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Missouri, United States

Springfield

Give Springfield a full day for Wonders of Wildlife and the caverns, with cashew chicken for dinner. This guide pulls together 2 sights, 1 activity and 1 outdoor spot from our curated routes.

Plan Springfield with friendsBrowse 8 places
Springfield, Missouri, United States
Places
8

2 See · 1 Do · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink · 1 Shop

Curated routes
1

Ozarks Hidden Gems

Best season
Apr – Oct

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

32°C / 89°F avg high

Coolest month
January

5°C / 41°F avg high

Wettest month
May

about 146 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Springfield

8 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

2 sights worth building a day around across South Side and Republic.

  • Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in SpringfieldPhoto: Robert Lawton · CC BY-SA 2.5
    See

    Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

    Huge aquarium and wildlife galleries built around Ozarks and ocean habitats.

    Tip Buy timed tickets online; allow 4 hours.

    • South Side
    • $$$
    • 4 hr
    • Weekday morning
  • Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in SpringfieldPhoto: National Park Service · Public domain
    See

    Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

    Civil War battlefield with a 5-mile tour road and walking trails.

    Tip Drive the tour road, stopping at Bloody Hill.

    • Republic
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Morning

Do

1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look in North Springfield.

  • Fantastic Caverns in SpringfieldPhoto: Nfarrow · Public domain
    Do

    Fantastic Caverns

    Ride-through cave tour by jeep-drawn tram, open year-round.

    Tip Tours run about every 30 min; cave stays 60°F.

    • North Springfield
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Any time

Outdoors

1 outdoor spot for fresh air in Nathanael Greene Park.

  • Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in SpringfieldPhoto: Billie Johnson · Google
    Outdoors

    Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden

    7.5-acre Japanese garden with koi ponds and a moon bridge.

    Tip Seasonal hours; small entry fee.

    • Nathanael Greene Park
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Apr–Oct

Eat

Where we would book a table in Springfield across Battlefield and Ozark.

  • Leong's Asian Diner in SpringfieldPhoto: Oliver F · Google
    Eat

    Leong's Asian Diner

    Family restaurant from the inventors of Springfield-style cashew chicken.

    Tip Order the original cashew chicken.

    • Battlefield
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Dinner
  • Lambert's Cafe in SpringfieldPhoto: Lambert's Café · Google
    Eat

    Lambert's Cafe

    Ozark outpost of the home of 'throwed rolls,' tossed across the dining room.

    Tip Expect a wait at peak times; portions are huge.

    • Ozark
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Lunch

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Springfield in Downtown.

  • Mother's Brewing Company in SpringfieldPhoto: Mother's Brewing Company · Google
    Drink

    Mother's Brewing Company

    Downtown brewery taproom in a former bakery building.

    Tip Try the Lil' Helper IPA; check the event calendar.

    • Downtown
    • $
    • 75 min
    • Evening

Shop

Markets and shops worth the detour in South Side.

  • Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in SpringfieldPhoto: Bass Pro Shops · Google
    Shop

    Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World

    The original Bass Pro flagship, with aquariums and taxidermy, attached to the museum.

    Tip Free to wander; connects to Wonders of Wildlife.

    • South Side
    • 60 min
    • Afternoon

How to fit Springfield into a trip

Springfield is stop 1 of 3 on our Ozarks Hidden Gems route. Follow it as-is or lift Springfield into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Springfield month by month

Average daily highs run from 5°C / 41°F in January to 32°C / 89°F in July. May is the wettest month, with about 146 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Springfield weather and the best time to visit →

Near Springfield

8 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.

Springfield questions, answered

How many days do you need in Springfield?

Our route notes suggest a full day in Springfield. On our Ozarks Hidden Gems route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 5-day trip. The listed visit times for our 8 places add up to roughly 13 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Springfield best known for?

Give Springfield a full day for Wonders of Wildlife and the caverns, with cashew chicken for dinner. Standouts on our list: Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium (Huge aquarium and wildlife galleries built around Ozarks and ocean habitats); Wilson's Creek National Battlefield (Civil War battlefield with a 5-mile tour road and walking trails); Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden (7.5-acre Japanese garden with koi ponds and a moon bridge).

When is the best time to visit Springfield?

Our Ozarks Hidden Gems route is best Apr – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (32°C / 89°F), the coolest in January (5°C / 41°F) and the most rain in May (about 146 mm).

What are the best things to do in Springfield?

Start with Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, Fantastic Caverns, Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden and Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. Our guide lists 8 places in all, from 2 sights, 1 activity, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 shop.

Where should a group eat in Springfield?

Our picks: Leong's Asian Diner (Battlefield); Lambert's Cafe (Ozark). Order the original cashew chicken (Leong's Asian Diner).

What is near Springfield?

The closest destinations in our guides are Branson (about 63 km / 39 mi), Eureka Springs (about 98 km / 61 mi) and Country Club Plaza (about 233 km / 145 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Springfield with your crew

Open the Ozarks Hidden Gems route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 8 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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