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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 💕

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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! 👏

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!

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!

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.

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,

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.

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!! 😎

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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 ((:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Beautiful day at the ballpark. Fantastic view for 20 bucks! Go see the SPRINGFIELD Cardinals.

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

We had tickets in the Redbird Roost, the family loved it. The staff kept all the food fresh and the area so clean!

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!!

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!

Had a wonderful time. The vendors and stadium employees were all very helpful and cordial. We'll be back.

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!

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

So much fun!! There really isn't a bad seat in the house! The food! The drinks! And the Cardinals!! We WON!! YAY!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

It was really nice. The kids had a great time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Such a fun little zoo. We spent 2 hours and enjoyed every minute of it. We will be back come Spring time.

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.

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.

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!

Great little zoo! We went for our 24th anniversary and bought a season pass

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!

Beautiful place lots of different flower species, lots of shaded areas and places to sit peacefully. Butterfly enclosure was really cool lots of different butterfly's. I will most definitely be going more often.

Probably the best if not shared best park in Springfield. The best time to go is late spring when all the botanical flower beds are blooming. Kite festival is also a lot of fun. Great place to take your kids.

One of my favorite parks in Springfield MO, if not my favorite. Everything is so tranquil, refreshing, and stunning. In the Spring the flowers and other vegitation is absolutely beautiful. There is so much water accents and flow, which is one of my favorite parts of parks. Would be an amazing area to go biking, and in general is a great place to go walking. The area is very well maintained and is being added to all the time. Everyone there is insanely friendly. I see a ton of small tours and information around. It has many memorials and spots ot interest. There is a bonus of it being the perfect spot for those who would like photographs taken in nature.

This is one of the best outdoor gems of the Springfield area, and it just keeps getting better year after year. They have many nice trails to walk, run, or bike, and the trail around the lake happens to be my favorite. There is a large empty field which is great for flying kites, tossing a football, etc, but also some shaded tree-dense areas where you can pitch a hammock and enjoy an afternoon of peaceful reading. The many gardens here will certainly delight your senses, and there is something blooming every season (except for winter, of course). If you get a chance to check out the Japenese Garden here, it is like stepping into another world. I highly recommend it. It is only a few dollars for admission. Everything else is free in this park. Thank you to the City of Springfield and all the volunteers who make this beautiful paradise on earth a reality! Check it out soon if you haven't.

Absolutely the most beautiful park in all of Springfield!! I love walking this park no matter what the season! Very beautiful and clean! Plus the flowers and landscaping is breath taking!!! The verity of flowers they grow in the spring is the most beautiful thing ever!

The Japanese Garden has a fee, but the rest of the large park is free and wonderful. It sits next to a year round lake, large stream with a small waterfall, beautiful garden and picnic area and good restrooms. There are playgrounds for the kids and an old time original schoolhouse adjacent. Walking trails abound and pets on a leash are welcomed.

The Botanical Gardens are absolutely amazing! We visit Springfield a few times each year and always make time to visit these gardens. We find them beautiful in all seasons. See more photos at https://adobe.ly/3fT5Ukb

This park has always been beautiful, but they've been working to make it even better recently. The addition of fountains, repair of pathways, and flowers that bloom with each season make it a wonderful place to spend some time outdoors.

This is my favorite park in the community beacuase it is spacious, welcoming and beautiful. The lake, shady Grove, and gardens has something for everyone to enjoy. The annual festival and Friend of the Gardens event's successes makes me so happy. I love how this place can feel secluded and full of nature while also be bustling with activity.

Outstanding Springfield-Greene County Park with many beautiful gardens and paths. Truly suitable for all ages, and walkers, strollers, runners, bicycles, etc. There is plenty of room to spread out, and many benches for resting or relaxing.

Springfield, MO. A free butterfly house, rose garden, hosta garden, English garden, a lake, streams, and ponds make this a wonderful place to walk and enjoy the abundant local wildlife. There is also an adjoining Japanese garden one may enjoy for a fee. Our friends come here often to stroll and visit. We were visiting and they decided this was the best place for us to visit today. One of us was 88 and used a walker and made it all the way around the lake, although the last incline back to the parking lot he was tired, but not too tired. The shop and visitor center at the parking lot area was full of decor for home and garden plus some scientific toys for children. Today the center featured an art exhibit by local students. There was lots of parking. What a great way to spend a couple of hours!

Cherry Blossom festival was fantastic! Kites were everywhere and the live Japanese music was a very nice touch. Food trucks are always my favorite thing.

Lots of space for taking relaxing walks among beautiful scenery. Many different landscapes: shrub gardens, flower gardens, herb garden, trees, butterfly house, playground sets for youngsters, waterscapes of different kinds, picnic tables & benches scattered through the huge park. Such a lovely place!! Needs some more restrooms scattered throughout though.

A great place to walk, to bring kids, to fly a kite, to picnic, throw a ball. Big open areas, lots of places for kids to climb and play, a few old historic buildings. Lots of trails/paths.

