Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 10, 2023
How long is the drive from Jefferson City to Joplin?
The direct drive from Jefferson City to Joplin is 209 mi (337 km), and should have a drive time of 3 hrs 30 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from Jefferson City to Joplin, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Springfield, as well as top places to visit like Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area and B&B Theatres Waynesville Patriot 12, or the ever-popular Runge Nature Center.
Situated in the southwest of Missouri, Springfield is a bustling city that offers an array of fascinating attractions for visitors. The Discovery Center showcases hands-on exhibits about various scientific subjects such as genetics and prehistoric creatures, while the Dickerson Park Zoo boasts a diverse range of animals from all over the globe, along with train rides to keep children entertained. Meanwhile, Fantastic Caverns takes visitors on trams through an awe-inspiring cave adorned with stalagmites and flowstones.
Most popular city on this route
8 minutes off the main route, 66% of way to Joplin
Best stops along Jefferson City to Joplin drive
The top stops along the way from Jefferson City to Joplin (with short detours) are Fantastic Caverns, Ha Ha Tonka State Park, and National Tiger Sanctuary. Other popular stops include Osage Beach Outlet Marketplace, Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum, and Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium.
Runge Nature Center, located in Jefferson City, Missouri, offers a variety of indoor exhibits and outdoor activities. Visitors can explore diverse nature trails, observe wildlife and birds, and even see giant sequoia trees. The center features an aquarium and an indoor wildlife viewing area where exotic animals can be observed. Additionally, there is a nature library and gift shop on-site. With 2.
Being so accessible for everyone living in Jeff City makes this a must visit (multiple times) for any resident and great side stop for anyone passing through or living in the nearby area.
The walking trails are well kept and a mix of single track, gravel, wood chip, and boardwalk. There's also a creek when the water is running, a diversity of fields and canopy, leading to an abundance of blooms, and a fire tower that you can go up for amazing panoramic views.
I highly recommend it for trail running, but of course walking is fine too.
There are ample public facilities and of course the highly educational nature center itself!
JC Prazak (Ozark Explorer) — Google review
Awesome fire tower! Awesome tower that is very safe. Tower is short but the view is great. If you are afraid of heights this tower is great!
Elijah Armstrong — Google review
A must see in Jefferson City. Great exhibits and nice walking trails. Very kid friendly and best of all: free!
Gerald Heinecke — Google review
Great place to escape the city without actually leaving the city. Good spot to clear yourbhead for a few hours.
Kayla Hrabe — Google review
Wonderful place to go on cold or warm days.. they have an indoor area with so much information and fun things to learn and do for the kids. If it's a nice day you can also enjoy a wonderful nature walk and find all the hidden clues in the hunt.
a Welschmeyer — Google review
Awesome conservation area great place to bring the family for nature fun. This place does host events monthly.
Billy — Google review
My grandsons, 6 and 9, loved the exhibits. They've been here before and want to come back again. The kids were given an exhibit scavenger hunt. At completion, they were able to pick a sticker.
Sallee Bonham — Google review
My son loves it here. The receptionist is always super sweet. I wish the learning displays for the children were bigger, and they had more exhibits but I understand limited space and funding.
Rebecca Peterson — Google review
Great place to take your kids to see some animals spend a couple hours on a weekend or day off from work. My kids have been there many times and love going every time.
Dan Lensing — Google review
Great place for everyone. Nice, clean, easy walking trails. The nature center is really cool. Lots of animals and displays inside. Nice staff.
Clarissa G — Google review
What a great place! Large visitor center with nice displays. Paved trails lead you through the hilly wooded area past a stream and several small ponds. Great place to bring children.
Will Oestreich — Google review
I always love to find an old fire tower to climb. That automatically puts this on top of a list for me. It was nice to see they kept it safe to climb. The compass that is set up next to the tower was a nice touch. The branches in the path of the view finder could use a trimming.
Jason Hensley — Google review
I did not invest much effort beyond my objective, climbing the fire tower. The facilities I saw were clean and safe. The roads and parking lot and structures were in good condition. The staff I interacted with were friendly, competent and patient. The Center was hosting one or more groups of grade school kids,, so some areas were busy and noisy.
Google Maps led me on to residential streets then lost me. Four-lane U. S. Highway 50 to MO Highway 179 west of Jefferson City, then north about a mile to a well-marked entrance on the west side of the road is the efficient route.
Mike Steffan — Google review
Lovely place with nice informative displays. Friendly & highly knowledgeable staff. Being winter, we did not go around the grounds but have in the past. Very walkable. Inside there is a large observation window to seeing birds. The taxidermy of MO's wildlife appear clean including the one of the black bear. Great place to take kids interested in outdoors.
Trekker V — Google review
Amazing place to visit. My whole family loved exploring the inside and walking around the outside. The people inside were very kind and informative. We had a great visit! The animals are also amazing to see!
Jillian Schmidt — Google review
Runge Nature Center is a very good place to visit for both children and adults. They have indoor exhibits, some are live and some are stuffed animals, and programs year-round. They have outdoor programs for all ages, from infants to elderly, and people of all skill and ability. They have a small indoor theater for screening wildlife documentaries. The agents and volunteers on staff are friendly and helpful. They are excited and passionate about nature. The Rings has a small gift shop. It also boasts a small nature reference library. They also have an abundance of free literature for anyone interested in learning about specific animal species.
Carla Knipker — Google review
Love love love this place! Good for kids and adults to go visit. The inside is nice too learn and explore and there are some great trails to hike. Love seeing all the wildlife here!
Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area, situated along the Missouri River, is a vast expanse of marshlands dedicated to the preservation of nature. This expansive natural reserve presents opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking trails, angling, and wildlife pursuit. Visitors can indulge in hiking adventures amidst these wetlands or engage in fishing and hunting endeavors. The park provides a sanctuary for various flora and fauna species while offering visitors an immersive experience in the heart of picturesque landscapes abundant with possibilities for exploration and recreation.
4.5
(44)
Columbia, MO 65203, USA
Need a place to stay?
WhereWhere are you going
When
–
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
When
–
Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.
Rooms, guests
2
Rooms and guests
Rooms
1
Adults
2
Children
0
3
B&B Theatres Waynesville Patriot 12
Movie theater
Fun & Games
Relaxed, contemporary multiscreen theater featuring showings of mainstream films.
Outstanding, quality theater. Grand screen and over-21 theaters have plenty or room and reclining seating. Sound is spectacular. Service is excellent and polite. As one may expect, concessions are overpriced but great selection and quality.
jon byrom — Google review
Excellent theatre. Very nice layout and excellent use of the spaces. The air conditioner compressor went out last week in theatre 7 where the sound of freedom was playing but they were able to move it to theatre 10. We saw the movie, excellent sound. Great picture. Great popcorn!
Jennie Spohn — Google review
It’s a pretty nice theater for the area. Having food options along with the nice coke machine where you can make just about any drink you can think of is great. The seats don’t recline but they do kind of lean back some. I’m also surprised with the ticket prices and concessions are usually always inflated and here is no different.
Brett Heckman — Google review
The facilities are always well kept and cleanliness of the theater floors and seats is impressive. An arcade would be a welcome addition! Staff has always been professional, polite, and very competent in fulfilling my requests. Great theater!
Nathan Boggs — Google review
Nice movie theater with a bar inside. The 3D movie was enjoyable after asking the staff to turn on the 3D filter. With self pour drinks, guest flavoring popcorn, I would of liked cheaper tickets. Not bad, I'll try the early show next time.
Kelly Miller — Google review
From what I understand, this theater is pretty new. The facilities are nice and clean. The 2 times I’ve been were to see popular new releases during matinee times. The theater wasn’t crowded at all, so that was great! The only suggestion I have for management is to provide more hospitality training for the young staff. Each time I’ve gone, the staff was less than friendly and kinda nonchalant. Their attitudes honestly caught me off guard.
Fee — Google review
Great movie going experience. To my surprise the ticket prices were not inflated. The concessions were good. The staff friendly and professional. The facility was clean, comfortable and modern with awesome chairs. Im very glad I chose to spend my money here.
Cameron Emery — Google review
The theatre itself is very well maintained. Went on a Friday night, staff was busy but super polite and helpful. I had accidentally bought a pair of tickets to the same movie and time for the Lebanon location, realized it at the counter, and the gentleman behind the counter went out of his way to make sure I could still see the movie at their theatre in Waynesville. I felt humbled by the service and kindness of the staff. The screen was massive, seats very comfortable, and the selection of snacks was impeccable. Thank you for helping create a great Friday date night!
Andrew Myers — Google review
Pretty good spot. It was clean, and the food was good.. We had stadium seating, so it was good enough and actually more comfortable than some other places. Popcorn butter and salt ststion had a couple of broken machines that created a minor hold-up but nothing too bad for the early show. Staff at the counter was pleasant and seemed to know their jobs pretty well.
Larry Schrecengost — Google review
Seats are okay, temperature was nice. It would be even better if ushers made sure folks kept quiet or were removed. Had a family with large litter of offspring and NONE knew how to shut up, adults nor kids. Almost ruined the entire experience. I do like that they show retro films.
Joe James — Google review
Theatre was not very full, the day we attended. Seats were comfy, and the temp was cool but comfortable. Soda was self-serve, and it worked well.
Jennie Heidbreder — Google review
Definitely needs an upgrade. Every time I go the seats look filthy along with the floor. Sits and floor need a good scrub. I want to enjoy the movie without killing bugs flying around me.
Sc Cc — Google review
B&B Theaters is awesome! Comfortable seats. Well decorated interior. Friendly staff. Great snacks. It’s a great theater for the Saint Robert, Waynesville, and Fort Leonard Wood area. Definitely worth going to. Have a great day!
Jack Carello — Google review
It's a quiet and comfortable place. It's expensive for the small town, but what isn't nowadays? If you order food or get just a bag of popcorn, it all tastes good 👍 we've never had any problems with it!
amanda carrington — Google review
B&B seems to have a poor management lately. The last three times we have come here there are issues. They are playing a very loud bass heavy movie right next to a quiet movie. Last time the theater played previews for an 45 minutes and never played the movie. I used to love coming here now my family hates coming here.
Has so much potential! It was recently sold, so I hope they invest money back into it and bring in more stores. Only 19 stores are currently open. We shopped at Carter's, Osage Popcorn Co, Bath and Body Works, and Ralph Lauren. Nothing better than outlet shopping while on vacation for this mom!
Diana Twarogowski — Google review
This has always been a nice set of outlet mall stores, but at this point two-thirds of them have moved on or gone out of business. I often shop at the Eddie Bauer outlet, which has some good clothing at reasonable prices.
Philip Kurle — Google review
Terribly upset that this place has rundown so much! Not very many stores left. Super sad! Great deals at the stores that remain.
melissa chevalier — Google review
Even though this Mall has very few stores left, Bath & Body Works is open, clean, & well stocked. The numerous Staff members are cheerful and extremely helpful.
Lisa Augustyn — Google review
Very interesting establishment, went off season and it felt like I was the star of Spirited Away 2. Love all the little shops, at least those that are left, however where there are no shops, they allowed it to rot. No upkeep has made it seem like the sirens went off in Silent Hill. Beyond that maybe a better more visible detailed map to your guests to know what shops exist and where would be fabulous upon entering.
pa1n1san1llus1on — Google review
It's a shadow of it's former glory. More closed down stores than open. If no one else has said this before, it's hardly an "Outlet" as we know it anymore. So often I have to inform visitors that shopping there is not what they're expecting. I'm not diminishing the experience and quality of the remaining stores however I certainly would not consider it to be an "Outlet Mall".
Nathan Mays — Google review
Went here last year and I loved the place. I bought shoes and clothes at a very affordable price. Had fun going at different stores and purchased things at a low price.
Sad thing was, few stores were open. There were just two food stores, the Auntie Anne’s and the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
Jill — Google review
The plaza itself is gorgeous. I was very disappointed to see that most of the shops including the Wacky Knacky Diner and the ice cream shop had closed. Most of the shops left are men's apparel and tool shops. The Osage popcorn shop is a must see. Very nice and very good popcorn.
Chris Carter — Google review
I visit the Lake of the Ozarks at least times a year, and it is sad to see the many outlet stores closed. Do not waste your time unless you want to rimenience about what was there. I couldn't believe the Coach store was gone, so SAD!
Pamela Manning — Google review
I went with my sister and the prices were way to high for a second hand shop. The place has colored tags and each day the sale is a different color of tag but good luck finding anything with the sale color of tag, I am thinking they pull them all just to make you think they are really helping you. I could not find anything at all that day even non sale items were way to high to buy anything. I was so disappointed. The girls were so distracted that worked behind the counter ,they were not paying any attention to the lady wanting to ask a question that stood there in front of the counter for several min ,she finally left . Then they were making fun of customers so loud i could hear them several feet away . Dont waste your time coming here the stuff was way to high and junk really .
Dana Phillips — Google review
This place is on its last legs, about 9 empty storefronts for every active store. It's run down and dirty and would be the perfect movie set for a zombie apocalypse. That's being said, we still drop by everytime we visit the Ozarks cause the few stores that are still open we like to shop at.
J Ferguson — Google review
We went to the Bath & Body Works store here. Everyone that worked there was very helpful and polite. It was pretty packed since it was just the day before Christmas Eve. I love Bath & Body Works and will always go back.
Dawn Mensah — Google review
This place is so cool. The details on the buildings are so so cool and I’m so sad that it’s basically abandoned because it looks like it used to be a very fun spot to go to and I hope that one day it finds life again.
Stephanie Lynn — Google review
It was a very nice place to shop. But now it's pretty much a ghost mall like ALL across America they want to build on the other side of the street and then it cost more money to bring back the old business back to current standards. I see it around Fort Leonard wood in St Robert and the internet don't help either
Steven New — Google review
Such a shame, this used to be a great place to shop and look around. I remember when it was full of stores, but now, basically empty. The looks of this center is eye catching, and could be great again, if some businesses moved in. Stores that are still there, are nice to look at. Online shopping is a great alternative, but unfortunately puts places like this out of business. Fingers crossed it will make a comeback.
blonde dude — Google review
This is a huge space, essentially a big outdoor mall but a lot of stores were closed probably since covid. It was still a good place to park and use the public restrooms as we were visiting lake of the ozarks.
Shiona Deliozar — Google review
My husband's aunt runs a store and it has wonderful prices and great product
Guests walk a mile-long, lit path through this picturesque cave with a wide variety of formations.
A great cave! You get so close to the formations unlike many of other caves. The tour guide Sedona was so nice and giggly it was a hoot. It's a great family experience and a real benefit to take young people through and teach them about geology and natural history. It has the usual cave stuff like stalagmites, stalactites and cave straws but also has fossilized coral in the ceiling. They have a case with mammoth teeth, and other prehistoric artifacts that were found in the cave. There is a neat small gift shop that isn't so highly overpriced like a lot of places are. It has a nice family feel to it and my mom aged 77 really enjoyed it.
Eric Mozingo — Google review
It was alright. Tour guide was nice, didn’t seem to know a whole lot though… it was a cool cave, but not THAT cool?
Like more or less one layer (no Ups and downs) and not a lot of variety compared to other caves I’ve seen in the area
Nomes — Google review
One of the most beautiful places in the entire U.S.!! If you’ve got an hour to spare, def give this place a look, it’s truly awesome in every way possible, and a very cool experience for the whole family, my 9yr old son loved it. We will definitely be back for the crawl through experience!!
mellanie Miller — Google review
Awesome cave that allows you to walk through and get up close to the formations. It's more of a family ran kind of place but very informative. My boys really enjoyed it. The gift shop is awesome with very reasonable prices compared to what you would typically find. I would definitely recommend taking your family on a tour that lasts about an hour long.
Michael Bigley — Google review
The cave and our guide were awesome. It’s a little chilly so dress accordingly. It took about an hour to go 1/2 mile and back. There’s plenty of cool stuff to see. Our guide was very knowledgeable, patient with the kids and enthusiastic about the cave and it’s history. Great outing for families, friends it by yourself.
William Koger — Google review
Pretty neat cave system. Has wide caverns and smaller tunnels. We went on the guided tour and our group was pretty small which was nice. It’s also wheelchair accessible (we had one on our tour)
Ryan Schuckman — Google review
Easy to find, plenty of free parking, handicap accessible. Motorized wheelchair and strollers available. Nice gift shop. Our cave tour guide was prompt, courteous and well informed. Destiny explained all the cave features as we passed through, answered all our questions and is a credit to the industry. Thank you all, good times.
Urracadan Williamson — Google review
This is one of my favorite caves in the area. We got to visit with Frank for a minute and the whole staff is always friendly and welcoming. Thanks for a great day friends.
Lindsey Webster- Dillon — Google review
My family had an awesome time! We all had a lot more fun than we were expecting and our tour guide was great. Definitely worth checking out!
Donald Campbell — Google review
What a fun experience! We did the wild caving experience. We were able to explore the cave freely after a safety brief. We can't wait to come back and explore more. There is a nice mix of tight areas to move through and more open spaces to explore. Great way to push your comfort levels as well as rest between more challenging paths. I highly recommend you bring knee pads as it makes the experience a lot more comfortable and fun for me.
Michael Ellis — Google review
Finally got to do Jacobs cave! It was amazing! Nice and cool 56 degrees inside the cave while it was a humid 95 degrees outside! Learned about the prehistoric animals found in and around the caves. Saw evidence of floods and earthquakes. We got to hold a stalagmite and touch petrified wood.Drink some cave water right out of the stream. At the end I bought some pretty rocks! All in all it was a good time. Loved our tour guide she was so much fun and had great energy. 10/10 recommend!
Miranda Stuart — Google review
Fantastic swap meet! Every vendor and shopper I spoke with said that people were really enjoying themselves, finding things they were hunting for, getting good deals, good food, good family time, nice weather. What more can we ask for?
Julie Purvis — Google review
This cave was incredible. There was a lot of geological, natural, and human history to it, and the guide was passionate and knowledgeable. My favorite parts were the bear prints/claw marks, the fossil cases (with fossils found inside the cave!!), the huge ledges caused by the cave forming new floors lower and lower as the clay base is washed out from floods, and the spot where we saw a crack caused by a relatively recent earthquake that the cave then healed over(!!!). Oh, and the enormous geode in the cave wall. The gift shop had nice options that were reasonably priced, too.
Jessica Buller — Google review
We had a Great Time at Jacobs Cave. We were Vendors and sold alot of items. There were lots and lots of friendly people and good food. Lots of Vendors also. Can't wait to go back in March!!
Treaca Vogeler — Google review
I've been a vendor for a few years. Nice to see changes and new ideas being rolled out. The management and the staff have been fantastic to deal with. They privide a lot that i bet goes unnoticed. I'm grateful for the opportunity to sell to so many buyers. Thank you.
Scott
Scott M (Cho1seN) — Google review
We really enjoyed this cave. We've been through a lot of caves in Missouri and this one did not disappoint. Our tour guide, Sedona, was excellent! She took just the 4 of us through & it was so much better than going through with 25 people like some caves. She had great knowledge with a sense of humor & was very personable (& patient while I took pictures). The cave has no steps, which made me think it might be lame, but I was so wrong. Also, they let you take your pet through it as long as you are holding it. I had my chihuahua & was fine holding her for the hour. No other pets allowed unless you carry for the whole hour. The price ($25 per adult) was kinda steep but in the end very glad we did this cave. Very clean bathroom. Small gift shop consisted of mainly stones, geodes, crystals, etc. Had a good time. Would recommend. 🌞
Named after an Osage Native American legend, this picturesque cave system hosts tours & weddings.
Absolutely beautiful what Mother Nature creates! This is by far one of my favorite caves now too! The location is reachable by vehicle or boat. Going into the main entrance it has a fabulous gift shop perfect to find some beautiful trinkets priced reasonably well. Our tour guide was helpful and even took the tour himself as a kid so it sure says a lot about this beautiful place. One to keep coming back for years to come! Truly stunning and a must see if you’re looking to explore a cave without the worry of animals.
