Springfield, MA food guide: the Big E, downtown and the Pioneer Valley

Springfield, Massachusetts is the largest city of the Pioneer Valley, the farming and college region along the Connecticut River in the western part of the state. It is known as the birthplace of basketball, and its food scene is shaped by its mix of communities and its farmland. The food here is diner breakfasts, orchard cider donuts, college-town cafes and, every fall, the Big E, the large fair held in nearby West Springfield.

What is the Big E and why does it matter for food?

The Big E, formally the Eastern States Exposition, is a large autumn fair on the grounds in West Springfield, next door to Springfield. Its food is a main attraction: fair classics, new stands each year and a building where each New England state shows its products and foods. Go hungry, share plates so you can try more, and budget more than you would for an ordinary lunch.

How do you get to Springfield from Boston?

Driving takes roughly an hour and a half to two hours depending on traffic, along the Massachusetts Turnpike. Amtrak runs between Boston and Springfield, and the station is downtown. A car is useful for farms, orchards and the college towns, because bus service between small towns is limited.

What is downtown Springfield like for eating?

Downtown has a mix of lunch counters, diners, bars and restaurants near the museums and the arena. The city has Italian, Puerto Rican, Vietnamese and Caribbean communities, and neighborhoods outside the center hold small restaurants serving those foods. Ask at the visitor center, a museum desk or a local shop for the places residents use.

What are the farms and farm stands like?

The Pioneer Valley's river soil grows vegetables, asparagus, tobacco and fruit. In fall, orchards open for apple picking, cider and donuts, and farm stands sell pumpkins, squash and corn. In summer, strawberries, blueberries and peaches follow in order. Pick-your-own farms often need you to call first, since crops depend on the weather. State listings name pick-your-own farms by county, and a farm stand near a main road is usually open on weekends.

Which college towns are worth the drive?

Northampton, Amherst and South Hadley are home to well-known colleges and have walkable downtowns with cafes, bakeries and restaurants that favor local produce. They are a short drive from Springfield. Northampton has a lively main street, and Amherst has a common and a farmers market in the warm months. Hours in college towns fall during summer and winter breaks.

What should you eat in a day trip?

Start with breakfast at a diner, then follow farm stands for lunch. In the fall, buy cider donuts and apples. In the evening, pick a college-town restaurant. Pack a cooler for produce, because you will want to take fruit and vegetables home. Wear shoes for muddy fields in the fall.

What about tipping and the meals tax?

Massachusetts adds a meals tax to restaurant checks. Tip 18 to 20 percent at a table and a little at a counter. At a fair or a farm stand, tipping is not expected unless someone prepares your food to order. Fair prices at the Big E run higher than ordinary restaurant prices.

How do you plan a fall weekend in the valley?

October is the best time to eat in the Pioneer Valley, because orchards, farm stands, harvest festivals and the college towns are all in season. Start on Saturday morning at an orchard for cider donuts and a bag of apples, then drive to Northampton or Amherst for lunch and a walk. Spend the evening at a restaurant that uses local produce, and stay overnight in a small inn or a motel near the river. On Sunday, visit a farm stand for pumpkins and squash, then drive back through the hills for the foliage. Book rooms and dinner early, since college parents' weekends and foliage season fill hotels quickly. Bring layers, because mornings are cold and afternoons are warm. Check each orchard's hours, as many close on weekdays after the main season, and some stop picking when the weather turns.

Two more habits help. Carry a cooler bag in the trunk for produce and cheese, and keep small bills for farm stands that run on an honor box. If you have a food allergy, ask at the stand about shared equipment, because small producers often use one kitchen for everything. Weekday visits are quieter and farmers have more time to talk about the crop.

Allow extra time for traffic around West Springfield on fair days, when roads near the grounds back up. Public transportation to the fairgrounds is limited, so many visitors carpool.

How do you keep track of a Big E and Pioneer Valley food trip?

A day at the fair or an afternoon among the orchards produces more eating than you can remember. In the Mosey app, rate the cider donut, the fair stand you waited for and the college-town lunch by the dish, add a tag such as Must-Try, and keep them in one list for the valley. Share the list with the friends who came along, and they can add their finds. Mosey also runs seasonal food votes, which suit a region where the menu follows the harvest.

Rate your favorite bite from the valley in the Mosey app and save it to a list for next autumn.

More guides to read next:

• Berkshires food guide: Great Barrington, Lenox and North Adams
• Massachusetts seasonal food calendar: what to eat each month
• North Shore Massachusetts food guide: clam shacks and roast beef

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