The 22 best views in Springfield

Had a wonderful tour guide. I've always wanted to go inside a cave like this. Due to my decreased mobility, riding in on the trailer, even though I had to bend over and duck at points, made it possible!! Wonderful even temperature and excellent lighting. Enjoyed the history and learning some science on the way.

To see stalegtight and stalagmites in person is impressive. To see formations that have taken millions of years in person was amazing. Very informative little tour and the guide was humorous. Though we loved the tour and information it is on the pricey side. Truly expected the tour to be more In length. In actually its a tour that stops often to listen to the guide. I'd advise to research prices and compare that to your fascination of underground formations

Fantastic Caverns offers a unique and memorable experience with its fully guided, ride-through cave tour. You’ll hop aboard a large tram that takes you deep into the cave, with stops along the way to learn about the stunning rock formations and fascinating history of the caverns. It’s a relaxing and informative adventure—no walking required in the cave. There is also really nice gift shop filled with great souvenirs to remember your visit.

Fantastic Caverns experience is well worth your time. The grounds before getting to the visitor's center are so well kept and beautiful. ( Deer were grazing, when we went.) There is a place outside with the story/ history of the caverns before you go in the visitor's center. The visitor's center and gift store are very nice. In the center there are comfortable chairs to wait for your tour. The jeep trams are roomie and not too crowded. They will allow pictures throughout. You are also allow to bring food ( popcorn from the gift shop) and a drink. The tour takes about 1 hour and is very educational and fun.

Not as dramatic as some cavern systems I have toured, but it was very accessible, had a great story and you could park several cars inside it. Our guide was authentic and very knowledgeable about the cavern. The story of the cavern's discovery was touching and the performance history of the cavern pre-dates Branson. Every time I am walking on a hill in this area, I think what could be hidden underneath my feet in the earth's drainage system.

Amazing cave, the drive through tour is really nice. It is perfect for seniors who could not otherwise make a more strenuous walk through a cave system. The cave has beautiful formations and great lighting. Thr tour guides were friendly and informative as well. Overall and outstanding diversion.

A great place to learn about caves, how they form and a little local history. Because you ride in a wagon pulled by a Jeep this tour is great for those who might not be able to walk far or stay with a group. I thought it was a little expensive relative to the time length of the tour but then it was so nice to ride and just look and listen to the guide.

Our family moved to Springfield and have enjoyed coming to Dickerson Park Zoo! The animals are great to see and it was definitely an interesting experience to have peacocks roaming around the zoo! The biggest issue is the bridge being out by the bears, which makes you backtrack through the Asia area to view everything instead of circling around. However, it does look like it's currently being replaced, so excited to see repair work being done!

It was too hot for the poor Animals to be outside and to say hi! We saw a few and enjoyed that. Loved the fact that they had restrooms through out the park and food and drink! Loved the gift shop! Big fan of the penny press souvenir machines so I managed to grab a couple. Staff was good. Well maintained area! Fun for the whole family. Bought the tickets online.

What a wonderful little zoo. My wife and I found this place as we were waiting for our commercial truck to be repaired. We went on Wends 9-10-25, and it felt like we had the whole zoo to ourselves. Took about 3 hours to walk the whole park, and we maybe saw 2 other groups of people. While people weren’t seen as much, the animals were all out for viewing. Minus the bear enclosure that was being reworked, every exhibit was open/looked well maintained. Would highly recommend and at only $19 won’t break the bank. Walked in with drinks and food, no one seemed to care. So can probably save some money packing drinks/snacks.

Awesome zoo! Not quite comparable to St Louis or Memphis, a lot of exhibits were closed with a note that the animals were being treated by the veterinarian. However, the animals that we did see were AWESOME. We loved the peacocks, we got to see an elephant eat, fed goats, fed giraffes, and checked out a ton of reptiles. For a small town, we loved it.

This little Zoo had a surprisingly large variety of animals to view and interact with. The layout is easily navigated. Different paths to see all the facility or partial, with food, snacks, and restrooms strategically placed throughout. Plenty of rest benches and shade as well! Low entry cost is a bonus!

This was such a cute zoo! Me and my family had a blast! Easy to get around but could have a bit better signs since there was some construction going on.

