Springfield, known as the “Queen City of the Ozarks,” offers a lot of things to see and do, from family-friendly attractions to memorable outdoor adventures. A popular weekend getaway in Missouri, history buffs can tour a historic castle while art lovers can browse artwork in the city’s premier cultural institution, and if you’re up for an adventure you can explore hidden caves. Catering to all types of travelers, these are the top things to do in Springfield, Missouri.
Visit Dickerson Park Zoo
What Is It? Dickerson Park Zoo offers the chance to discover over 500 animals representing some 160 different species from Australia, Africa, Asia and South America along with regional habitats.
Why Do It? The Ambler Diversity of Life exhibits offers close encounters with insects, reptiles and amphibians, while Tropical Asia hosts tigers, primates and Asian elephants, tigers and primates.
Good to Know: In Africa, visitors can get eye-to-eye with a giraffe from the viewing deck, and on a hot summer day, kids will enjoy the chance to cool off by splashing around in “Jumping Jewels,” a water attraction.
Journey Through Fantastic Caverns
What Is It? Fantastic Caverns offer visitors the only cave tour on the continent that totally rides through.
Why Do It? Passengers travel in trams that are pulled by a Jeep while marveling at the incredible sights in the caves that were carved by an ancient river centuries ago. Over the years, they’ve served a variety of purposes, including being a speakeasy during prohibition and a music venue a couple of decades later.
Good to Know: They also make for a great spot to cool off when heat is intense, as they’re always around a comfortable 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tour a Castle
What Is It? Pythian Castle, built in 1913 by the Knights of Pythias before being transferred to the U.S. Military, is tucked away in a modest neighborhood not far from National Avenue.
Why Do It? It was originally constructed as an orphanage and senior citizens’ home for its members and their families, as this was prior to Social Security, with lodges like these seen as a way to offer members security in their old age. If a member died, his children could live in the castle and be cared for, though widowed wives were not allowed. Today, this rather odd, nearly 40,000-square-foot limestone fortress attraction is said to be haunted.
Good to Know: It’s listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and offers tours to visitors that come from across the nation.
Interact with Exhibits at The Discovery Center of Springfield
What Is It? Discovery Center of Springfield is a museum focused on getting visitors involved.
Why Do It? It has lots of interactive exhibits that inspire people of all ages to take part and actually play with the various displays while learning how they work. Kids and adults can easily while away the hours having fun without even noticing that it’s educational. It covers everything from art, history, and culture to science and technology.
Good to Know: It has opportunities to dig for dinosaur bones, check out the inner workings of an eyeball, learn about the world’s many cultures and even take home a sample of your own DNA.
View the Collections at the Springfield Art Museum
What Is It? The Springfield Art Museum was founded nearly a century ago in 1926, and today it’s Springfield’s oldest cultural institution and one of the city’s most popular attractions.
Why Do It? It features a permanent collection with more than 10,000 works of art that spans multiple time periods and cultures, along with rotating and traveling exhibitions.
Good to Know: There are also a number of large-scale sculptures displayed throughout the grounds, like the famous Springfield landmark: John Henry’s Sun Target II.
Stroll Through the Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park
What Is It? The Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park and Arboretum is a picturesque 114-acre park that hosts the 12,700-square-foot botanical gardens.
Why Do It? The gardens and arboretum were created as a learning resource for University of Missouri students and local gardeners, serving as an outdoor classroom and a plant laboratory. Anyone who enjoys lush trees, plant life and vast green spaces, will like strolling through, with the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden a particular highlight.
Good to Know: There are also nearly three miles of trails that wind around a lake, and a butterfly house where you can view the insects in all of their life stages.
Catch a Texas League Baseball Game
What Is It? The Springfield Cardinals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the 11-time MLB World Champion St. Louis Cardinals.
Why Do It? Based at Hammons Field in downtown Springfield, if you’re here when they’re home, you can catch a game at what’s been ranked as one of the country’s most impressive minor league stadiums. It offers the ultimate fan experience, including the chance to get much closer to the players than you would at a major league game.
Good to Know: It also boasts one of the largest electronic scoreboards and Jumbotrons in the nation, along with 28 luxury box suites, VIP lounges, bar areas and a balcony area.
Check Out The Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks
What Is It? The Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks preserves and displays the Ozarks’ military history and memorabilia, dedicated to the men and women who fought and died in the Armed Forces.
Why Do It? It features a collection of over 5,000 objects related to military history, including vintage military equipment like Army jeeps and trucks a Cobra helicopter, and a T-33 jet aircraft.
Good to Know: There are hands-on experiences too, like the chance to embark on an imaginary flight in a helicopter, type a message on an antique teletype machine and have your own personalized dog tag made.
Visit the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame
What Is It? The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is a must-visit for sports fans, dedicated to celebrating the outstanding achievements of athletes from throughout the state.
Why Do It? It hosts more than 4,000 sports memorabilia items that are showcased in a variety of displays and exhibits throughout its two floors. It includes a number of fun interactive exhibits too, like the chance to bat against a Major League Baseball pitcher, race in a NASCAR simulator, and throw a football pass.
Good to Know: The Legends Walk of Fame can be found here too, with statues and busts of famous sports figures honoring athletes like Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson and St. Louis Cardinals baseball player Stan Musial.
Experience Farm Life at Rutledge Wilson Farm Park
What Is It? This farm park is a fun attraction that celebrates the area’s rich agricultural heritage.
Why Do It? It features a variety of demonstration crops and gardens, an animal and milking barn, native prairie and pasture lands, as well as a farm-themed playground for the kids.
Good to Know: You’ll be able to get up close to all sorts of farm animals, fish in the farm pond, pick up souvenirs in the gift shop and walk the farm trail.
