Springfield is not all city and not all country, but more of a perfect mesh of the two. There are ample opportunities to explore the outdoors as well as places to hit the town for shopping or an exquisite meal. Although Springfield is known as the Queen City of the Ozarks, it’s also a jack of all trades when it comes to places to eat, drink and explore. Check out a taste of what Springfield has to offer!
Eat
Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes: This restaurant has taken Springfield by storm! Their towering, mouthwatering burgers such as the Cowboy Carl are big enough to feed two people and are best accompanied with one of their boozy shakes. Find their largest venue on the city’s south side in Chesterfield Village.
Progress: Next door to the year-round Farmer’s Market of the Ozarks, you will find Springfield’s first pop-up dining series gone brick-and-mortar at Farmer’s Park. The restaurant and its rooftop bar, Reverie, opened Fall 2018 and has been serving their customers an exquisite dining experience, from small plates of Roasted Beet Tartare to larger plates of Seared Yellowfin Tuna. The restaurant’s inspiration is drawn from the chef’s travels around the world.
Hurts Donuts: Surely you’ve already come across their viral videos of grown men dressed up (more so down) as cupid delivering donuts to unsuspecting customers. Between their videos and a lineup of donuts with serious personality, Hurts is a sweet Springfield favorite! Crunch on a Rainbow Fruity Pebbles donut or savor a Maple Bacon donut, and be sure to keep an eye on their social accounts as they share new creations.
The Order: Located in Hotel Vandivort – downtown Springfield’s hot boutique hotel – the restaurant showcases the best of the area’s local suppliers. The Order highlights locally made products and celebrates the bounties of life in the Ozarks. After finishing your meal, head downstairs to the hotel’s famous perfectly-lit restrooms for a #hotelvandivortlbathroomselfie. When in Springfield!
Café Cusco: The restaurant bringing the flavors of Peru to Springfield. With a wide variety of gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and meat dishes, the eclectic menu showcases the delicious seasonings and dishes of South America. Try the Puca Picante, an ancient Incan recipe predating European arrival in South America.
Lindberg’s Tavern: This tavern originated from a previous owner, J.C. “Carl” Lindberg, who ran the bar during and after prohibition. Decades later, Springfield’s oldest tavern embraces its rich history and continues to provide excellent food, drinks and musical entertainment.
Drink
Tie & Timber Beer Co.: Tucked away in the Roundtree neighborhood and framed by the Chadwick Branch of the Frisco Railway, this brewing company serves 18 handcrafted beers seven days a week. Order a Cherry Street Sour or Dope Flannel as you unwind during warm evenings on their patio reveling in live music.
The Press Coffee & Juice Bar: With a shake named BlueStrawberryNana Protein and a new age latte named Blue Algae, it’s no wonder this coffee and juice bar catches your eye! Their cold press juice line, consisting of six fruit and veggie formulas, is dedicated to supporting different parts of your body.
Missouri Spirits: When there’s only one spirit house in Springfield, it’s mandatory to pay a visit. Their drinks are crafted to celebrate the Show-Me State. Cocktails like Bootheel Breeze and Queen City Quicksand are a testament to the house’s mission. Grab a spirit and a shareable dish as you venture with friends into this up-and-coming spirit house!
Mother’s Brewing Company: Everything tastes better with a mother’s love. The company has become a household name in Springfield and offers beer (obviously), food trucks, lawn games and tours. Try one of their flagship brews such as Three Blind Mice or their summer seasonal Trop Top,
which features flavors passionfruit, guava and citrus.
Eurasia Coffee & Tea: The Culture Boutique Hotel, with six rooms inspired by cities in Eurasia, also houses Eurasia Coffee & Tea. The café serves coffee with a purpose – it gives 10% of its sales to social justice needs across the world. Inspired by the owner’s travels, all products are created fresh daily with local ingredients. Sip a smooth Rosewater Latte accompanied by an AmyCakes Cinnamon Roll.
Play
Lake Springfield: Rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard to float down the James River Water Trail along the 318-acre lake. The lake also has plentiful fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, bluegill and carp. Is walking, running or biking your preference? Then hit one of the nearby surrounding trails: Lake Springfield Park Trail, James River Greenway Trail and the Greater Ozarks Audubon Trail.
Springfield Conservation Nature Center: Near Lake Springfield is 80 acres of Ozark forest, glade and prairie habitat. You’ll have a great chance of encountering wildlife as you hike one of the six accessible trails. The center offers guided hikes, special events and workshops to the public.
Springfield Cardinals: Summer means baseball, which is why attending a ballgame is a must. Between the delicious ballpark food and entertainment between innings, it’s a great way to unwind and enjoy a game. You may even see an up-and-coming player bound for the Major League! A game at Hammons Field is a perfect outing with friends and family.
Gillioz Theatre: The lights from the theatre marquee sign can’t be overlooked as you’re walking around Springfield’s Park Central Square. National names perform regularly at this charming venue where people in-the-know also have the chance to catch a live taping of the Emmy award-winning show, “The Mystery Hour,” hosted by Jeff Houghton.
Askinosie Chocolate: With certainty, Askinosie Chocolate is one of the best-known names to hail from the 417 area. The company imports assorted cocoa beans from the Philippines, Tanzania, Ecuador and Amazonia to create its bean-to-bar chocolate. While Askinosie products can be found in retail and coffee shops, make sure to stop in for a factory tour and tasting of their award-winning confections!
The C Street Boutique: A charming place to shop on the weekends, this boutique features stylish women’s clothing and a generous selection of lotions, soaps and trendy accessories. Put this shopping spot on your girls’ weekend agenda.
Take a trip to the Queen City and create your own #MissouriAdventure!
Written by Alex Wilkshire