Last week, I updated you on my time in Springfield, MO, with the fam. So, as promised, I’m coming to you this week with a list of my favorite things to do in the area!
This list is chocked full of local-recommended, guaranteed memory-making activities that I’m still thinking about weeks later. Whenever you finish reading this list, I would LOVE to hear which one you want to do (whether you’re planning on visiting Springfield or adding it to your bucket list). Make sure to comment your fav below!
Let’s get to it 🤩
Get Close to Creation
- Wonders of Wildlife – This museum & aquarium allows you to get close to hundreds of animals from around the world while learning about the importance of conservation. Walking through the unique exhibits was like nothing I’d ever seen before. One minute I’m looking at a shipwrecked reef, and the next, I’m standing in a swamp. Not to mention walking through caves and the rainforest. And that’s only the aquarium side! There’s a whole other side dedicated to wildlife galleries. You could honestly spend hours here!
- Springfield Conservation Nature Center – Another excellent opportunity to connect with nature and see conservation in action, but make sure to bring your walking shoes! The nature center is home to multiple gravel-paved trails that offer spectacular views of the surrounding wildlife. I spent hours walking around, taking pictures with my Canon, and even found a quiet spot to read. I also came across an Our Daily Bread Devotional book that someone left in a sandwich bag for walkers to read. Thank you to whoever did that!
- Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield – While under the umbrella of the National Park Service, Wilson’s Creek is not a national park; instead, it’s home to the second major battle site of the Civil War. Even if you’re not a history nerd, this is a place you’ll want to see in person. Admire the land’s beauty from your car, or get out and explore the historical stops or hiking trails. Be on the lookout for white-tail dear, wildflowers, and more tastes of the wildlife that calls the battlefield home.
- Dogwood Canyon – This was probably Chris and I’s favorite place in the area! Despite being a little over an hour away from Springfield, Dogwood Canyon is a nature park gem worth the drive. We took the 2-hour Wildlife Tram Tour to see the bison, elk, and Texas Longhorns they have in the Bison-Elk Country pasture, but you can also rent bikes and hike miles upon miles of nature trails. The tour was a great way to see the park, and the only way you can see the animals, but you’ll have to pay general admission on top of the tram tour price ($25 adult, $15 child), so it can be a bit pricey. However, you can see a lot of the same sites on foot on top and explore trails that the trams can’t go on!
- Top of the Rock – I won’t lie to you, Chris and I didn’t have the best time here, BUT I don’t think that’s because it’s not a good place. We loved the views of the statue and chapel, but we went on a crazy busy evening, so the golf-cart tour line was super long, we couldn’t see the inside of the chapel due to a wedding, and the wait for the shuttle was ridiculous. There’s a reason it still made this list, though! It’s a popular destination that offers excellent views, good (but expensive) food, a fun golf-cart tour, a guided walking tour, a golf course, and more. If you’re looking for more of a nature outing with trails you can walk around and explore on your own, I suggest Dogwood Canyon over Top of the Rock. If you decide to go to Top of the Rock, it will be $10 to park, and you have to pay for everything except the shuttle. Make sure to look at their website for prices!
Get Some Food in Your Belly
- Lambert’s Cafe – If you’ve never heard of the “Home of the Throwed Rolls,” you’re in desperate need of a road trip. This place is AMAZING! Whenever someone asks if we’ve eaten at any cool places on our RV travels, Lambert’s always comes first to my mind. Why is it so great? The home-style country cooking is out of this world, and they THROW your rolls at you – they’re not called the “Home of the Throwed Rolls” for nothing! Take a short 20-minute drive from Springfield to the one in Ozark.
- Mama Jean’s Natural Market – This place made my organic loving heart very happy. Not only is it Trader Joe’s twin sister in the grocery department, but it also has a deli with delicious food. I got the avocado toast with an egg, which was really good because it wasn’t just your average avo toast – it had pickled onions, roasted tomato spread, sprouts, AND it was served on sourdough. That’s all a win in my book 🤤!
- Sweet EMOtion – I’m a sucker for ice cream, but it’s hard to find good non-dairy ice cream. So when I saw this place, I immediately fell in love. This emo-themed ice scream spot has delicious flavor combinations that will leave you coming back for more. My favorite was definitely “The Strawberry So Far” – we went twice while in Springfield, and I got it both times. When we’re back in the area, I’m going to make it my mission to try all of them because they all look AMAZING!
- Architect Coffee Company – Architect is the boho coffee shop of all our dreams. I won’t lie, I didn’t get anything while I was here since I had breakfast before I came, but I would go back every day for the vibes alone. Multiple coffee lovers told me that this place is legit – whether you choose coffee or something from their food/bakery menu, you can’t go wrong!
Get Close to…MISC.
I couldn’t think of a clever name for this section, so here you go 😛
- C-Street – Explore Historic C-Street and the endless selection of cute shops, unique restaurants, and Insta-worthy murals! I grabbed coffee at Big Momma’s with my step-sister and other women from her small group, and it was the perfect place to sit and talk for hours – plus, the chai tea I got was DELISH. I wish I had taken more time to walk around and see the murals, but I guess I’ll have to go back when we’re in town again!
- Fun Acre – This mini golf course hasn’t changed in the past 30 years, but that makes it great! Plus, it’s only $3 for adults and $1.50 for kids – gotta love a cheap night out.
Time for a Road Trip?
Millions of people visit Branson, MO, each year, but I’m starting a petition that Springfield is way better. While there are great things to do in Branson, like Dogwood Canyon and Top of the Rock, in my eyes, it’s just a tourist trap. Springfield is the real deal. This list doesn’t scratch the surface of all the cool things to do, eat, and see while you’re there.
So, forget Branson! Springfield is where it’s at, my peeps!
Let’s Wrap It Up
That’s all for this week! Keep an eye out next Wednesday for a story you DON’T want to miss from my adventure in St. Louis. Every post is uploaded at noon EST so you can enjoy the craziness of the story on your lunch break.
Also, make sure you’ve checked out my new YouTube channel! I posted my first video (besides the intro) last Friday, and from now on, I plan to upload a new video every Friday at noon EST. Make sure to like, subscribe, and turn your notifications on because you’re in for a treat this Friday 😛
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Till Next Time, Friend,
Kaitlin ☼
