Springfield (Missouri)

Springfield is the third largest city in the state of Missouri, with a population of more than 168,000, and more than 462,000 (2019) in the metro area. It is also known as the Queen City of the Ozarks, and the birthplace of Route 66. Though it's on a flat plateau, the more picturesque Ozarks are just southeast of the city.

Understand


The Springfield Missouri Convention & Visitors Bureau is the official information source.

Climate
The city lies within the boundaries of the humid subtropical region as defined by the Köppen climate classification system. As such it experiences times of exceptional humidity; especially in late summer. According to Forbes magazine's list of "America's Wildest Weather Cities" and the Weather Variety Index, Springfield is the city with the most varied weather in the United States.

By car

 * Springfield runs along Interstate 44 in southwest Missouri which runs from St. Louis through Springfield on to Tulsa. US Routes 60, 65, and 160 all run through town too. Missouri Highway 13 is another main road.

By bus

 * Greyhound has regular service running up and down I44. Buses typically transfer in Tulsa for onward service to Dallas & Austin.

By taxi

 * Yellow Taxi is the primary taxi service in Springfield, though others do exist.

Get around
Just about everyone drives, but because Springfield is so flat, bicycling or walking are good options.

Districts

 * Downtown -- A busy professional atmosphere by day, and vibrant nightlife to follow. This area is an entertainment hub. Coffeehouses, theaters, bars, restaurants, shops, parks, fountains, and nightclubs are abundant.  Stop by the Square and see the location where Wild Bill Hickok shot Dave Tutt.
 * Commercial Street -- This Historic District features coffee houses, thrift stores and renovated loft space. Many regard this area of town as the most interesting up-and-coming area of town. Stop in at Lindberg's for a beer.
 * MSU campus -- Not the most bohemian college in the country, yet the area has a youthful energy and vitality to it.

Parks

 * Springfield Conservation Nature Center, 4601 S Nature Center Way. Has well maintained biking and hiking trails through the bluffs and along the shore of Lake Springfield. Tu-Sa 8AM-5PM.

Buy
There are many shopping centers located throughout the city with everything from Best Buy to Shoe Carnival to Marshall's.



Eat

 * Missouri does not have statewide legislation banning cigarette smoking in restaurants. However, the Springfield City Council has banned smoking in all restaurants inside city limits.

A popular local dish is "cashew chicken", a pseudo-Chinese dish found at all Chinese restaurants in Springfield. The dish is fried chicken pieces served on fried rice and covered with an oyster sauce. The dish is then garnished with green onions and cashews. Chinese restaurants are quite plentiful in Springfield because of the popularity of the dish. (However, most southwest Missouri Chinese restaurants' cuisine has been adapted to the Ozarkian palate, featuring sweeter, thicker sauces than West Coast Chinese restaurants. Natives of the West Coast, or of China itself, may be in for a rude awakening.) If you want local food, there are several restaurants.
 * Amigo's, 2118 S Campbell Ave. Authentic Mexican food - family owned and operated.
 * Buckingham Smokehouse Bar BQ, 2002 S Campbell Ave. The loaded smoked sweet potato may change your life multiple locations
 * Lambert's Café, 1800 W State Hwy J, Ozark. A large comfort food restaurant in nearby Ozark where their locally famous rolls are thrown at your face instead of given to you. Somewhat pricy but an essential for first-time visitor's.
 * Hong Kong Inn . Springfield is famous for its cashew chicken, which is best at this small local chain.
 * W.F. Cody, 3138 E Sunshine St. Greasy spoon gastropub type of place.
 * Gilardi's, 820 E Walnut St. Good wine list, great eggplant pasta.
 * Buckingham Smokehouse Bar BQ, 2002 S Campbell Ave. The loaded smoked sweet potato may change your life multiple locations
 * Lambert's Café, 1800 W State Hwy J, Ozark. A large comfort food restaurant in nearby Ozark where their locally famous rolls are thrown at your face instead of given to you. Somewhat pricy but an essential for first-time visitor's.
 * Hong Kong Inn . Springfield is famous for its cashew chicken, which is best at this small local chain.
 * W.F. Cody, 3138 E Sunshine St. Greasy spoon gastropub type of place.
 * Gilardi's, 820 E Walnut St. Good wine list, great eggplant pasta.

Drink
If you are looking for a good cup of coffee, the Mudhouse would make a great choice. It has a great selection of both hot and frozen drinks and has monthly art exhibits. It is downtown on South Street, one block south of the square. You will find that a lot of college kids hang out there (many of them with laptops due to the free Wi-Fi access), but it has a quiet atmosphere nonetheless. A good place to get a cup of coffee, read a book, or find an interesting person to talk to.

There is also a few chain smoothie stores around town.

The downtown area still has some funky dive bars despite the ongoing gentrification of the area. Expect cheap beers and girls of dubious repute.



Sleep
Most of the city's more affordable motels and hotels are located near the intersection of Glenstone and Kearney, not far from the I-44 exit. There is also many chain hotels and motels throughout the city.



Go next

 * Branson A family-friendly Las Vegas with lots of live stage shows, two amusement parks, and more.
 * Buffalo National River in Arkansas is an untarnished, free-flowing river that is perfect for boating and fishing.
 * Joplin A quirky Ozark town west on I-44.
 * Lebanon and Rolla are both east on I-44.