This is a great Park in a great place to visit! There is a wonderful butterfly House what you can go into and see various butterflies. There are some nice playgrounds and picnic pavilions. The visitor center is nice and there is a gift shop there. There are several garden areas to visit on the property. For an additional charge there is a Japanese garden which is well worth a visit and stroll. It's a very relaxing place to spend some time.

Just beautiful in the early spring. We will be going back to see more of the blooming flowers 💐

close to home, super dog friendly, and not to mention a great area for events. from the christmas lights to just a date day in the park, it’s always a good time!! i got engaged here during the christmas lights and will forever love this park.

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👍

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

The trails here are well maintained and worth the hike!

Went on a hunted tour for Halloween. It was so much fun! So much history! My eyes couldn't stop scanning the beautiful architecture and art. It truly is a castle. Staff was so nice and easy to talk to. Even got a couple cool orb pictures! Will come back again!

Went on the Ghost tour. I recommend it if you like paranormal activity and is just starting to experience ghost hunting. As it is a tour there will be other groups of people with you but dont let that stop you from going, me and my family had fun.

Our experience for the ghost tour was fairly positive, but there were certainly some downsides. There were way more people in our tour group than we expected, 40 or 50. Didn't make for a very intimate experience. Parking was very limited, and yet some of our group were yelled at for driving around trying to find a spot, and this really soured their experience for the whole tour. I expect they would give only one star, as they were very put out. The building itself was very interesting and I enjoyed touring it, but we had nothing approaching any sort of paranormal experience. The haunted house style portions of the tour were fun. All in all, we certainly won't be returning near Halloween, and some of our group have vowed never to return due to the rudeness they experienced in the parking lot despite being paying guests.

A historic old castle in the middle of the city. The main foyer had on overwhelmingly smell of urine (an off-putting first impression), but once you moved past that, the rest of the place was okay. The tour group was pretty big for a place this size and some of the guests were obnoxiously loud and intentionally rude. However, our tour guides were friendly and knowledgeable and I appreciate the fact that they invite you to take as many photos as possible. I was able to catch some orbs on more than one occasion in the Live Photos using my iPhone. This place is haunted for sure and I’d like to go back with the hope of touring with a smaller group of people.

Did the overnight ghost investigation hosted by Paranormal Task Force. Excellent 👍. Investigators were great. Friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Even had pizza and snacks at midnight and raffle drawing. As for the castle itself- PLEASE don't let all the negative reviews just because owner seems crazy or rude keep you from coming and enjoying the castle or investigation. You won't see her anyway. The castle is so cool, we had a history tour before the investigation and the tour guide was wonderful.There are ALOT of steps you will be going up and down so be prepared. Go and enjoy this COOL castle 🏰🏰🏰

If you're looking for something off the beat and track, that has some fun, some spooky stories, and a little bit of history this is the place. From the beginning of entering the the Castle to leaving two hours later, we had a great time. Some of the highlights were Mr. Boots, divination rods, exploring all three levels and the high points of the videos. This was a good time from our youngest (10 years old) to almost in our 60s. Hanging out in the foyer and the parlor looking at old photos was nice.

Took the night ghost tour. The staff was awesome and the history lesson was great. No activities to report on this visit. Not sure how much the interior has been updated over the years, but I was completely unimpressed.

This was our first visit to the Pythian Castle, we WILL be returning!! Our tour guide Todd was absolutely amazing, extremely knowledgeable and definitely let people come up with their own experiences while later telling us of his experiences. I loved it so much that I would seriously consider becoming a ghost tour guide every Saturday night even though I work 60 hours a week as a wound care nurse. Absolutely love this place, love the vibe, love the spirits, a definite MUST SEE for anyone and Todd is absolutely top notch!!

My review is only if the Ghost tour. The castle was I really interesting especially since we don’t have many castles in the U.S. I give 5 stars for the building as a historical artifact. 3-stars for the tour. I felt like the tour guide was more focused on sharing her paranormal experiences and trying to convince everyone that the place was “active with spirits” than letting the haunted portion exist on its own and explain the castle itself. If you are the type of person that likes to be a paranormal investigator then you’ll enjoy it. Would I go back with friends? Probably not.

Went for the night tour at 8pm 8/6/2022. Had a very large group so there was not much time to really look around. Overall tour was very informative and fun. Tour guide had a lot of stories and recordings to share. Just wish we had more time to explore the areas more. That being said I did capture two things on camera that kinda freaked me out. Did not see when I was there but when I reviewed later. First is a shadow leaning in on the tunnels. Took two pictures of same place about 5 seconds apart. Second was in the area where the cells were. All my pictures were clear but the one from the doorway. I see a figure that blocks the light. Thought it might be a shadow but there is no trail to show it came from somewhere else down there. Also see a orb on friends back in theater. Red shirt on his left side. Make your own conclusions. Fun time!

