Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in Springfield, Missouri

Things to do in Springfield, Missouri

Fantastic Caverns

Springfield is home to North America’s only ride-through cave, which is exactly what it sounds like — instead of walking tours, Fantastic Caverns offers guided tours in custom open-air trams pulled by Jeeps. The guides include experts like historians and geologists, so in addition to seeing the giant ancient formations up-close, visitors also learn about things like how a dog accidentally discovered the cave and the fact that a group of women was the first to survey it.

One important thing to note is that tickets are strictly first-come, first-served; you can’t buy them online or in advance.

Fantastic Caverns: 4872 N Farm Rd 125, Springfield, MO 65803

Bass Pro Shops and Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

The iconic outdoor company Bass Pro Shops was founded in Springfield, so a visit to the original flagship store is a must. With its absolutely massive size, outdoor decor, multiple museums and restaurants, coffee shop, shooting range, and live animals, it feels more like a wildlife theme park than just a store.

Right next door (the entrance is actually in the same building) is the award-winning Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium (WOW). Voted “America’s Best Aquarium” an unprecedented six consecutive times, WOW lets you see and interact with thousands of marine species from around the world. The aquarium also hosts all sorts of unique events throughout the year, ranging from Shark Week-themed summer camps for children to museum yoga and adults-only, after-hours cocktail parties.

Bass Pro Shops: 1 Bass Pro Dr, Springfield, MO 65807

Wonders of Wildlife: 500 W Sunshine St, Springfield, MO 65807

Fellows Lake

At the north end of Springfield, 860-acre Fellows Lake is the perfect setting for a serene day on the water — on the water is an important distinction because you can’t swim in the lake. It’s Springfield’s primary source of drinking water, managed by the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks. The pristine, scenic reservoir is also a hub for outdoor recreation, offering kayak and boat rentals, sailing lessons, hiking and biking trails, fishing, hunting, day-use areas, and campgrounds for those who want to extend their stay.

37 North Expeditions

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37 North is your personal guide for exploring the Ozarks on a deeper level, whether that be Springfield proper or a day trip into Arkansas. The adventure company offers a variety of outdoor experiences, from private hikes and horseback rides to relaxed group winery tours and Buffalo River floats. Guides include local experts in conservation, environmental studies, and biology, so you get the opportunity to explore hidden gems you would otherwise miss.

37 North Expeditions: 3803 NW Wishing Spring Dr, Bentonville, AR 72712

National Tiger Sanctuary

Located just south of Springfield, the National Tiger Sanctuary is a safe haven for big cats. Here, you can take guided tours to see dozens of tigers, lions, leopards and other exotic animals in a natural setting. Some tours even include the opportunity to feed the cats. The non-profit sanctuary rescues these animals, oftentimes performers or illegal domestic pets, and focuses on rehabilitation, education, and conservation. Seeing the majestic animals up close is incredible, but the real takeaway is learning more about worldwide efforts to protect them.

National Tiger Sanctuary: 518 State Hwy BB, Saddlebrooke, MO 65630

Hammons Field

If you’re in town during baseball season (April through September), catch a Springfield Cardinals home game at Hammons Field. The St. Louis Cardinals’ Double-A affiliate team offers a classic, all-American ballpark experience right downtown. On Thursday night summer home games, the team plays as its alter ego, the Springfield Cashew Chickens. This fun twist pays homage to the city’s culinary claim to fame — the popular dish cashew chicken was invented here.

Hammons Field: 955 E Trafficway St, Springfield, MO 65802

Farmers Market of the Ozarks at Farmers Park

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For a literal taste of the Ozarks, head to this year-round Saturday morning farmers market. Over 60 local vendors sell fresh produce, dairy products, ethically raised meat, baked goods, artisan jewelry and crafts, and more. The market requires all vendors to be within a 150-mile radius, so everything is truly local. Most weekends, there are local food trucks and live music, too.

Farmers Market of the Ozarks: 2144 E Republic Rd, Springfield, MO 65804

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

Although Dogwood Canyon is about an hour’s drive from Springfield, the incredible 10,000-acre park deserves a spot on your itinerary. With conservation as its primary mission, Dogwood Canyon is so pristine that it could be a serious contender for the country’s next national park. It’s full of waterfalls, distinctive Ozarks bluffs, wildlife like elk and bison, creeks, and a working gristmill. Visitors can explore it all by hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, or taking a guided tram tour.

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park: 2038 State Hwy 86, Lampe, MO 65681

Askinosie Chocolate Factory

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At this father-and-daughter-run “micro-factory,” you can sample award-winning chocolate and see how it’s made. Askinosie offers tours that give you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at its bean-to-bar process, from ethically sourcing cocoa beans to the finished, delicious product. As a bonus, the factory is on C Street, a historic but hip district lined with some of the city’s hottest restaurants, bakeries, and shops.

