Springfield in a day (St. Louis, Battlefield: for sale, house, neighborhoods)

[HANNU]

I will be passing through Springfield and might spend a day exploring the place. What are the must see's in Springfield that might entice me to move to the area? I understand that one day is very short but that's all I got. What would impress me to come back and and investigate the area a little more? Thank you in advance for your advice.

[ozarksboy]

Not trying to entice you to move to SW MO, but if you're visiting for one day, I recommend:

Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

Dickerson Park Zoo

Springfield Art Museum

After a day of enjoying Springfield, I hope you'll drive carefully back to your home.

[HANNU]

Where is the nightlife? Best place to shop (which usually gives me a feel for a place), good restaurants? Or is everything spread out?

[ozarksboy]

Oh, of course, you're a big-city person, so shopping is more important to you than Civil War history, zoology or art (because you're so smart and sophisticated being from the big city).

For shopping, go to the Battlefield Mall (instead of the National Battlefield).

Lots of good restaurants, and there is a thread devoted to that already, so go take a look at it.

Yes, Springfield is spread out.

[Arrby]

Springfield has no special "shopping area" to speak of. The Battlefield Mall is just another suburban mall with all the usual chain stores. There are many locally operated retail businesses which offer a more unique shopping experience (the Rusty Moose and Surplus City both leap to mind), but they exist in various odd out-of-the-way locations. Once upon a time everyone would have sent you to the Bass Pro Shops, but they have locations all over the country now, so even that is not all that special; however Springfield is the "mother" store.

Night life? The restaurants empty out here after 7:00 pm. We go home, watch a bit of tv, and go to bed. There is a large bar scene downtown, largely driven by the college crowd. Downtown is easy to find and easy to navigate. For more information on live music check the Springfield News-Leader website: News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader | Springfield news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Springfield, Missouri . I think they have locations and times of whatever is happening, but it may appear only on certain days, I am not sure. Does Cartoons still have live music on weekends? Anyone know?

I cannot really think of how to survey Springfield in a day and "find" it. If it is a nice day, try Phelps Grove Park and Sequiota Park or maybe the Nature Center. Watch what the people are doing. Go to Dillons, Price Cutter, and Harter House supermarkets and see what is - and isn't - for sale. Take a look at Missouri State University, Evangel College, and Drury College. Get a sandwich at McSalty's, an order of three tacos at Mexican Villa (National at Bennett location, please!), or a milkshake and whatever at Steak and Shake (either the S. Glenstone or St. Louis st. locations) - and sit a while and observe.

Sorry, I can't really think of any better suggestions.

[HANNU]

Originally Posted by Arrby

Springfield has no special "shopping area" to speak of. The Battlefield Mall is just another suburban mall with all the usual chain stores. There are many locally operated retail businesses which offer a more unique shopping experience (the Rusty Moose and Surplus City both leap to mind), but they exist in various odd out-of-the-way locations. Once upon a time everyone would have sent you to the Bass Pro Shops, but they have locations all over the country now, so even that is not all that special; however Springfield is the "mother" store.

Night life? The restaurants empty out here after 7:00 pm. We go home, watch a bit of tv, and go to bed. There is a large bar scene downtown, largely driven by the college crowd. Downtown is easy to find and easy to navigate. For more information on live music check the Springfield News-Leader website: News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader | Springfield news, community, entertainment, yellow pages and classifieds. Serving Springfield, Missouri . I think they have locations and times of whatever is happening, but it may appear only on certain days, I am not sure. Does Cartoons still have live music on weekends? Anyone know?

I cannot really think of how to survey Springfield in a day and "find" it. If it is a nice day, try Phelps Grove Park and Sequiota Park or maybe the Nature Center. Watch what the people are doing. Go to Dillons, Price Cutter, and Harter House supermarkets and see what is - and isn't - for sale. Take a look at Missouri State University, Evangel College, and Drury College. Get a sandwich at McSalty's, an order of three tacos at Mexican Villa (National at Bennett location, please!), or a milkshake and whatever at Steak and Shake (either the S. Glenstone or St. Louis st. locations) - and sit a while and observe.

Sorry, I can't really think of any better suggestions.

Thanks Arrby, this is exactly the type of information I was looking for.

I have no idea why the previous poster was so upset that I could not visit the Battlefield or Zoo in the limited hours that I will be in Springfield, as that would not be the determining factor to move to the area. Seeing how the locals act and react in their natural environment would be.

[christina0001]

I recently discovered the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Nathanael Greene Park (2400 South Scenic) and found it charming. I believe it costs a couple of bucks to get in.
I recently posted a thread about boat tours of a cave in Springfield. I haven't had a chance to try it yet; I think they are doing it through mid-October. If you will be in town on a Sunday I would check it out.
https://www.city-data.com/forum/sprin...park-cave.html
There is also a nice, large cave just north of Springfield on Hwy. 13 that is open daily (I believe) for tours. You won't miss it; they advertise heavily with billboards.
I really like Dickerson Park Zoo. It's a good sized zoo, not so large as to take all day but not so small that you're out of there in an hour. Just right for an afternoon of fun.
I would check the restaurant thread for recommendations. The best restaurants, in my experience, tend to be the harder to find ones.
I have not found any shopping area of particular interest in Springfield. Almost all your standard stores are there, as well as many mom & pop shops. Couldn't tell you about the nightlife either; I mostly visit during the day.
When I was exploring areas to see how people acted, just sitting in a small, local restaurant (even a McDonald's) often proved insightful.
Springfield is easy to navigate, you really can't get lost and there are no neighborhoods that you'd be afraid to drive through. Have fun exploring and enjoy your visit.

[HANNU]

Originally Posted by christina0001

I recently discovered the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden in Nathanael Greene Park (2400 South Scenic) and found it charming. I believe it costs a couple of bucks to get in.
I recently posted a thread about boat tours of a cave in Springfield. I haven't had a chance to try it yet; I think they are doing it through mid-October. If you will be in town on a Sunday I would check it out.
https://www.city-data.com/forum/sprin...park-cave.html
There is also a nice, large cave just north of Springfield on Hwy. 13 that is open daily (I believe) for tours. You won't miss it; they advertise heavily with billboards.
I really like Dickerson Park Zoo. It's a good sized zoo, not so large as to take all day but not so small that you're out of there in an hour. Just right for an afternoon of fun.
I would check the restaurant thread for recommendations. The best restaurants, in my experience, tend to be the harder to find ones.
I have not found any shopping area of particular interest in Springfield. Almost all your standard stores are there, as well as many mom & pop shops. Couldn't tell you about the nightlife either; I mostly visit during the day.
When I was exploring areas to see how people acted, just sitting in a small, local restaurant (even a McDonald's) often proved insightful.
Springfield is easy to navigate, you really can't get lost and there are no neighborhoods that you'd be afraid to drive through. Have fun exploring and enjoy your visit.

Thanks Christina. I will be visiting on a Sunday. I hope to get to the Zoo, Battlefields (one of my hobbies) etc. at another time. It's good to know that Springfield is easy to navigate as that was a concern.

[Hillman]

I enjoy going here

Just For Him
1334 E Battlefield St,

Its a Gift Shop but has nice stuff for Men.

Might go to a Springfield Cardinals Game if here durring the season.

Boogie Cafe on South St.

hillman

[joetownmom]

Although it's not currently open to the public (due to a snafu with the City of Springfield), the Pythian Castle is worth driving out to see.




Pythian Castle - Home