This was a great place. Loved the ghost tour... Even caught some orbs

Beautiful castle. We did the haunted tour, and while nothing spooky happened, I got this very weird feeling down in the basement, and then I got the chills upstairs in the boys' room.

Such a neat place! I love the history of the place, and it's gorgeous. We did the ghost tour, and it was creepy, but good. I loved it and highly recommend checking it out.

Getting a tour is a bit weird. Call before you go. Saying that, we got there at the same time as another couple. The host was great. Quirky sense of humor. Great tour. Very odd castle. (History Tour).

Tour was lame with no actual ghost stories or even proven information regarding it. The ghost tour felt like a quick money grab attempt by the owner. I have been on ghost tours that cost less than this and provided actual stories and factual information regarding events but this one just felt like made up experiences with rambling of no substance. For example the tour guide acted like she got pinched and tugged multiple times throughout the tour. They never used rem pods, k2 or any other technique other than rods which you could tell she was moving. The owner has done absolutely jack all to even redecorate it to make it more historically accurate majority of rooms are empty and or filled with weird cheap props like a snowman with a projector of snow/ strobe lights/ skeletons/ plastic gargoyles. Over half the tour is in the basement which is basically empty other than a few cheap props they probably got at goodwill. Majority of the upstairs is blocked off because the owner lives in over half of the upstairs. I would highly recommend avoiding this and looking for other options for entertainment where you can get the value for your money. The castle is pretty but thats about it.

Very cool castle! The gargoyle looks like it's breathing down where the POW cells are. We had a great tour and learned a lot!

Beautiful place, interesting history. Did the Ghost Tour- great guide, and lots of creepy spaces to explore. Didn't catch any evidence of ghosts...this time. Maybe next time!

Great tour guides they give you a little background about the castle very organized and professional I recommend if you like history an ghost definitely will be back for the other things they offer

The Haunted Tour was Fantastic! I highly recommend it. Our tour guide was interesting and knowledgeable, as well as very friendly.

Fun and creepy. Especially if you are into this kind of thing. EMF machine went off a few times. I personally had an interesting experience where I stepped into an area and it was extremely hot and no one else could feel the heat. Also got a few pictures of orbs and a picture of a shadow on the staircase.

Our very first ghost tour! Todd was an amazing tour guide and was very patient with my youngest daughters questions (she had a lot) We will definitely be back to try and reengage with Mr Boots!

Y'all, I cannot say enough about this place! We were able to go into the computer lab and see the 3D printer working right in front of us! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. And there is something for everyone around every corner. We will be going back before we leave Springfield!

Had a good experience here with the dinosaurs and all the gadgets of the kids had fun playing with. Unfortunately, I had to leave early due to a very sleepy baby but I saw a miniature golf on the second floor and the third floor had tons of stuff for toddlers I'll definitely be going back. Furthermore, it was cheap and definitely worth the price.

Loved this place way worth the money. Was actually alot cheaper then I thought. ON SUNDAYS you have to wear masks although I didn't see anything about that on their website. The front desk associate was so nice and helpful though! Throughout there wasn't actually anyone to "help us along" with Any of the cooler attractions but my kids are younger anyways. Still a great place and my kiddos had a blast!!

We had a solid time at the Discovery Center in Springfield, MO this afternoon. Since we travel full time, we wanted to give the kids some hands on tangible things they could play with to help them better conceptualize some of the things they've been learning in school. There were a few things here and there that didn't work, but all in all, it was a great experience for both of our kids (7 and 4). Our favorite part was the interactive wall they had on the bottom level of the facility. We highly recommend purchasing the membership at Discovery Center because it will not only give you free access for a year to their facility, but it will also give you free entry to any ASTC museum WORLDWIDE! Pretty dang cool!

We had such a great time at the Discovery Center. There was so much to do and learn. My kids were very happy. Afterwards, we enjoyed sno cones, hot dogs, bouncy houses, foam and old cars and motorcycle shows at the Rt 66 Festival.

This place is amazing and recommend it to anyone, with or without kids. The prices are great and if you get a family membership it’s even better. With a membership you and your family get in free all year, but there are also other centers around the country you can go to free as well. There are fun learning experiences for people of all ages, as well as special events all throughout out the year. We go several times a year and my son never gets bored of it (even now as a teenager!)

We stopped in Springfield on our vacation because it was a halfway point on our road trip and my 4 year old really needed to get out of the car for a while. I looked up things to do in Springfield with kids and luckily this place popped up. It was so unique and interesting for not only my 4 year old, but for us adults as well. It was very interactive, kind of like a cross between a children's museum and a science museum. We had a great time playing with the different exhibits and I loved that there was something educational with pretty much every activity we did. Some of it was a little bit too complex for my child to understand, but he still had a blast playing while I tried to explain it to him. I highly recommend and wish there was something like this closer to us.

Had a blast in the center and attended mess fest as well after! On the sneak, the little red merry go round like pole is amazing. If you're skeptical, try it yourself! It feels like you're going so much faster than you appear to be! Childhood found!

