Stupendous Springfield!

THE OZARKS in southwest Missouri became home for me 37 years ago. Upon arrival I believed that I had come to the perfect spot. First of all, it was possible to be anywhere within 10 minutes in the small town where I had moved with my family. And yet, the 3rd largest city in the state - Springfield - was only about 30 minutes away! It soon became our day-trip destination of choice, and that trend has continued through all of these many years. Thousands of leisure hours have been spent enjoying what the "Queen City of the Ozarks" has to offer!

"Outdoor World," Bass Pro Shops' world headquarters is located in Springfield. It is a leisure destination all by itself, and it's one of Missouri's top tourist attractions. Travelers from all over the nation, and the world, have journeyed to Bass Pro in order to experience what outdoorsmen - especially fishermen and hunters - call "paradise!" In addition to the "miles of aisles" inside Bass Pro, my family and I on many occasions have enjoyed Hemingway's Blue Water Cafe and the Wonders of Wildlife museum. Both are on property.

The crack of a baseball bat can now be heard in downtown Springfield at the beautiful new Hammons Field. It's the home park for the Springfield Cardinals. They are the double-A minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, and play in the Texas League. Watching the Cardinals is always a highlight for me - and for my baseball-loving wife!

Springfield's Nature Center, one of Missouri's best, is located in the southeast part of the city near Lake Springfield. It's a great place for outdoor adventures, hikes, and seeing nature up-close. We Jacksons have trekked the trails in all four seasons.

Located near Park Central Square in downtown Springfield is the Discovery Center. It's fun to see children's eyes light up, and their hair stand on end, as they have fun making discoveries and learning about science! Here is a hint from personal experience: this is a great spot for kids, and grand kids, that adults will also enjoy.

All kinds of artwork is on display at the Springfield Art Museum which stands in the center-city area on East Brookside Drive. One of the major attractions is "Watercolors U.S.A." which the Museum hosts each summer. For my wife, and for me also, the Art Museum is one of Springfield's best places to visit.

World Team Tennis has a home in the Queen City. The Springfield Lasers professional team plays matches at Cooper Tennis Center in the WTT summer season. Celebrity players are sometimes featured in this fast-action sport. From my perspective, the Lasers provide a high-octane leisure experience!

College teams are also a big part of the Springfield sports scene. Included are the Missouri State Bears, the Drury Panthers, and the Evangel Crusaders. Add to that number teams from the city's six high schools, and the calendars for all of the local sports enthusiasts can easily stay crowded!  

Numerous other spots beckon Springfield locals and visitors alike. Following, in random order, are several which have been pleasurable for me and my family over the years: the Japanese Gardens; Founders Park; the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly House; the Zoo; the Ozark Empire Fair; the Battlefield Mall; Jordan Valley Park; Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts; Nathanael Green Park; historic downtown Springfield; plus the Campbell 16 Cine, and Springfield 8 theatres.

Going out to eat in the greater Springfield area has always been a special delight for many folks - us included! In random order, here are some places which have been our favorites through these many years, plus a few which we have more recently discovered : Argentina Steakhouse; Ocean Zen; Jimm's Steakhouse; Red Lobster; Valentine's; Fuji's Japanese Seafood and Steakhouse; Buckingham's Bar-B-Q; Mister Yen's; Lenny's Sub Shop; Crosstown Barbecue; D'Arpino's Italian Cafe; Ebbets Field; Andy's Frozen Yogurt; Steak 'n Shake; Avanzare Italian Dining; Mexican Villa; Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy; Cheddar's Casual Cafe; Beth's Bake Shoppe and Tea Room; Turners Station Grocery and Deli; Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt; and Sunshine Valley Farm Cafe.

It is very difficult not to brag a whole bunch on Springfield. The bottom line is this: "it's a great mid-sized city situated in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks."  And, I'm a big fan!
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-- The main entrance to Bass Pro Shops' Outdoor World is pictured above.