Winter Weekend at the New MGM Springfield

The holidays are a joyous time of year but can also be taxing and stressful. We all need an opportunity to get away from, or recover from, the stress of the season. A weekend vacation can be just the right remedy.

Fortunately, the newly opened MGM Springfield is the perfect winter weekend getaway destination. Experience luxury and entertainment all under one roof or conquer the great outdoors with a wintry excursion at one of the many local attractions. Whatever your idea of a cold-weather retreat looks like, MGM Springfield has you covered.

Activities Galore

It wouldn’t be winter without a few twirls on the rink. From November through early March, the Plaza at MGM Springfield transforms into a 75-by-26-foot ice skating rink. Guests can lace up their skates for a jaunt on the ice or enjoy the pop-up entertainment throughout the Plaza.

If the weather is a bit too much to get in a round of 18, just bring the fun indoors. MGM’s Topgolf Swing Suite offers a one-of-a-kind simulation suitable for golfers and non-golfers alike. Players take turns hitting golf balls against a massive simulator screen that tracks each shot’s accuracy and distance. Groups can choose from a variety of virtual games, or even try their hand in baseball pitching and hockey shots. Even better? It all takes place inside a luxury suite that features a comfortable lounge and delicious food and drink.

If it’s the chance to knock down some pins that you seek, head to the Tap Sports bar, which features a bowling alley next door. The lounge-like atmosphere allows guests to experience bowling in a unique way. The location also features an arcade, making it an entertainment stop for people of all ages.

The Finer Things

No matter what time of year you visit MGM Springfield, it’s still a vacation and your trip should be treated as such. Fortunately, the resort has all of life’s little luxuries under one roof.

Relax and unwind at the spa, which offers a host of massage and skincare services, or work up a sweat at the fitness center and pool, free to hotel guests. If it’s retail therapy you crave, all of your shopping needs, from apparel to jewelry to specialty gifts, can be met at the resort’s retail stores.

When it’s time to sit back and enjoy good old-fashioned entertainment, head to the hotel’s in-house movie theater, Regal MGM Springfield. The facility features seven auditoriums complete with luxury recliner seating. There is also a full bar offering handcrafted cocktails, a wide selection of wine and beers on tap.

Restaurants and Nightlife

When hunger strikes, MGM Springfield has eatery options to satisfy every taste. Start your day off with a hot cup of coffee at Kringle Emporium. While you’re there, try one of their freshly baked goods. For lunch, the South End Market has a host of food options including Hearth Grill, Wicked Noodles and Jack’s Lobster Shack. For a sit-down dinner, The Chandler Steakhouse features the finest wines and aged cuts of meat. If it’s an Italian flavor you’re after, Cal Mare marries authentic coastal cuisine from the Amalfi Coast with New England’s signature style to create delectable seafood, handmade pastas and pizza.

For a nightcap, the Commonwealth Bar and Lounge has it all: innovative mixology, live music and perfect location on the casino floor. The Knox Bar offers a more intimate setting and allows guests to gamble as they indulge.

Local Attractions

It wouldn’t be a true winter getaway if you didn’t get to experience the great outdoors. Less than an hour away from MGM Springfield, the Berkshires is the perfect place for some open-air excursions. The surrounding mountains are perfect for skiing and snowboarding and the miles of groomed trails can be used for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.

Closer to home, Springfield’s very own Forest Park contains more than 700 acres of open space for a variety of recreation options for the whole family. One can’t-miss holiday attraction is Bright Nights at Forest Park, a three-mile drive-through holiday light display. The annual event, which lasts through January 1, also includes horse-drawn carriage and wagon rides, a carousel and gift shop. Since its opening in 1995, Bright Nights has attracted more than four million visitors.

Other local attractions include the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Hall and Citystage, and the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum. (Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, was a Springfield native.)

Gaming

With all the other amenities and attractions at your beck and call, it can be easy to forget that MGM Springfield is a casino. In fact, the resort holds the largest gaming floor in the state of Massachusetts. Take a seat at a table game like blackjack, craps, roulette and Texas Hold ‘Em, or try your luck at one of the countless slot machines.

Start planning your winter weekend at MGM Springfield today.