On the way from Nebraska to Branson, MO we stopped into the Discovery Center so our kids (toddlers) could get some energy out before heading to our hotel. Best decision ever. This place is awesome! There are 3 levels of STEM based exhibits, activities, and play based tools. Some of the highlights are a gym with an interactive projection on 1 wall where you can throw balls at targets in different games, a live bee hive in plexiglass, huge water table, fossil dig, play village, and SO MUCH MORE!!! We will be making this a permanent pit stop on travels thru Springfield.

I took my 5 year old. He had a blast. He had so much fun he wanted to go back tomorrow. The staff was friendly. Everyone was dressed up for Halloween. They had tables setup to trick or treat.

This place was unbelievable. The dinosaur exhibit was awesome and my 4 yr old loved and ask every day since when we can go back.

Our family really loved this museum. Found on a Google search and it looks small from the outside, but that is not the case. So much to do in this museum for many ages!! Well done.

This place is truly one of the jewels in the crown of the queen city of the Ozarks. There are so many fun things to do and experience here, you and your kids will get educated without even knowing it. It's very hands-on and the topics of interests are extremely broad. There is something for everyone. The atmosphere is engaging, the staff are fantastic, and the place is just packed with experiences waiting to be had.

We took our son here for his birthday today, and we were NOT disappointed with how many activities they have here! **BONUS** They have a "Lactation Station"! A small room with a rocking chair (with accompanying foot rest) that let's you feed in comfort and privacy! 10/10 will be back soon!!

So we were in Springfield, MO, visiting family from out of state, and decided the best way to spend a rainy day with the kids was to visit the Discovery Center of Springfield. It was an absolute delight from start to finish. You're immediately immersed with photo 📸 opportunities as soon as you arrive, even in the parking lot when you're greeted near the entrance by a very unique robot statue and dinosaur statues that are surrounded by sunflowers. Now, if you're looking for a great way to spend a day with the kids in Springfield, look no farther than the Discovery Center of Springfield. They have 4 stories of educational and interactive exhibits to keep the whole family busy. The staff is so polite and courteous. They truly seem happy to be there and to be offering such a top-notch experience to all their visitors. We will return again to try and conquer the bike on a wire. This cost only a few dollars more, but it is so worth it to see how science and physics allows those that weigh less 220 lbs travel across a high wire with only the power of you pedaling it. It's probably one of the most popular attractions at the center, let alone all of Springfield. Thank you to all that made our visit such a wonderful experience. 😊

I left an unflattering review 2 years ago, but am editing it because this visit. We had a much better time and there is SOO much more to do. Our two young adults have autism and this is a great place for them. So much so that we decided to buy a 1 year membership! Much improved!

I had the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful stroll through this garden and enjoy sights. Compared to other Asian gardens I've strolled through, this didn't feel particularly Asian influenced in totality but don't let that stop you from going - it is very enjoyable and clearly a lot of effort is in place to make this area serene. I would most assuredly go again.

It was amazing!! A lot bigger than it looks from the gate!! Also it's located inside another park. So I was able to walk around all day!! A must see for sure!!

I grew up loving this park with all my heart. Feeding the fish, picnicking in the tea house, and soaking up the sun are my favorite activities. I recommend the annual pass for frequent visitors. I do wish they would add some things that would, for me, make it more "authentic." I'd love to see a small jinja or torii (or both) within the park. I believe it could benefit the park financially as well, with the inclusion of an offering box in front of the jinja. It would be very culturally informative to include some signs about how to wash your hands properly, pray, and make an offering.

One of the most beautiful places I've been to! It's truly a relaxing atmosphere and you feel like you're in a different world. Very well maintained. The cost is $4 for entry and it's definitely worth the price. My husband and I have gone twice over the last week. I'll have to see if they offer a yearly membership. Pets are allowed on a leash. 10 stars!

So glad we visited the gardens. It sure was a beautiful place! The lady at the front was so nice during check in. Can't beat the price for these awesome views $5/adult $3/ under 11

Loved the gardens. Beautiful features throughout and great place to visit. Ticket pricing a bit steep for the size of the Japanese gardens, but as a part of the larger Botanical Gardens site, it made a good day out.

This place… it’s beautiful, relaxing, almost magical in a way. Very well cared for. It’s a great place to walk, sit, relax, and see trees, plants, and flowers that aren’t common in this area.

Absolutely beautiful garden! Went on a more gloomy and rainy day but it was perfect with so much to see. Will 100% go again.

This place is by far one of the best places to go to see holiday lights. If you’ve never been before you will soon come to appreciate some beautiful authentic Japanese Culture, Statues, Waterfall and a Zen Garden! They have put on an amazing light display this year and I will always look forward to coming back! Very reasonable and a great time almost year round for the family! If you are there in the day be sure to check out Nathaniel Greene Park as it is huge park with lots to do!!

A pleasant surprise in Springfield! Beautiful gardens to stroll through, and the adult entrance fee is only $5. It’s a nice way to spend an hour with peaceful pathways, small streams, greeenscapes, and a koi pond.

