Visit the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

If you call yourself a basketball fan, you really have to plan a pilgrimage to Springfield, Massachusetts. Fans of all ages can easily lose themselves for hours within the three-story, spherical Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This facility boasts 35,000 square feet of exhibit space dedicated to basketball memorabilia and artifacts, supplemented by three theaters, interactive kiosks loaded with Hall of Famer data and trivia, a Subway restaurant, and a Hall of Fame museum gift shop.

However, that’s just for warm-ups. The real excitement awaits you at the full-size “Center Court,” where you can partake in shooting, passing, and other skills challenges. Alternatively, head to the second floor to explore high-tech attractions that let you measure your vertical leap, take a seat in the broadcaster’s nook, coach a team to victory, or even engage in a game of “Virtual Hoops.”

More than 15 years after this $45 million, 80,000-square-foot facility superseded the much humbler Hoop Hall, the Basketball Hall of Fame continues to immerse fans in the thrill of this fast-paced game, which was born in Massachusetts over a century ago.

A Sport is Born

They say that necessity is the mother of invention, and during the brutal New England winter of 1891, James Naismith, a physical education student at the YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts (now Springfield College), faced an unenviable challenge: devise an indoor game to occupy a rowdy class of young men.

A couple of peach baskets, a soccer ball, and a set of 13 rules later, Naismith had given birth to the game he called “basket ball.” The sport quickly proliferated as Naismith’s original rules circulated to other YMCAs. By 1936, the game’s inventor had the pleasure of witnessing basketball introduced as an Olympic sport at the Berlin Games. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely he envisioned basketball evolving into a sport played by over 300 million people across more than 200 countries. Nor could he have likely predicted the stellar heights to which today’s professional basketball stars have soared.

Hoop Dreams

The first Basketball Hall of Fame opened its doors in 1968 on the Springfield College campus. In 1985, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was relocated to downtown Springfield. As city planners began to dream of an expanded and revitalized urban environment along the Connecticut River in the late ’90s, it became obvious that the Hall of Fame would serve as the centerpiece of the Springfield Riverfront Redevelopment Project. Alongside the new hall dedicated to Naismith’s game and its legendary players, this 18-acre project features several dining options, including Samuel’s Tap & Table, UNO Chicago Grill, Plan B, and Max’s Tavern. It also includes the Hilton Garden Inn, a Visitor Information Center, and a riverfront park.

Plan Your Visit to the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield

Here are all the fine points you need to know including location, hours of operation, admission prices, and driving directions.

Location: The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is located at 1000 West Columbus Avenue in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Hours of Operation: The Hall is open Wednesday through Sunday from late November through March 31, and daily the remainder of the year. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, with extended hours until 5 p.m. every day from July 1 through Labor Day weekend. It’s advisable to check in advance for any private function closures.

Admission: As of 2019, admission to the Basketball Hall of Fame costs $24 for adults aged 16 to 64, $18 for seniors aged 65 and up, $16 for youths aged 5 to 15, and entry is free for children under age 5.

Directions:

From the East… Take the Massachusetts Turnpike West (I-90) to Exit 6 for I-291 West. Follow 291 West to Exit 1A for I-91 South. Take Exit 6 (Union Street) and proceed onto West Columbus Avenue. The Hall of Fame will be on the right.

From the West… Take the Massachusetts Turnpike East (I-90) to Exit 4 for 91 South and follow the same directions as above.

From the North… Follow 91 South to Exit 6 and adhere to previous instructions.

From the South… Take 95 North to Exit 47 for 91 North (New Haven). Continue straight on 91 North for 64 miles until Exit 6, the Springfield Center exit. Turn left onto Union Street at the first set of lights. At the next light, turn left; the Hall of Fame will be on the right.

Approximate Driving Times:

From Boston, MA – 2 Hours
From Albany, NY – 1-1/2 Hours
From Hartford, CT – 1/2 Hour
From Brattleboro, VT – 1-1/4 Hours
From Augusta, ME – 5 Hours
From Concord, NH – 2-1/4 Hours
From New York City – 3-1/2 Hours

Nearby Attractions

Popular Attractions Near the Basketball Hall of Fame:

• Six Flags New England
• MGM Springfield
• Yankee Candle Village
• Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens
• Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden and Dr. Seuss Museum

Where to Stay Near the Basketball Hall of Fame

You can’t find closer accommodation than the Hilton Garden Inn Springfield, which is part of the riverfront complex and just a short walk across a parking lot to the entrance of the Basketball Hall of Fame. For a more contemporary experience, consider staying at the MGM Springfield hotel, which is the newest spot in the vicinity.

For More Information: Contact the Basketball Hall of Fame at 413-781-6500 for any inquiries.