Kimberly Inge — Google review
Me and my wife went to visit this place last weekend. Booked 2 tickets at the front desk at the shop which sells a lot of cool rock stuff (a bit pricey though). Was told to wait for about 30 min. Once the tour started, we had a bunch of about 12-15 people with our guide. The guide patiently explained all the formations inside the cave which looks so beautiful! The guided walking tour lasted for about 45 min. I've been to the Fantastic caverns (which has a vehicle driven tour) but IMO the bridal caves was much better! Totally exceeded my expectations! Once the tour got over, we also took a short .5 mile hike in the thunder mountain overlook. Overall, a very good place to spend about 1.5 hrs.
SK Yeshwin — Google review
We were visiting friends for the holiday at the lake of the Ozark's - we wanted to do something different one afternoon . So we decided to check out bridal cave . It was very cool - my kids loved it and we did to. Tripcie was an awesome tour guide and answered all of our questions in detail. I’m glad we didn’t just hang around the house , but decided to have this cool adventure.
Tory XJW — Google review
Big cave worth the 20$ admission. Tour is very cool just be careful if you have any health or physical issues. Gift store is pretty decent too with lots of cool trinkets
Benjamin (Mr Biggs) — Google review
About $50 for our family of 3 to go on the ~1hr tour. The formations in this cave are very impressive. Apparently it is the 3rd most decorated cave in the US. Our tour guide was funny and informative and the way through the cave was easy. There were only a few short passages that required some bending over to get through. The pool at the far end of the cave is especially cool to see.
Dr. William Starsiak — Google review
This cave is a must visit of you like caves. Only 1/2 mile back, then return back out, but their are fun, narrow passageways ways that open into amazing 'rooms' with gorgeous displays of cave structures. Just enough lighting to take pictures. Jade, our guide was informative, friendly, passionate about her work, answered all our questions and thankfully didn't try to be a comedienne along the way.
We will bring our 3 grandkids back this summer. They will LOVE it! ❤️
TerriJG — Google review
The best cave we've been to. Breathtaking views and The guide was VERY knowledgeable and allowed us to take all the photos we wanted. The parking lot is small for any big rigs though. Thankfully nobody parked in it so we could turn our RV around, but if it's full you won't be able to. Beautiful scenery and place to hang out or have lunch outside overlooking the lake, as well. We're bringing the grands next time, great stop!
Diane Nichols — Google review
Absolute must-see experience! Even if you've seen one cave before, no two are alike, so don't miss this one!
I can't say enough about our tour guide, Tripsy! She was fun, outgoing, incredibly knowledgeable and made the whole experience even better than I expected!
The area is gorgeous as well, overlooking the river, and you can hike Thunder Mountain.
Great little gift shop, too! You can buy various sizes of "pay dirt" (seeded with genuine minerals from around the world), then take it over to their "mining" area where you can test out the panning process. You pour your bag, little bits at a time, into the screens, hold it under the running water to wash off the sand and dirt and discover the gemstones inside. Great experience for kids and adults alike, to see how the mining process works! (My friend's "kids" were 18 and 20, and even they loved it!)
Spend a few hours, or a whole day here. You won't be disappointed!
Wendy Bradley — Google review
Great experience when you come to Bridal Cave. When you arrive there is a gold mining water station to interact with.. pretty cool for the kid’s. Next year we’re going to a gift shop that has all kinds of Geos, gemstones etc. and lots of things to choose from including T-shirts. Pretty cool, next year will be directed to go to the next pavilion which is also a gift shop with T-shirts and free fish food. You can hang out by a small waterfall or feed the fish while you wait for your cave tutor to start. Awesome experience with a very cool tour guide.
Dennis Mutz — Google review
We loved this tour!!!!!!!!!!! All the staff was friendly and welcoming. Our tour guide was amazing, she was very knowledgeable about the cave and made it fun and interesting! I wish I could recall her name and mention her here. You also get a great view of the lake.
Emily Reed — Google review
It’s absolutely amazing and you will not be disappointed visiting this place, the lake view is beautiful from this spot and the Bridal cave is a different experience, native Americans wedding ceremony was held here hence the name , it’s a one hour tour with guide taking about its history and formations. A little pricey and you pay extra 10$ for photo that they instantly click and give. The store is pretty with wind chimes, crystals,lamps etc
Hemalatha Krishnamoorthy — Google review
Our tour was done by Vivienne (i am not sure on the spelling) and she did an outstanding job! All of the staff were really friendly and the cave itself was beautiful!
Highly recommend! Especially if it's reallt hot out! The cave is 60° F year round.
Charlie Erickson — Google review
Tripsee was a fantastic tour guide. She told cool stories and was very engaging. She went out of her way to make my daughter first cave trip amazing and look forward to trying the black light tour.
Kyle Stegner — Google review
It's a must see! Such an amazing experience. If you can, request Luke as your tour guide. He is very entertaining while he educates you on the history of Thunder Mountain and Bridal Caves. Smash a penny, mine for gems or take home your favorite tee-shirt or gem from the gift shop. I'm extremely claustrophobic but had zero issues on this tour. Enjoy!
Teresa Lynnette — Google review
Fabulous experience! Our guide, Tripci, was a hoot and very knowledgeable! The tour has some very tight spots, both width and height, but traction is decent on the concrete walkways. Hand rails are available.
Afrer a sneak peek of the cave with a black light, we are looking forward to returning for the black light tour. Photos are offered at the end of the tour for just $10.
Katryn Robinson — Google review
Awesome tour.... tripsy was very knowledgeable and a great guide.
R B — Google review
I still haven’t wrapped my head around how cool this place is. The cave is absolutely breathtaking and the tour was very informational. We had Tripcie as our tour guide and she was awesome. Being able to look through the photo albums of all the weddings (4,000+!!!) while we waited for our tour to start was also a really cool plus.
Erika — Google review
Our group did the Blacklight tour and absolutely loved it! It was an amazing way to see the cave in a different “light” :) Our guide, Tripcie, was fantastic. She was and fun, shared a great history of the cave and loved answering our questions. This is a great experience for the entire family and groups of friends.
Scenic park featuring the ruins of a 20th-century castle, plus trails, caves & more amid lake views.
This is such a great place to go and enjoy nature, hand build castle and water tower ruins are amazing and the trails are spectacular! Stop by enjoy this State Park when you're in the area, it will not disappoint you even if you're just admiring from a parking spot. Handicap accessible spots throughout, just pick up a map at the entrance off of D highway or one of the entrances to the trails. Such a great place to visit while @ Lake of the Ozarks for sure! The Castle, Spring / falls area, Island are just a few of the many attractions here to enjoy.
JD Offield — Google review
This park is frequented by many locals because it’s a beautiful getaway. My favorite part was the island trail and the beautiful waters.
All trails are pretty well marked and maintained. We were out in nature without getting lost.
Well positioned porta-potties around the park, and very well marked road signs.
The castle is a nice piece of history, but apparently some of the bikers visiting the area figured they could walk wherever they want (pic attached). Despite all the railings and signs, she jumped the rails and walked around & inside the castle. There were no rangers in site to enforce the rules, and it’s people like this, that forced the park to close the castle off to visitors in the first place. (Admin, contact me for license # if you want it).
Other than that, the views & history of the area are spectacular. It’s definitely worth a visit. We stayed at the Lake of the Ozarks State Park while visiting the area, and it has some nice trails too.
Janet S — Google review
Hiked several trails, castle ruins, spring, boat dock. It was a hot one so we opted to do just a couple of hikes. GPS works and will take you to the starting points of each trail and park and hike. We went to the castle ruins and read all the signs to learn the history (if you want to learn more of the history, pick up a Lake of the Ozarks travel Mag it's Free and it will tell you more) beautiful view and amazing birds over head, you can look down at the spring and see the color changes. Hiked down from the ruins to the boat dock and walked along that to look at the lake, lots of rocks and roots could be challenging for some, amazing views (did not see any animals on this trail at this time). Then we drove to the spring trail entrance. Easy parking and the trail begins going down a small wooden deck. You can go either left or right. We went left and there are some blockages because they are restoring some of the erosion so the trail is rerouted in some spots. After hiking through the wooded trails you come to a concrete trail then a deck trail, when crowded with people makes it a bit tight to get through, but is a lovely view and trail. Not stroller or wheelchair friendly (keep in mind). The restoration project to remove the gravel and restore the land from erosion is a wonderful project and our State Parks do a great job as to try to keep this beautiful area alive but some people just suck and do not seem to care about nature and you can see cups and water bottles and some people walk on the area being restored. If you are that kind of person, don't visit nature just stay on your couch. Keep your personal belongings pack away in a back pack as you really do not need it during this part of the hike. It is a shaded area and you can wait to drink your drink or eat your snack. Children should not bring toys to accidently drop on this delicate beauty of nature, that will be trampled on to retrieve.
Tania T — Google review
Truly a little gem of Missouri! Being from Virginia, I spend most of my time section hiking the AT and never expected to find such a pretty place in the Midwest. I am thankful did and I loved how it was accessible for all people. Such a gorgeous place. You should find go. :-)
William Fritzler — Google review
What a cool castle! The beauty that abounds here is incredible! It’s stunning to be amidst the relics of what’s left but what is most beautiful are the views! We enjoyed reading the history, taking it all in, going on a hike, and having a picnic lunch down below by the spring! A must see!
Monique Murphy — Google review
This place is amazing. There is a lot to do and see here. Some really interesting terrain and features. Hikes about 9 miles and saw all of it. The castle is pretty cool but my favorite part was the hike around the island and from the island up to the castle that led by the Natural Bridge and the sinkhole. Well-maintained trails and facilities. Many opportunities for the elderly or kids as there is plenty of paved trails and access areas. Check out some of the photos I took while exploring here.
Brian Emmons — Google review
Gorgeous. Water is so clean. We walked around and read signs on the trail by the spring. Quite easy compared to the other trails we've done. All directions give you everything you need to know. We walked up all the stairs we could handle and carved out names into one of the platforms on the stairs as we saw others did too. Next time will definitely be taking kayaks out to explore further.
Andrea Sachs — Google review
Ha Ha Tonka State Park Is Awesome! The hiking trail is absolutely beautiful! I went there on my hiking trip with The US Army BOSS Program and it was great! The water, the trees, and the rocks were all beautiful and great to see. Without any doubt I strongly recommend going to Ha Ha Tonka State Park because it’s a definitely a great adventure and opportunity worth taking advantage of. Have a great day!
Jack Carello — Google review
Absolutely beautiful!!
From the parking lot where one bathroom is located, the only bathroom here I might add, to the upper parking area and the Attractions in this area, to the amazing views, to the buildings and their history that's posted, along with the natural bridge,to the trails, just well worth the trip!!! Very upkept, cautious signs posted , for safety of visitors, benches to rest on, and lots of eagles in the area as well, just beautiful place to hike! Trails not wheelchair accessible, but main area is, and most attractions are in this location.
Summer Jones (ANGEL) — Google review
This was a great park with some beautiful sites! The weather was a little grey and rainy and it was still an amazing trip! I didn’t have as much time as I would have liked to be able to hike to some other spots, but what I got to see was great!
Nikki Moore — Google review
Gorgeous Park! We hiked the Spring Trail up to the Dell Rim Trail to see the castle. The Spring water was so pretty and clear. We saw turtles and some birds there too. So many hiking trails around the park and many were pretty short. After we hiked back from the castle we drove to the trail head for the Natural Bridge and it was a quick 300ft descent to the feature.
Sasha Stewart — Google review
The cool sites are great because they're all easily accessible and only a short hike from a parking lot. I say that because we went here on a 100+ degree day with our kids (aged 2, 4, 6 and 9). They complained a lot, but hey...what can you expect. You can't access the castle as you could a few years back when we came. It's just a beautiful area, lots of trees, and beautiful views. Worth a stop for sure.
Kate Stone — Google review
Amazing scenery. Absolutely amazing place to visit when in the area! The only thing I'd recommend is that a few first aid stations are placed. My daughter fell on a trail and hurt herself pretty bad. There wasn't any place for her to clean up that was close by without driving too. Then the first aid kit, she had to find someone to help her access, didn't have proper supplies.
Angel Howell — Google review
The trails are really nice but poorly indicated. There are multiple trails using the same color markers which makes navigation rather difficult. They should definitely expand their color pallet to help differentiate the trails.
Half of the maps on the park are so damaged from graffiti and vandalism that they are illegible. The online maps are not much help either based on my previous comment.
It's also very disappointing that the stone structures are inaccessible to visitors. They have signs posted everywhere that the structures are unstable and you can't go past that point, it's asinine. These buildings have stood for how long at this point? Just let people walk around the courtyard in the castle and water tower, nothing bad is going to happen.
It's overall a pretty cool park, but it's not one I'm going to really recommend unless some things are addressed.
Cody Holland — Google review
It was a nice walk to the Castle ruins. All paved sidewalks. Many people brought their dogs. The walk down the hill to the stream was beautiful. Nice wooden steps. There is also an area to park where you can have a flat hike to the stream. Both very pretty.
Shelly Dagenais — Google review
We've been going here for 30 years, and it gets even more beautiful every year. Spring and fall are some of the better times to go for the views and the weather.
Rachel Brockett — Google review
November isn't exactly the prime month to see this park, but we had a great experience walking the trails and taking in the beauty. I couldn't imagine spending more than a day at HA HA, but it was an outstanding day-trip location
John Nevers — Google review
A favorite place take photos! There is beauty year around. It’s a highly recommended spot for vacationers and a regular spot to hike for locals. There is a very nice little park with a spot for kids to play and picnic benches.
Bethany Weeks — Google review
HIking through the woods is how I'm spending the later years with my wife. There's that feeling while you're both hiking and not talking of being so alone in the woods and yet so close to your loved one. We were here for hours and would love to go back again
The Great Satan — Google review
Absolutely beautiful, peaceful and amazing! By far my favorite place so far in Missouri. The park and castle ruins are clean, the signs are easy to find and read. Do Not go past the barriers/ markers. This is a must go for anyone who enjoys nature and or history.
Serious trout fishing in a stocked stream, plus camping, hiking, canoeing & a rustic dining lodge.
An absolutely beautiful and well-maintained park. Always has been one of my favorite places to visit, growing up in this area. The little reptile house is awesome, the restaurant is tasty, and most of all the area where you can feed the rainbow trout is SO COOL!
R B — Google review
A gem in the state of Missouri, Bennett Springs Fish Hatchery and waterfall was a neat place to take pictures. We saw all kinds of fishermen, women and kids trying to catch the rainbow Trout that live in the stream.
You have to possess a Missouri state fishing license, then pay $4 for a Trout ticket to be able to fish. You can keep up to 4 Trout, most people we saw catching them were releasing them back into the stream.
It is a cool place to stop and watch them fly fish!!
Bill Doering — Google review
Awesome place to hike. Kids and digs( leashed, of course) will have a Great time, for sure. I certainly got a workout! I REALLY enjoyed the beauty. And the Quiet. And the Singing Birds!!
Rebecca Kolander — Google review
We stopped overnight traveling on I 44. About 15 miles off highway. Shower house was a solid concrete room nothing fancy. There are not a lot of options off the highway in this area. 19 bucks for full hook up. Water was turned off in February except for shower house. Great overnight stay
Dawn Siok — Google review
Of the 3 state parks for trout fishing in Missouri, Bennett has been a favorite of most people I know for a long time, even though it is the furthest from St. Louis. The friendly, long-serving staff, comparitively clean facilities, and awesome park make this an awesome place. The people around are almost always friendly and courteous folks who enjoy sharing the experience of fishing. While there are other things to do besides fish, such as tour the hatchery or wildlife museum, enjoy playgrounds, or dine in the restaurant, this is still a place built around fishing and camping so you need to have a desire to do that to really enjoy the experience. I already have decades of great memories in this rustic state park with a 100 year history, and hope for a few decades more with my kids and so on.
Mike G — Google review
One of the best places for camping and fishing. Great for families and great for friends to relax and have fun. I have been going since I was a kid. I would recommend this place to anyone. Their park store is great and the staff is always friendly!
mike nichols — Google review
I'm to old for the playground now days bit if I were a little one I would love to play and swing that was my favorite....the rest rooms were kept clean just need paper towels or Amp up the hand dryer...it was exciting to see the dogs seeming to have fun as well nice to see owner and pal a place were they can both enjoy themselves...I haven't used the picnic area myself but in the future I see it will be one of my favorite spots for this girl loves her picnics were u can be outside enjoy sum yummy food and be around the people u love and fish and when it's finished the hatchery to feed the babies I've not gotten but they say it's a really enjoyable experience 😊 😀 ☺️
brandi Echols — Google review
Anything and everything you could want in an outdoor adventure. Bennett Springs State Park has some awesome amenities. Rather you're just out for the day to hike, fish, have lunch, meet up with friends, or spend time with the family, you won't be disappointed.
Stephanni aka Susie Taylor — Google review
Historic state park with several amenities! Great to see the state parks returning to normal after the pandemic. Wish the nature center would have been open on Tuesday while we were there. Sad to see that the pool is no longer in use as well. Positives: camping was great, and trout fishing was good. Sad that people were cleaning their fish and throwing in the river/stream, kinda gross and smelly in areas. Other areas were beautiful in the stream. Ate a couple times in the dining lodge and had very good and affordable meals! Also the camp store is very nice, everyone was very knowledgeable and helpful as we were first time trout fishers. We were able to get our licenses and rent fishing poles. Do it the night before you want to fish! The fish hatchery area is cool to see as well. Had great summer fun. Several nearby outfitters to rent canoes, kayaks, and rafts if you want to float the Niaingua.
Brice Willson — Google review
This is an awesome place! There is fishing, hiking, and beautiful views!! It was a bit crowded because of the holiday but enjoyed it anyway! They got a cool nature center, cabins for rent, and rv spots in nearby areas. It's a great day trip for those who like short hikes, and the fishing is awesome too! Deserves more than 5 stars in my book!
Stephen Young — Google review
Great experience, I don't fish, but I went camping with some friends, everything is very tidy, clean, there are bathrooms and showers. There is space for walking and lots of nature.
If you like my photos follow me in Instagram @juli.dayphoto
Juliana Diaz Muñoz (VideoBlogs) — Google review
Absolutely beautiful! The spring is amazing. Excellent campsites. I don’t fish so I can’t comment on that but those in my party who did had a good time and came back with some good looking trout. Will come back if I get the chance and stay longer than just a couple of days.
Brandon Wise — Google review
Absolutely beautiful. I give it a five stars but unfortunately, right now, their hatchery is drained. idk if it was the time of year or due to construction, but other than that, everything was perfect
Zach McConnaughey — Google review
This place is beautiful and the fishing is superb! There a ton places to choose to fish, three different zones with specific baits allowed in each. The staff at the facilities are all awesome as well. All around a great experience!
Ryan Mclemore — Google review
Went for a little adventure with my fiance, son, and Australian shepherd. We had a lot of fun walking around. We fed the fish. The weather was nice. We regularly visit because we live 11 miles away. Definitely a clean park and worth visiting. Educational and beautiful.
Kristen Davis — Google review
This was an awesome park. Somehow, the poison ivy was growing wild, and virtually every tree had some growth.. It's not cool if your dog gets it on coat and rubs it off on you.. Toilets.... somehow, it seems the campground attracts the messiest people.. They can not aim straight with no1 or no2..
We took home a few ticks... we will bring them back next year... Otherwise camping was cool..
Istvan J. Ladanyi — Google review
We had a great RV spot on the level by the spring water. Very nicely laid out. The spring and water were gorgeous. We don't fish, but there were a good number of people trying their luck. The store is well stocked and there is a restaurant.
If your passing through this area you have probably seen the signs on the highway for the candy factory. We love stopping by there and grabbing a sugary snack or 10. There are so many choices it is honestly hard to pick. There are gas pumps if you need to fuel up and they honestly do have exceptionally clean bathrooms as they advertise. We usually stop there every time we travel to Branson, it's a fun little pit stop for the kids. It's like the gas station a kid would build. The staff was awesome and helpful, super good people, you won't regret the stop, unless you eat too much candy!!! 🍭🍬🍫🍩🍨🍰
Braden Palmer — Google review
Amazing! Great place to stop on a long trip to stretch your legs and load up on sugar. Probably the fanciest bathrooms we've ever seen in a gas station stop. The kids loved walking up and down the aisles and checking out all of the candy varieties. My husband and I loved seeing some of our childhood favorites as well. The fudge was delicious and the options were plentiful. We will definitely stop again! Our kids even named this stop as a highlight of the trip 🤣
Amanda — Google review
Candy..... who doesn't like a store dedicated to the sweet stuff? Their options were wonderful! The facility was very neat and organized. Everything looked very clean. The restroom was like one from a high class hotel or restaurant. The staff was overall helpful. Only one seemed maybe a bit too tired and didn't seem to have the same cheerful drive the others did.