Awesome festival this year! More people came than the last. Can't wait for the next year to come! (During the festival) Lots of fun activities for you and the kids. Food are awesome, just expect long lines. Beautiful sceneries, love their pond and trees. 🥰

This is a must-go place. It was a wonderful place. You do need to make sure you have your walking shoes on. It is the perfect place for pictures.

This pretty little garden is worth the visit. The green pond is majestic. We went early in the morning when it opened, around 9am so there were very few people around. This place is perfect for picture taking and just relaxation. They have a $5 entrance fee which is worth for the experience, i definitely recommend!

We always enjoy the Gardens Aglow Christmas festival every year, and this year seemed the best yet with more lights and displays than ever! It is such a magical and peaceful experience to walk through with a special loved one by your side. 😀

One of the nicest place if you like to stroll around, have a picnic or an evening outing. Gardens Aglow during every Christmas time is breathtaking.

Gorgeous scenery and well worth the $5 adult admission fee. We spent about 3 hours perusing the garden and got lots of wonderful photographs. Highly recommend a visit for any nature enthusiasts.

Super beautiful and worth the $5 fee. So serene! If we could do it again, would pack a lunch and a blanket to be able to lay out in a beautiful shaded area and relax and mediate!! So easy to spend hours at the sitting spots! Kids may just want to go thru it quickly, but a super romantic place for couples! Lots of beautiful spots for pictures as well.

we came to see the christmas light display. lots of parking space. there were people directing us where to go for parking. the ticket booths went pretty fast. does cost to go in. was set up nicely. walk thru at your own pace. there are bathrooms. there were also stands for eat and drink.

This place lights up at Christmas with gardens aglow. 7.00 for adults. Work every penny. A garden wonderland. Food trucks for hot chocolate and other foods.

This Garden is beautiful all year round! You can get a season pass for this place if you go often it is worth it!!!

Very well maintained with a beautiful layout and plenty of places to stop and relax. Well worth the visit and the $5

For those who like things they don't have to take too seriously, this is a must visit. We were here on a Sunday morning on Labor day weekend and we were the only ones in the entire parking lot. So that was AWESOME and the littles loved it! It was sad to see so many little plastic forks littering the base of the big fork, though. I feel like there should be a plaque or something that tells us where to find the world's largest spoon, knife, plate and cup.

I mean, yeah. It's a fork. It's the World's Largest Fork*. And since I am into seeing superlatives like the World's Largest Chest of Drawers (High Point NC) and the World's Largest Sandhill Crane (Steele ND) and the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle (Collinsville IL), I had to come to Springfield to see this. It is in an office park and there is plenty of space to park your car. You might need to wait a moment for your "turn" to get a selfie. * By mass. It is 35 feet tall and weighs 11000 pounds.

One of the quirky and interesting things to find in America right here in Springfield, Missouri. Stuff like this always finds challengers eventually, but it is still a sight to behold.

The giant fork is a must see in Springfield! There is no business associated with it to frequent. My young adult kids had fun posing.

It was a truly enlightening experience. Its true beauty and wonder must still be contemplated. It takes dedication and commitment to comprehend this behemoth of a utensil. I would like to urge you, to go see the fork, and to not look back. You should drop everything and come pay homage to this monument. I wish to have conveyed not only my gratitude for this gift from the kitchen, but also my conviction that all must come forth and experience this life changing encounter with the FORK.

You’ve got to see this iconic Springfield landmark. Rooted in local history it makes for a great photo op and try and talk the the people who work in the building behind the fork. Their insight is priceless.

THIS 35-FOOT TALL, 11-TON FORK STANDS SHINING in front of an office building in Springfield, Missouri, tines sticking into the ground. The fork was once a fixture outside a restaurant at 3662 S Glenstone Ave. (now a Prima’s Mexican Grill), but when the restaurant closed down, the firm Noble & Associates relocated it outside their office. The towering eating utensil is worth a drive-by and a quick picture. More info on this fork. Just an FYI, the restaurant where the fork once stood didn't fail in the traditional sense -- it was hugely popular. The customers wanted to eat on location, but the person who opened it envisioned everyone picking up food and going elsewhere. His vision wasn't realized, so he closed it, to the disappointment of his many customers. At least that's what people here say. All I know for certain is that business was booming, but one day there was a closed sign with no explanation and no warning. The fork was moved eventually to where it is now, which is probably good to ease the sad reminder of the food that had been.

Such a fun road side attraction i love it!! Some people say that google directs you to the front of the building this didn't happen to us but be warned. If you're in the area and want to see it I definitely recommend and you don't even have to get out of your car if you don't want to lol.

Veryyyy interesting.. It isn't easy to.find for out of town folks but Google is on point with their directions... Definitely go see it.. Guaranteed kids will be amazed..

Family got some great pics. Our second time visiting.

