After a long year of sticking close to home, families are starting to dust off their travel clothes, pack up their cars and hit the open road in search of family fun somewhere other than their backyard. If you’re on the hunt for a little bit of adventure and are excited to explore somewhere new with your family, Springfield, Missouri might just be the ideal destination for your next family trip!
Springfield, known as the gateway to the great outdoors by both travelers and locals alike, is a well-loved destination for those seeking easy access to both indoor and outdoor recreation and a wide variety of family-friendly attractions and experiences.
Right now, families can save big on a trip to Springfield! From April 1- June 27, visitors who spend at least two nights in a hotel, spend time at three attractions in Springfield and enjoy a meal or a drink at three different Springfield establishments are eligible for a free night of accommodations in Springfield!
One of the city’s most popular destinations is the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium. As you walk through the aquarium, you’ll enjoy exploring unique habitats filled with an expansive variety of animals and learning all about the creatures that call the aquarium home. You’ll also have the chance to learn about the role that conservation plays in improving marine habitats across the world and, if you’re lucky, get up close and personal with penguins or sharks during an encounter that your little ones will never forget!
If your family is interested in outdoor recreation, you’ll also be excited to visit the world’s first and largest Bass Pro Shop, Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World—with over 500,000 square feet immersive shopping space. Your family can learn about Missouri’s native fish at one of the store’s seven intricate aquariums or visit with the turtles and alligators who live in the in-store swamp. Adults and big kids will enjoy the archery and shooting ranges while even the littlest visitors will get excited about the full-service on-site restaurant known for its delicious fudge.
Once you’ve hit up Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World for gear, you’ll have to decide between hiking, biking, paddling or floating your way through the Ozarks. With more than 90 parks in the Springfield-Greene County Parks system that feature playgrounds, pools, tennis courts, a farm, an ice arena and more, it won’t be hard to find a park with something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
Opportunities to get on the water and float through the Ozarks abound and, if you book a float trip through one of the many float companies in Springfield, your guide will be able to point you in the direction of the best post-floating dinner and drink options in town!
While there’s lots of fun to be had on land and on water, nothing says adventure quite like going underground: Missouri has over 7,000 caves. Explore a former underground speakeasy or a cavernous venue for country music, and discover 200-year-old cave drawings, fossils and stunning geological formations!
No matter how you choose to spend your time in Springfield, you’ll head home already looking forward to coming back to experience more of the Ozarks!
Don’t wait to book your next trip: From April 1- June 27, visitors who spend at least two nights in a hotel, spend time at three attractions in Springfield and enjoy a meal or a drink at three different Springfield establishments are eligible for a free night of accommodations in Springfield!