Dave Eyman — Google review
This place was just totally fun. If you are not careful you can easily spend over one hour and over $100 in the store. The childhood flashbacks and nostalgia that you get from this place will have you giggling and talking to complete strangers like you grew up next-door to each other as kids. Extremely pricey, but overall a great place to stop and reminisce and remember when you were young with no care in the world making up games and playing stick ball or kickball with neighborhood kids.
Angela Green — Google review
Came here for the first time for a fuel stop and of course had to go in and check it out. I was not disappointed! The restrooms were amazing. Spotless and spacious and fancy!! All of the staffing was super friendly and welcoming. The candy selection was massive. Everything was very reasonably priced. I bought a few things that caught my eye and they were just as delishious as they looked! Keep up the great work guys. 10/10
Brendon Bay — Google review
A great pit stop to stretch your legs, use the restroom, and grab some goodies. I was truly a kid in a candy store!
I didn’t know where to begin so I just started walking. You will have to be disciplined or you will purchase little bit of everything.
You can choose from different flavors of popcorn, pretzels, taffy, gummy anything, fudge, chocolates, nostalgic variety of candy and flavors….etc.
You can spend at least an hour selecting candy and reminiscing of the old days.
Follow the highway signs and stop in. You will not be disappointed!
Haile Haile — Google review
Gives meaning to the phrase "Kid in a candy store!" Whats funny is, when we were in there it was all adults! 🤣 So many things to choose from and very nostalgic.
Sherry Landrum — Google review
It's a really busy place so make sure you stay together. The bathrooms were really pretty! We really liked this stop on Route 66 trip! Well worth the stop!
Katy Rose — Google review
Would have rated a 5 star, but discovered the raspberry pretzels I bought were 2 months expired date. They still tasted fine. Plenty of truck parking for pickups w/ trailers or big rigs. Prices were good.
Team Bitcoin — Google review
Great place to stop and take a break at! The fudge there is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G but if that’s not your style they have several sweets and treat’s available including old fashioned soda and candy.
Han H. — Google review
The bathroom was amazing, beautiful and clean!
There wasn’t a candy you couldn’t find here! All of the old school candies!
The varieties of fudge and treats! The turtles, big turtles and giant turtles! Wow! And it’s yummy!!
And sugar free options too!
Shari Murphy — Google review
If billboards on the highway counting down the number of miles to something are your thing, then you'll absolutely get pulled in to Redmon's Candy Factory. They opened in 1995 and haven't looked back.
Classic candies. Modern candies. Taffy. Chocolate dipped nuts and such. Kettle corn. Fudge. Yes, they have chocolate covered Twinkies, too. Coolers with a variety of hard-to-find soda flavors.
I managed to escape with a bag of salty treats, a small tub of malt chocolates for my wife and two pecan turtles.
Bruce K. — Google review
Absolutely very cool candy shop! Treats and silly gifts for everyone! The fudge is delicious but our favorite is the popcorn wall!
Laura — Google review
My siblings and I stopped here to get gas and to shop in the Candy store! Much varies, and my brother enjoyed their old-fashioned drinks! I did also. Anyone who is driving by or traveling by make sure to make the stop here to check out their candies, old-fashioned drinks, fudge and etc! They also have public restrooms that are very much cleaned and fancy!
Pa Houa — Google review
Great place to stop and stretch your legs; plus you get to be a kid again in a candy store!! They have everything and you can mix and match candy for $4.99 for a 1/2 lb. The cinnoman roasted nuts are amazing. They have great bathrooms that are so clean. Friendly and well informed employees. They even have truck parking.
Nichelle Sprenger — Google review
For all the sweet tooth’s in the family or even a candy addict this is a fun place to stop. taffy is Made in house and you can watch them make it. Really cool to see the process of that. If you want anything sweet it’s more them likely here. The candy factory and gift shop are on the same property so you only have a small walk across the parking lot. All in all this is a must stop before Halloween. It’s a bit expensive but worth the stop and time.
Minerva Duran — Google review
Bathrooms are as advertised. We stop here a lot when we travel. Unfortunately this time we decided to try some fudge. Service wasn’t that great. The lady waiting on us wasn’t listening at all and even stopped waiting on us to serve another customer. With that being said she then didn’t pack some of our order. Unfortunately we didn’t see this till we got home. Lesson learned, if you want fudge or another sweet treat I suggest Uranus. :/
lisa polanowski — Google review
Candy, candy, candy! What mor can you say! Though I will add to try their fudge, we tried the carrot cake fudge and WOW !
And if you want some unique items for the homestead, cabin or RV then you have to check out the Worlds Largest Gift Store!
Things you would never even think of for trinkets and nick knack's!
A fun way to burn off some of that candy! 😉
I have ordered from Baker Creek twice now. The first time I was so amazed with how quickly I received my order. Everything I ordered exceeded my expectations! For example, I ordered some Roma tomato seeds and was promised 25 seeds but I actually have 78 seedlings from that one pack!!! The seedlings are happy and healthy. What an awesome surprise! After having such a positive first experience, I placed another order very soon after. My second order was not properly delivered by USPS but I spoke with Leah today and she promptly replied to my emails and said my order will be reshipped by the end of the day today! I am very confident I will receive my order promptly. I wanted to leave this review ASAP because I am so pleasantly surprised with how Leah handled my issue today. She emailed me back within minutes of my initial inquiry and had everything taken care of in less time than I spent on the phone with USPS. USPS provided misleading and false information regarding the status of my delivery, but Leah from Baker Creek addressed the false claims I received from USPS and validated my experience. Leah is remarkable and I am a huge fan of Baker Creek after two wonderful experiences with them! I plan to order from them again in the near future! Thanks again, Leah and the rest of the Baker Creek team!
Faith Hudgens — Google review
Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company was fantastic. We did our research prior to visit this farm. Their website said that visitors are welcome and they are correct. Everyone that we encountered was very friendly and knowledgeable. The prices were reasonable for what you get, so good value. We are told that they have a lot of blooming flowers on the property during the summer months. The parking was acceptable. There are plenty of signs to make sure you don’t get lost. We spent over an hour here walking around looking at everything and shopping. We would stop here again.
Richard Mullens — Google review
Every year I get seeds from there and the varieties get BETTER AND BETTER. I love everything they offer and can't say enough good things about quality!
Karlie Stephenson — Google review
We enjoyed looking around inside the buildings since it was an unseasonably cold day. There are tons of seeds and if you look at their catalogs, it's fun to see all the seeds in one place. I felt a little like a kid in a candy store. Employees in every building were very friendly and easy to talk to.
It was a little hard to know where to park and enter, but we figured it out. Also, if you're coming from the north and Google Maps says to take Road V, be prepared for 3 miles of gravel. Not that big of a deal unless you just washed your car...
David Bouwkamp — Google review
I recently purchased a decent amount of seed packs from their website. The website is functional and easy to use, shipping was very quick, and the seeds are packed phenomenally well and on average I received more seed than described. I was missing one seed packet (again I ordered a lot) and I reached out immediately. Within an hour I received a response and they were happy to help me and got me a new order for the missing pack sent out. Can’t wait to try the seeds I ordered and am so happy I’ve chosen such a wonderful company to do business with. I’ll absolutely be purchasing from here again!! Seriously, if you’re looking into heirlooms and unique varieties, look no further.
Monster Mash — Google review
Great place to shop for seeds. Friendly staff is very helpful in making selections. There are some nice displays and some gift items. On certain days there's a good vegetarian restaurant and some other shops. At various times during the year they host festivals which are usually crowded, but a lot of fun. The roads are paved right up to the property so that until you arrived there you don't have to mess with gravel roads or rough roads. The variety of seeds is amazing. If you browse through the catalog before you arrive it might make shopping a little easier.
Myron Jackson — Google review
During the Spring Planting Festival, we made our way to Baker Seed Co, which, despite some heavy traffic, was well worth the trip. The highlight was their seed store, boasting an incredible variety of over a thousand seed packets – a gardener's dream come true! We also had the opportunity to tour their farm, offering a fascinating insight into their operations. With a diverse selection of food trucks and eateries to choose from, we spent a delightful 3 hours exploring, learning, and simply enjoying the festival atmosphere. It was a thoroughly enjoyable visit.
Douglas Clemens — Google review
The Tulip festival was awesome, a lot vendors which took away from the experience of the village aspect but still had a really good time. Was a little disappointed that times were different online vs reality. People who were selling stuff for the seed Co were gone but stuff was still available yet you couldn't purchase it
Katherine Hogan — Google review
Amazing place! So many different seeds! I can't wait to plant them! We went in January so there wasn't a whole lot going on but we did get to shop the seeds and general store. We picked up this lovely wild flower honey and muscadine Jelly. They are so good!
Abigale Gettinger — Google review
You could spend an entire day here! I was fortunate to visit in between showing clients homes in the area. The store has non-GMO heirloom seeds, snacks, and a variety of items to browse. There's also a bakery, coffee shop and restaurant. Beautiful courtyard overlooking the shopping area. Barn yard critters to enjoy and don't forget to look at all the specimen plants! Sunflowers were well over 8 feet tall. Looking forward to going back and spending more time. Employees are very sweet, patient and helpful.
India Visser — Google review
Baker Creek is the first stop for me and many other gardeners for seeds. They offer a HUGE selection, including many hard to find heirloom varieties.
I recommend Sunrise Bumblebee Tomatoes, Black Strawberry Tomatoes. Nagasaki Eggplant, Taiwanese Yard Long Beans, Wilson's Sweet Watermelon, Orangeglo Watermelon, Japanese Giant Red Mustard, Blot, Death Spiral and Ajvarski Peppers. All of which have grown well for me in USDA Zone 8b.
Varieties I wish they would carry are Sangria Watermelon and Aji Amarillo Peppers.
Adrum Whisperer — Google review
I trusted Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, after hearing many people say they have great seeds and are productive. I have planted seeds under lites for 20 yrs, then transplanting my well grown seedlings into beautiful plants, with great productivity. I am an experienced well seasoned gardener. Always having a wonderful garden in all types of soil. This year was the first year and only year my planting did not produce plants. I will ever use this company again! All of the seeds I planted (tomatoes, peppers, herbs, etc, did not grow! My entire growth for the year is gone. These seeds that I ordered and planted did not grow. Return of replaced seeds or money can not make up for time lost! Please use caution when ordering from this company. I will never use them again. Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Company is bad !
Rosemary Istratoff — Google review
A nice reflection of days gone by paired with some modern twists. Nice gardens and seed selection in the store! Clean atmosphere, great cinnamon rolls at the bakery and a very tasty meal from the restaurant. We were visiting during the tulip festival and much enjoyed the adventure!
Peggy Redmond — Google review
My first year ordering seeds from them but I will definitely come back again and again! The seed packs have sooo much info that other places leave out. It really makes it easy for you to take proper care of the planting and maintenance of your crops. Their varieties of seeds is really hard to beat.
ADC — Google review
We have been purchasing Baker Creek seeds for years. It was great to visit the seed store while attending the Spring Planting Festival. I was impressed with the number of varieties available in the seed store. Not quite the full catalog that is available online but hundreds of varieties are available. Definitely recommend checking the seed store out if you are in the area and attending one of the festivals that are held annually.
This company does a great job of giving back and supporting numerous charities throughout the year.
Mark Soileau — Google review
I found this nursery online when searching for a reliable place to order my garden seeds from. When I found out how close the nursery was to my cousin’s house we decided to make a little trip out of it the next time I went up to her house. They have a cute little village built on the property and sell a number of handmade items made on site. There is a restaurant that had a small all vegan menu but the food is delicious. The veggies in the main courses change depending on what is available from the greenhouses. I enjoyed seeing the expanded seed store and being able to find different things to try and grow and exploring the little village and shops was a fun time. I will definitely be going again and will be ordering most, if not all, my seeds from them in the future. They have multiple festivals and events throughout the year that you can attend. We ended up going a couple of weeks past the tulip festival but there were still numerous lovely tulips blooming and I have my list ready to order the bulbs I fell in love with once they are available in a few months.
Original manuscripts in a farmhouse where the “Little House on the Prairie” books were written.
This is a must see for Laura Ingalls Wilder fans! The museum is FULL of artifacts from her life and very informative about her parents and siblings as well. The farmhouse is beautiful and so special for true fans to see. The rock house was also great to see, and you should take time for both, but the farmhouse is incredible. We also walked the path connecting the houses and enjoyed the beautiful views. Gift shop was awesome and reasonably priced.
Janet Spicer — Google review
The museum and gift shop are mich nicer than the last time I visited years ago.
The "tour" wasn't really mich of a tour. Mainly just unlocking the houses and letting your walk around for about 10-15 minutes before the next wave of visitors came.
bobsince1981 — Google review
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. I loved the " Little House" books as a child and shared then with my children and grandchildren. Seeing Laura's homes and belongings was so special!
Debbie Lum — Google review
If you are a fan of the “Little House” books and the writing and story of Laura Ingalls Wilder, this is a must see. Two houses to tour with expert docents, a museum full of memories and artifacts, and a good gift shop. Tours of the homes run on a schedule, so be mindful of that when planning your visit. There is a trail connect the homes but will take you at minimum 20 minutes to travel. It is a bit steep in places but lovely. Don’t forget to ask about the final resting place in the Mansfield cemetery.
Cami Ward — Google review
If you are a fan of Little House on The Prairie or her many books this is a must stop! Great historical information on the family.
Tim Stewart — Google review
So neat that this home was left just as it was when Laura lived in it (until the day she died). Awesome museum and tour guides are so friendly and willing to answer all your questions. Worth the drive and seeing both homes as well as the museum. There are picnic tables so you could make a day of it. We were only there for a couple hours but 1.5 hrs is probably the minimum you jeed to see it all. There is a trail between each home, but the parking for the historic home is a short (block or so) walk unless you have handicapped parking or it's a quiet day and they tell you to use the handicapped parking. I believe you can also visit Laura's burial site, but we did not have time for that. This is my favorite site for sure of all the Laura Ingalls Wilder homes. Very neat to see how the home was built with short cabinets etc for Laura since she was so short, and to learn about her daughter Rose and the home Rose built for her parents. Worth a visit!
Anna Miller — Google review
Laura Ingalls Wilder was a huge influence in my childhood & was the source of my love of books. Visiting her home where she wrote those books was a dream come true. I highly recommend visiting if you are a Little House fan. You won't be disappointed!
Marilyn Ping — Google review
Knowledgeable informative staff. A must for any fan of the Laura Ingalls Wilder works. You can tour the house, there is a small museum & gift shop & a nice paved trail around the farm
brenda moore — Google review
Our family visited after reading through the Little House series, and my 7 yr old was very excited to visit Laura's house.
The museum is well done, and the gift shop is well stocked. There weren't real tours of the houses; instead a staff member handed out self-guided tour brochures. Honestly, that aspect of the tour could be improved. For $46 plus tax for our family of 4, it's a little pricey to just look through a house. A guide that actually told cool stories about rooms in the house would have been fun.
Still, the restoration efforts are fantastic, and the houses were fun to look through. The museum is great, and I'm glad we went.
Abbie Stratton — Google review
We stayed for a week in the RV park. The park itself is set in a beautiful location at the edge of a pecan grove and a well manicured pond with pavilion. Sadly the pecans were not in season (July). We were late arrivals because of mechanical issues with our motorhome but someone was still there as night was falling to greet us, guide us into our designated spot and even brought extra....of everything I could possibly need to get hooked up. After being broken down on the side of the road in 100 degree heat, the thoughtfulness and the help was much appreciated. My granddaughter and I found a cave that was so cool. When I say cool, I mean it in both terms, (hip )(temp). You could feel the temperature dropping before we even found the entrance. My wife and granddaughter also enjoyed the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum.
Charles McDonald Holt — Google review
It was a magical moment for me to be in her home and see her writing room. There was such a peace and tranquillity about the property and I didn’t want to leave! Our docent was knowledgeable and had little tidbits to offer on our tour! If you are a fan of her books or even if you just watched the TV series it’s a must see!
RD B — Google review
We had such an awesome time getting to learn about the history of some of our favorite books! It was interesting for the entire family and if wherever that way again I would love to revisit!
Samantha Welch — Google review
We drove up from Branson to see this house. Lots of history here and fun to walk through two houses and the museum. There was an 8 minute video and everyone was friendly and helpful. Since our group was so large we got brochures with self guided tour points. You could drive to both locations so not a ton of walking as the path between houses was closed due to animals having babies on the trail. Very fun experience especially if you are a fan. Learned a lot about Laura’s daughter and family.
Stortz Wellness Intentional Living — Google review
I didn't pay to see inside.. but I liked walking around and reading things in gift shop. Also visited grave sight and the home their daughter bought them about a mile away. Wonderful experience.
Terri Thompson — Google review
When you visit places where people live, you just know them better. And for historical people, they kind of change your stereotypes. Like she was quite short, so all her countertops are built low. Like she named her car "Isabelle." Like she had a car. If you have Laura frozen in time as a child like I did, this will open your eyes.
This museum did a great job of showing the houses lived in by Laura Ingalls Wilder while she lived in the area. Tour guides were knowledgeable and cared about their stories. You can tour both houses in an hour and see the museum in about half an hour.
David Bouwkamp — Google review
Laura Ingalls Wilder's two homes and a museum. Both homes are nice glimpses into the past. Nice at your pace walk throughs. All the guides were very well informed and eager to share and answer questions. Lots of great background on the writer and her family. Highly recommended!
Jerry Kokesh — Google review
Amazing to been able to finally visit here. It's been on the Bucket List for a few years. The area is beautiful and the homes were very interesting to tour. It's an amazing feeling to walk where history took place.
Wayne Walk Jr — Google review
Interesting place to visit while on the road. We came on the Laura Ingalls Wilder Day and a talented fellow played “Pa’s” fiddle. Outside of watching a few of the old tv shows I knew little about the books or author that spawned the tv series. It was fascinating to see the place and learn of the people who I knew only from a show.
The house is in good shape and there were docents in each room (ones open to the public) to explain things. The house was hand built as well as most of the furniture. Laura Wilder was very short and her house felt tiny to me.
She died in 1957 and the house stayed locked until the museum opened several months later. One can see where she write her famous books as well as multiple facts about her and her families life.
It was neat seeing history come to life and hear an instrument over a 150 years be played.
It was crowded and quite a few children. But for the most part everyone was respectful and enjoyed their visit.
Jeff Schmidt — Google review
Such a fun place! We've been to other Laura Ingalls Wilder museums, and they've been nice, but this was definitely the best. The historic farmhouse was made into a museum 2 months after Laura's death, so it still contains much of what belonged to her, including Laura's writing desk, things Almanzo made by hand, their library, the electric stove Laura bought from Montgomery Ward, and much more. In the main museum, you can see Pa's fiddle, Laura's Bible, Mary's 9-patch quilt, Pa's "big green book," and much, much more. Worth every penny and every minute we spent there!
5-mile drive-thru reserve with hundreds of wild animals seen from a private car or guided bus tour.
I want to start off here by stating. Take the bus tour then see the animals by the office THEN drive through the park yourself. It will be a 1000 times better if you do.
We went off season aka late Feb. Less people to deal with. However, we went when it was 70 out and we're the only ones on the bus
We learned so much more about animals this way. Like the names, how they got there. How to get them to come get treats, etc.
By the time we came back in our own van we already knew where to look for them and had almost all of them coming to see us at the van. It did not cost extra to do both.
As for the zoo area it was very small. The animals do seem happy but would like to see animals like lions, and giraffes have bigger spaces. The rest were mostly goats, camels, sheep, fox, etc.
My favorite was the giraffes and especially the fish pond. If you talk to the staff you can find out a lot of the struggle to modernize the park. As such I think 70 for a family of 4 is fair so they can continue to improve.
I definitely enjoyed my time there as did my family. Only wish we had something similar in Colorado.