Askinosie Chocolate Factory: 514 E Commercial St, Springfield, MO 65803

Where to eat and drink in Springfield, Missouri

Cafe Cusco

Get a taste of authentic Peruvian cuisine in the heart of Springfield’s oldest historic district. This vibrant, always-bustling eatery is a shining example of the city’s surprisingly diverse food scene. Try traditional dishes like lomo saltado, chicken mojo, and my personal favorite, aji de gallina (a spicy, creamy chicken stew).

Cafe Cusco: 234 E Commercial St, Springfield, MO 65803

The Ozark Mill at Finley Farms

The Springfield area has a lot of fantastic restaurants, but few compete with the scenery at The Mill. The restaurant itself is inside an immaculately restored mill built in 1833, and the dining room and patio overlook the Finley River. It looks and tastes like fine dining, but The Mill is family-friendly and very laid-back. Whatever you order, save room for the green tomato cake for dessert.

The Ozark Mill: 802 Finley Farms Ln, Ozark, MO 65721

Harvest Restaurant

Harvest takes the terms “ingredient-driven” and “hyper-seasonal” to a whole new level. The husband and wife team at the helm create the weekend’s menu early in the week, based solely on what’s ripe and available from their own gardens and favorite local suppliers. If you only eat here once, slate it for late September when Harvest hosts its renowned Dinner in the Orchard, an exclusive series of wine pairing dinners held in the adjacent apple orchards.

Harvest Restaurant: 8011 E State Hwy Ad, Rogersville, MO 65742

JW’s Kitchen

Right next to the Farmers Park farmers market, JW’s is a relatively new Springfield favorite. The menu features all manners of comfort food, sort of a mash-up between Southern cuisine and English pub fare, but with an elevated twist.

JW’s Kitchen: 2144 E Republic Rd B-101, Springfield MO 65804

Rise

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This cozy downtown spot is equally well-known for its coffee cocktails, bright plant-filled interior, and signature pastel-striped staircase. The sweet potato breakfast bowl and shakshuka are both life-alteringly good.

Rise: 105 Park Central Square, Springfield, MO 65806

Other noteworthy places to eat and drink

• Blue Heron Euro Cafe & Bakery: Tiny C-Street bakery serving both sweet and savory pastries with an almost cult-like following. Seriously, they will be sold out if you don’t stop in early.
• Sleepy Opossum: Funky little brunch spot in the gorgeous Roundtree neighborhood known for its “breakky sandwys” and comfort food classics with an innovative twist (peach-jalapeno pie, anyone?).
• Sweet Emotion: Vegan ice cream and treat shop with a huge variety of flavors. You wouldn’t believe everything was vegan if you didn’t know.
• Golden Girl Rum Club: Unexpectedly authentic tiki bar downtown, with a full menu of tiki classics including mai tais, Bahama mamas, and Singapore slings, plus its own creative concoctions. Try a the son of banana man.
• Bear Creek Winery: South of Springfield near the National Tiger Sanctuary, this family-owned winery has tremendous views, mouth-watering pizzas, and live music on weekends.

Where to stay in Springfield, Missouri

Hotel Vandivort

This historic boutique hotel is the only one of its kind in Springfield, exuding character and luxury in the heart of downtown. Not only is it the only AAA 4-Diamond hotel in the city, but it also occupies a historic building that’s well over 100 years old and was once a Masonic Temple. The rooms are stunning, complemented by the hotel bar, called The Order, and Vantage, the chic rooftop lounge. Plus, you can walk just about everywhere downtown from here.

Hotel Vandivort: 305 E Walnut St, Springfield, MO 65806

Moxy Springfield Downtown

The brand-new Moxy (Missouri’s first) is just around the corner from Hotel Vandivort (literally, it’s a two-minute walk). If you’ve ever been to a Moxy hotel, you know the brand is modern, playful, and cheeky. Check-in is at the bar, for example, and includes a complimentary cocktail. This Moxy stays true to its roots, but it’s located in a historically significant building that’s nearly a century old. Highlights include the city’s tallest rooftop bar, Eyrie, a speakeasy-esque basement lounge, and decor inspired by the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.

Moxy Springfield: 430 South Ave, Springfield, MO 65806

Getting to and around Springfield, Missouri

Springfield is easily accessible via the Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF). It’s on the smaller side, but it’s a beautiful, modern airport and serves 15 destinations with nonstop flights.

If you’re driving, the city is conveniently located along I-44, almost equidistant to Kansas City (190 miles or just over three hours) and St. Louis (210 miles or about 3.5 hours). Especially because Springfield is along the original Route 66, it’s a fantastic road trip destination.

Once you’re in Springfield, it’s largely a vehicle-dependent city, although downtown and a handful of surrounding neighborhoods are very walkable. It’s logically laid out, most attractions and amenities are clustered together in a few areas, and rideshare options are plentiful, so getting around is a breeze overall.