The Museum Quadrangle on State Street is Springfield's cultural core — four museums grouped around a common courtyard that can be visited on a single combined ticket. The Springfield Museum of Art holds American paintings and works on paper from the 18th century to the present. The Springfield Science Museum has a good natural history collection and a working planetarium. The Connecticut Valley Historical Museum covers regional history from Native American settlement through the industrial era. The Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts rounds out the set with decorative arts and European works.
The Quadrangle also contains the Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden. The combined ticket is good value. Plan for at least half a day if you intend to do the Quadrangle and the Armory; they are within comfortable walking distance of each other.