I hope to come back in a few years to see what improvement has been made.
David Wischmeier — Google review
Amazing experience I think I was more excited than the kids! Wish I could give more stars. This place is very unique and very big. I only bought 1 bag of food thinking that's all we would need that was not the case definitely could have used 2. Some of the animals just to name a few were pigs, deer, zebra, donkeys, alpacas, the list goes on. We will definitely be back! Cost us $20 once we got there and 6 dollars and some change per bag of feed. Afterwards I realized online was cheaper but the experience was absolutely worth it.
Bree — Google review
Such a cool experience! The workers were so kind and it’s honestly a good deal. We just had adults go, and it was scary but in the funniest way!! Don’t worry about your car, we only had one animal scratch our car but you could wipe it away with your finger. The animals were very very gentle (the ostrich & emu were scary but as gentle as they can be, I was never worried about any of them biting us) For 2 adults 3 bags of feed was plenty, 10/10 recommend!
Laura VanBurkleo — Google review
I would give more stars but we were disappointed after a 4 hour drive to see this very advertised, highly praised park. They talked it up way too much for what was delivered. The trees, ponds, and drive thru the park was pretty, but saw maybe 30 animals(zebra, emus, camels, pigs, Llama, bovine, deer, donkeys) at the most on the drive part. They boys and my husband and I did enjoy the animals that did approach, but we definitely saw more scenery than animals. The price should be per vehicle, not per person for the drive part, in our opinion. $70 plus tax and plus food cost for 3 people was steep for the few animals on the drive. We bought 2 cups of feed and had an entire cup left at the end... Suggestions would be identification signs for what the animals are and maybe some info on them. Also signage encouraging people to move over and not block the road would be good along with mph signs.
We did eat here as well and the food was typical prices and average food.
We didn't see any giraffes or many other animals advertised. Maybe because it was November, maybe spring is better? The large cats were in their enclosures and many building needed repainting/better upkeep.
Ann Langle — Google review
This was an absolutely amazing experience, and we didn't realize how big the park actually is until you start driving down it. So many different animals, and it was so fun feeding them. It was also the first time I have ever pet a zebra ! The only thing that was a big scary was that a steer with Big horns shook its head near our car and hit some of the windows. Was a bit worried they were going to break or something, but it all worked out. Overall we had an amazing time !! Definitely will be coming back in the future. Especially once they get the otter area in 🦦.
NotTheAverageGamerz — Google review
Made an impromptu stop yesterday (8/10) on the way home from vacation with the family.
Great, friendly staff that even gave us a new cup after a camel played pick pocket in our truck lol.
Lots of animal options. Had a chance to interact with Buffalo which has always been on the bucket list. The kids loved feeding and encountering the animals.
Gary Underwood — Google review
Where do I start? This is our 2nd visit. After the first visit, which was a little slice of heaven. We thought it could not get any better. We were driven through in a windowless school bus, by I think Santa in the off season!? Feeding and feeding the amazing animals. We left the happiest folks! Bring us to visit 2….we rented their SUV and drove ourselves 😳….BEST DECISION EVER! No worries about our vehicle allowed us to get up close and personal. We took tons of their food and drove real slow. The slober was big time, so bring a towel. But it was the best experience! Brought my 11yr and 15yr old.
Karry Hill — Google review
Such a great time!! Got there right when it opened and the animals were very active and engaged. The feeding was hilarious & so much fun! The walk about at the end was amazing, getting to feed the giraffes, llamas, goats & more! We each had 1 bag of food for the drive and 1 bag for the walk about. It was the perfect amount!
Kathy King — Google review
Omg!!!! This place is amazing! I went with my wife . Coolest part is feeding the animals from giraffes to goats to zebras to camels!!!! Hand feeding them!!! I’m 40 and so is my wife. Cool for kids or adults . We rode the bus for the tour next time we will drive one of our cars with a sunroof to take killer pictures and videos!!!
$51 for the two of us with one bag of feed. We bought another bag when we got back to do the walk through hand feeding! Check out this pictures!!!
Thoughtful Builds — Google review
We drove through and this was an amazing experience!
LISTEN to the instructions given by the lady who gives you the rules. It is a "well worn" one way with NO shoulder in many areas.
The hills you drive through are steep, however I have a small 4 cylinder car and did fine.
Traci Dupont — Google review
nothing really stood out as amazing..kinda pricey..small amount of animals during the driving area, lots of deer, pigs, goats, donkeys..some seem happy to get food, others kinda demand it..the buffalo (giant and unknowingly scary), the ostriches were scary, aggressive and dangerous..then following the coarse y to patches of zero animals..nice view of the surrounding lake tho.
I much preferred the inside area..the giraffe was cool, a few goats and a few cows..all generally well behaved and fun. Would I recommend, not sure..others seem to love it..just not my bag..I love animals dearly, but overall meh.
Chris Rice — Google review
I would rate 4.5 stars. The drive through was fun and lots of animals to feed and interact with. Our driver was good. I suggested 2 bags of food for the drive through tour, so you don't run out. The animals are excited to see new people and get treats. It's great to be able to get so close. They were all friendly. The grounds are huge and nice. Feeding the giraffes was amazing. They're so friendly.
Jaye Minx — Google review
This place is an amazing animal experience. All the staff were friendly and competent and seem to genuinely love the animals and the organization. Our tour bus driver, Dennis, was great at his job and seemed to really enjoy working there. The animals all have appropriate space and enrichment in their enclosures and seem well taken care of and happy. The shaved ice was really good and hit the spot on the hot day. The gift shop is spotlessly clean and well-stocked with a great variety. And there's a penny pressing machine which was a hit with the kids. My only suggestions for improvements are the prices in the gift shop were a little high for some items so I didn't buy as much as I normally would have, and it would be awesome if the tour guide tip jar had a venmo QR code for those who want to tip but don't have cash. Can't wait to go back!
Jessica Chan — Google review
The drive through Safari was fun. Kids really enjoyed getting to feed the animals as we went through. The bus driver was knowledgeable. Get information about the animals we were seeing their walkabout s entertaining. The drafts are fun. They come right up and say hi to you. We went as a school activity so I'm not sure what the regular missions are but for what we paid. This was a great experience.
Raymond Jessop — Google review
Great place to take the family. Would recommend buying plenty of food. The animals all love being fed, and they know when you have food. Would recommend that if you don't want any damage to your vehicle from horns, slobber, pay $20 to use one of their rental vehicles to drive through the park. The giraffes gave wonderful photo ops when being fed, too.
Jamie Deller — Google review
This was a good family experience. We got there around 2pm and a lot of the drive was empty or had sleeping animals, but then we got to feed some fun ones like zebras, bison, deer, and lots of hungry cows. It was hilarious how they would come up to the open window and just stick out their tongues for food. We also liked feeding the giraffes and baby goats in the walkabout zoo. If we go again, we'll try to get there earlier and try to catch more of the animals when they're hungry.
Cami Evans — Google review
We have been coming here since I was a child. We have kept the tradition alive with our kiddos (now 22 down to 10) it’s a must do at least once a year! So much to do and see. The animals are so sweet and funny. They seem to add to it every time we come down. Make this place part of your family tradition!!! You won’t regret it!!
April Dobson — Google review
One of the neatest experiences. We spent some time with Lemurs and loved being able to pet the animals, including the giraffes. Staff was super nice. Memories were made.
Becky Henry — Google review
This was amazing 130 for 5 of us and 2 bags of foods. (A little pricy but we loved every bit of it and feel it was worth it). I got to pet a giraffe and I couldn't be more thrilled about this.
Addison E — Google review
Kids would love this drive-through. it would take about 2hours to complete the whole safari including the walkthrough area. You may want to start with the walkthrough first as they have Lions, White tiger, Giraffe and plenty of other animals and reptilians. You may not get time to see these animals after the drive through since they close by 5. During the drive through, make sure to take couple of dry towels, buffalos will drool on you and the car, heck it can even get its head all the way to the passenger seat when you feed them...LOL apart from than, it is enjoyable drive. Must try during spring or summer.
Hari Gopal — Google review
This is an amazing experience. The animals took such gentle snacks from your hands... just beware the camel will take the entire bag if he is able and take off running with it and go and enjoy it to himself and not share lol he almost got mine LOL we had an amazing time...
Julie O'Rourke — Google review
This was one of the coolest things we have ever done especially for our little one. The scenery was beautiful, the staff super friendly and very knowledgeable about everything. The animals were awesome and having an up close and personal experience was the best thing we have ever had our little one even thanked us for taking him here. I even got locked in the face by an ox!! Lol
Dickerson Park Zoo is a 100 acre zoo located in Springfield, Mississippi that is home to over 500 animals representing 160 different species. The zoo's primary goal is to educate the public about wildlife and nature, and inspire them to take an interest in conservation. In addition to exhibits featuring exotic animals, the zoo also hosts community outreach programs that focus on conservation.
I went with my daughter's school for an honor roll field trip. It was so much fun and all the kids loved it. I'm pregnant so one thing I was really happy about was all the convenient bathrooms they had along the paths. Great food too, my daughter and I shared a huge pretzel with cheese before we had to move on to the next exhibit. The free roaming peacocks are really amazing to see in person.
Christa McDaniel — Google review
It was a lot of fun, I hadn't been to the zoo in ages and decided to go. They give you a map at the entrance and you can follow your own tour, or you can follow the tour signs which will lead you around the world exhibits. I chose the latter and had a wonderful time. The kids were laughing and playing, they have little water park stops so the kids can run through the sprinklers. There is a petting zoo as well as a place where you can feed the giraffes. Overall it was a great experience and I am excited to go back soon.
Down The Rabbit Hole Tarot — Google review
I do enjoy this zoo. Week days aren't over crowded. Good variety of animals and not so big you can't see them all in one visit. Just like any zoo anything else you buy is overly priced $12.50 for 2 Chicken strips and some fries but overall a decent zoo.
Stephanie Kay — Google review
This is a nice zoo for the size of city that Springfield is. It doesn’t have the exotic settings that a large zoo like to St. Louis or Omaha would have. Though it is a great zoo to expose children to different kinds of animals. It is handicap assessable and easy to navigate.
Dr. Richard Baker — Google review
Quaint, hometown zoo... I immediately joined as a member and I go once a month just to walk and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Plenty of animals to see, from traditional lions, zebras and wolves, to exotic birds of all types. My favorite thing to do is feed the giraffes, though I'm hopeful this year to see the geese eggs hatch.
Jen — Google review
My family and I visit the zoo quite often! It’s very clean and animals are very well taken care of. Love the food and train!
Kristy — Google review
This zoo is perfect for all ages, so much to see and do my family and I had a blast. You can even feed the giraffes for just a couple of dollars, they give you lettuce to feed them. The zoo also has a train inside too.
Michelle Dean — Google review
This is a nice local zoo. There's enough animals to enjoy for a few hours. Most of the park is an easy walk with only the elephants and bears in an area with an incline. There's a small train perfect for a break or for kids that will take you on a short journey around a pond.
Heather C. — Google review
It was really nice. The kids had a great time.
Jessica Boan — Google review
We love Dickerson Park Zoo. The re-imagined children's waterplay area is a hit with our family. We've been going to this zoo for over 10 years and seen expanded exhibits, experienced community outreach, and attended education classes and birthday parties. We enjoy riding the train each time we visit. For our family, the yearly passes are a great investment, and connect to a network of zoos all over the USA, perfect for family vacations. We are extremely satisfied with Dickerson Park Zoo and will continue to support them.
Charlotte Hatch — Google review
This is our favorite place to come when we are in town. We came here as young married. We have brought our children through the years. Now we bring our grandkids. The weather was perfect for the animals to be out and not too hot for us to visit them. We had an incredible day and, as always, made new friends.
Scott McCully — Google review
Great zoo, lots of animals, and chances to interact with them. They have a petting zoo, splash pad, and train tour inside. We loved getting to feed the giraffes and seeing the giant 85 year old tortoise. The snake exhibit was our daughters favorite, they had a corn snake out that she got to pet. They have maps available at the front, and easy to read signs all over the zoo. The food and drink machines only take single dollar bills, so take plenty of ones. They also have a restaurant inside if you want to get a meal. They get bonus points for the cold water fountain and bottle station at the front. So bring a bottle with you, it is a lot of walking.
Latisha Morris — Google review
This is a nice zoo, but the day we decided to make this trip, it was way too hot. We only stayed for about an hour. I was thankful they had a splash pad. If you are coming in the summer, I highly recommend bringing clothes for the kids to get wet in. The people working at the front gate were not that friendly, and while my Tulsa zoo membership shows we get in this zoo for free, they said I only got 50% off. No big deal, I just thought they could be more friendly about it. All other staff we encountered were very friendly, including the girl selling food for the giraffes. Overall this is a nice little zoo. One thing I didn't understand is why they didn't have any maps for the zoo. It was very difficult to find what we wanted to see without a map.
connie fines — Google review
Such a fun little zoo. We spent 2 hours and enjoyed every minute of it. We will be back come Spring time.
Tabitha — Google review
The staff was very helpful and friendly. This was a pre planed trip so to show up and have to start it out sitting out a storm sucked. It remained gloomy most of the time there that I feel made the animals depressed. None the less, with rain and sun, it was a great trip. Part of the Zoo was closed due to renovations which was a bummer. There wasn't a whole lot of people so it wasn't over crowded and made for a nice day. Out side of the main food area by the restrooms it was a bummer that the food stands were closed. They have all kinds of vending machines spread throughout it, ice cream vending machines and drinks where the ones I seen the most. It's $4 for a soda from the vending machines and the food court wasn't much better. They have a nice deck with table and chairs for customers to sit and eat right next to a playground for the kids to enjoy while the parents take a break, it's a nice little playground too, so cute. The bathrooms by the food court are decent for the amount of use they get, from the looks of it staff keeps up with the bathrooms pretty well. All kinds of cute animal statues all over the place along with giant paintings of butterfly wings and Peacock feathers that you can stand in front of, definitely fun for the kids as well, my 7 yr old stopped at every single one for pictures. Over all, it was great fun, the animals look in great shape, the petting zoo was a blast, staff was awesome and I couldn't of asked for a better day thanks to how friendly and fun this Zoo is. I'll definitely be going back on a day that it's not storming so the animals don't seem so bummed.
Brittney “Kittie Kat” — Google review
My family lives the zoo! It’s the perfect distance for my young kids and I to walk from opening until their naps or for my whole family to spend time together at. We’re pass holders so we never have to worry about how long or short a trip is.
Giraffe feeding has been a hit with my kids and they love the petting zoo. The train ride is simple, but my kids love it. The ride is the perfect wind down at the end of our visits (Paul, the Tuesday/Thursday driver is the BEST!)
Since the exhibits are small and close together, you can see a LOT in a short time. Which is great for my kids’ tiny attention span. The signage at exhibits is wonderful too.
Every staff member I’ve ever interacted with is kind and loves to share about whatever animal is nearby. They do animal encounters as well where you can Q&A with zookeepers.
The playground equipment is pretty central which is great for a pit stop. The only down side is that it’s most appropriate for ages 5-12 (and there are a LOT of younger kids that visit during the mornings). My kids have always found things to do on the equipment that’s safe, but I do wish it had more for their age group.
Kayla Chatman — Google review
Dickerson Park Zoo is actually pretty awesome as far as zoos go! Hadn't been since I was a kid, but have been to a fair number of other zoos since then as an adult, so had little expectations going back there other than as an opportunity to experience a local zoo with my 3 yo nephew.
Dickerson did not disappoint! Maybe we just got lucky due to rain the day prior, but the animals were quite active, well cared for, and surprisingly interactive with their human audience.
My fav activity at zoos is the petting zoo. Loved how bold the goats AND GIRAFFES were trying to get the handfed goods!
Erin Jarvis — Google review
Great little zoo! We went for our 24th anniversary and bought a season pass
Lisa Regula — Google review
Wonderful zoo. On the smallish side but very clean with plenty of exhibits. Staff is very friendly. They have a quiet and clean nursing room for use if you ask. Very very affordable for families. Some exhibits were closed but they seem to be constantly updating and improving which is great to see. Will definitely be back!
The Springfield Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The Cardinals are the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, and they play their home games at Hammons Field. The stadium has a seating capacity of just 8,000 but it features a practice facility, workout facility, and luxury boxes.
Love coming to these games. Thursday is $3 off beer, and Tuesdays are $2 brats. It's great family fun.
Brian Newton — Google review
Excellent stadium, every seat in the house is worth price of admission. Went on Military Appreciation Day, great fireworks display. Just needs a better variety of foods. Have of good selection of beer.
C- Burn — Google review
It's always a great night for baseball and catching up with friends at Hammons Field in Springfield Missouri watching the Springfield Cardinals. We took advantage of the Champions Club tonight. All you can eat fried chicken and waffles, bratwurst and hot dogs, and nachos. All you can drink sodas and water and unsweet tea. And four adult drinks per person. All for the price of admission to the Club. If you've never taken advantage of one of the club rooms, I highly recommend getting tickets for the Champions Club at least once.
Keith Housholder — Google review
Beautiful day at the ballpark. Fantastic view for 20 bucks! Go see the SPRINGFIELD Cardinals.
Valerie Gustin — Google review
I'm a huge baseball fan and no organization is better than the Cardinals. Minor league or Major league this is a great time for your family. Affordable and fun
William Meade — Google review
We had tickets in the Redbird Roost, the family loved it. The staff kept all the food fresh and the area so clean!
Michael Thompson — Google review
Our family had a great time!!!This is an amazing stadium. It was very entertaining and kid friendly. We will be buying quarter season tickets for next year.
PSA...DO NOT PAY $20 TO PARK ON THE SOUTH SIDE. The Springfield Cardinals are not affiliated with them and will tell you the same. Spend your money in the stadium and support the team. There are other parking places for a lot less!!
Ryan Erwin — Google review
If you want a great “hometown feel” sports event, that still somehow has a big game vibe… the Cards are IT!
We’ve never had a bad experience. We’ve never seen fans of home/visiting teams get “stupid”…
The food is good, drinks/beer are good, with lots of local vendors representing!
Prices are reasonable for stadium food and the facility is great!!
We can’t count how many times there have been rows full of young kids cheering their favorites! Truly a family friendly venue in Springfield!
We can’t get enough and even our picky teenagers like to come.
Bring your family and cheer the Cardinals!
Ryan Kuse — Google review
Had a wonderful time. The vendors and stadium employees were all very helpful and cordial. We'll be back.
Linda Raber — Google review
We did the birthday package and our son got to throw out the first pitch! He had a great time. We will definitely be back for more baseball!
Michael Mayfarth — Google review
Excellent ballpark greatcseats good food lovely people. Nice variety of seating options. We were there for $2.00 hot dogs and brats night such a deal. The cards smashed the visiting team
Rich Whitehead — Google review
So much fun!! There really isn't a bad seat in the house! The food! The drinks! And the Cardinals!! We WON!! YAY!
Time-tested cave with an accessible path & boardwalk, guided tours & historic artifacts.
This was very cool to see. The tour guide/ storyteller was a hidden gem for sure. Loved learning the history of the cave and area. It's about an hour tour with a paved path walkway. Our guide turned the lights off and sang a song in native language. Brought goosebumps to your arms. I recommend.
Lisa Merry — Google review
This was an interesting adventure. It was 14°, but we HAD to see the cave lit up by the solstice. What an amazing time to go, even in the cold. Our guide, Kevin, was a good story teller for sure. Its a short tour. Goes back about 500 feet. The walkways are nice and the walk in and out are manageable for just about anyone.
Its worth it to go and learn about the local history and see some carvings in the cave.
Terri Andrews — Google review
We stopped at this cave thinking it was just an open area...but were pleasantly surprised to find that they gave guided tours.
We've been to 3 dozen caves, and this one was enjoyable. I got lucky, having a healing broken ankle and in crutches - I was able to navigate this tour - as it is all on a paved walkway. There are a couple of spots that are on a slight incline and a few areas where there is a bit of water on the path -- but these were both very minimal. The length is 1/2 mile one way, so that helped.
Our tour guide, Nathan, was knowledgeable, so friendly, and paced the tour perfectly! We enjoy nature and history, this cave tour provided a little bit of both. Gift shop & bathrooms in the grounds- and several tours available.