Impromptu visit to the zoo on a gloomy Friday morning. The entry fee was reasonable and the park was much larger than I had expected. Even with the arrow signs and colored paw prints i got lost lol The grounds are well maintained with loads of surrounding shrubbery contrasting the black fences. Lots of restrooms placed around the park; which I appreciate the ease to go wash my hands. TBH was hoping not too many kiddos would be screaming throughout the park but idk what I was thinking. If there were 21+ only days (or few hours) at the zoo honestly would be more enjoyable (I have auditory sensory struggles; kids randomly 'screaming' or 'shouting' highten my flight or fight and end up in panic attack mode. really makes it hard to enjoy family friendly places 😪) Did not check out the cafe or the gift shop. I did not try the train. Parking was easy, although, I had arrived 30min after opening. I really enjoyed the lemur, vultures, zebras, blue macaw, and petting the goats. The area to feed giraffes was a decent size but can fill up fast with strollers and wagons. If you plan on feeding the goats take a few dollar bills incase the kiosk is closed. Overall I really enjoyed my trip but amenities are catered for family visits i.e. playground by the cafe, stroller rental although they allow outside strollers, splash pad for kids. the gazebo by the waterfall on the way to the flamingos was the most peaceful spot. i had my ear plugs in but was able to take the out for a bit as i found more monkeys and how to enter the flamingo viewing box.

I loved visiting the Springfield Art Museum! The museum has free admission, which is great for a family friendly adventure. They have a good variety of different styles of art. I really loved the Bradi Barth exhibition they had on display when I visited. They have many modern/contemporary artists featured as well. The courtyard is a nice place to relax. The staff here is great. I highly recommend if you're in the area.

Great visit with my granddaughters this week at the museum. No fee, great collections. We really enjoyed the watercolor exhibit. We were even able to vote for our favorites! They encourage you to sit and create for yourself or just take it all in. There was a room that the kids could add their own drawing to the wall as well. Fun. Interesting. Clean. Welcoming.

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!

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

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

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.

We were super surprised by the great time we had at this little museum. We've been to many of the great art museums of the world, but this gem we found to be charming. Not stuffy or dark. Nice variety in the exhibits. Interesting modern and temporary works displayed. We spent two hours here.

We went on the Ghost Tour 👻 and had a good time. The ladies who led the tour had a lot of interesting stories, recordings and photos to share. Fun experience and interesting castle. We recommend taking the tour.

Took my wife for her bday and we had a blast! The castle was beautiful, and the staff was entertaining. If I could offer one piece of advice it would be to lean into your theme of ww2 on every aspect and ditch the non related decor. We did the ghost tour and highly recommend. The place was busy the Saturday we went.

Online you can book a ghost or history tour with a minimum of 4 people for the history tour. We booked the 2pm tour and it took about an hour to walk through and here the history. It was a lot of fun for us and the kids highly recommend.

Had the pleasure of getting the opportunity to go on their ghost tour. The guide was fantastic! He was full of charisma, very knowledgeable about the history and encompassed both the history of the castle from all aspects of natural and supernatural. His beliefs are magnetic and he truly pulls you into a world in which anything is possible. I had a wonderful time and highly recommend anyone who loves history or has a fascination with the idea that there is something after death go. I honestly feel more connected to those who came before us after this and I find that comforting.

Definitely go at night. Some parts of the tour are not for the claustrophobic and not wheelchair accessible. Great place to take children and learn the history of the mansion.

I took the guided tour and it did not disappoint. The guide was informative and they took us around the entire Castle. So much fun... you should definitely go.

Went on a Ghost tour and it was fun learning the history of this place. Very well kept and maintained, very beautiful Castle

Beautiful place to walk around. The trails & facilities are kept up well. My husband & I love bringing our daughter here. Tonight we had some car troubles right before the gate closed. The Missouri conservation employee (Tim) was very kind helping us & making sure we had a way to get home. We appreciated it very much!

Absolutely incredible—The trails were stunning and each curve took our breath away. Could have spent all day just enjoying the beautiful creation. Not to mention how kind the staff was at the Nature Center. There’s even a fun exploration room inside with learning activities for little kids!

Beautiful place to go hang out in nature and go for a lovely walk. They have trails surrounding the nature center plus the visitor center has lots of things to see and explore inside as well. Seems to be a great place to take kids on a field trip as we saw a lot of that while we were there. ~RoadLifeAdventure

Great area well Mark trails. Excellent wildlife. Perfect time of the year, even older people and Grandma and Grandpa can do the blue boardwalk trail all the way to the water

Wonderful place to walk and no worry of having to jump out of the path of an upcoming bicycle 🚲. No worry about getting trampled by a group of runners. Parking, restrooms, and vending machine.

I had a wonderful time exploring the Springfield Conservation Nature Center! The trails are peaceful and well-maintained, perfect for hiking and spotting local wildlife. The nature center itself offers great educational exhibits that really help you appreciate the natural beauty of the area. It’s a fantastic place for families, nature lovers, or anyone looking to get outdoors and learn more about conservation. Highly recommend a visit! It's also fun when you get to see the deer running through the trails!

