Driving is Nice, Flying is Better
Historic Route 66, running from Chicago, Illinois, to the Pacific Ocean, passes through Springfield, Missouri. There are nonstop flights from 11 airports to Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF), with convenient connecting flights from many other cities. Hipmunk.com helps travelers spend less time getting to Springfield, enabling them to have more time exploring the area.
Perfect Family- and Pet-Friendly Hotel
The 100-percent nonsmoking DoubleTree by Hilton Springfield, 20 minutes from Springfield-Branson National Airport, provides amenities and services families appreciate. Among these are a children’s menu in the restaurant, high chairs, playpens, cribs, and coin-operated laundry.
The DoubleTree welcomes pets weighing no more than 35 pounds. The nonrefundable fee is $35 per pet per stay.
Convention & Visitors Bureau — Free Publication
The Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau offers a free 164-page Visitors Guide to anyone requesting it. Complete the form on the organization’s website to get the publication by U.S. mail.
Things to Do in Springfield
Choose from among amusement venues, landmarks, performing arts, aquariums and zoos, museums, sports, parks, and much more when in Springfield. This list of Springfield hotels will help you book a hotel room near these local attractions.
Trail of Tears
The U.S. government moved tens of thousands of Cherokee from their homelands in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee to Indian Territory in 1838. Thousands of Cherokee perished, either while traveling to their new home or in Indian Territory due to being relocated. The route taken by the Cherokee, known as the Trail of Tears, passed through Springfield along what is now called Old Wire Road. Take the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail auto tour, which follows Interstate 44, US Route 160, and US Route 60.
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
August 10, 1861, saw the Battle of Wilson’s Creek, the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River. Union forces sought to keep Missouri for the Union in this battle, which occurred just southwest of Springfield. A five-mile auto tour loop takes visitors past the most historically pristine battlefield in the country and the restored Ray House, used as a temporary hospital after the battle.
Springfield National Cemetery
Springfield National Cemetery, created two years after the Civil War ended, contains graves of soldiers both Northern and Southern soldiers. A low stone wall separates the Northern and Southern graves.
Fantastic Caverns — Only Ride-Through Cave in the United States
In addition to being known as the Show Me State, Missouri is also called the Cave State. There are more than 6,300 caves in Missouri, primarily in the southern half of the state. In 1862, a farmer’s dog discovered Fantastic Caverns in Springfield by crawling through a small entrance. A newspaper ad placed in 1867 sought people willing to go into the cave and investigate what was there. Twelve women responded. The cave’s beautiful interior is so delicate, the only way to explore it today is by taking a jeep-drawn tram tour.
Share Your Springfield Stories
What sites in Springfield did you enjoy visiting the most? Why did you like them? Please share your thoughts below.
Daisy Mariposa is a freelance travel writer who has worked with clients such as Hipmunk. She has Occupational Certificates in both Travel Management and International Business and has worked as a travel agent. Daisy has traveled to half the states in the United States and more than 33 countries, island nations, and island dependencies. She has certifications as both a Specialty Travel Writer and Travel Copy Writer from one organization and Industry Elite status in Travel from another.