Yes, it is a giant fork and yes, it is definitely worth seeing. Whimsical and fun. I mean after all, who doesn't love a giant fork. Loved it!

What else is there to say about a 35 foot tall, stainless steel fork weighing in at 11 tons? Well, it's forking impressive, that's what!

What a fun place to visit whether you are from the area or visiting Springfield. I mean, it's a giant fork in the ground, where else are you going to see something like this? While that other one might be 5 feet longer, this one definitely looks a lot better, (just look at the photos, and you can tell). So stop by, take a photo and enjoy something at least one time in your life.

How can you lose with a pic by the world's largest fork?! Awesome little quirky pic stop for sure!

It's exactly what it claims to be. A gargantuan fork. Great for photo ops and points of interest, but it's right in front of a business, so that seems odd. Still pretty cool to say I've seen it, though.

Definitely worth a selfie - but not much else. I prefer places that make for an interesting selfie and to walk around, stretch the legs and maybe get a coffee or snack, this place was just for taking a selfie and moving on. They did have an adequate parking area and there was a place to walk for a minute, but not much else there. This place might be worth having someone else take your pic too, cause it is a big fork.

Don't let the pictures on here fool you-- this really is a large fork in the ground. My monkey was thoroughly impressed (monkey in front of fork for size comparison). Some people have the luxury of working in the office building behind this monument is something my curious little George will dream about for the rest of his life.

It's a very cool experience to go there, we're so small compared to the fork... fun for all.

A really detailed and educational dive into the American Gun History. I especially enjoyed the exhibit displaying all the standard issue American Guns for the US Military throughout history. They've got some unique stuff like the punt guns and gold/silver pistols. Recommend any visitors to this Bass Pro take a stroll through the museum.

Impressive display of guns firearms throughout history.

The bass pro is really a whole experience,my wife and three daughters loved the experience and the NRA museum was a good Little break for me. Lots of little bits of info all over the place, and a decent display of firearms.

So many historical guns...plus, it's in the Bass Pro Shop. It's free and took about 1.5 hours to scope everything out. Must see if you're into historical firearms. There is also a large archery Hall of Fame at the end of the firearms display.

The guys attending the archery counter were very knowledgeable, patient, and helpful to my grandson who was purchasing his first crossbow. Thanks guys. Tell your boss that I said to give you a raise.

We had an awesome time there it was very interesting my son enjoyed all the old guns from the wars it takes a lot of time to get through it unfortunately we didn't make it to the aquarium maybe our next trip AWESOME TRIP!!!

Very interesting collection and information. Well informed and friendly staff. Been several times and will definitely go back!

Not sure how many arms are in this museum. I highly recommend you make time to visit. There is a wealth of knowledge and history in here that is just amazing. Much bigger museum than I thought on my way in.

Excellent exhibit of the history of firearms. Everything for the military arms to huntiWorth the visit. It is worth the visit. And it is FREE.

This place is beautiful and huge so much I didn't get to see all of it. They have events celebrations and public Tours for anyone who wants to do it. They will teach you about Missouri Natives Plants a master's of it is available Spring to Fall. There's a Japanese Garden Park there as well I haven't seen myself yet since I was late in the year to discover it and in the winter they have to shut up the area in the cold weather.

This was the perfect place to experience the zen of the Japanese gardens, butterfly garden and expansive flower gardens. There are ample trails to walk with plenty of signs to guide the way. This was a destination stop for school field trips the day we went but perfect weather and scenery make it a place you want to visit.

While it's not much to look at now as soon as things are in bloom this is a beautiful place. Right now it's a great place to enjoy a walk or let the kid's work of some energy.

What a beautiful garden for free city park. Came in the offseason, mid-april, and even though there wasn't a lot in bloom, there was still enough greenery and flowers starting the girls that the air smelled floral and sweet. Lots of nice pathways to explore and walk around. Encountered a few groundskeepers and employees, and all were friendly. Would love to come back Inn season to explore and see some of the things that were closed on the offseason such as the Butterfly House. There were a few areas that had to cost, such as the Japanese garden, but plenty to explore for free. Lots of parking, and on-site free restrooms during park hours- sunrise to sunset.

This is the best park in Springfield. Very nice and very clean. The Botanical Garden Center is nice with clean restrooms and you can cool off on a hot day. Lots of trails to walk on. The butterfly house is nice with helpful volunteers.

It's a great place for a walk, enjoy the scenery, spend time with family, etc. Wonderful experience!

Beautiful place to walk and get exercise. NATHANIEL GREEN PARK is always free and me and my family go there a lot to spend time together and move. A great place to play Pokemon Go

Much larger than initially expecting. You could spend the entire day here with the family! Beautiful walking trails filled with things to keep the little ones busy. Will be back!