I have been here a few times. This last time, I accompanied my daughter's home school class to a presentation by two of the staff. I am not sure of their actual job title, but they were knowledgeable and did a fine job engaging the children with animals of Missouri. Very good! The nature trails are superb!

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield is a Park that you need to visit. Passport cancelation stamps are inside by the gift shop. There are three stamps here. There are many displays and exhibits here. There is a movie about the park you can watch. Lots of history here. Staff were friendly and answered any questions that I had.I would absolutely come back here to visit.

Great place to go for hiking. I really enjoyed learning the history of the Wilson Creek battle and the area. I didn't realize how much historical stuff outside of the battle occurred here. Great place to visit.

Several trails, many spots to turn off and park to explore and learn some history about this place. There is a creek that flows pretty steadily, but it's not recommended to swim in. You can walk, bike, or hike. Pet friendly, but on leash.

Super friendly gentleman behind the counter that I got to have a conversation with as a fellow history buff. Very nice welcome center, sprawling Battlefield the best kept I've ever visited! Springfield

Self guided tour, interactive, and very informative. National treasure. Well worth the visit.

This area is well-maintained overall. Good interpretive signs along the tour road. Trails are well-maintained and include additional interpretive signs and gun batteries. We didn't get to see the visitor center due to the federal shut down. It does a good job in presenting the history in a respectful and unbiased manner. Entry is free.

This is an amazing place to learn about. My kids got to watch history and even got to become Jr. Rangers!

Really disappointed as I have a lot of great memories here from when I was a kid. Everything is either broken, missing a lot of pieces, or a relic from the 90s. Only giving it a second star because the dinosaurs animatronics were neat but I suspect they will be out of order in no time.

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!)

Visiting from out of town and looking to feel some time both my kids 15 and 8 had a lot of fun going all around the building so much to do and see and play here great place to spend some down time or looking for something fun for the kids

A pretty good price with a lot of things to do. It was a fun family friendly experience that we all enjoyed. Would recommend!!!!

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.

The staff was very friendly. It seemed to be a kids free for all but the exhibits were very informative and 100% awesome! As a homeschool family we really loved it. It was educational and a bunch of fun! They had stuff for kids of all ages but I would say most educational activities were for 6+ age range.

We enjoyed it. Definitely alot to see. It is geared more toward younger children. I have 2 teens but they still enjoyed themselves.

Really enjoyed the visit to the museum. Nice collection of cars across many decades. Had a nice visit with Mr Guy Mace, owner of the museum, who gave us the details of several of the cars and their history. Reasonable admission price to enjoy such a nice car collection.

Incredible collection of antique and historic cars. Each vehicle is annotated with information. Vehicles are incredible… so hard not to touch! The museum is for sale for those with a dozen or so millions in the bank to spare.

Stopped in the Route 66 Car Museum while visiting Springfield and spent a little over an hour checking out the unique cars and trucks. I was impressed with the variety of cars and how well the cars were kept in top condition. The museum even has a gift shop that sells second hand flea market stuff that has nothing to do cars.

Me and my two daughter just went here it was so very cool to see all these different cars old cars and movie cars the really loved the Batman, ghost buster and DeLorean. If your not a car person like us it was still just great to look and admire all the vehicles all the staff we talked with was very nice and had no issues

Great place to visit on your Route 66 trip. Wide variety of cars and memorabilia. Each car has a placard with info and a short summary of the cars history. It's definitely worth a stop and I'd stop again next time I'm in the area

Visited on 6.12.2025. Spectacular Auto Museum with a collection that includes rare cars. Definitely one of the best auto museum along Route 66. Highly Recommend to anyone traveling through Springfield, Missouri.

A nice little car museum with history of each vehicle. The owner was friendly and has a great collection to share!

HUGE, NOTHING GARAGE SALE THROUGHOUT THE STORE! From the Outside, it looks like it has Lots of Nice Stuff, however when you go in, it's a different story! Booth after booth, I saw Nothing, but Old Stuff that you couldn't even Sell at a Garage Sale. A few Nicer Areas, but Mostly Old JUNK! Even Any Furniture Pieces were Obviously Old, Damaged, & should Actually be Thrown Away! VERY DISAPPOINTING!

2025-06-17 - 3.5 Stars Very large antique/vintage mall, lot to see, as with most places like this, there are good items for a fair price and some that have the “I don’t want to sell price” but that is everywhere. We did find a few treasures. Down side is we wanted to see in a cabinet that was locked. Only employees behind the front desk seem to have keys. Not good for the vendors. Check your receipts on what you buy to make sure you get the correct discount. AND if they have to refund something back make sure they ALSO include the tax!!!!!!!!!

