If your family is itching for a change of scenery but you don’t want to hop on a plane, Springfield, MO is the kind of road trip that checks all the boxes. Just a few hours from St. Louis, it offers enough charm, adventure, and delicious eats to satisfy kids and parents alike. We recently made the trip with our crew, and I’m excited to share our favorite stops, eats, and tips to help you plan your own getaway—whether it’s a long weekend or a quick break during the school year.
A Few Fun Facts About Springfield, MO:
- It’s Missouri’s 3rd most populous city, although it has a lot of small-town feel
- It’s the birthplace of Route 66, and you’ll find nods to the “Mother Road” throughout the city.
- Springfield is home to Bass Pro Shops + Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, named “America’s Best Aquarium” by USA Today.
- Springfield has over 100 city parks, caves, trails, and family-friendly outdoor activities.
- It’s also home to some of the quirkiest roadside attractions and local eats in Missouri (more on that below!).
Getting There: Fun Stops Along the Way
Make the drive part of the adventure! On the way to or from St. Louis to Springfield, these destinations make for a memorable pitstops:
- Wabash Frisco & Pacific Railroad in Glencoe – a miniature outdoor train ride through nature that’s perfect for littles and train lovers
- Maramec Spring Park – beautiful scenery, trout feeding, and space to stretch your legs.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Springfield, MO
An Immersive Experience at Wonders of Wildlife Aquarium & Museum
The draw for our family to visit Springfield, MO was the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium. This is no ordinary museum—it’s an adventure. Created by Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, Wonders of Wildlife is a fully immersive conservation museum and aquarium where you don’t just look at exhibits—you feel part of them. With more than 1.5 miles of trails, 35,000 live animals, and highly detailed recreations of natural habitats, it’s easy to spend an entire day here. Honestly, you could split your visit over two days and still not see it all – and with small kids, this is what I would recommend.
My family spent the entire AM just seeing the aquarium portion – there are several other museums and things to do on the Bass Pro Shop Campus. After the aquarium, our family was in need of a break – so we stepped out for lunch. Later in the afternoon, we went back for round 2, visiting the Wildlife Galleries and a special photography exhibit (these rotate). You could also spend some time shopping in the Bass Pro Shop itself – it’s quite a thing to see!
Inside the Bass Pro Shop complex, you’ll find a few options for food & drink including Hemingway’s Blue Water Café, a sit-down restaurant that puts you inside a 30,000 gallon saltwater aquarium.
While Wonders of Wildlife is the star attraction, Springfield has plenty more to offer families looking for a variety of activities.
- Don’t skip the photo-ops around town, including colorful murals, famous Route 66 signage, and the world’s largest fork!
- Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park – This free, city-run farm is a hit with little ones. There are animals to see, seasonal events like a fall corn maze, and a peaceful walking trail. It’s a perfect spot to let kids run off some steam.
- Discovery Center of Springfield – A hands-on science center where kids can climb a rock wall, dig for dinosaur bones, or make giant bubbles. Fun and educational!
- Route 66 Car Museum – Even if your crew isn’t full of car buffs, the colorful collection of vintage and famous movie cars is sure to spark some excitement.
- Fantastic Caverns – America’s only ride-through cave tour! Great for all ages (especially helpful if you have strollers or grandparents along), and the cool cave temps are a welcome escape from the summer heat.
What to Eat in Springfield, MO
During our family’s two-night stay in Springfield, I was pleasantly surprised how well we ate. Here are some the noteworthy things we ate during our stay:
- Cashew Chicken. One of our must-do stops was Leong’s Asian Diner, where we tried Springfield’s most legendary local dish—cashew chicken—at the very place it was born. The story goes that chef David Leong created the dish to appeal to Midwestern palates, and it became a cult classic. Think crispy fried chicken pieces in a savory brown sauce with cashews—it’s comfort food with a twist. The most fascinating part? How many Springfield restaurants (both Chinese & not) offer this dish with their own unique spin. Springfield even offers a “Cashew Chicken trail” (like a map) where you can taste the city’s recommended varieties of this classic. Be sure to try this local favorite dish at some point during your visit.
- Pineapple Whip — For dessert (or a mid-afternoon cool-down), don’t miss pineapple whip. You can find this non-dairy treat (think tropical soft serve) at a hula-themed food truck in four locations around Springfield. It’s a bit of a local legend, and now we get why. Follow them on Instagram to find out their seasonal rotating flavors.
- Gailey’s Breakfast Café — This is THE spot for breakfast downtown. My son ordered the PBCC pancakes (peanut butter chocolate chip) and we were all fighting for bites. Expect all the breakfast classics here, plus some delightful specials.
- Lambert’s Café – This restaurant is iconic and has been a part of MO history since 1942. Serving up all our favorite comfort foods including fried chicken, ribs, chicken ‘n dumplings and so much more. They are known as the “home of the throwed rolls” where they actually throw hot, fresh rolls across the restaurant, and the kids LOVED it. They also provide FREE family side dishes that are served on your napkin. Trust me, it is an experience! My family frequents this spot whenever en route to Branson. Now you can get their famous “throwed rolls” thru their drive-up “roll-thru” too. (See it in action here)
- Split Social – This is a casual spot for lunch or dinner that has great service and an old-school playlist that your family will love. This locally-owned gem has the most innovative menu and unique flavor combinations. My favorite was the Princess Presley Salad with seared tuna + roasted artichokes. Kids loved the burgers and chicken tenders.
You can check out even more ideas and photos in my full Instagram post here.
Where to Stay in Springfield, MO: Family-Friendly Picks
Budget Option:
????️ Best Western Plus Springfield Airport Inn – Clean, family-friendly, indoor pool, and includes breakfast.
Mid-Range:
???? Oasis Hotel & Convention Center – Tropical inspired rooms, indoor & outdoor pool, family suites, in-house restaurant, and easy access to attractions.
Luxury:
????️ Hotel Vandivort – A chic downtown boutique hotel with connecting rooms and lots of character. Walking distance to great restaurants and shops.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re planning a fall break trip, a long weekend, or just looking for an easy win with your kids, Springfield makes for a memorable and stress-free getaway. I’ve loved discovering these places with my own family, and we’ve still got more to explore! For more ideas on how to include Springfield on a larger MO roadtrip, check out my Instagram reel here.
If you enjoyed this post, Natalie publishes even more STL-based food and fitness resources on the blog https://fitnessfoodiestl.com/
