Five Day Trip Adventures From Springfield MO

Neil Sawford • August 3, 2022

Visitors who want to enjoy the fun of taking an adventure ride with the Branson roller coasters will find it even more exciting if they try some thrilling outdoor adventures around the Ozarks Mountains. If enjoying a great time with a fantastic mountain adventure in Branson is not enough for you, you should check out the five-day trip adventures, which are significant to experience in Springfield, Missouri.

Start your day at Johnny Morris' Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield. The 350,000-square-foot museum and aquarium is home to over 35,000 species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals. There are also themed areas, including ocean shipwreck, Louisiana swamp, Ozarks forest, and the Amazon rainforest habitat. Inside the facility, you can get the chance to get up close and personal with some of the aquarium's sea creature experiences like the Out to Sea Shark Dive or the Penguin Encounters.

With a full dive suit, you can swim underwater inside a metal cage and come face-to-fin with sand tiger sharks, brown sharks, and Atlantic goliath groupers. Anyone can join this diving activity as it does not require diver certification.

Once you have worn the state-of-the-art air helmets, they will allow you to submerge underwater without needing certification comfortably. The same thing you can enjoy on taking some snapshots of your thrilling ride with the Branson roller coasters. Taking pictures of your fantastic dive experience is a thing that you won't forget.

After enjoying an exciting water activity at the aquarium, you might want to try to find ghosts at Pythian Castile. If you believe in ghosts, don't miss to experience the Haunted Ghost Tour at Pythian Castle. Inside the castle, you can hear ghostly tales from the owner Gamera Finocchiaro and others while you roam the corridors of this enchanting castle.

If you want to try a more chilling experience, participate in the public investigation tours hosted by Paranormal Task Force. Using an EMF (Electromagnetic Frequency) detector and other equipment, you can wander the castle late at night to look for looming ghosts.

Sports-minded visitors shouldn't miss visiting Bass Pro Shops, the "Grandaddy" of All Outdoor Stores at Springfield. This 500,000-square-foot facility is home to thousands of sports items, from camping supplies to equipment to your next fishing adventure. Bass Pro Shop also houses the National Archery Hall of Fame, the National Sporting Arms Museum, and the Motorsports Museum. This extensive shop is adjacent to Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium.

On your second-day trip adventure in Springfield, you may want to visit Dickerson Park Zoo. Inside the facility, you can find over 500 animals, many of which you can see up close and personal. Here, you can enjoy a great time and get the chance to see over 160 species of animals. Don't miss to try feeding a giraffe up close. You can also join in the Animal RendeZoos encounters with some of your favorite critters, such as tortoises, zebras, lions, cougars, bears, elephants, and more.

The next trip adventure you may want to experience is a visit to the Wild Animal Safari in Springfield. The facility houses over 65 wildlife species and 325 animals. Whether you tour around yourself or choose a guided tour, you can have the chance to hand-feed camels, elk, water buffalo, and other animals or drive the 5-mile stretch yourself. Your entire family will enjoy an unforgettable wildlife experience like no other.

On your third day, you may want to experience a unique outdoor adventure at the Ozark Greenways Trail of Honor in Springfield, MO. Opened in 2017, this one-mile Trail of Honor meanders along the banks of the picturesque James River and the end of the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery.

With a total length of over 75 miles of trail, the Ozark Greenways feature a dynamic network of streams, parks, trails, and bike paths built to help visitors enjoy the great outdoors. You can find popular trails at Ozark Greenways, including the James River Greenway & The Trail of Honor, the Frisco Highline Trail, Sac River Mountain Bike Trail, and Wilson's Creek Greenway Trail.

On your fourth-day trip adventure in Springfield, you may find it interesting to enjoy an exciting river ride experience with the canoe or kayak. You can enjoy a fascinating river trip on several waterways with the canoe or kayak adventure. You can rent canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards at James River Water Trail between the Lake Springfield Boathouse and Joe Crighton access.

On your fifth-day trip adventure, it is best to visit the Runaway Mountain Coaster Branson, MO, which is only 45 minutes away from Springfield. This mountain coaster is the Ozarks first.

Branson roller coasters are the new attractions sweeping the U.S. This Branson Alpine Coaster harnesses the area's natural topography for an exhilarating, user-controlled thrill ride.

If you want a fantastic trip in Springfield, this five-day adventure tip will help you make the most of your time in the state.