I love this store. I always find something beautiful there. The guy that unlocks the glass cases is extremely nice and fun to talk to. He always goes out of his way to help me when I'm there. Very sweet guy. The ladies at the registers are sweet too. One of my favorite places to shop.

This place is massive. Furniture, collectibles, commics, books, glassware, crafts and home made small business goods. Well worth the stop. You're almost guranteed to find something.

We love relics, you can spend an entire day here, so many vendors can find almost anything you are looking for, comfortable atmosphere, always clean. Check out can take a while, but it gives you time to peruse the cases a little & the staff is generally helpful & friendly. They stay very busy & parking can be a bit of an issue. All in all though I highly recommend Relics

I could spend all day getting lost in here. The only thing that holds me from it is that lack of snacks. Edit on 5/31/25: The provisions we're located as foretold. Extended adventures unlocked!

Huge quantities of relics. A person needs to take their time, and get ready to spend a day! It's a large building. Very well organized.

My Grandfather, who was in WW1 is buried here, along with my Grandmother. I would have loved to meet my Grandpa. My Aunt and her Husband, who was a Marine in the Korean War, are also buried here. The last time I was here, it was quiet and beautiful. You could sense the peace around these Soldiers and their wives. Thank you, National Cemetery in Springfield, MO.

My brother, a VN Marine Vet, was buried here in 1980. I was living in Alaska at the time and attended the funeral, but was not here when the headstone was set, and years passed before I was able to visit the National Cemetery. The cemetery grounds are very nice, but when I later saw my brother's stone, I was almost certain the rank was incorrect. Years passed and then in a visit of about 3 - 4 months ago, I happened to encounter Josh, who is in charge of the cemetery, and asked him if there was any way the rank could be corrected. It took some time but after going through many boxes of old family papers I found brother's DD214 and took that to Josh, who immediately sat down at his computer and completed / submitted the paperwork to have a new, corrected stone cut. THANK YOU THANK YOU JOSH. YOU HAVE MADE THE FAMILY'S DAY WITH THIS ASSISTANCE.

It's a nice Cemetery. They keep the grounds very nice. They have men all the way from the Civil war on up to now.

amazing This is actually a response to skeptic. I know first hand that the people who bury loved ones here is A not doing community service B He takes his job seriously, and has nothing but the utmost respect for our fallen Hero s And as i said I know this first hand because I am married to Him. And second even if there are community service workers there, what does that matter? Have you never in life made a mistake? If you have not then be my guest judge away, but remember judge not lest you be judged. My husband does an amazing job and has more respect and love for the hero s he helps to their final resting place. I Have been out there picking up sticks off the graves for him because he has that much respect. He goes above and beyond what is required, because they deserve the best

Really nice employee. saved us lots of time. Noticed we are struggling to find where we were going and helped us get there.

Unfortunately I have to give people the honest truth. To those who are thinking about having their loved one buried here...don't The people whom bury your loved one are there for community service. correct the ones burying your loved one do not care about properly doing anything and then lie about the hours those people have serviced at the facility as well. Bury your loved one at a place that respects the dead, the ceremonies, etc. This is not the same as hazelwood cemetery which is a better and yet slightly attached to this unfortunately ran mess. Avoid this place at all costs including those doing community service

I have always enjoyed visiting my Daddy’s grave as a little boy and even more now that I am in my 70s. I live out of state now and don’t get to visit as often as I would like to but today I noticed that there was a large chip out of his grave stone that has been there for some time now. His stone was obviously hit by a mower, WHY IF YOU HIT A VETERAN’S GRAVE STONE THAT HARD THAN REPLACE IT. My Daddy is MY NUMBER ONE HERO, he died when I was eighteen months old, and life was very rough growing up. Please replace his marker. His name is Walter Frederick Parkhurst. Thank you Walter Frederick Parkhurst Jr.

Beautiful theatre located in the fun hustle and bustle of downtown. The architecture inside the theatre is gorgeous. The staff went above and beyond to be helpful in finding your way around. Only little negatives were that the seats were too narrow with arm rests on both sides, making it difficult for plus size guests to sit in the seats they purchased. The ladies bathroom had a long line but it moved quickly enough. Another bathroom would be helpful. But overall, a great experience and a fun location!

I have been going to big name concerts and and small venue concerts since the 70’s and tonight I saw and heard the best concert of my life. Thank you Gillioz Theatre and Bela Fleck trio. Awesome

Beautiful old theatre in good shape. Great acoustics and ability to see stage. Fairly small and intimate. Loved going there to hear PostModern Jukebox.