If you're traveling in the area, Smallin' Cave is definitely worth a stop.
Liz Hicks — Google review
Love this place! The owners and staff are very friendly and have lots of interesting knowledge. They have really taken the time to do their research and make sure the information they are giving is accurate. They have also partnered with with the local native American tribe The Osage to keep the site historically accurate. We took the basic tour and were very impressed. The next time we visit we are going to make sure to book a private tour so we can go further into the caves. Can't wait to visit again.
Charles Crom — Google review
Tour was good, we were alone with the tour guide and he took us through the cave in about 45 minutes, which was plenty of time. Some interesting facts about cave history was included with a short prep movie. There was a smattering of political/religious commentary that may or may not put you off.
Eden — Google review
Cute cave experience, this is our 4th one in 2 weeks! This cave was discovered and used by the Osage Indians first! It actually has no soda straws growing in it (he said it was only 1 of a few) not much water in there due to the drought so not many critters, my husband did spot a orangish salamander thought! Flashlights are helpful to see further back! No small or low points in the cave to pass😉
Julia Cumpton — Google review
It’s a cool cave, but I’m not sure it’s $30 a piece cool. I suppose everything is going up these days and it does look like they spend your money keeping the place up. And our guide was good. I found the several sea creature fossils interesting for sure.
Craig Coburn — Google review
The tour guide was great but the cave is small. $27-$30 seems kinda to much for what it’s worth. They also take a picture of you with their phone and at the end they tell you that if you want the picture of yourself printed out it costs you $10. Ridiculous! Go to Fantastic Caverns, 100 times more beautiful and they give you the group picture for FREE!
Mihaela Taut — Google review
I read mixed reviews and wasn't sure if I wanted to come. Believe me, it's worth it! Jonica was our tour guide and Eric waited on us and gave me some history. He even sang us a couple of native American songs from the Osage. Watch the videos that are playing in the small waiting area! Awesome little gift shop, too! Highly recommend checking this gem out! My family loved it!!
Jennifer Newman — Google review
Must see! This cave is amazing, easy for everyone of all ages to enjoy, and it has a great history. The docents are rich with knowledge and can bend their presentation to all needs. My father in-law is blind and Gary gave the perfect tour. Don’t let the price of admission change your mind, go to this cave! It’s worth it.
Cami Ward — Google review
Awesome place. It is huge. We saw a salamander, frog, one clawed crayfish and a creepy,ugly spider. We recommend for anyone looking for something different to enjoy. It took about an hour for the tour
Tim Bartram — Google review
The guy at the counter was very friendly and happy to tell us all about some of the artifacts on display. The tour was a lot of fun, plenty of things, animals, formations, and nature to see.
Will was an awesome tour guild. He had answers for any questions about the tour and we had a blast learning about the history of the Smallin Cave.
The was a small cave on the way there that was a disappointment (The cave is named The Disappointment Cave). We had a good laugh about that.
110% would recommend! Worth the price and I would definitely get the picture they offer. It’s a great memory!
Emily Dye — Google review
Very historic and interesting tour! Highly recommend tall boots and gloves if you're going to do the Wild tour! Small LED flashlight is also not a bad idea. No health issues if do the Wild tour. Excellent guide!
Greg Elsen — Google review
Family visited in August 2023 on a whim because we saw a sign while traveling. Did not disappoint. The tour was amazing. The knowledge of our guide was amazing. She kept it fun for everyone. The cave was beautiful and the owners were great! If I could recommend something out of the way but worth the trip...this is it. Take the time to see what Smallin cave has to offer.
Natalie Johnson — Google review
awesome experience. Very informative and lots to see. Tour guide was very friendly.
David F — Google review
Happened upon this wonderful cave yesterday. The tour is about an hour on mostly level walkways. About 1/2 mile long. It doesn't have all the fancy stalagtites, stalagmites or other features but what it does have is history well presented. The features are very interesting to see and hear about. This is a mom & pop operation and they are there selling tickets, answering questions and leading tours. It was even more fun because of the leaf colors! We really enjoyed it.
Brad Severe — Google review
Will was the best tour guide! He was very articulate and knowledgeable. The cave tour is on the small side, but it's beautiful! We did Marvel cave the day before and did not want anything that difficult. This tour was as advertised and had no stairs. Interesting history lesson, too. Make sure to ask Will about the danger of walking backwards while talking to a cute girl. 😉
Theresa Reusel — Google review
Our guide was very knowledgeable. The cave was beautiful. We lived hearing the history of the cave. The tour was surprisingly short. This cave is big but shallow compared to other caves we've traveled to. Much less formations in this cave compared to others as well.
The Springfield Conservation Nature Center is a 79-acre natural landscape that offers hikers and wildlife watchers an array of recreational activities to enjoy. The center also has self-guided exhibits and displays for educational purposes, as well as guided tours that can be booked in advance.
I love the outdoors and this is the place I take my family when I want to feel a little more outdoorsy. Great trails that you can push a stroller and animals everywhere it’s pretty much the best park around!
David Thomas — Google review
Very nice place, and the indoor center had some unexpected exhibits. There are lots of trails for both moderate walks and aggressive hikes. Well maintained and informational. Be sure to ask the staff to activate the nocturnal exhibit👍
Jon Gilbert — Google review
This is a scenic area with nice well-marked trails. We hiked the Long Trail and enjoyed the fall colors. We will visit again when we're in town and do more exploring.
K O — Google review
It's a nice mix of different terrain. Compact gravel, dirt, muddy spots in wet weather, smooth and jagged rock, elevated platform walkways, small stream crossings with bridges are all there. It's well maintained. Nothing is too strenuous but there are hills if you chose to go down those trails. Almost always having tree cover, except for the winter months, it feels and looks great. Just don't expect great vistas
The only bad thing is the noise. It sits adjacent to and along highway 65 south of Springfield on the way to Ozark and Branson. The constant, loud drone of a major traffic way just can't be escaped anywhere here. I recommend some nice nature sounds in some earphones while you walk the trails. Just stay aware and safe.
Hilton A — Google review
This is a fantastic spot. There is something for everyone. I saw humans from 1 to 80 enjoying the nature center and trails. So many interactive exhibits for kids and the trails are very accessible. Picnic areas available though no food is provided on site. Beautiful and well kept trails with fantastic trees, flowers, and wildlife. I could honestly spend the day there and the best part…it’s free of charge. Yep-#free. Helpful and friendly staff are there to guide you and answer questions. Truly a special place.
Cami Ward — Google review
Beautiful wooded area with lots of trails and opportunities to view wildlife. The visitor's center has awesome hands-on displays that younger kids will love and learn from. The staff is helpful and knowledgeable. Seems like there is always a presentation that you can sit in on. I highly recommend spending some time here, hike a trail and enjoy.
Brad Hinz — Google review
This is a wonderful place to walk and see nature. The boardwalk is my favorite part. Didn't see as many animals as you would other times of the year but enough to make it interesting. Feel like you get a lot of exercise especially going back up the hill to the parking lot. Spring is the best time to go.
Christy Cox — Google review
I recently went here with my Mother-in-law. The trails were amazing and well kept. There was a wide variety of birds and wildlife. There is plenty of stuff to learn and see at the main building too. Im taking my family back here to learn about our state wildlife! Ive been here years ago but forgot about this gem in Springfield. Its amazing that you can start a trail by the highway and a mile down the road be surrounded by nature and bird calls. We completely forgot the highway was so close. Thank you to the Conservation Department for this wonderful gem!
Heather Roberson — Google review
Beautiful trails. I spent 6 weeks in Springfield for school and came here to walk almost every day. The trails are well maintained. I could easily walk 3 or 4 miles without feeling like I was walking in circles. I always felt safe walking alone. Great place to take photos.
Carla Miller — Google review
Beautiful maintained trails. Nice and partially shaded. A bit of relaxation on the edge of the city. Kind of that feeling of getting out into the woods without going to far and you never know what to may see for creatures.
Gail Dietmeyer — Google review
Excellent walking trails, kept up great. It's a good place to run or to take a stroll it's shaded most of the trails. Some open Trails for the Prairie field. Time your hike correctly and you will see lots of wildlife, deer, snakes, Chipmunks, Hawks, lots of squirrels and birds.
Andrew Farmer — Google review
Even after winter spurt, the temp Rose and created a very nice hike opportunity. An update in Feb 24, when you can't fish, at least get out for a bit of nature. Thanks
Eric Weiskopf — Google review
I was a volunteer at the Nature Center for years, but before that I was an avid visitor. The reason for "no pets" is partly due to the fact that there might be adverse interactions with wildlife, and not everyone wants to be near your pet, no matter how friendly, as the trails can be narrow in places. The building closes at 5, but the grounds stay open later. This is a little gem "in town!" Missouri has one of the best Department of Conservation. Please take advantage and enjoy the many spots available to you, not just in the Springfield area, but the entire state. And remember to pack out what you pack in. Trash affects every one and every thing.
maryann harter — Google review
Always a great hike. Good shoes are a must and hiking shoes can be helpful as the stream does go over the rocks in some places. There are nice areas along the path for kids to stop and splash in the water. Lots of benches along the way. If the main building is open, there are some interesting exhibits and children’s activities. There are bathrooms both in the building and outside near the start of the trail.
Kristin Maerke — Google review
The trails here are well maintained and worth the hike!
Marc Buxman — Google review
4.8
(521)
•
4.5
(322)
4601 S Nature Center Way, Springfield, MO 65804, USA
Fantastic caverns is a vast and beautiful underground cave that was discovered by John Knox in 1862. Today, visitors can enjoy a guided tour in a Jeep-drawn tram through the cave, which is located just northwest of Springfield. The cave has a fragile backdrop of ancient features and only allows for controlled tours through the fascinating underground landscape.
Being disabled on an electric scooter, this place was VERY accessible, & the staff very friendly & helpful. Loved the jeep tour! Nice visitor center with many interesting things to look at. The grounds are well kept and beautifully serene. We were passing by, & couldn't resist stopping in because of the jeep tour since I miss out on caving. Lovely way to pass an HR or 2!
Kim Filkins — Google review
I found this place just by going on Google Maps and looking for things to do in Springfield this past weekend. I'm SO glad I found this location tucked away where it was. I had an absolute blast here! The tour guide was amazing, very knowledgeable and able to answer a very wide margin of questions! The tour lasted about an hour overall, but what you learn and see is worth all the time spent there. The cavern is very warm as well, especially during the months like March here in Missouri. The employees were extremely nice and pleasant to talk to. I loved every moment of being in the cavern. They have a lot of souvenirs that you can purchase and while I was there the majority of the items were 50% off! I would definitely recommend everyone there for a nice guided tour through an amazing cavern!
Jay — Google review
This was a nice activity that did not cost our family of four a hundred dollars. Our son actually could enter for free (5 and under). The tour is pleasant and worth a trip once. Our guide was fun and knowledgeable. Google maps takes you right there otherwise it would be hard to find. It is in the middle of nothing but farm land and limited signage.
John Hartmann — Google review
Very interesting cave and the tour guides were great. I wish the experience had been a little longer, and that the signage once we were closer was better.
After seeing what felt like hundreds of signs on the interstate, once we were close and trying to get there the signs stopped and we almost didn't go because it felt like we had gotten totally lost -- and then the cave was there.
Overall I'm glad we found our way and got to see it as the formations were really interesting and beautiful.
Morgan Perry — Google review
Such a fun tour—you sit the whole time and they drive you around the caves. They give you science and history, demonstrations about the original discovery and exploration to the secret speak easy during prohibition.
There is a trail you can walk down after to enjoy the wooded bluff. Very peaceful!
Lauren Milam — Google review
Awesome experience for the family. Worth the stop. Had to wait a little after buying the tickets but the visitor’s center has a large gift shop, antiques and other historical artifacts from the caves past on display to entertain you for a bit. The tour is a little over an hour. The tour isn’t rushed. The propane powered Jeep takes stops along its route in the cave to let the tour guide share great insight into the caves history and features. Watch your head as in some parts of the cave you will have to duck. The cave truly is fantastic!
Joel Hernandez — Google review
Definitely stop here if you’re in the area or live in Springfield and haven’t been here yet. Their jeeps drive you through the cave and your tour guide will make several stops to tell you interesting facts. The tour is breathtaking and takes about an hour. George was our guide and was so funny and informative. Wheelchair accessible and a cool gift shop as well. Our two grandsons loved it!
Natalie Junge — Google review
Did this tour with my 6yr old son as we were passing through the area. Didn't bring our dogs with us as my mom opted to stay at the campsite with them but thought it was really cool how pet friendly this place is and will allow you to bring them along for the ride. My son and I both really enjoyed the tour and our tour guide. My son talked the whole ride and our guide never once seemed annoyed by his silly questions/comments. The drive going out to the location itself was very scenic and beautiful to top it off. Would definitely recommend this attraction to anyone in the area!
Heidi Halwa — Google review
Such a cool experience and the kids loved it! It is easy to do. Just show up, hop on a tram, and get a great tour of the caverns. It was nice for families because you don't have to herd kids through a cavern that could stress you out more than be a fun event. Rather this tour will give you the experience without any unnecessary stressors.
I'd also recommend walking the property by the stream. It was beautiful.
Ryan Carey — Google review
The most amazing experience ever! This cave tour was so breathtaking. You will learn so much about the cave as well as seeing the most unbelievable rock formations and stalactites on your journey through the dark and mysterious cave. The tour guide was so spectacular and knowledgeable about all the history of the cave. I absolutely loved it.
jennifer agrenot — Google review
Great time at Fantastic Caverns. Very interesting and informative guide provides detailed history. From ticket booth to jeep easy and convenient. Good for seniors and those with cave phobia as there is no walking. Beautiful grounds. Nice gift shop. Recommended.
Janet B — Google review
I have been trying to get here for over 30 years, now I'm kicking my tail for not making it a priority. I will return & it will be much sooner than 30 years LOL. I'm horrible with names, our lady guide was phenomenal ❣️ It's about an hour excursion, information packed. Absolutely amazingly fantastic experience. Great for all ages. It's cool, 60°s F so dress accordingly, they have warm clothes for sale in the gift shop as well as lots of other goodies. Please remember gratuity 💕
Angela James — Google review
What a FANTASTIC tour! Perfect for families and the older crowd not interested in a walking tour. Our tour guide Darla was great. She took the time to answer all questions even when a youngster asked if she liked her red jeep. It was informative, interesting and fun.
Yoli Reynolds — Google review
I love anything outdoors, and visiting Caverns is one of those places I must visit. This was the first time I visited a Cavern that drove into the Cavern in a trailer. Our guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. She did an awesome job at explaining and giving details at every point we made a stop. There's also a gift shop inside, and I found some amazing natural products like the ones you see in the photos. I've been collecting artisan soaps along the way. Most of the soaps I've purchased are from local family-owned stores. I have to say the smell and quality are amazing.
Gloricel Rios — Google review
Decided to stop to see the caverns after years of seeing the billboards along I44. What a great tour. Since we were there in the late evening in spring, we only had 4 of us and a dog on the tour. Our tour guide Joe was knowledgeable and personable. We had a great time. Highly recommend!
Vicki Maciag — Google review
Call me slow, I won’t mind. But this was my first trip through the Fantastic Caverns. I loved it!
I was a little claustrophobic in the beginning as you ride down into the mouth of the cave but the tour guides are great at keeping you informed and distracted.
The Fantastic Cavern cave is beautiful and very well preserved. The tour is very informative and comfortable. Tours are hourly, with the last departure happening at 4pm.
Karen Dubya — Google review
Fantastic Caverns is a wonderful little surprise just outside Springfield Missouri. We had a group of eight, four adults, four children, and we were able to get on a tour within 10-20 minutes of arrival. The unique thing about this cave tour was that the whole tour is done from the comfort of a trailer being pulled by a Jeep. This makes it a great choice for young children, elderly or any visitors with mobility issues. Mark, our tour guide, gave us all the pertinent safety info before we headed out. During the tour he stopped and got out at specified stops along the way to give us a little history on the cave, and to show off the magnificent structures inside. This made it easy to get some good photos inside. He delivered the history and stories about the cave with all the wit and humor you expect from a great tour guide. If you are in the area, I recommend stopping in and checking it out.
James Marsh — Google review
Went on a field trip with the kids and had a great time. It is very clean and looks freshly remodeled. The gift shop has some nice merchandise at reasonable prices. The guides were friendly and spoke loud and clear so you could hear them. Everyone had a good time.
Jason Stewart — Google review
This was a really fun experience! A great way to spend the afternoon, walk around the property and amphitheater area, and walk around the inside and gift shop. The tour lasts an hour, and it is perfect temperature inside. Be prepared for a couple drips of cave water on you! Almost everyone in our group got at least one! I absolutely loved our tour guide, a really enthusiastic older man. He explained the history really well, and cracked jokes and very enjoyable. Overall a fun place to visit if you want to spend a few hours learning about an old cave, and seeing some beautiful rock formations!
Maria Foster — Google review
We had a good time. I'm glad I was able to manage the ride. That being said, I do want to mention a few things for any using walking assistant items. It is a long walk from parking to inside (the first picture just takes you to the line-up going down to the building). There is plenty to see and read about while in-line. Luckily there wasn't a line that day. There is a nice gift shop to look at while waiting for your turn.
The one big complaint I have is getting in and out of the restroom. I had a small wheelchair and barely made it in. I couldn't close the door and it was to tight to get the chair turned. While trying to back out I would get hung up on something sticking out from the wall. Thankfully another guest helped me back up to get out.
I was able to get on the tram (with some help) and enjoyed the cave. I was shaky by the end and getting off was trickier. It's hard to find attraction you can do when you have limitations. I'm glad this was worth it.
Christina Varnum — Google review
I had not been here since I was a teenager like 20 years plus ago. But soon as I started the tour those memories all came back. Got to share the experience with my children who absolutely loved it. Ages 14 and 6 so that gives an example on how all ages can enjoy these fantastic caverns.
Had a great tour guide who was funny and gave history of the caverns without it being like a copy and paste script style tour. He was also very patient with my very talkative 6yr old.
My only real like mild issue. Is they do not tell all history of the caverns. This is due to having to be PC and some parts of the history of the caverns are frowned upon. And I am in no way supporting them or anything of the sort. But I'm a firm believer of teaching all of history good and bad so that people hopefully learn from bad decisions made in the past.
Other then that loved it.
Ra-V-en — Google review
STILL FANTASTIC! The tour is cheesy, comical, and witty if you get the right tour guide! It was a fun experience for the whole family (kids 13, 2, & 1)!! Would highly recommend. Can not buy tickets in advance!! When you arrive (depending on availability of tour guides) you buy tickets for a time slot and may have to wait till next tour. Gift shop is your usual mass produced items that are marked up more than what they are worth. Overall the experience was great for us! Hope you have a great time too!! Don’t forget to check out the yellow do hicky in the back!!
Amber Pedersen — Google review
This place is beautiful and peaceful. We learned a great deal about cave formation and the history of this cave. Our tour guide Andy was funny. We had a great time. It is worth stopping for if you are in the area. Souvenir picture included. Price $35 adults. Tour time one hour.
L. Ski — Google review
Spent $30 per ticket. It was a nice cave to not have to walk. Had it not been for the educational stops, it would not have lasted the hour it did. I was expecting a longer ride, but it is actually kinda short. This should be more like a $20 to $25 ticket. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and had a great personality. The gift shop was nice also. This ride is also dog friendly.
Jenny Atwill — Google review
AMAZING!!! This was a last minute decision today! WOW!! My husband and I loved this tour. Our guide Heather was fantastic! Very knowledgeable and very informative. Such a great stop! $33.91 per person (with tax) and at the end you get a photo! (Typically, photos taken are extra, but here it’s included. Nice surprise) I get cold easily so I took my blanket with me. Grab some popcorn for the ride. It’s tasty! Highly suggest this tour.
John & Marcia Arpin — Google review
Great tour of cave. This is the only cave tour that will drive thru the entire tour. They stop and explain things along the way. They even give you a photo of you on the tour for free. Great for kids to tour since just ride. The temperature is always cool underground. Very nice building and gift shop.