This park is beautiful , it has many beautiful walking trails along with a butterfly room that houses many different butterflies we had a picnic right by the lake watching fish and turtles. The best park I've been to so far in the area

This place is always beautiful 😍 every time I go , there is more flowers haha or thinga I see that was not there before. They are expanding every time . Love the trails there ! Lots of nature to see ! Whether, just because, workin out, or going for a romantic walk, you can go there . Has an old school house, you can ride your bike in the back trails (i think it's allowed?) , there is a water fountain or 2... has a butterfly house .... gazebo.. kid friendly parks .... has so much space to have cute picnics on the grass. Bathrooms available in certain areas. .. so much more ! Just go see lol

This is a beautiful magical floral display that takes you to a wonderful place in your heart. The parking is good and the scenery is wonderful. Restrooms are few, so go before you arrive. Paved walking trail is even and a good surface to walk on. The water is calm, and they have benches to sit and reflect on. I would highly recommend a visit. It's free!

Beautiful, clean, educational, hospitable, peaceful and safe place to enjoy and improve your body, mind and soul for no cost to you except to gas and the time you want to spend there!

Excellent clean beer! Atmosphere is very comfortable! I had a flight and they all amazing! Their winter coffee beer is close to one of the best I have ever had! Great IPAs! Staff is friendly! A place to visit if you like great beer!

I'm more of a wine drinker than a beer drinker, but this brewery has a great selection of beers including some Winter coffee brews that I found to be really delicious. They don't really offer food, but they are okay if you bring in a pizza or something. Limited indoor seating, but lots of room outdoors in a lovely park-like setting. Ask about the story behind "Cobra Scare".

A very pet and people friendly place. Tons of options and the flight pours are generous.

The taproom is always a great experience and these folks know beer. The Wild Cobra Scare was an excellent sour. The blueberry puree addition to the original is superb. The Imperial Stouts -- OMG! Materfamilias and Von Shrag! Pro tip: let these warm up a bit to fully experience all of the flavors. The barrel aged Materfamilias and the Askinosie chocolate of the Von Shrag are incredible. Yes, I took home a bomber of each!

Okay all you hopheads, you have to come to Mothers. Great vibe, large patios, and the beer is fantastic. Just tried the New Prague and Three Blind Mice . Friendly staff and regulars make this the perfect place for a pint.

Located on Historic Route 66. This place has a fantastic park area for family gatherings. The tasting room and gift shop are very nice. The staff were very helpful and friendly. The beer is cold and very good. When you are in the area stop by and grab a cold beer. We highly recommend Mother's Brewing Company.

We stoped here on our way throw town and used harvest host to stay at the brewery. They have tons of room for you to pull in very large trailers. The ground is a little unlevel, but the beer is great so that helps. They have a beautiful patio great tap room and lots of good beers to choose from.

Thanks to Max at Mother’s for helping me pick the perfect flight! The Decadent Chocolate stouts was my favorite! Cute town and super friendly people!

Awesome selection of craft beers not in regular circulation. Going to the brewery is a must! Beertenders were patient and answered all of our questions.

What a great stop for beer and dinner on my way through town! I haven’t been to many breweries that have as much outdoor space as they have. The night I stopped in they had a live band, a great food truck and many outdoor games going. Oh, and the beer was great 👍 🍺

I have been bringing my daughters here since they were teeny tiny and it’s become a family event. I love that they added the kids playground. Such a unique building and history. But the beers are my favorite! Cobra Scare is the best easy drinking beer you can get at stores too but the unique saisons and stouts that are only available in the tasting room make the trip worth it each time. If you haven’t been, make this a stop on your trip to Springfield! You will love it!

Some areas looks old, some places is nice. It is some food options and enough places to sit and talk. So you can spend all day for shopping with friends and family. Be ready check all prices by phone.

Not bad for a smaller city mall. Has a lot of great stores. We just got an H&M not long ago! The Sephora is a little disappointing. They are always missing items I'm looking for but that maybe a lot Covid related. Food court could use a little help but not too bad, just a little more variety would be nice.

The mask still has some good stores but it's looking pretty slim in there. Lots of empty space. Macy's was pitiful in it's product choices. Went to Journeys and got some UGGs. Then there was another store nearby that had some fun eclectic things. Didn't eat there so I don't know if the food options were any good.

We had a wonderful time attending the Severe weather Expo event Saturday at the mall. Its great they host such excellent community events like this. Lots of sales were going on and atmosphere was very pleasant. The mall manager was so nice to everyone. I plan to attend more events at Battlefield Mall in the future.

Probably the best mall I've ever been to. It's SO large and they have a lot of cool gaming/anime stores. It was really fun to walk around and also there's a bubble tea place here that's super delicious (the bubble tea place also sells really good macaroons and ice cream).

Glad to see a mall that’s really busy as all the stores open very clean and has some great stores with good prices coming from Illinois we need more of this

We had a great time yesterday. We haven't been to the mall for a while. It was a nice get out. The earthbound store was fabulous and we will for sure be going back there!!!

Food was amazing got two plates after I figured out u can take two bowls up with u.