Fabulous place. We have watched several $5 movies and had a blast. Service wonderful. Recommended tickets for combo ($10)which includes soda/ drink 16 oz and candy bar or box of popcorn. I should also say they always have something with the theme inside. Like toy story a photo shoot and small soldier toys for kids. Fun outing. Free parking behind building

Gorgeous theater, art déco. Glad I get to visit for a show , ballet or opera. Bring on your best duds and enjoy.

Great theater. My 2nd time there as I saw Steve Vai and Joe Satriani there March 2024.

First time at the Gillioz. We had GA tickets & was able to be front & center by the barricade in front of the stage. Oni, Sierra Pilot, Bad Wolves and Pop Evil's Animal Instinct Your was lit!!!! My girls & I had a freaking amazing time and was able to see everything!!! Can't wait to go again... hopefully to see Sevendust next year!!! Parking garage a block away & only $5!!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars) The Springfield Visitor Center is a neat, small hub that packs a punch for travelers looking to explore the city. Located conveniently in downtown Springfield, it’s easy to find and offers ample parking nearby, making it a great first stop for visitors. The center’s compact size gives it a cozy, welcoming vibe, and it’s well-organized, so you don’t feel overwhelmed despite the limited space. The staff were a highlight—friendly, enthusiastic, and eager to share their knowledge about Springfield’s attractions. They provided me with a detailed map and pointed out some lesser-known local spots, including a fantastic café just a short walk away. The center is stocked with brochures, event calendars, and even a small display about Springfield’s history, which added a nice touch for those wanting to learn more about the area. While the space is clean and modern, it could benefit from a few more seating areas for visitors to sit and plan their day. The gift shop had a nice selection of local souvenirs, though I’d love to see more unique, locally made items. Overall, this visitor center is a great resource for anyone new to Springfield, offering just the right amount of information and charm to kickstart your visit. I’d definitely recommend stopping by to get oriented and grab some insider tips!

A quaint yet very informative free museum along Route 66. The gentleman inside was very helpful and friendly. The restrooms were clean. My children enjoyed seeing the memorabilia and learning about Route 66. Highly recommend. Like other reviewers have stated, please park in the parking lot across the street and not in the parking garage.

Great place to stop to get some great information on RT 66. Very helpful, lovely lady that gave us some perfect information.

This visitor center on Route 66 in downtown Springfield is a great place for information about Springfield and Route 66. Jan was the associate working and was very friendly and helpful.

Some Cool stuffs here, the staff here is so nice too and accomodating. You should try and explore this visitor center when you are in the area. 😊

Had a good time completing the Tap and Brew challenge. Today, the parking garage helped a lot in order to attend a game

Shelley was so sweet and helpful! We started here when we arrived in Springfield and got some great tips for our weekend in town. Great stop with very cute decor inside.

Been a place i have always gone to clear my mind over the years. Heck i moved to washington state and came back for my grandfathers funeral and still made sure to visit this park to clear my head and talk with an old friend. This park is ada accessible while providing plenty of parking. I highly suggest the hasta garden… who knew green could be done/look good in so many ways🤯. Any one of any age will find something they like here so bring a book a friend or just yourself and touch grass.

A must-see for nature lovers, trail walkers, flower garden fans, picnic havers, and general dilly-dalliers. Even the butterfly house is free and run by knowledgeable volunteers. It’s 118 acres of something interesting at every turn for free!

Probably the best park in Springfield! Very pretty, always clean. You get a good walk around the path. Lots of botanical/educational things as you walk. Nice pond/lake and waterfall. A few rivers to play in when the water isn't too high. Ducks, geese, squirrels and bunnies. Large fountain you can sit and enjoy. Lots of places to sit around the path. Very dog-friendly! Absolutely recommended!

This botanical garden is wonderful! There are a lot of plants for each season. Right now, the peonies are gorgeous! There's a beautiful shade garden with a natural water feature plus a big rose garden.

The place was very beautiful. Clean peaceful, relaxing. You can have a picnic there. You can have children playing in the park. You can see wildlife. It was a very soothing atmosphere.

I go here to pick up Pokémon and collect stops and gyms. I can’t do much walking at this time, I’m 71 and have cancer. So it’s great to be able to drive around to do my collecting.

One of my favorite places to chill, especially on warmer days when the attendance is lower. They have a fascinating and interesting assortment of trees, bushes, and flowers.

First visit to the Fork and the Redbuds were in bloom. This is located in a very nice part of town. I don’t believe it is the largest any longer, but it was fun for a quick photo.

