By Kirk Reisner, MBG Insurance updated 9/1/2026
Ask ten people what makes Springfield, Missouri special and you’ll get ten different answers — the birthplace of a highway that shaped America, a world-class aquarium built by a local legend, gardens that transport you halfway around the world, and a park system most cities twice our size would envy. Truth is, it’s all of it. Here’s our take on the places and experiences that make Springfield, Springfield.
The Birthplace of Route 66
It all started here. On April 30, 1926, Springfield businessman John T. Woodruff sent a telegram from the Colonial Hotel proposing the name “U.S. 66” for the new Chicago-to-Los Angeles highway — and the Mother Road was born. That single moment is why Springfield proudly carries the title Birthplace of Route 66, and why 2026 has been such a big year for the city as Route 66 celebrates its 100th anniversary.
You can spend an entire weekend tracing that history. Start downtown at the Birthplace of Route 66 Roadside Park, home to a replica of the “Giant Hamburg” sign from Red’s Giant Hamburg — believed to be the world’s first drive-through restaurant. Walk the Park Central and College Street corridor to see historic murals and neon, check out the exhibits at the History Museum on the Square, or drive the self-guided Sculpture Series Route to find the Springfield 66: Centennial Sculpture Series scattered across town. Springfield doesn’t just sit on Route 66 — it’s where the whole idea began.
Bass Pro Shops and Wonders of Wildlife
You can’t talk about Springfield without talking about Bass Pro Shops, the outdoor retail giant founded and headquartered right here. Next door to the flagship store sits the Johnny Morris Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, a 350,000-square-foot, not-for-profit conservation attraction with more than 1.5 miles of trails, a 1.5-million-gallon aquarium, and tens of thousands of live fish alongside mammals, reptiles, and birds. Whether your family loves to hunt, fish, or just wants an incredible aquarium experience, this is one of Springfield’s true must-sees — and it’s a big reason people plan entire trips around this city.
The Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden
Tucked inside the Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park is one of the most peaceful spots in the city: the Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden. This 7.5-acre garden is one of the largest Japanese-style gardens in the Midwest, and it’s worth every bit of the small admission fee. Wander the paths, cross the bridges, and take in a collection of plantings you won’t find anywhere else in the Ozarks. While you’re there, walk over to the Dr. Bill Roston Native Butterfly House or grab a picnic table by the lake — the 112-acre park is home to dozens of themed gardens along with the historic Gray-Campbell Farmstead.
The Springfield-Greene County Park System
Here’s something that doesn’t always make the “top attractions” lists but genuinely sets Springfield apart: the Springfield-Greene County Park Board maintains more than 100 park sites, trails, and facilities across the county — everything from neighborhood playgrounds to full-scale recreation complexes. The system includes golf courses, family centers, sports complexes, a zoo, and a working farm park, and it’s earned national recognition, including a Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Park Association.
A few favorites within that system:
- Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park — A 207-acre working farm park with an animal barn, milking demonstrations, crops, pasture land, native prairie, and a mile-long paved trail along Wilson’s Creek. Great for school field trips and family outings alike.
- Dickerson Park Zoo — Established in 1922 and home to more than 500 animals representing over 160 species, this accredited zoo has been a Springfield staple for over a century.
- Brightspeed Ice Park — Open ice skating, hockey leagues, and figure skating, plus home ice for the Missouri State Ice Bears.
Come for the Attractions, Stay for the Community
Springfield’s mix of history, wildlife, gardens, and parks is part of what makes this such a great place to live, work, and raise a family — and it’s part of why MBG Insurance is proud to call Springfield home. Whether you’re new to town or you’ve been here your whole life, there’s always another corner of this city worth exploring.
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Protecting the home, business, or family you’ve built in a city this good takes the right coverage. The team at MBG Insurance is ready to make that process painless — reach out and let’s talk.
About the Author
Kirk Reisner is a Partner and Chief Financial Officer at MBG Insurance, an independent agency serving Missouri and Arkansas. Kirk has been an insurance agent since 2001 and an independent agency owner since 2006. Learn more about Kirk here.