forest park

petercG4697WG

This is a very nice park with several different sections, including some very nice water features. Nice for walking, biking, relaxing, picnics. However, lately the park has not been maintaining their picnic tables as several of them are broken and haven't been fixed. It is a shame to pay for park entry and have to hunt for a picnic table in a nice quiet spot that you can actually sit on.

allforuamber

The light displays are beautiful. The rates are reasonable and it is a great time to go and take it all in with the family. The spirit of Christmas is all around. We take a trip up every year just for this experience.

LoisB933

This park is magnificent. It is said to have been designed by Olmstead who created NY's Central Park. It became run down but I am thrilled to say that it has been restored and is now even better than I remember it as a child.There are open grassy areas, lakes, streams with little bridges and banks to sit on, trails for walking, lotuses growing in a pond, lovely rare trees, a rose garden, a baseball field, hills, views, places for picnics complete with tables. I would like to just go back and lie on a blanket and read a book, this place is so peacefulChildren can run around and they can feed the ducks. There is a small zoo. In winter the park is illuminated with Bright Nights. There is only one entrance now, from rte 5 in Longmeadow and you have to pay a little bit to get in. But this change in policy has made a difference and the park is now beautiful again and extremely well cared for. Spend a day with the family--it's so pretty and so relaxing.

briansP5429VK

I visited here with my parents and my girlfriend and we had an amazing time for their great Bright Nights display. If you are not from around this area I would highly recommend checking out this hotspot during the Christmas season. Its a little pricey coming in at $21 a car load but just bring a van with 8 people to ease the cost. They have a stop where you can also go on a carriage ride through the park as well as buy many winter favorites such as hot chocolate or other food, I would recommend driving an automatic car because you average around 5mph the whole time so it's difficult to play with the clutch for that length of time you are in the park.You can listen along on a local radio station as you drive through the park. Bring a camera to take tons of pictures while you are on your visit.

ElliesBoo

We brought our almost 8-year old grandson to see the Bright Nights exhibit at Forest Park, Springfield and found it to be beautifully done. As we drove slowly through, comfortably seated in our car, we marveled at all kinds of Seuss characters, angels, a creche, dinosaurs, reindeer, Santa, etc. etc. all created with lights. My favorite was a toy soldier, about 12 feet tall, on the left side of the road, lowering a match to a cannon, causing a cannonball to fly over the road and hit the ground on the right sight with a big (silent) explosion of light...all done only with lights! And the frog jumping into the pond was pretty cool, too.My grandson seemed less enthralled. Kids today are SO sophisticated! Perhaps if we had been able to take him when he was younger... I'm sure a 4 or 5-year old would love it and a child with a creative bent might, too, at any age. While our little guy looked at it all in near silence, he did not complain and he did pay attention but his non-response was a bit of a disappointment for us. I think we may have enjoyed it more than he did.

tinol283

This is a must do during the holidays if you love Xmas lights....the whole park is decorated in Christmas lights and you stay in the warmth of your car as you drive around 3 miles of lights!!!! A must do and highly recommended!!!! Can't wait till next year!!!

marks926

Try tripping these lights fantastic! One of the most awesome Christmas light displays I've ever seen. I'm talking several miles here! Beautiful, inspiring, mesmerizing labor of love. Starts out with a patriotic "God bless America" display. 40 foot high Nativity Scene. Huge Menorah. A great family tradition, Bright Nights at Forest Park.

MikeD379

The bright lights drive is a show everyone should see. It is a wait for the turn to drive in but just plan ahead. Bring the food and hit the bathroom but tune into the FM station.95.1 and listen to Elf Radio on the way in. It really is lots of fun. Go for it.

khdlr

What I think they tried to do was get as many cars they could off the roads and into the park for traffic issues...and I get that. There were to many dead spots to keep the kids interested .. They made you go around this huge circle before you even got to see the Start of the lights.. I just don't remember it being like that.... our 7 year old fell asleep ...not sure we would spend the $21.00 to see the same set up of lights, it's the same year after year..If you have never been ..take the ride...:) get a discount at Big Y...we didn't plan on going so we paid full price...

796carriep

Bright Nights was fabulous, but the traffic was a nightmare! We took I-91, got off the exit, and the park is about a mile and a half off the exit. It took us over 2.5 hours to drive that mile and a half! We planned our trip specifically to go to Bright Nights so we waited, and we had a free pass. We got off the highway at 6:50pm, I thought we were early, but we weren't. The lights themselves were pretty amazing. We've never gone, so for us it was great! About halfway through the park there is a refreshment area with snacks, bathrooms and Santa, who might very well have been the real Santa! He was great!I recommend Bright Nights, but you either need to be there right when they open at 5pm, or go during the week! Not sure it's worth a 2.5 hour traffic jam, however!

Dmghope

Recently moved to Springfield and live near park. Run and bike there all the time. Christmas lights are really cool too .

BiniTravels

The lights were beautiful this year, especially with some snow still on the ground. We try to be there early so we don't have to wait as long. There's also an option to stop along the route for refreshments and to see Santa. It took us about 30 min to drive through the park. It's very expensive but there are so many lights to see. It would have been nice if there were better signs how to get back on 91South.

Travelingforfun97

So well worth the 2 hour trip, it was amazing, exciting and I agree a little magical,even as a adult visitng, I would recommend it to everyone, you should go and visit this once.

yanks250125

Good show but traffic moved along slower than in years past. The entire way took about 45 minutes. Tons of lights and good displays, but it seems as there's nothing new as I've been going for each of the past 5 years or so. Cost was $21 on weekends but coupons are all over the place.

luisaR6350FF

We live half a block from Forest Park in Springfield, and I walked in this beautiful park almost everyday (when the weather is not so bad...) even being so close every year I go to Bright Nights it is sooo magical, if you come try to do it during week days otherwise the traffic jam to enter the park will annoy and disturb you. It is really nice and beautiful, bring your kids, friends, family and enjoy this spectacle of Christmas, you won't be disappointed!!!They have caneen gift shop and during weekends Santa is tehre to take pictures with the kids. You pay the fee when entering the park then you low your beam lights, set the radio and you are ready to enjoy!!!!