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Close-up of a souvenir t-shirt featuring a mountain coaster design

Shop & Adventure in Branson

By Neil Sawford • August 29, 2025

When you visit Branson with your family to enjoy a wonderful vacation, don't pass up the opportunity to shop at some of the best shopping locations. Branson shoppers will find everything on their shopping lists, from specialty shops to department stores. If you've had an exciting ride on the roller coasters in Branson, MO, the next thing you should do is go shopping at some of the shopping malls listed below. Branson Landing Branson Landing, the Midwest's shoppers' paradise, is one of the most visited shopping destinations, offering almost everything you need for your holiday shopping in Branson. This fantastic shopping destination is home to the famous Belk Department Store, which provides a wide range of clothing and accessories. It also has Bass Pro Shop, which has everything you need for outdoor adventures. Branson Landing, a center for great shopping and dining opportunities located between Lake Taneycomo and historic downtown Branson, is one of the most visited attractions in town. The easily walkable Branson Landing is less than a mile long. It features a lakeside boardwalk, an open-air promenade, and more than 100 retail shops and fine restaurants. Shopping is the ideal activity after a thrilling adventure ride on the roller coasters in Branson, MO. Historic Downtown Branson Historic Downtown Branson's famous shopping destination is a short walk from Branson Landing. Shopping in Historic Downtown Branson can undoubtedly relieve the stress of visitors who are having a great time touring the many exciting places in this vacation paradise. You will enjoy what Branson offers as you walk through the beautiful streets, old buildings, and nostalgic themed shops in downtown Branson. You can see the beginnings of Branson in the Ozarks in Historic Downtown Branson. But there's more to Branson than just reminiscing. With many shops and dozens of exciting attractions for people of all ages, this neighborhood transforms into a thriving complex full of exciting activities. Whether you're looking for gourmet foods, baked goods, or original art, the historic downtown Branson has it all. There are many fine restaurants and eateries in the historic downtown Branson, a time-enhanced exciting location. Branson Craft Mall Visit the Branson Craft Mall for a retail market that focuses on the unique and original. The Branson Craft Mall, lined with vendors and specialty craft goods, is also home to the famous Pickin' Porch Grill. You won't leave hungry with a diverse menu that includes House-Smoked BBQ, sandwiches, wings, and even tacos. For an after-meal treat, take a stroll down the candy aisle. Branson Craft Mall is a fantastic shopping destination where you can buy unique arts and crafts and enjoy a delicious dining experience at some of the finest restaurants. This expansive 160,000-square-foot craft mall offers visitors one-stop shopping from over 200 vendors, artists, and crafters. Many of these vendors sell clothing, quilts, leather goods, jewelry, rugs, baskets, pottery, and other items. The Shoppes at Branson Meadows The Shoppes at Branson Meadows provides a wide range of shopping experiences. Shepherd Hills Cutlery, Tuesday Morning, Neil's Home Store, the Consignment Clothing Exchange, Touch of Class Boutique, Made in the USA, and more are all worth a visit! Visit Branson's 1984 Arcade for a nostalgic and rejuvenating break. The Shoppes at Branson Meadows offers discounted local brands, chic home goods, and one-of-a-kind clothing. This shopping spot is a treasure trove of housewares and other household goods. Grand Village Shops Over 25 distinguished novelty stores can be found at Grand Village Shops. With each offering its distinct originality, you're sure to leave with a perfect memory of your time in Branson. The Grand Village Shops are an excellent place to find a meaningful gift for everyone on your list. With the diversity of shops, there is something for everyone in this great shopping spot in Branson. While shopping in this fascinating place, you'll see singing waiters entertain shoppers. At the same time, they enjoy diner-style food and tasty ice cream from the soda fountain at Mel's Hard Luck Diner. Tanger Outlet Mall No shopping spree in Branson is complete without a trip to Tanger Outlets. You will find well-known brands at a discounted price at this unique shopping location. Tanger Outlets is located inside Branson's Entertainment District and offers extended shopping hours and great discounts to reward members. Tanger Outlets have everything that you need and even hard-to-find items. Conveniently located on Highway 76 West, the fully stocked mall offers discounts for favorite name brands such as Gap, Levi's, Polo Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, and much more. When looking for great shopping spots to shop and adventure after an exciting ride on the roller coasters in Branson, MO , don't forget to check out the shopping malls listed above.