Danyette Heine — Google review
Visited the cave on a weekday evening, and there was no wait. The tour guide was knowledgeable and she seemed to genuinely love her job. The experience was unique since you ride through on a tram. However, the tour was short (under an hour) considering the admission cost. There are some tight spaces where you will have to lean forward. You should also consider buying your tickets individually as each ticket comes with a free photograph.
The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium features an aquarium with huge tanks full of fish. The aquarium has different environments like the ocean and a river, as well as 4D wildlife dioramas.
Wow 2 hours was definitely not enough time to really enjoy this place. We arrived late, and the ticket booth informed us that the delivery guided tour usually takes about 3h 45 min to get through. We paid full price and did it anyway, walking through most of it and stopping at the most interesting things we came across.
Towards the end of the aquarium, you'll find a large pool of sting rays and manta rays. As they good across the water, you're allowed to gently brush against their wings with two fingers as they pass by. We found them to be somewhat shy. Out of the ten minutes my 4-year old and I spent with our hands in the pool, we pet maybe 2 rays.
Note: You'll see the ray pool about midway through the aquarium, but don't stress yourself out trying to find it. It's literally near the end of the tour and you'll get there eventually. Enjoy the aquarium first!
Victor N — Google review
My husband & I took our 13 year old son & 7 year old daughter here. We all 4 absolutely loved it & had a great time! It was worth the money & I would love to go back! I would allow yourself 4-5 hour's to tour the museum & aquarium! There are lots of benches to be able to sit & rest throughout the tour, several restrooms throughout the tour, water fountains located at almost every restroom location, wheelchair & stroller paths throughout the entire tour, all of the staff we came across were very friendly & would answer any questions you had about the animals.
Tracy — Google review
I am visiting the latest time in January 2024. Almost everything is open, and the experience is great for adults and children. I highly recommend taking your time. A quick pass through is about 2 hours (especially with small children), but seeing it all and taking time to feed the eels at the end can easily make it 4 hours or more.
Christopher M. Bingham — Google review
This was our first time visiting the Aquarium and it was well worth it! We went later in the day, had less than 2 hours before it was closing, but that made for a very quiet/empty visit which was nice. We didn't have to try to wait for people to finish with exhibits to see them ourselves. Highly recommend this if you're in the area!
Chris Hammond — Google review
Highly recommend visiting! We took the grand kids ages 3 and 4 and they had such a great time. It's really clean and not too crowded. The enclosures for the animals and the tanks for the marine life were so nice and clean. It takes about 4 hrs to go thru the whole thing but honestly it doesn't feel like that long. We were very impressed. Love this place!
Bobbie Henson — Google review
A little pricey but definitely worth it. We spent close to 5 hours there and still didn't see everything. One of our favorite things was petting the stingrays. They also have spots to grab a bite to eat there. There are elevators for wheelchairs and strollers. Very family friendly oriented. I recommend anyone in the area to stop by and enjoy this place.
Amanda Berry — Google review
Outstanding and you just have to take your time to soak it all in, or you'll miss something! There's so much beauty and history all in one place for you to enjoy! Every room is loaded with more and more...... worth taking the day to explore and worth spending the money to explore! It's worthy of an additional visit incase we missed something the first time! You won't be disappointed! What an asset to the entire area! 👏
RedBullKC — Google review
It was worth the trip from Tennessee and the money. Everywhere you look there is so much to see. And included, one of the largest bass pro shops, you could be in there for hours. In the Bass pro, they have a couple museums, knife sharpening, a very large ladies wear and men's wear section, and a section of gifts to get for relatives or friends. Now back on to the aquarium and museum portion, when starting out, I kind of got turned around, then it was smooth sailing after thanks to the handy signs all throughout pointing towards the next part of the adventure. The staff had the best manner, so friendly, helped you with whatever you needed, and the customer service was fantastic. I would give yourself 5 to 6 hours to get through everything. They have veterans and handicap parking, they also have a veterans discount on the tickets as well. Hope this helps!
Rylee Reich — Google review
Loved our visit to this aquarium! We’ve been to over a dozen around the country and so far this is our favorite. I was constantly amazed by how CLEAR and CLEAN the water was to see everything- and the decor/atmosphere of the aquarium is what sets it apart. The way they make you feel like you’re underwater, in a cave, in the Amazon etc is just incredible and detailed and makes the exhibits that much cooler. We loved the interactive portions to feed sting rays, touch tanks, make shark hats and decorate animals that show on the wall. We spent about 3 hours there and it was definitely worth the cost. We went first thing in the morning and though it got busier toward the end, because it’s so big it didn’t feel crowded until the bathrooms/cafe area. Highly recommend if in the area!
Emily H — Google review
Easily hands down one of the very best aquariums we have ever been too in our entire life!! We can definitely see why it is rated the best because it simply is the best!! You can see the thought that went into making it perfect especially for the little ones. The views, pictures, and even the exhibits were all awesome. We spent almost 6 hours going through it all. All 3 parts even did one on one with the penguins. The staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. We definitely would recommend it.
Tajeria Ellis — Google review
It was an incredible experience. We were able to explore all 3 places in one day and saw everything. The aquarium was really enjoyable and is huge. Lots of different tanks with a variety of animals inside. The younger kids loved it, and so did the adults.
was constantly amazed by how CLEAR and CLEAN the water was to see everything- and the decor/atmosphere of the aquarium is what sets it apart. The way they make you feel like you’re underwater, in a cave, in the Amazon etc is just incredible and detailed and makes the exhibits that much cooler. We loved the interactive portions to feed sting rays, touch tanks, make shark hats and decorate animals that show on the wall. We spent about 3 hours there and it was definitely worth the cost.
There's large, interactive screens that give information about the displays and what's in the tanks as well as smaller boards with interesting facts.
I would highly recommend visiting the place. On our way out, we noticed there was a hotel across the street if anyone far from the area is interested in visiting and staying nearby. It's an amazing location,
Vipila Bathvar — Google review
We had a great visit. Beautiful aquarium. Everything was very clean and accessible. Very wheelchair friendly. All the animals appeared very well taken care of and in nice habitats. Staff were all helpful and friendly.
Kathy Jackson — Google review
Wonders of Wildlife was awesome! We were able to walk in and get our tickets without having to wait and then we were able to continue at our own pace. With two little kids, we had to go through slower than I would have on my own, but we all still had a great time! They even had a petting area for the stingrays! Got to feed them by hand and that was pretty cool!! 😎
Steve P. — Google review
The tickets are pricy but so worth it. The museum and aquarium are huge and all indoor. Real life penguins and alligators with a lot of taxidermy animals on display. It took us about 3 hours or so to see everything and that was going at a somewhat fast pace. They have a café for snacks and drinks about half way though before you reach the aquarium. Pretty cool experience and better than most zoos I have been to.
Samantha Baldyga — Google review
To start off, the ONLY reason this is not getting all 5 stars is because it is incredibly expensive. We went on a Monday during Thanksgiving break and surprisingly it wasn't very busy at first. The exhibits were amazing, we loved seeing the different types of marine animals in one tank and then seeing single tanks with smaller creatures. They had a great variety of non-aquatic animals as well and displays of freshwater animals. Their other exhibits, especially the amazing collection of Native American artifacts, was fantastic. My daughter (13yo) loves aquariums and we were told this was the best in the nation. It was not lacking in that aspect whatsoever. I didn't buy any food while there because it was crazy in prices as well. If you are on a budget, this aquarium won't be affordable.
T. Bunting — Google review
Enjoyed the penguins and aquarium the best! The aquariums are very creatively done with so much to see. There are crawl spaces for children to get even closer to some exhibits (some adults can fit and it's pretty cool).
There were many more live animals than what I expected such as bats, snakes, black bear, alligator, crocodile, marmosets and more.
The bathrooms were clean. Everything seemed well done and well taken care of.
care _444 — Google review
OMG! This is the most awesome place!!!!! When you walk in, the whole inside feels like another world. There is so much to see! The best part, you can go through the aquarium, leave to get food or charge the phone, and then come back and finish with the wildlife museum. It's an all day pass. The aquarium, the exhibits, the people, the feeding shows, everything is absolutely amazing. It's about a 2 to 3 hour viewing if you go straight through. There are strategic places to sit if you need a break here and there. There are divers that go into the tank and feed the fish. We were there on a Thursday and got to see the feeding show at about 1pm. Great great great place.
Nina Murdick — Google review
What an absolutely magical place to visit! There is something for everyone (unless you are claustrophobic) at the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium. I loved how the design makes you feel like you are actually underwater and able to experience how these creatures live beneath the surface. There are all kinds of nooks and crannies designed for cute photo-ops and your kids are all sure to leave having declared they have found their spirit animal. I have included mine in the pictures. There are tunnels and big open spaces, there is a ton of information about these creatures, and it all culminates in a room with stingrays for petting and an interactive sea wall where kids can draw their own creatures with messages and then watch them swim by!
Michelle Henry — Google review
This place was really neat, an aquarium and museum mixed together. Had a lot of good information and some interactive stations. They had huge tanks and their sets ups were different and really neat. The fact that it is broken up into multiple parts all over the store, I think helps keep it not so packed with people, which was nice. And some of the habitat set ups let you feel like you're right there with the animals. We very much enjoyed it and the store.
Desiree Keefer — Google review
There is so much to do and see inside, it's kind of overwhelming. The way everything flows and builds on the next thing you're going to see is helpful. There are clearly marked signs on where to go and what to see. The only downside is the price for myself, wife and 2 daughters it's well over $120 and that's with a military discount. You can spend quite a bit of time here, if you stop to see and read everything. Other than the price this place does not disappoint.
JD Nardone — Google review
Had an absolute blast at the wonders of wildlife! I bought tickets online ahead of time. The entire experience was absolutely wonderful. I had a newborn, a 4 year old and a 7 year old with me. The stroller and wheelchair accessibility were fantastic. The animals all looked well taken care of and healthy. The exhibits were the best I've seen. 10/10 recommended. My kids were too afraid to go to a cave in the area. I wish I would have bought a 2 day ticket to explore this aquarium more!
Bailey Storey — Google review
my fiance has never loved a place more in their life. we came on 10am on a wednesday and we had the best time ever. it made for the perfect birthday, and made me feel like a kid again. always will love this aquarium… even the workers love what they do, they would just come up to us and start telling us all kinds of cool things. they even seem amazed at it all. aside from any thought you have about bass pro, the aquarium is so incredibly cool.
we even fed the stingrays, which was the highlight of the trip honestly. the jellyfish are gorgeous as always and not to mention in the cleanest tank i’ve ever seen. they take great care of all creatures they house.
will always come back ((:
Claudia Marie — Google review
Took the visiting relatives for the first time. Everyone enjoyed and was impressed. Don't think we saw everything we paid for since we were granted access to all 3 attractions but only found the aquarium! Maybe you could offer a map for seniors. I think it would have helped.
Eugenia Williams — Google review
Listen, I've been to museums and zoos, but this place takes the cake on presentation. It's some of the best work I've ever seen.
No "wonder" it took them a while to complete!
It is a labyrinth of exhibits. Just when I thought it was going to be close to done, it kept going.
We spent over 3 hours in there with a toddler, and the toddler made it! That's how great it was, he didn't get bored!!!!
Well worth the money and time, you won't regret it unless you don't like leg day. They might be sore from all the stairs! You can get into a shark cage for another fee.
Well done Johnny.
Dillon Lebahn — Google review
We ventured a 2.5 hour drive to visit this attraction, and this place did not disappoint. It was just my husband and I that went. This place definitely released our inner-child. We were "ooooing" at all water creatures and posing with the wildlife. It was a awesome day! Definitely would be a great place for the whole family. I had wished I had taken my grands along. We will for surely return so that we can share the excitement of this wonderful little adventure with our grand babies.
Natalie Swatsenberg — Google review
The wildlife museum exceeded expectations. The quality of the taxidermy and settings was more realistic than I expected. The information screens hit the mark with key facts without being too long. The entire Bass Pro experience with Museums, Hall of Fames, Aquarium and Wildlife was a great way to spend an afternoon and morning. The Lewis and Clark exhibition and Native American collection was both enlightening and educational. Loved the photography exhibit and see this as an important way to tell the outdoors story. Our 4 year old granddaughter was engaged enough to enjoy the visit end to end. Highly recommend visiting.
Dick Flanigan — Google review
We were just stopping through for the night. We stayed at the lodge across the way. 3-7 is happy hour at the aquarium if you buy online. So we got a discount on our tickets and they come with a $5 drink voucher per ticket! Staying at the lodge also got us 15% off the restaurant in the bass pro shop. It was nice, the aquarium and bass pro were connected. The Aquarium is HUGE! We have been to a few different ones and this one for sure at the top! The kids and us were amazed at how much was in here and the details at each exhibit. I would HIGHLY recommend checking this place out if you have the chance! So worth it!
kelsey oliphant — Google review
It's an absolute beautiful aquarium. The moment you enter it's a different experience. However, that is my only complaint. The moment you enter there's a ton of blue light that's going to hurt your eyes. So I recommend preparing yourself. But the moment you get past the entrance everything else goes amazing. The place is so fun and pretty to walk through. You even get to pet the stingrays. However, they are used to people and will hide at the bottom. So if you're wanting to get them to you, stick out onf of your fingers when you make a fist and wiggle it slightly. Then put that underwater, with the finger facing upwards. It'll trick them into thinking you're feeding them as sticking a fish between your fingers when you make a fist is how you get them to eat from your hand. (A trick I learned in Denver Aquarium) that way you can still get them close enough to you. Just make sure not to leave the finger out if they do come over you. Same fir the small shark they sometimes keep in there. Still, a great experience, for semi-reasonable price. And a gift shop with various items.
Caleigh Knight — Google review
I had such an amazing time here. There was so much to see I felt like I was on an adventure, and once your done with the aquarium side the museum side is also fun and a lot to learn about. It’s more than just a basic aquarium there are so many animals and exhibits I am definitely going to come back. Good place to go on a date with your husband or wife fun for all ages.
The boat launch and the docks are in great shape , I appreciate the maintenance being done . The parking areas are clean and the out buildings are well kept.
Michael Romero — Google review
Drove around just a bit of the lake this evening to see if any of the fall colors were here here yet. Unfortunately it will be another week or two for really good color in the trees but that just gives me another good reason to take another drive soon.
Cheryl Badder-Simmons — Google review
Beautiful lake. Not so full and popular as some of the other lakes in southern Missouri.
Jeremy Miller — Google review
How can anyone not give a 5-star review on this place? It's gorgeous. The lake is clean and clear. The fishing is very good. Everyone at the State Park Marina was very friendly. Will definitely visit again.
Michelle Donham — Google review
The water is perfect. Clean and clear and refreshing. The restaurant and rooms are above average. We will be back soon.
Lana Hill — Google review
The public boats ramps which we have used to put in from had nice padded bumpers, as well as, public vault toilets. The lake is beautiful and clean, and there's plenty of room to spread out away from other boaters.
Amanda H — Google review
Love this lake. Best lake around. Even on the craziest weekends you don't meet many boat except at marina entrance.
Jenn Williams — Google review
Fantastic lake. Great family fun. Swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking. We had a great vacation here.
Mike Avery — Google review
One of my favorite places to visit in Missouri!! The water is clean and nearly crystal clear!! This place also has lots of beautiful geodes to observe!!
Kristin Mitchell — Google review
Great lake to camp, fish and ski . Beautiful area.
Michelle Riker — Google review
A great place to enjoy a week or weekend on the water. If you know this lake then you know about the sailing. If not, you need to learn about it. One of the premier sailing lakes in the country. It's small enough to not worry about large waves and big enough to not worry about navigating a tight waterway. There seems to be a generous amount of wind to keep your sails full as well. It's more secluded and that been great to keep the large boat traffic to a minimum and honestly, sailboats are probably the biggest boat on the water most of the time.
Richard McClelland — Google review
Camped here during the off season. It's still beautiful at that time of year. The camp hosts are helpful and happy. All in all, great visit, will come back
Charlotte Mcmannama — Google review
My intent was to add some photos to my night albums and found the south west area of Stockton Lake to be a great destination. This was the area with the least sky light according to the map I use. There were several scenic areas close to bridges and also ample shore areas to hike around and get various angles for sky and lake pictures. There are wide open lake areas as well as interesting growth around the edges. Deadwood and vegetation make great customers for photographing since they are well disciplined and never complain about long poses. Haha These props of nature and the location near the shorelines also accommodate photo ops without too much travel. It did start to get a little chilly so I appreciated this. :) I would like to return during the day to just enjoy that area I was in and the rest of the lake. It looks like I only saw a small portion. I didn’t get a chance to tour the facilities such as restrooms and any visitor center so I’m not sure how that rates in comparison to other lakes. Once again, this trip was for night photography but next time I’m sure I’ll run into a need for lake services.
Al Risden — Google review
Great fishing spots I love to catch crappie and love to eat it too. So peaceful at the lake . Camping areas Seen Bald eagles before there.Nice place to fish camping.Go check it out
Cathy Slinger — Google review
4.8
(645)
•
4.5
(47)
Missouri, USA
22
National Tiger Sanctuary
Wildlife rescue service
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Nonprofit organization offering a sanctuary for tigers, lions & other animals, plus guided tours.
We visited yesterday and had a great time! My daughter loved hearing the stories about all the cats and how they came to be rescued. You can tell the cats are loved and well taken care of. I highly recommend visiting, especially if you love animals!!
Amanda Broussard — Google review
We visited this last weekend. We did 2 tours and they were fantastic! Our tour guide was Sophia. She was amazing. She shared her knowledge with us in a way that was educational, with a splash of humor and made little comments that made it clear how much she personally cares about the cats and other animals at the sanctuary. By far one of the better tours we’ve been on in years. I could spend all day out there. Definitely worth the visit(s) and every penny.
Ben Ellard — Google review
We ended up doing both tours. Very informative and staff is well trained. If doing only one tour, think we would lean toward the feeding interaction. You still see a good number of the animals, and they were more active as they came for their snacks.
Wade Pulliam — Google review
What an amazing experience! We took the behind the scenes tour. Best 3-1/2 hours we spent in the Branson area. We learned so much about the Sanctuary and the story about each cat that is there, plus the other animals that call the Sanctuary home.The 3 tour guides we had were awesome! You could tell that they were passionate about what they did. If you are in the area you need to check the Sanctuary out. They offer different tours and we also enjoyed the gift shop.
Barb Drewis — Google review
Love the place. I believe people here genuinely care about these animals. Worth every penny- think of it as your support for these big cats. I didn’t catch his name but the guide who showed us around had all these personal and funny stories about each animal in there. Don’t miss if you’re nearby!
Priya Sambhavi — Google review
Wife and I had a great time! We've been in SW Mizzou for 3 years now and finally made it to see the big cats! If you haven't been, GO! Our tour guide (wish I could remember her name) was great and very informative. It's wonderful to see some endangered animals have a wonderful home as close to the wild as these cats have! We did the feeding tour and it was worth the extra to be able to feed yourself (albeit through a tube)! We will be back simply to visit and know that our money spent goes to maintain the facility, cats and all!
Tom T. — Google review
I wish I could give them more stars . This place is so awesome, the animals are well taken care of . They are very healthy and clean enclosures. Our tour guide was great . I wish I could remember her name . She answered all of our questions. Definitely will be returning.
Kathy Carlson — Google review
My husband and I have been six times now, and we enjoy every single visit.
I recommend going to the feeding tour in the morning so you can see the cats get breakfast. The cats are more active and vocal in the morning and cooler weather, so you get a unique experience.
This sanctuary is a haven for all types of animals, and they are the gold standard for what you want to see in a genuine sanctuary. The big cats are well cared for, direct contact from employees/humans is limited, personalities evaluated, and environments adjusted to keep each cat happy.
We see different cats almost every tour because they rotate which cats are on the tour route to keep the animals comfortable if animals show signs of stress, they aren't on the tour route.
If you enjoy big cats (along with lemurs, foxes, and wolves), you will not be disappointed by this tour.
Maegan Hendricks — Google review
A pretty cool experience. We did the Feeding Tour. Got a lot closer to the animals than we expected. But I was shocked how little of the sanctuary we got to see. We maybe went only 1,000 ft from the main office and saw 12 lions and tigers. Apparently there were many more animals here but this tour didn’t take us there. So it was mostly just standing and looking. Very pricey for how little we saw. But the cool thing was how much our tour guide knew about each animal and their backstory. So we fell in love with each animal. I would recommend coming here but definitely do either the Riding Tour or the Behind The Scenes tour.
