Hoop fans know that Springfield, Massachusetts, is the home of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Springfield was the obvious choice, as the sport was conceived here in 1891 by Dr. James Naismith.

Easy riders (and biker wannabes) recall Springfield as the birthplace of America's first gasoline-powered motorcycle -- the Indian, built in 1901. Other Springfield firsts include the first commercially sold automobile -- the Duryea -- built here in 1892; the railroad sleeping car invented here by George Pullman in 1850; and frozen foods first sold here in 1930.

Dubbed the "Comeback City of America," Springfield is charging into the future with a revitalized community outlook and booming economic developments, including its growing role as a hub of fiberoptic cable for the telecommunications industry.

In addition to its rich history and commercial appeal, Springfield is also home to the arts. The tree-lined Quadrangle is Springfield's cultural center, with its public library and four diverse museums.