PLAY
Plan on spending several hours at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, attached to the sprawling Bass Pro Shops. Yes, it’s absolutely worth a visit. Spanning more than 350,000 square feet, Johnny Morris’ world-class attraction is larger than the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Not only does the aquarium and museum have countless displays of sharks, fish, stingrays, eels, and other species, but it’s also the only sea turtle rehab center in the Midwest. Afterward, you can experience the Ozarks firsthand by renting a kayak at the Boat House at Lake Springfield Park and paddling down the James River. Or take a hike to some of the area’s most scenic waterfalls, as highlighted by 417 Magazine, another great resource while you’re in the area.
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EAT
If you’re visiting on a Saturday morning, check out the Farmers’ Market of the Ozarks, where you can enjoy pastries, fresh fried donuts, Peruvian empanadas, wood-fired pizzas, and more from a variety of food trucks. Looking for a cozier pub? Head to Farmers Gastropub to chow down on a mix of American and British bar favorites. If you’re looking for a range of options in one spot, visit Cherry and Pickwick, where you can load up on pasta at Ott’s, grab tacos or nachos at Team Taco, or imbibe at The Royal, Cherry Picker, or Tie & Timber Beer Co. And don’t miss the Oprah-approved chocolatier Askinosie Chocolate, where you can tour the shop or just load up on chocolate bars.
STAY
Book the Pickwick Place on Airbnb to enjoy the perks of living in the Rountree neighborhood for the weekend, or get a room at the award-winning Hotel Vandivort to make downtown your central hub. Another bustling hub is Commercial Street, where you can stay at Culture Boutique Hotel, near Eurasia Coffee and numerous restaurants, including Cafe Cusco for Peruvian cuisine and Lindberg’s Tavern for Sunday brunch.
