods, and the Connecticut River. There will plenty for those with active lifestyles do during the day, though a night out on the town is still a viable option, so bring your dancing shoes.
Superheroes and Cartoon Characters
Six Flags New England has something for everyone, from full title superhero rollercoasters intended to turn your stomach to mellow rides and activities for children and families.
The Springfield park is home to Superman, Joker, Batman and Bizarro rides, all of which have received the "max" thrill rating from Six Flags. Blizzard River and Cannonball Falls are "moderately" thrilling water rides, while Dorothy's Rose Teacups and Cold Spaghetti Western Wheel, which merit the "mild" rating, are safe fun for the kids. Typical theme park food and a full assortment Looney Tunes characters pepper the park.
Camping with Amenities
Despite its unfortunate moniker, Sodom Mountain Campground, in Southwick, Massachusetts, is a brief 12 miles from Six Flags, and features full amenities and a host of outdoor activities perfectly suited to combating a day of funnel cake and extra large sodas.
Sodom Mountain offers onsite camping, swimming, hiking, and basketball. Simply unzip your tent and get started with the activity of your choice. Ping-pong tables and a playground are designed to keep the youngsters busy and for making friends. Sodom Mountain Campground offers discounts on Six Flags admission to campers.
Camping Close to the Rollercoaster
Not far from Sodom Mountain Campground, find the Southwick Acres campsite. A mere 11 miles from Six Flags, Southwick Acres provides campers a less-crowded alternative to Sodom Mountain.
In addition to standard weekend campers, Southwick Acres offers discounted long-term seasonal and monthly camping rates for families and individuals looking for an extended escape from the trappings of everyday existence. For hoops fans, the Basketball Hall of Fame is easily accessible from Southwick. For those of you who prefer water sports, Congamond Lake is only two miles away. As with Sodom Mountain, Southwick offers discounted Six Flags tickets.
Camping Away from the Fuss
A good deal further north than its Southwick peers, Windy Acres offers campers a more rural respite from the urban area surrounding Springfield.
Located in West Hampton, Massachusetts, Windy Acres is 22 miles from Springfield, making a day trip to Six Flags a cinch. Other Pioneer Valley attractions for the active easily accessible from Windy Acres include boating on the Connecticut River and hiking the Holyoke Mountain range and discovering its breathtaking views. Nearby Northampton is a small and charming New England city, with great restaurants and an active music scene.
Long-Haul camping
The Chester-Blandford State Forest, in Western Massachusetts's pristine Berkshire Mountains, is a bit of a hike from Springfield, though for those of you looking for unspoiled wilderness and a chance to rough it away from the RV crowd, look no further.
Make sure you've got sturdy boots, because the Berkshires were made for walking. A 60-foot cascade at Sanderson Brook Falls is easily accessible, but Observation Hill, with expansive views of the Westfield River Valley, is an arduous haul. Within driving distance of Six Flags, but removed enough to forget the crowds and noise as soon as you've left Springfield, Chester-Blandford State Forest is a serene alternative to the Pioneer Valley campsites that you're likely to love.
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