Kendra Deal — Google review
Thoroughly enjoyed tour & learned much! Tour guide (young man in college to be a vet) shared many details of the tigers at the sanctuary. It was interesting to hear the life story of each animal. We learned what they eat, how much they eat, where the food comes from, the food prep & feeding process, how they exercise, how they show dominance, what medical support is given, how they mate, etc. I learned there is such a thing as a “liger”. I also learned some of the big cats mark their territory (spray) just like house cats. It was fun to hear the alpha lion “caroling”. We laughed along with our guide as he shared his experiences. I’m impressed that this sanctuary is “hands off”, didn’t know that. We will visit again because it was so much fun!
R. Carlton — Google review
This place really is a “sanctuary.” It is the forever home for these big cats and the staff genuinely seem to care about each one. They have great anecdotes and backstories for all the cats on the tour and are transparent and willing to answer any questions from guests. We did the feeding tour which was the highlight of our time in Branson - highly recommend! However because of the time it takes to do all the feedings and tour, there isn’t enough time to see every cat they have. If you’re looking to see all of them, the riding safari tour is probably your best bet.
sshellzr — Google review
We really enjoyed our trip here. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the animals . Telling us about their backstory a little. Including the animals' personalities, weaknesses, fears, etc. Was definitely worth paying the little extra! I could hear the care in her voice for the animals. The place was clean and safe. It's definitely a must do in MO! Thank you for the great tour!
Laura Bosco — Google review
This was a fabulous experience even though it was cold and rainy. Our guide had intimate knowledge of each of the cats that we met. It was neat to be so close to so many large cats. They were all very vocal which was a treat. The lion carol made it extra special. The feeding was a nice add on. My husband and kids fed and I watched. I didn't feel like I was missing out by not doing the feed. The knowledge shared was worth the price of admission. My hard to buy for husband loved this experience. He loves white tigers, so this was right up his alley.
It was definitely not a zoo feel. It is a liveable home for big cats who were not being cared for properly before coming to the National Tiger Sanctuary. I was so surprised by the amount of regulation by the USDA (who I thought just did food) and other government organizations. I would definitely come back again if in the area.
Kimberly Shumaker — Google review
Loved this place. Close to the animals, but not too close. Watch for that 7-10 foot spray! Handlers were very informational and great with answering questions. Many were owner surrenders or removed from pay to pet programs. Although some of the enclosures seem small, there are shelters and some are adapted to the animal needs. The levels of pay are confusing. Bought tickets on line, diff level for feeding tour and another to feed them through a tube with a plunger. Recommend one or two price levels. The lemurs were so chill and Midnight was a beautiful girl.
S L — Google review
very informative. our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. The animals were well taken care of. Will definitely recommend
Loretta Farmer — Google review
I must say the patience they had to give a tour in the snow with our dogs was a great experience. We have a big cat sanctuary in Florida, and it does not compare with the knowledge and cleanliness of this one. If you are in the 6 is a must visit.
charles johnston — Google review
Absolutely loved our time at the National Tiger Sanctuary. This was a whim for us, we saw the signs, looked up their work and went for it. Guide was genuine and loved the animals. If you enjoy Big Cats this is a no brainer for the family
Steve Cherrico — Google review
I love big cats and it is amazing to see them up close. Sad that they have to be in cages versus being in the wild as they should. Was happy to the care and attention these animals get at this non-profit organizations. They are a no touch shelter which was nice to hear. They do a great job taking care of all their animals.
Valerie Guillemette — Google review
What a fun experience! Highly recommend!!
We did the feeding tour. You can upgrade the tour to include some chicken to feed the kitties, which we did. We saw several species of large cats and heard the backstories of how they came to the sanctuary. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and even knew each cats personality. It is a family-friendly place, but I would recommend being careful with little little ones because you aren't allowed to touch the fences, and it is very tempting for little ones. We had a family with a two/three year old on our tour, and he wasn't happy about having to stay away from the fence. It is a walking tour, but it is an easy walk and not really long. They do have a golf cart tour that covers more of the sanctuary as well as a behind the scenes tour that shows more animals. There is also a little souvenir shop with stuffed animals, shirts, keychains, postcards, magnets, and the like.
Facility providing a range of zip-line canopy tours to view local ecology & the Ozark Mountains.
Katrina and her team were wonderful and very accommodating to our needs. We had a 4 year old toddler that wasn’t sure about the zip lining but Katrina and her team kept working with her until she was comfortable enough to do them. Safety was their number one priority and everyone in our group had a wonderful experience.
Santiago Pink — Google review
If I could give them 10 stars I would. The staff is extremely friendly and great at making you feel comfortable and safe. I must note that they have great customer service. We signed up for the 5 lines and photos... I assumed they were inconspicuously taking photos of us but it turned out that they took photos of the wrong group. When we figure it out that was the problem the owner immediately offered for us to come out and zip again the next day. Luckily for us we were still going to be in town. It was our last day there, so we were able to take her up on her offer! We went out on the morning run and it was just as beautiful as it was in the evening. The course is great for beginners but let me just say there are definitely some fast beautiful views from up above. Hold on to your pants and give him a try. You won't be disappointed!!
Amy Guerrero — Google review
These guys are top notch! We did both the laser tag and the zipline course and had an absolute blast. Gorgeous views, great staff, and a super fun experience. Can’t wait to go back!
Lanie Hess — Google review
Highly recommend! We haven’t done other zips in the area and chose this one because it was outside of town and truly in the forest. The leaves were just beginning to change colors and the weather was perfect! The team working was awesome, the were very safe and helped everyone have a great time.
Melanie Harr-Hughes — Google review
We have visited and ziplined 5 times here. We have never been disappointed. The guides are amazing, and Katrina, the owner, is the best. I highly recommend going.
Staci Czar — Google review
My whole family went zip lining for the first time here, and I'm the nervous mama, but I felt so safe the whole time! All of us had a blast, from the thrill seeking teenagers and father, to the worrywart mama and youngest. Everything was explained thoroughly and the short test run was very helpful. Plus our guides were very entertaining and enjoyable to be around, making the group setting hilarious, which is what I care about! Plus we got to be up in the mountains for over two hours with over 4 miles total of zip lines, making it a worthwhile afternoon for the cost!
Rachel Rosendahl — Google review
Awesome experience! Beautiful views. The guides were friendly and helpful.
Lanitha — Google review
We just finished our second zip line experience here, having gone 5 years ago when it was under different ownership. The quality of our experience was amazing and the owner, Katrina, is an absolute gem! The team made my whole party feel comfortable. This is a wonderful experience & I will certainly return with my family.
Zip line team - Thank you for being apart of memories we will all cherish 💙
Ameena Young — Google review
We have three young boys in our family who LOVE laser tag. We’ve played in lots of places and on lots of systems. This one is hands down the best. It worked flawlessly, tracks fun stats for each player and teams, has loads of possible play modes, and was all set outside with two very fun play zones. The people running the place were great and we all had a blast. To top it off, you can reserve your play time rather than do pay and play as you go like a lot of places, often with a wait in line between games. Play here was continuous and we could make it whatever we wanted. Highly recommend this place for laser tag. We will be back to try out the zip lines!
Amanda Owen — Google review
Our group had an awesome experience! The owner and the guides were all wonderful- they even went out of their way to ensure our comfort on the bumpy mountain roads that bring you up to the starting point. (A couple of us struggle with motion sickness.) The guides were great with the kids and very encouraging. We absolutely couldn't have asked for better service. 10/10 would recommend!
Alana Harper — Google review
We had a great time ziplining here. The owner is super nice and friendly 😊 Everyone was very professional and took care of us. This was our first time going and they made us feel very safe and we were able to enjoy ourselves without being stressed out. Safety is a high priority here and they are very safe. Didn't have to walk very far to the ziplines which is a nice setup. I highly recommend this place to enjoy your zipline adventures.
John Whitcomb — Google review
Took my family of 12, only 9 participated in the zipline. They had a blast! Made amazing memories. Staff is VERY knowledgeable and kind. It was obvious that safety was their first priority. Will be returning and highly recommend, worth every penny!!!
Sandy Lapsley — Google review
What an absolute blast, Katrina and her staff are top notch. We where there this spring of 2023 on a recommendation and were so happy we booked. If your on the fence get off and go make some memories, you won't regret it!!
Kevin Stockman — Google review
Zipline USA is our favorite zipline company! Our family and friends enjoyed a great morning of zipping down the high lines with the friendliest employees. We have ziplined around the world, and this is one of the best places. Definitely recommend to anyone even if you have a fear of heights. My husband is scared to death but loves it once he gets started.
Julie Stewart — Google review
My son and I went and it was an awesome experience! Great people and all around fun. It was in a beautiful spot also! Out in the wild with deer running around and a nice clear creek!
You absolutely must stop here while on Route 66. Such a cute little stop with the old garage from the 1920s, the original office, and a reasonably priced gift shop. The owner is beyond friendly and will answer any questions related to the route. Bring cash if you can.
Jess Moser — Google review
A must stop whole traveling Route 66! George and Barbara are great hosts and have a wonderful property on 66.
Lee Lundberg — Google review
Must see for Route 66 enthusiasts. Owners very friendly. Gift shop ( bring cash)
David Matthews — Google review
One of the best attractions on route 66. George is such a lovely man, he offers you other nice attractions as a suggestion. His little 66 museum is very beautiful, you can find many, many nice objects and cars. Here you can also find a small shop with many souvenirs.
We felt the real old route 66 feeling by visiting his place.
Alexandra Mitrasca — Google review
Kewl spot... Stopped while riding my motorcycle cross country.. Met Gary and had a nice break from the road...
Paul Mays — Google review
Barb and George are fantastic ambassadors for Route 66. This last trip was our third time visiting and it’s always a neat experience!
Joe Sannutti — Google review
Another beautifully restored service station on Route 66. This one stands out in the fact that the entire property is part of the experience. If you stop, most definitely check out the shop/garage to the right of the gas station. It's a museum of its own.
Jeremy Schindorff — Google review
Almost no Route 66 book talks about this place. However one of the best places on Route 66. Great owner, who gave my son a gift. You can not miss this place
Kerem Koç — Google review
Of all of the Route 66 fuel stations we visited in KS and MO on 21-22 August 2023, this station in Ash Grove, MO is by far the most complete, comprehensive, and expansive. Originally named the "Gay Parita," this Sinclair Station has four buildings filled with nostalgia, cars, and even an outdoor covered cafe/bar with multiple menu items (as well as a nice little Gift Shop). The owners are very friendly (and even apologised when we arrived during the food restocking). There is a massive Route 66 painted emblem on the road in front of the location.
Unlike other locations that we visited on Route 66, you could easily spend over an hour walking around this location and looking at everything.
Thomas Hornik — Google review
A great Route 66 stop, lovely to meet George and to gain a bit of knowledge into the history of the place. Don't forget to pick up a few ducks!
Darren Edmonds — Google review
ABSOLUTELY A MUST-STOP! We decided to venture, just a little, off HWY 44 & we were so glad we did. There’s so much to see here as it’s filled with tons of Route 66 & other memorabilia. George, the guide and caretaker of this iconic landmark, is one of the most friendly, welcoming people you will ever meet. Go enjoy this hidden treasure! You won’t be sorry!
Charity Miller — Google review
Back in the early 2003 time frame we could still stop at the old log cabin gas station location; County hwy. 266 and hwy. 96. Only the paved entrance still exits now. About one mile east from Gay Parita Mo. and the Sinclair station. Good memories.
Distillery offering a rustic-style tasting room with samples of its moonshine, whiskey & rum.
We had a fantastic time, from the moment we walked in till the time we left. The owner…the actual owner…gives you a tour of his distillery, and that’s AWESOME! Very knowledgable and friendly. AJ kills it at the bar with a down to earth personality! His Honey Whiskey is to die for, as well as the other flavors of whiskey, moonshine and rum they make on site! Hands down l, fantastic place!
Jessica Hoyne — Google review
Stopped in after a fabulous day of boating! I enjoyed the story of their start in a cabin in the woods. We took home a bottle of small batch honey.
Enjoying life 1 sip, 1 bite, and 1 small town at a time.
Explore everything!
Laura Cortner — Google review
Great tour and tasting. Great Story of a small business becoming passionate. Worth the visit.. Great Bourbon
greenebuff76 — Google review
A quaint little place with a relaxing atmosphere. Everything you sample, they make themselves. Friendly service and reasonably priced
Jennifer Wirth — Google review
This is a great place. Loved the look and feel of the place. I am not a fan of moon shine the mixed drinks made with it were delicious. I do encourage anyone that has not had it to do a flight, and make sure you come for the tour.
Patrick Smiley — Google review
Branson, Missouri has plenty going on- enough that the typical family can find things to do without having to go elsewhere. But if you over the age of 21, you will probably want/need some time away from the kids and there happens to be an establishment a short distance north that is worth the trip. It’s Copper Run Distillery, located about 12 miles north of Branson in the small community of Walnut Shade.
My wife and I jumped in the car and made our way north to Copper Run Distillery one afternoon while the kids spent time with their grandparents in Branson. When you drive up to this establishment, you feel like you are visiting someone’s country home. It certainly doesn’t look like a place of business. It just looks like a small house and that home- like feeling continues all the way through your visit.
Copper Run Distillery has as single interior space with tables and chairs and a wrap- around porch with picnic tables on the outside. When I visited with my wife, there were only a few people present and there were seats open at the bar, so we made our way to the bar and sat down. The personnel greeted us quickly and we started to talk about the distillery, the booze business in Missouri, and other assorted stuff. When it came time to try some booze, I went for a flight and I loved what I tasted. Being a beer person, I was particularly drawn to the malted barley- a liquor made with barley. But there were several other standouts in my flight, including the whisky, moonshine, and others. If you would rather have a drink than straight booze, don’t worry- they serve several mixed drink options, too.
Once finished with my flight, we went on a quick tour of the actual distillery, which happens to be in the basement. Here, we got to learn more about the distilling process and Copper Run’s history. Once we had our fill of facts, it was back upstairs for a final drink and a chat with some of the locals who are regular visitors. We noticed that they offer full bottles of booze for sale to go, and we ended up purchasing one of them to keep the memories going during our trip.
Branson is a nice destination for a family getaway and places like Copper Run Distillery make a visit to this region more enjoyable. They distill some tasty spirits and the personnel are friendly and convivial. It’s a cute little establishment and it is so close to Branson, it would be silly not to invest the time to visit. Make your way north to Copper Run during your next Branson vacation and get a taste for homemade booze, Missouri style, in the small community of Walnut Shade.
Great Beer Now — Google review
People are very friendly. They were actually closed when my friend and I showed up but helped me anyway, poured me a taster sampler and good conversation. Very knowledgeable about the spirits they make. Love this place, Bloody Mary's to die for.
krankphreak — Google review
The tour here was great! Lots of information and fun. The three people running this place are nothing but absolutely friendly. The spirits here are also amazing! Something unique they have here is kits so you can make your own infusions with their moonshine and whiskey. Even their strongest of spirits(120proof moonshine) still go down quite smooth. I am a big fan of their Rums. They are done very well. I definitely recommend a visit to this place!
Nathan B — Google review
This is the greatest little spot! Lindsay and her team do a great job. The drinks are fantastic. Moonshine Mary (Bloody Mary) is AWESOME and the Shine A Rita will make you throw rocks at its Mexican cousin.
Beautifully maintained grounds. We were there rather closing time so will be sure to stop again on our next trip to see the inside.
Darlene Richards — Google review
Short, low-key tour of a pretty old house. Presidential birthplaces (and birthplaces in general) are relatively pointless things to commemorate—and yet. God bless our public parks. It’s nice to walk around. It’s nice there’s a house with a sunny upstairs bedroom and you can look around it for a minute. And a cat showed up!
_—— — Google review
It's free but they ask to leave a donation. They take you on a guided tour of the house. It's a cool historic house to see.
Vernon Workman — Google review
Such a fantastic little historic site! Our guide Hannah was so kind and gave us a wonderful tour of the property. This is a must see if you’re traveling through Lamar, Missouri.
Kaci P — Google review
This is a pleasant, well-kept historic spot. We're glad we stopped to see the house and visitor's center. Our tour guide, Hannah, was delightful and friendly. She answered all my questions.
Karen C — Google review
It is a home set in the 1880s. The park ranger will take you through it. It is an interesting place to go when you are in Lamar. There is no charge or tickets required.
Larry Meacham — Google review
Awesome find on my road trip, right off rte 49 in the little town of Lamar. The guy wanted to take me on a tour, but being pressed for time, just checked it out real quick and took pictures. The place and grounds were very well maintained.
Brian Dible — Google review
That is a great house being maintained very well by the state of Missouri employees and volunteers the gentleman that gave us the tour was awesome very knowledgeable very easy to communicate with and he listened well thank you for saving the home of one of the country's most greatest presidents great place to visit please stop by visit and buy some very wonderful merchandise to keep supporting that State historical site
James Coonrod — Google review
This is a stop that won't take you long to see but is such an important part of our history. The home is restored and furnished with antiques of the time period. Be sure to check their hours before you plan your stop.
Denise Craigen — Google review
It was a random stop for my stove and I, but still only being 8 and he loved it! For was free, guide was friendly and very knowledgeable.
Rugged natural backdrop for hiking & fishing on Roaring River, which is stocked with trout.
Day tag for trout was only $4 and you could keep 4 trout per person. The hatchery was really cool and the trails fun. My husband enjoyed fishing and there were plenty of trout to try and catch. Camping was amazing. We stayed at spot 24 in campsite 1 which was right by the water. Wifi is free and reaches throughout most of the campsites. We had a wonderful time.
Amanda Rullman — Google review
I've never been to a fish hatchery and this park has an amazing one! Just fascinating! It's a beautiful, manicured park with large sites and easy to maneuver big rigs of 40' ft. Great park office to get your fishing license and gear at. Still plenty of people fishing in 50 degree temps so I imagine summer is crazy here. We will return in the fall again. It's so pretty here!
Diane C — Google review
I'm blessed to live close to this park. You don't have to be a fisherman to come here... So many trails and features and great campsites for RVs/tents in addition to cabins and a lodge. The water is crystal clear with emerald and blue tint. Swimming allowed in certain spots. Awesome gift shop too. I'll come here on a whim and just take a stroll and listen to the flowing water and watch the trout activity. Most of the trail system floor is rain resistant but there are a couple of spots you might defer around mud. Some of the trails will get the old ticker pumping with 500ft elev gain in a short span. Whatever tax I pay to keep this place going is WELL WORTH IT
P Fitz — Google review
10 out of 10 would recommend. Camping, fishing and hiking. Loved the hiking, wish I had more time to do all the trails though. If you have younger children, be advised after spots on the trails have sharp inclines that might be hard for them.
Kris Lau — Google review
Amazing place to hike, picnic, and learn a bit about wild life. On some of the trails they have information on the local wild life. The trails range from easy to difficult, so they have something for everyone. Our daughter's school also did a field trip here for the hatchery and nature center. The guides were very professional and informative, when we went to feed the dish they gave the class a huge bucket of fish food and the kids loved it. After they had many pavilions for us to pick from for lunch, they were very clean and had plenty of tables for us. They had bathrooms scattered across the whole park so it was always easy to get to a restroom when needed, they were also clean and well stocked with toilet paper. Also they obviously have trout fishing during the season, with many different spots to choose from. Each area has a set of rules for what you can use, they have signs posted with the rules for you to see. Make sure you have your fishing license and trout tag for the park. Over all this is one of my family's favorite places to visit threw out the years.
Latisha Morris — Google review
Will definitely stay here again - a very unique camping opportunity tucked away along the river. We only stayed one night in July, but wished for longer. The fish hatchery (a very short drive from campsites) was an amazing experience.
David Galipp — Google review
Beautiful park with lots to do! River access points for fishing, other access points for wading, beautiful hiking trails, fish hatchery, history, and a cavern from a natural spring.
Outside of town several minutes, but still within 30 minutes of restaurants and grocery stores. Great spot to spend a day, a weekend, or longer!