Today when I had my kids at the mall, we saw so many mannequins that had weird googly eyes on them. I’m not sure if they’re moving toward doing that for every mannequin, but it was weird. They looked possessed. It wasn’t even one store, they were on several in lots of different stores. Is there some sort of googly eyed bandit going around or is this a new thing the mall is doing?

Honestly would give it a 3.5, but googles rating scale doesn’t allow .5 ratings. The mall was cute for this area. We arrived at like 1030 and all the stores were not open. We walked around for 2hrs and the place is nice. The area around the mall is nice as well minus the trailer park by it, “Ozark Mobile Home Park.” Would love to explore Springfield some more. If you’re in the area, come on by the mall and Battlefield. There’s plenty of shopping centers by the mall itself.

Lucked up on this mall. I was attending a college softball game. The fields were located right behind this mall. After the games, I went shopping. Very nice mall and extremely bigger than I anticipated. It was well lit, trash cans every where and hand sanitizer located throughout the entire mall. The bathrooms were clean as well. There were mini ramps located throughout the mall for wheelchair accessibility. Which gave the mall a little flair with the split level steps on the opposite side. The mall wasn’t busy at all as it appeared some of the stores were closing up at 6:30pm on a Tuesday. I am not sure why so early. The food court was nice and spacious with a variety of food selections. If you are visiting the park behind the mall and need to kill time after some games, definitely go hang at this mall.

It’s not a bad mall. Plenty of shops everything is spread it out overall not a bad mall

Love the added play place, just wish they had signage to advertise and find it; I lived here 6 months before accidentally stumbling upon it. It's in the back corner to the left of the food court, passed Urban Air, and it's really nice. It's spacious, there's a lot of seating, and all the toys are that soft, sort of squishy plastic so the kids can't get too hurt.

This mall is huge!! Anyone can find anything and everything here from nails being done to sitting and enjoying a meal. And a whole lot of stores to shop

This was a beautiful art museum. I was nervous to take my kiddos but along with having pieces for kiddos, they have an entire room for children to explore art. It was nice to be able to enjoy art in a family friendly environment

The Yoko One installation was so fun. All ages would enjoy it! It was nice to take things that were broken and make something new!

A very nice museum. Can't wait to go back and see what the new exhibits are that were being put in

What a treasure. If “small but mighty” described a public institution, it would be accurate. Focusing on local artists, patron interaction, and children. The exhibits and permanent collection reflect on the local area both past and present. Not to mention free admission. This will be a frequent stop for me in Springfield.

Had a wonderful visit and enjoyed much of the artwork. Could not share it all here, but I hope the pictures inspire you to visit. We spent a couple of hours just taking in all the art pieces, and they allow you to photograph without flash photography in the gallery. Have fun!

We really enjoyed the watercolor exhibit and also the permanent collection. We went right when it opened and practically had the place to ourselves, everyone who works there was very friendly. Pictures of some of our favorite pieces.

This place is great. Loved the art, the openness of the space, and the nature - we saw a couple of baby raccoons in the courtyard! They even have an art/play room for kids so you can tour the museum in peace (not attended though - need to have older kids or another adult who can trade off watching the little ones). Will definitely visit again next time we are in Springfield.

Unfortunately by the time we got to this museum (visiting from out of town) it was half an hour before it closed. But we still spent a pleasant and fairly peaceful 30 minutes surveying the museum and its exhibits, both the permanent collection and a neat exhibit on watercolors. There is a really nice area for kids that allows them to play and explore with art-related materials. It's not a large museum but it appears to be well cared for.

Good art museum. Very clean and nicely maintained. They have helpful assistants at the reception. The gallery map provided was helpful to navigate.

The Springfield Art Museum is such a cool museum. First off, unlike some other museum's, it's free to get inside and look around at the exhibits. They change up their exhibits often, and so even if you make it here multiple times a year, you'll always catch a variety of displays and impressive, intriguing artwork. They have a kids area, as well as a book nook, which are always free to go hangout in. They also offer art classes, sometimes free and sometimes for pay, with what seems very reasonably priced. Ever since Covid times, I began to notice that they have free project bags that you can swing by and pick up, and take home for the kids to do. They are still doing that - which is very amazing and awesome that they offer such a thing! Also, they host various events throughout the year, such as Celebrate Springfield, which is a free event, where kids can do all kinds of cool crafts and activities for free, and there are vendors, and food trucks. This is a great fixture in Springfield and such a great resource to utilize. Highly recommend!

It’s absolutely free which was surprising. The amount of art inside is incredible. Great atmosphere and you can spend at least an hour or two admiring the works of greats. You must leave your back packs at the front desk, they will tell you. You can’t bring any weapons inside too, there is a picture telling you on the outside

What an awesome exhibit. Definitely worth a visit.

This is a great art museum! They have well curated & displayed exhibits. Be sure to check about special exhibits and classes they offer. Also don't forget the outdoor courtyard! Highly recommend!

We happen to see the museum close to were we stayed the night and decided to visit. We had a enjoyable visit. If in the area again I would enjoy visiting again.