This was a fun find driving around Springfield. I saw some creative pictures online of people looking like they were trying to grab the fork and I tried to duplicate it. Unfortunately it was raining super hard and when the lightning started I had to give up. I propped my cellphone against my water bottle and used the 10 second times to get in position. It’s better if you hold your hand the way I am doing it in the pictures verses some of the other ways. We went early on a Saturday morning around 7:15’ish. There were no cars or people in the way. If you want a no cost thing to do in Springfield I highly recommend this and the sculpture hunt they have downtown. Just don’t do it in the rain 😬.

Such a forking awesome roadside stop! 😂 If you're into weird roadside attractions like I am, this one’s a must. Super easy to find, great for a quick photo op, and it made us laugh way more than it probably should’ve. Just a giant fork outside an office building — but it totally made our day! Follow my quirky road trip stops on TikTok: @diamond.in.the.rough.78 🍴📸

My colleague saw a very large fork in Switzerland and when we were visiting Springfield for business, we were told about this fork. It is very big and shiny and not sure about 11 tons. Overall, didn't see a plaque describing what and why but still kind of interesting

The kids loved seeing it. It never disappoints. Not much otherwise to look at but it's cool for a photo opp

Of our group, no one seemed more excited than me, but I really wanted this picture then everyone joined in the fun after they saw me..good times! It's outside so there's no buying tickets. And there wasn't a line so no waiting.

Very cool, worth the stop to grab a photo or two.

The gardens were a lovely experience. There is so much beauty in the small details. Lovely colorsd evergreens and maples throughout. Tranquil, peaceful, and not over-crowded (even on Saturday). We were able to maneuver a wheelchair with no difficulty. Chatting with patrons here and there. Many places to sit and rest or capture a picture. Worth a visit or two.

Great place to take kids for an afternoon stroll! It's $6/ adults and $4/ kids 3 and older. 0-2 are free. They also offer group rates for 10 or more. Grounds are well kept. Ticket house also has clean restrooms and picnic tables for use. The playgrounds are right next door at Nathaniel Greene Park. Does have a different parking for other areas but is within walking distance of parking at Mizumoto.

Beautiful place to go walk and meditate. Bathrooms on site. They have a small gift/ souvenir shop. Lovely spot to read and relax. We went in the spring time and the smells of the blooming trees was alluring to the senses. It would be a beautiful place for pictures and weddings

I love the Japanese culture and enjoy the landscape and architecture they create. I believe they have a special ability to work with the environment and create spaces that are so aesthetically appealing and unique. This stroll garden is true to form. Developed by a talented and professional Japanese landscaper, this is a place that invites calm and peaceful reflection. You must experience it. Take your time and stroll through. Sit down and take in the view.

It was a nice place to still through. I had hoped to see more flowers but the beauty of the trees were nice. Good place to sit and think.

I went near dusk closing time and really cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this!! Quiet, peaceful, beautiful, just lovely!!!!

The best times to visit the garden is during the annual Japanese Fall Festival or Gardens Aglow (festive lights themed) event. The 2025 festival was a really great year for the yearly event. Good place to walk on a nice day out!

Was not expecting such amazing displays and museums when we decided to visit BPS. What an amazing collection!

Tons of firearms to see and read about. Great to see the history of them throughout time. I spent way too long in there.

This is such an amazing little museum, right in the bass pro HQ! It's free, and there are a ton of historical firearms to see, as well as so much history to learn. I highly recommend

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

What a GREAT place my wife and I went today 6/5/2025 it was a really nice museum you would never think by seeing the outside that it was so big inside the elder gentleman that gave us our tour was the best , very knowledgeable, he was a pilot and all around nice guy for the price of 6 bucks each it's a hidden gem we are so glad we went !!!

