My trip to Springfield, Missouri earlier this month was filled with so many activities, that it was hard to cover all the highlights in one blog post. Since we only had 3 full days to explore, I’m certain that these are only the tip of the iceberg!
Relax
After a busy morning of traveling and trekking through airports, I couldn’t have been more grateful that our first group activity in Springfield was a trip to Zen 3 Spa and Bodyworks. The wellness spa is located on the historic Pickwick Avenue and offers a variety of therapeutic/relaxation treatments and specialized packages. We were each treated to a Revitalizing Lemongrass Foot Treatment, which consisted of a warm, aromatic foot soak, a detoxifying lower leg clay mask, and a lower leg and feet massage with deeply moisturizing cream.
619 S Pickwick Ave
Springfield, MO 65802
Shop
Farmers Park is a modern mixed-use space committed to sustainable living. It features LEED®-certified buildings, lots, and landscaping—all designed and constructed for low impact and long-term sustainability. At the center of the development is The Farmers Market of the Ozarks™ which offers fresh and nutritious food grown locally by more than 100 local vendors.
Wandered around the farmers market for a bit, but since I couldn’t take much of it back on the plane with me, I spent most of my time exploring the local clothing boutiques. Found the perfect poplin off-the-shoulder top at STAXX (pictured below) and had trouble narrowing down which color to buy it in! (They also had black and pink versions) Also picked up some cute dresses/tunics at Five Pound Apparel (including the one shown above).
I could only fit a items in my luggage, so my bank account got a little reprieve after that. Next time I visit Springfield, I’m going to make sure I have more room in my suitcase!
2144 E Republic Rd
Springfield, MO 65804
STAXX
2144 E. Republic Rd. Suite A112
Springfield, MO 65804
Explore
I was familiar with the Bass Pro Shops brand, because we have a store here in DFW. I thought I had a solid understanding of the store’s immensity, but being in the hometown of the Bass Pro Shops founder was a whole new world. Our group got a tour of the new Wonders of Wildlife attraction opening in 2016 adjacent to the flagship Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield. It is a passion project of Bass Pro’s founder John Morris, and quite something to behold!
Wonders of Wildlife will be one of the largest, most immersive conservation attractions in the world with a world-class aquarium adventure and dynamic, one-of-a-kind wildlife galleries. The aquatic habitats will feature more than 10,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles and birds. During our preview tour, we saw only about half of the attraction– which alone was comparable to iconic aquariums like the Shedd or Georgia. I can’t wait to visit again someday after everything is completed!
To continue with the marvels of nature theme, we also took a journey in a Jeep-drawn tram through Springfield’s Fantastic Caverns. (Not pictured above: ME, because I got to ride in the passenger seat of the Jeep!) Fantastic Caverns is one of more than 6,500 known caves in Missouri, however, it’s the only one that offers a riding tour!
The splendor of the caverns is awe-inspiring, and I loved learning about its colorful history (the cavern was once a Speakeasy during the Prohibition era, and later a venue for some of Springfield’s most well-known musicians)!
500 W Sunshine St
Springfield, MO 65807
Fantastic Caverns
4872 North Farm Road 125
Springfield, MO 65803
Indulge
When you’re on vacation, you deserve to #TREATYOSELF at least once. The best part about Askinosie Chocolate, isn’t actually the chocolate (although it’s award-winning and INCREDIBLY delicious), but the vision of its founder, Shawn Askinosie.
A former criminal defense lawyer, Shawn travels to regions of Ecuador, Honduras, the Philippines, and Tanzania to work directly with the farmers and source the cocoa beans for his chocolate. Through a profit-sharing program, farmers/suppliers are given a cut of the profits, ensuring the best quality product possible.
Askinosie also founded Chocolate University to benefit local children. The program provides a learning experience to
nearby elementary, middle, and high school students through the lens of bean to bar chocolate making. (The chocolate factory is located within a mile of Springfieldʼs largest homeless shelter). The goals of the project are to inspire the children about small business and a world beyond their own.
514 E. Commercial
Springfield, MO 65803
Create
During our visit to C-Street, we had the opportunity to channel our inner artists at Creative Escape Glass, a fused glass open studio. We learned glass cutting techniques from owner/artist Rebekah Santiago and were able to create our own fused glass suncatchers.
219 W Commercial St #104
Springfield, MO 65803
Rest
Our weekend itinerary was so jam-packed that I was anxious to return to my beautiful Hotel Vandivort room every night, but I’m so grateful to the Springfield CVB for organizing such fun and unique activities! Who wants to plan another visit with me?