Elizabeth Fehring — Google review
Roaring River State Park is a popular state park in Missouri. A family-friendly outdoor adventure place that is beautiful. There are a variety of lodging options at Roaring River. A full-service restaurant can be found at Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center, and there are seven hiking trails, picnic tables, and a nature center for learning about the park. A beautiful creek runs through most of the state park. A great place to fish for trout. We had a good time on the trail near Eagle Rock, Missouri.
Akhilesh Singh Sengar — Google review
Beautiful spring fed lake, cool looking cave spring and hatchery. Has a good store and seems very popular . We didnt have any luck but its a nice area. Some campsite could use some work or reconfiguring. But most was good
NOFINCLUE — Google review
This is a great family friendly place to visit. You can fish (i believe there are restrictions/rules and a permit is required), hike, and feed the farmed fish. There are coin vending machines for fish food/pellets. Pretty clean restrooms, and great information on the location throughout. A cute waterfall near the restrooms with an in and out hike going over the waterfall offering a nice view. A bit steep but short and easy. Its a great way to spend a nice day.
Keiana Lopez — Google review
This is a beautiful park!! We caught some nice trout! The spring is gorgeous and there are plenty of areas to fish without being too crowded. My only wish is they wouldn’t have giant ragweed as natural pollinators…it’s rough for us allergy sufferers.
Paige Dryden — Google review
I live almost 3 hours from this state park. It is well worth the day trip. You are also able to feed the fish. The park has a quarter machine to get the food. If you don't have change, they have a machine that you can put a $1, $5, or a $10 in. And it gives you all quarters. The trails are well marked and easy to hike. On a sunny day, it would be nice to have a picnic. And there is an area to camp.
Ainsleigh Sills — Google review
Roaring River is an excellent state park! It’s beautiful and there’s so much to see and do. People other to fly-fish, hike, relax, and take photographs. Bald eagles have a tendency to hang around because of the trout. This is truly a serene place.
T N — Google review
If you can manage to find the Fire Tower trail, it's a pretty great hike. The maps are not great, the signs are useless and the trail blazes/other markers are an actual joke. The blazes on a woodsy trail are *brown* for the love of all that's holy. Fire Tower connects to the Deer run trail all the way down to the hatchery. The hatchery is pretty cool. You can feed the trout --$0.25 will get you a handful of feed.
j. Keith — Google review
One of my favorite places to go fishing,hiking & camping.
Joe Hernandez — Google review
Hatchery is really cool. I recommend the tour. The spring is great, and check out the trail that overlooks the hatchery. What a view. The fishing is just OK. No idea why it's so hard to catch a fish here. You can see them all in the clear water. They just don't bite very often. The facilities need updated. But worth the trip overall.
Nathan Sleyster — Google review
This is one of our favorite places to visit. We camped for the weekend and hiked Pibern Train and spent an hour or so at the fish hatchery watching them feed them.
Red Oak II is a historic community in Carthage, Missouri, featuring buildings bought by artist Lowell Davis. The area includes a general store, church, and cafe and pays tribute to the past of Missouri. It's a cool little town with lots of history inside and is well worth a visit for those interested in exploring the area along the "Mother Road.
This place is so neat. I loved being able to just explore the grounds at my own pace.
Worth the stop for sure
Carrie Lynn Agee — Google review
If all the stores, and features of this AWESOME place were up and running it'd get 10 stars on a 5 star review scale. What a showpiece for a labor of love! I got to pet an emu. Hold a tiny baby goat, and see so much artistic talent displayed. Do Not Miss out on A trip to Red Oak II !!!
Lyndsey Braun — Google review
This museum, about a mile off Route 66 was amazing. I had no idea it was even here as I had not read about it in any Route 66 literature prior to my trip. I only found out about it thanks to the owners of the Best Budget Inn in Carthage (great motel I stayed at).
Red Oak II is such a nice area to park and walk around, looking at all the amazing buildings and artwork. I even spent some time talking to the owner in the gallery / store on the property. She was as sweet as can be and told me a lot about the history of the property.
My favorite house on the property was the skinny house near the pond on the property. It was so beautifully built and I loved looking around inside it.
I'd say Red Oak II is a must visit if driving Route 66 or in the Carthage area. The artwork is amazing and well worth an hour of your time, even if to just stop at and stretch your legs. There is no charge for admission, so be sure to buy something at the store or leave a donation so they can keep this property open for future generations. It's really worth it.
Brenton MacAloney — Google review
We spent several hours here seeing and enjoying what Lowell Davis had created. We got to talk at length with his widow and really appreciated the time we spent there. We have several pieces of his artwork at home since my wife grew up in Carthage. Do yourself a favor and spend some time here, it is right on the old Route 66 route.
Dennis Roberts — Google review
Cool little town with lots of history inside. Well worth the visit
Darrell Powers — Google review
Very cool place, a must see if you are in the area. Off the beaten path but worth it. Admission is free, but do be aware a few people live in the village so not all places are accessible.
m. Bo — Google review
An open air museum considered by some to be a ghost town. Enjoyed walking around and seeing what was there. Well kept, scenic, nostalgic.
Cheryl Lawrence — Google review
This was a great find on our way down Route 66 headed to Oklahoma. We could tell that when Lowell Davis created this he had some grand ideas and we enjoyed taking in the art pieces and old buildings we saw there. A little more information for visitors would be helpful, but overall it was worth the stop!
Jodi Boschert — Google review
What an awesome place to visit. So many interesting things to see. Definitely stop here if you are in the area. Thankyou to whoever put this together. A fun experience!
lady moonpie — Google review
What an amazing place!! Really quite surreal, it's like being teleported back in time.
It would appear that areas are undergoing construction or renovation, so was only able to walk around.
Didn't see anyone that looked as though they worked there, other than the construction folks to ask questions.
Would've loved to get a drink or food from the cafe, and wish there was some information about the town, but hopefully that's coming soon!
It is a little confusing at times where you can/can't go - appears to be a mix of private and public areas, I was worried at times I might've been trespassing.
But given more time I could've easily spent a bunch of time here!
Cameron Fisher — Google review
Red Oak II is a fascinating place. It's a ghost town, but it's not really a ghost town. It's a recreation of a ghost town, created by artist Lowell Davis. Davis grew up in the original Red Oak, Missouri, which was abandoned in the 1950s. He decided to recreate the town on his farm, using old buildings and materials that he found.
Red Oak II is a beautiful place. The buildings are all in good condition, and they're set in a lovely rural setting. It's a great place to take a walk, relax, and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Davis also created a number of sculptures and paintings that are on display at Red Oak II. These works of art are beautiful, and they help to bring the town to life.
If you're interested in history, art, or just want to take a walk in a beautiful setting, I highly recommend visiting Red Oak II. It's a unique place that you won't find anywhere else.
Here are some pros and cons of visiting Red Oak II:
**Pros:**
* Beautiful setting
* Interesting history
* Unique experience
**Cons:**
* Some of the buildings are in need of repair
* It can be a bit of a drive to get there
* Admission is not free
Overall, I think Red Oak II is a great place to visit. It's a unique and interesting place that offers something for everyone.
RV Mobile Repair, LLC — Google review
Cool little place. The watch pig and goose take their jobs seriously!
Benny Johnston — Google review
Americana preserved. This is a unique glimpse into a simpler time and a condensed look back at the Ozarks of the past. Lots of wonderful outsider art scattered along the way that adds whimsey and enchantment to the tour of small-town life from days gone by.
Randy Souse-Git — Google review
Interesting place, free but would need a little more love
Free admission
It’s not strictly a ghost town, rather, all the buildings have been brought here from around the country, to be restored and looked after. It’s a really cool place to visit
Freedomat51Rock — Google review
Found out about this place when eating lunch in Carthage. Must admit it’s quite an exceptional place, and unexpected. We visited during off season and I guess coming during an event would be best. Being and old Air Force pilot the Beech aircraft interested me the most. This aircraft is an WWII veteran.
James Bloir — Google review
I found what I believe is a parking spot, then walked the Red Oak 2 loop. It took me about 20 minutes. I was stopping to take pics. The houses and signs are cool/beautiful. The road is a loose gravel which may be hard for wheelchairs. I was unsure if people are allowed to enter the houses, so I did not. This is a nice stop for a quick and scenic diversion.
The Precious Moments Chapel is a tourist attraction that boasts of colorful murals inspired by Precious Moments figurines. One can take tours, visit the gift shop and cafe to fully experience this simplistic yet ornate place. The stained glass, wall art and murals are exquisite with a heartwarming story behind it. Even though it's half an hour away from Branson, it's definitely worth visiting as the artwork and detail are fantastic.
It's beautiful and heart felt. If you ever suffered the loss of a child this place is emotionally comforting. It is simplistic, ornate and beautiful. The stained glass was beautiful, the wall art and murals were beautiful and the story behind everything is heartwarming. An hour and a half is plenty of time to see. It was a half hour out of our way going to Branson
Stephen Tuohy — Google review
This place was really awesome. Disappointed that several spots were closed. I would have loved to see more of it. Prices in the gift shop were comparable to the retail market. I opted to get a blind grab bag which was awesome. I got 4 figurines for the price of 1. I loved all the ones that I got. Very friendly people and very knowledgeable. Here are only a few pictures. I don't want to spoil it for you..kinda like telling someone about how a movie ends while you're watching it. Definitely worth another trip.
*If you are in need of a job .. they are hiring btw.
Jessica — Google review
Really beautiful, amazing experience. Be sure to walk around and look at everything! We were on a road trip and didn't have a ton of time to spend unfortunately. Watch your kids in the shop and museum areas! Our daughter nearly set off an alarm wanting to touch something! Lol
Judi Andrews — Google review
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We started at the picnic tables out front under the trees to have a picnic lunch on our road trip, then went in to tour the chapel, see the cave look out, and enjoyed a very knowledgeable guided tour of the chapel paintings and history in the chapel. The museum was closed, but maybe on another trip. The gift shop was an enjoyable stop on the way out and we mailed postcards in the giant mailbox before heading out!
Othella Esposita — Google review
Didnt think i would like it but the chapel was incredible. Its a definite stop for anyone. The art work and detail was fantastic. I dont give many 5 stars so its a for real stop. There is a italian restaurant there that was very good not just a fast food place. You wont be disappointed.
David Hobbs — Google review
The chapel was beautiful. Extreme heat so being outdoors for the walk was a bit hot. Not crowded for a July 4th holiday weekend. It was a self guided tour. The grounds were well manicured and maintained.
Larry Shulman — Google review
If I could rate this special, special place with 100 stars, I sooo would! Everything was absolutely amazing and so beautiful!! My boyfriend has been there many, many times, but this was my first time ever seeing the actual place or hearing the history behind it, which was so cool!! Definitely one of my favorite memories now! The only things I wasn't really a fan of were the Halloween figurines and the skull keychain. Everything else was/is amazing! Honestly, if I could work here, I totally would! I can't post allll the pictures I took, but here are some of them! If can do another review, I'll post some more!
Elanor J. Smith — Google review
Who would have known a place like this existed? It was charming and very reminiscent of the 90s.
If you collected Precious Moments y o u may as well stop in.
Enjoyed the kind customer service, seeing the many figurines, discovering their mission, and seeing the chapel.
Jen . HI. It's me! — Google review
We showed up on a day they were closing early, so we had to walk fast. The chapel is absolutely a must see. The details, the decor, everything is preserved beautifully. If you’re an 80’s kid and remember when they first came out, this place can bring out how nostalgic a heart can be.
Shay Plane — Google review
So much to do & see. We used to come here all the time when I was younger, so we just had to take my Momma by to see what it was still like. Great Christian place to take the family!
Whitney Honeycutt — Google review
Loved it! You can feel the love put into this art and location. Didn't take a picture of the most beautiful part, the chapel, just because I don't feel comfortable taking pics of places of worship.
Jennifer Rafferty — Google review
Such a sweet, nostalgic stop. Was grateful to learn a lot about the artist from local guides and plenty of space to explore. Cute gift shop and happy to pick up some treasures. Ask about their archive items in the basement!
Tina Tickles-Dinkel — Google review
Such a beautiful chapel and so many things to look at. It’s nice that they have a gift shop. I highly recommend seeing it in person.
K — Google review
Wow. What an amazing place. You really don't need to be religious or even spiritual to appreciate this one. It is an incredibly beautiful of one man's artistic expression of love. Everything is so intricate, so soothing. It's a place where one can genuinely sit in solitude and find peace.
It's free to visit, off the beaten path, and well worth your time. I'm posting many random picture to give kind of a feel for it all but they do not do it justice by any means. I routed my road trip to stop here and I am so glad that I did. Plan to spend at least an hour walking around and just enjoying the beauty of it.
christopher trochez — Google review
I absolutely enjoyed my visit. The story of how Precious Moments came to be. I thoroughly enjoyed the Chapel. I enjoyed the history, and each painting told a story. It was absolutely amazing the steadfast faith this man has. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Linda Mercurio — Google review
What a beautiful experience. First walking up from the parking lot you see the fountain and the horse sculptures and the adorable RV camper off to the side. Going inside to see the life-size figurines. Just really neat. They also have a few different smooshed penny machines which I love. Walking out around the building to get to the church the walkway is lined with more sculptures and another fountain. Love it. The gates are so ornamental. Then proceeding on to the church you're greeted by the gorgeous hand carved doors. And then walking inside it's just overwhelming how amazing the interior is painted. Such detail. And the stories of the bible on display with each painting and stained glass window. Breathtaking! The room of Remembrance and the book there to sign. Just such a meaningful experience. All of it was really great and I'm glad I stayed for the free tour. I really enjoyed learning about the history of Precious Moments and Mr. Butcher (a fellow Michigander). Well worth the time spent here. If you're in the area definitely stop. Really needs to be seen in person.
Roberta Peek — Google review
No cost to enter and has changing tables in both the ladies and men’s bathroom! We took our 2 YO and 1 YO as a place to stretch legs while traveling. It was perfect! They have a beautiful outside part with fountains and statues. The kids also LOVED the chapel and just wanted to sit in the pews pointing out all the things they could see in the HUGE painting. The museum was nice but the kids could have cared less about that part. But everyone we met were so nice and it did a great job of letting my kids get some energy out :)
Laura Humphrey — Google review
Beautiful place to visit. Visited from out of state and was very delighted by everything there was to see. There is no cost of entry, but they do recommend any donation. You can expect to see everything in two hours or less. If you’re a Precious Moments enthusiast this is a must see!
Maximiliano — Google review
There is no cost to enjoy this wonderful place, if you love art and beauty this is a great place to stop for a little walk. Unfortunately the chapel was closed for renovation during our visit but the museum and rest of the grounds were an extremely relaxing place to take a break from driving.
On top of all the wonder this place holds, the bathrooms are exceptionally clean. Next time I go, I will be prepared to buy something from the giftshop.
Jade Nitro — Google review
This was my second time here and I still had a good time. If you like precious moments, this is a must. If you like cute thing, this is also very nice. Entrance was free. Plenty of parking. Learning about the creator of Precious Moments was also very interesting. Going through the visitor center store, history building, the chapel, I spent about 2 hrs. It’s all self paced so it may take you more or less. Some of the best things are free, this is one of them. Definitely worth it. Definitely recommend if you like Precious Moments.
Luke Chang — Google review
It has been years since I was last here. I enjoyed everything. Lots of good memories.
I was thankful they had wheelchairs available since the electric one I rented for our vacation wouldn't hold a charge.
Former home of George Washington Carver, now a park with a museum, nature trail & forested areas.
Absolutely enjoyed our time there! GWC monument is a very educational place! I felt like it’s a monument that flares up the amber’s of one’s dreams! It’s so inspirational and peaceful! Definitely going back!
Psalms 27 — Google review
Went with our daughters class field trip. This place was so beautiful. We had a wonderful time. Cant wait to go back and visit and bring the whole family. Definitely a great history lesson!!
Jordan Grover — Google review
Such a wonderful place to visit 😊! My husband and I are already planning a trip back with the kids. I grew up in Tuskegee, AL and didn't know half of George Washington Carver story.
Felicia Hall Wyckoff — Google review
What a wonderful experience. My family and I have visited this place, around eighteen years ago and we recently visited again. If you haven’t heard of this person and his contributions to humanity, this would be a great learning area for adults and children. The building that houses the history behind this man has been updated and is very clean and full of historical information. There is also a large area on the grounds to walk. A trail leads to sites where he grew up. As a historian, I was impressed with the plethora of information here and the significance of his contributions to humanity.
Lon Truelove — Google review
I highly recommend a person stop and check this national monument park. It was well worth it. Excellent museum and very informative. The park staff was well informed and friendly. I was extremely glad I stopped.
Robert Hansen — Google review
The mile or so walk was east and amazing. I’m a heftier person and the walk was easy with benches all along when I needed it. We went early and had it ourselves which was really great. The inside was fine. It the walk through the woods was my favorite. There’s kids area inside, gift shop. Bring water it’s hot out there as they say goes on.
Tina sampson — Google review
Very nice memorial center at the previous home of George Washington Carver. Carver was a Black Scientist and Inventor who created many things from peanuts and other crops. He found alternative crops for farmers and helped improve their soil quality. He became a Professor at the great HBCU Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University). The center has much about his history including rooms like his lab and classroom at Tuskegee. There are also interactive sections for children. The property includes his former small home and the forests with a 3/4 mile trail he walked daily. A great history lesson.
Kim F (Kafe1) — Google review
Nice presentation about George Washington Carver (4 stars). Location is just ok (2 stars). Little outdoor stroll. Nothing spectacular about it - but I learned a lot about George Washington Carver which was fascinating. Definitely worth going to if you are in the area and have time. I wouldn't go out of my way - but definitely look up GWC! Amazing person.
Kent Ferguson — Google review
Very cool interactive visitor center with lots to do for the kids. Well maintained nature trail with several interesting sites along the way. Great day trip to learn about this fascinating inventor and educator.
Glenn Huff — Google review
Every American should take the opportunity to visit this historical site. It's triumph over tragedy. Success over sadness. Achievement from an American Black hero. I wish I could have personally met this amazing pioneer and scientist. We shall in Heaven.
Bruce Snavely — Google review
GWC was a great American and a tremendous inspiration, overcoming tremendous obstacles to rise to the pinnacle of America success... interesting to note that the man whose name he took - Mr. Carver as well as his wife - took in an orphan born of slaves and encouraged him to get an education, taught him to knit and crochet, in a time and place when virulent racism was the rule, not the exception... fascinating life of service...
Jack Darland Jr — Google review
Every American should take the opportunity to visit this historical site. It's triumph over tragedy. Success over sadness. Achievement from an American Black hero. I wish I could have personally met this amazing pioneer and scientist. We shall in Heaven.
Robert Michael — Google review
It was extremely interesting and had three floors of exhibits. There were a lot of child friendly hands-on exhibits as well. I was impressed that Carver came up with more than a hundred ways to use peanuts! He improved the lives of so many people.
Emily Fulton — Google review
I came to see the "talking" monument and was happily surprised to be able to enjoy the free museum too. I learned so much about George Washington Carver. He had a hand in lots of things we use today. Such a great mind. Definitely take some time so you can read and enjoy the various displays and walk around the beautiful grounds. It can easily take a half a day.
Roberta Peek — Google review
An absolute can’t-miss NPS site. There is so much to learn - and be appreciated- about George Washington Carver. The exhibits are phenomenal and the grounds are beautiful. Don’t miss the 3/4 mile walk through the woods - a birder’s paradise.
Mel anie — Google review
It's great and you should stop if you have a chance but a little part of me was sad that you couldn't eat peanuts. I guess with all the allergies it makes sense but I was sort of hoping for a Texas Road House vibe. Hahaha.
Apparently I only took two pictures and they are the dumbest things I could have photographed.
For real, it is a good Monument. The ranger was very nice and there's a ton of history about Carver. And it's very pretty.
isnot awasteland — Google review
Stopped here on trip from KC to Bentonville for quick picnic lunch and was super impressed with the exhibits. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to see everything but what we did was all fantastic. Will definitely stop again if given the opportunity.
Sarah J — Google review
We stopped here on our route to Red Bird Smith. OK. We learned so much and the museum was fantastic! A must return is in order!