Air & Military Museum of the Ozarks: Where History is Compact, Hands-On, and Absolutely Full of Surprises Let me start by saying—I didn’t expect much. The museum looks small from the outside, and we weren’t exactly walking into the Smithsonian. But then… my boys absolutely LIT UP. 🚀 🎖️ Real Veteran. Real Helicopter. Real Cool. Right off the bat, a real-life veteran (yes, a legit war hero) came over and started explaining how the helicopter worked. And not just “this is a chopper” kind of stuff—he was flipping switches, opening compartments, and explaining the mechanics like we were in a Mission: Impossible pre-briefing. My boys were locked in like he was giving them launch codes. 📼 Cassette Tapes Blew Their Minds And THEN we hit the corner with the cassette player. Oh. My. Goodness. Forget the tanks. Forget the missiles. My kids stood there like they had just discovered fire. “Wait… it just slides out like that?!” “Is this what movies were like in the olden days??” They were pressing every single button on that VHS-TV combo like it was an alien artifact. I haven’t seen that level of awe since they unwrapped their first iPad. 🧭 Compact but Packed with Awesome Yes—it’s small. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in creativity, hands-on experiences, and actual passion. There are uniforms, survival kits, tools, radios, and enough gadgets to spark a hundred conversations. We climbed into a cockpit, spun radio dials, and looked at antique gear like we were shopping for time-travel essentials. The vibe is intimate, not crowded - and it actually lets kids explore without being yelled at by velvet ropes and “DO NOT TOUCH” signs every five feet. ⸻ Final Thoughts: No, it’s not a national museum with glass floors and tour headsets. But yes, it’s unexpectedly awesome. The kind of place where your kids learn something real, touch something cool, and accidentally become obsessed with cassette tapes. If you’re in Branson and want a short but memorable adventure full of old-school tech, hero stories, and wide-eyed “wait, this is real?” moments - go here. We came for the planes. We stayed for the chopper tutorial. We left talking about the cassette player. 😂

This place is pretty cool! Lots of history here! My kids enjoyed seeing the place and even sitting in a plane!

Would 100% tell you to go and support this local museum here in Springfield Missouri. The history and fact about there items make it worth every penny.

We stopped by to fill time on our visit and I’m glad we did. The volunteers were so friendly and took time to explain things to us, and even share some of their personal stories. I love that they let you sit inside some of the aircraft, plus an easy affordable admission fee. It was a pleasant surprise.

Volunteers are fantastic about explaining things and showing you around. Wonderful place to take somebody interested in military and the history of.

Very interesting history filled museum. Kind, helpful staff. Lots of things to see

We visited today for the first time. My family of 6 thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience! It was a very welcoming, calming, well laid out, clean establishment. There is something there for all ages, adults and kids alike! We definitely didn’t spend enough time there so we will for sure be back!

The playground was really cool and my son loved getting to see the animals. The toddler area was cool but didn't hold my 2.5 yr olds attention for long. The sensory garden was a really cool addition.

This whole area is very neat! The playground was fun for all ages, which means you have to watch the little ones but at least it's big enough for the parent to fit in with them. The animal side was well kept, which was nice to be able to enjoy the other aspects of the park without foul animal odors. The gift shop is small but packed full of items, so make sure to take a little spending money. The grounds were clean and obviously well maintained. This park is definitely worth spending an afternoon at!

Honestly expected more. The gravel road made it difficult for strollers and wagons. Once on the grass it's ok. The animals are cute and they have the bouncy houses for older kids but other than that it's just basic. Hardly any pumpkins so maybe best to go later in October or just somewhere else.

This is a sprawling , publicly funded farm that is beautifully kept with numerous animals that include pigs , chickens , goats , cows , horses and other common farm animals. They grow crops there and have several acres , and it is a beautiful place to take the family and remember a simpler time of how people live off the land. The terrific and safe way to introduce kids to different basic animals at are in our society. They often host. Festivals like the pumpkin festival.We recently visited with jump houses , horse rides riding a various animals and corn rays and lot of other games for the whole family.

This place was awesome for all age groups! We checked out the pumpkin patch, the animals that we could pet, a pond where you can rent fishing supplies from shop and fish there. We had went alittle early so a few things were not ready such as corn maze. So we will be back soon!

Alot of fun. All the kids had a great time! Staff is warm & friendly! Fantastic gift shop.

One of the better parks in Springfield. Always enjoy taking walks here. Good trails. Sad the bridges are closed right now though. When the runoff fills after rain it makes a nice little river to wade in. Lots of shaded spots. Cute playgrounds. The Pavillion in the middle is good for gatherings. Overall, definitely recommend this park to visitors

It was a bummer some of the trail was closed, looked a bit over grown which was kind of sad, I remember it being so beautiful. Wondering in they are going to spruce it up more next year, I sure hope so.

Small but beautiful park to walk and enjoy the outdoors and scenery. Nice walking path with shade for the dogs. Great little break spot.

Great park. Playground for kids. Pavilion for parties. Clean. Great trails.

Busy, yet, I wish the cave and trail were open. Novice,short hike, up to the top of cave; yields lovely photo op. There were tiny bats in the cave , so perhaps that was part of reasons for cave to be closed. I think of a time forgotten when looking at this park. Makes mewonder what facts we actually know of our ancestors and what they had to ensure for shelter and warmth. Really cool park and pond. Bring your own duck food. Enjoy nature!

This place is absolutely gorgeous I spent all day and even some of the night walking taking pictures exploring just relaxing being at one with nature this place has got some the coolest caves water spots just all around unique landscaping gorgeous scenery every time you turn you see something cool.. God's marvelous work.. breathtaking

Amazing, wish the trails were open. But the ponds and cave entrance was amazing and so peaceful.

While tracking down information on another project, the Hillbilly came across the History Museum on the Square. It doesn't matter if you are a history buff or not. This museum has something for anyone. I was impressed with the staff as well. Very knowledgeable and very friendly. If you get the chance, I highly recommend a visit.

Very cool musuem, nice displays very warm and welcoming. Nice native American displays and very clean. Elevator center of building great access for people with disabilities, or stairs to get your cardio in lol. Will be back nice little hidden gem in downtown springfield.

We think the History Museum on the Square is a very well done collection of Springfield, Wild West and Route 66 history. The museum is housed in the wonderful old Barth’s Department Store Building which is also interesting. We really found it to be a great collection and well laid out to be easy to enjoy.

A fantastic museum right in the heart of Springfield! The exhibits do a great job showcasing the rich history and culture of the area, with lots of interesting artifacts and stories. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, making the visit both fun and educational. It’s a perfect stop if you want to learn more about Springfield’s past and its role in Missouri history. Highly recommend for locals and visitors alike!

This place is so fun, and beautifully organized. I'm looking forward to going more. The interactive kid displays were phenomenal. My children really enjoyed the Wild Bill shoot out area, and the trolley and train exhibits. The game in the train was really hard and the last activity we did before it was time to go, but my oldest asked if we could go back. Absolutely stop in!!

Great museum to visit for Rt 66 (5th floor), and the entire area of Springfield. Great history here!

Absolutely loved this place. Honestly was not expecting it to be as fun and informational as it was. Don't let the size of the building fool you. Lots of unique things to see and do. My favorite was the the trolley and the route 66 exhibit .

We didn't know this place was closed on Sunday. We were able to walk around outside and there are some remarkable statues with stories of Missouri Sports heroes. We actually went here because my son is a sports fan, even though I really am not. We should have checked the hours, but of course it is closed on Sundays. Anyway, the bronze medal statues along the walkway outside are cool enough to warrant a visit, even on a Sunday. Even for a non-Sports fan.

Nice place to visit, all sports are covered. Free for veterans and active duty military. Seniors was only $4. Well worth the time and money. Even at full price

I called the museum. I have a signed and numbered Marshall Faulk print from the Missouri hall of fame when the Rams were in Saint Louis. I purchased the piece at a Branson Chamber of Commerce fundraiser, and they forgot to give me the certificate of authentication. I am waiting for Jack of the Hall of Fame Museum to call me. Hopefully, the museum has the certificate tucked away and will be able to provide it. 😊 Update 2 months later, Aug 1, 2023 Jack never followed through with calling me back. I suppose I'll have to go to the museum when it reopens and ask in person.

Small place, but they make great use of the space they have. Really enjoyed the presentation of all the artifacts, lots of hands on for the kids and a bunch of statues throughout the building to help bring the real feel.

Fun and interesting place to visit especially if you are a sports nut! Something for everyone, even sports widows! Worth coming to visit again as they change and add displays often. The staff member was new but still extremely knowledgeable and friendly. Take a couple hours or so to see exhibits upstairs and downstairs and bronze statues in the garden.

This was one of the best places we went to in our 2 days in Springfield! I loved the high school section, all the games, especially the race car as you could play Forza in it! I really liked the football game where you had to throw the ball through a hole to get points. The exit was just as good, we went on a side walk that had all the statues, I really liked all the sports jerseys that were in the building, they showed lots of history. 5 stars for sure, will be coming back when we go to Springfield again.

This was an Awesome place! My family had so much fun here. We were the only ones touring the museum, so we had it all to ourselves and it was fun! Definitely will be going back!

Beautiful park, we were pleasantly surprised. Wish there were more restrooms available. Unfortunately, we were a week to early for the butterfly garden.

What a beautiful and peaceful park. Sitting in the shade at Drummond Cove on a very not day, enjoying the cool breeze off the water.

It had so many pretty flowers even this late in the summer. There were lots of people there enjoying it so that was good to see

Weather was perfect for a little morning stroll, tons of photo opportunities and lots of thing s to learn about.

We enjoyed a lovely morning walking through the gardens. It was very special to see so many others of all ages walking the paths.

Beautiful park , plenty of space to walk and just over all react . Have been going here since I was kid . Definitely a favorite

Really nice park so many different things to take in and they are still changing & adding