In town for Missouri State's Family Weekend? Here are 5 things to do
As new Missouri State Bears continue to get settled into their homes, many may be welcoming members of their family for a visit soon. The university's Family Weekend kicks off Friday morning.
The university has a tentative schedule planned for the weekend, including check-in at the Plaster Student Union, Foster Recreation Center open house, Bear Wear Bingo on Friday, Family Weekend Welcome Brunch, Bear Family Tailgate, football game on Saturday, and Sparkling Sunday Brunch on Sunday.
For a full list of university-planned Family Weekend events, visit the Missouri State website.
Between these festivities, there's plenty more to explore throughout Springfield. The News-Leader compiled a list of five places to check out while folks are here for the weekend.
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Get in touch with nature at Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium
The Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium is a part of Springfield's Bass Pro Shops, only a five-minute drive from Missouri State's campus.
The majority of W.O.W. is organized into two permanent exhibitions. The Wildlife Galleries feature exhibitions like the Native American Hall, Theodore Roosevelt's Cabin and Polar Expedition and Penguin Cove. Aquarium Adventure features the Great Ocean Hall, Open Ocean, a 360-degree circular aquarium with over 6,000 herring swimming in formation, and IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame.
Special exhibitions at W.O.W. are Year of the Bird and Nature's Best Photography. The Year of the Bird exhibit is in partnership with the National Audubon Society and Ducks Unlimited, telling the story of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Nature's Best Photography was previously only displayed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The new 10,000-square-foot gallery features photography and videography.
W.O.W. single-day tickets range between $32.50-48 per adult and $19.50-24.95 per child ages 4-11. Two-day tickets are available for $60 per adult and $40 per child. Additional ticket add-ons are also available.
Tickets can be purchased in-person or online at wondersofwildlife.org/tickets-pricing/.
Wonders of Wildlife is located at 500 W. Sunshine St. The museum and aquarium is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
More: Wonders of Wildlife receives accreditation with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
Appreciate local, regional artistry at the Springfield Art Museum
Not too far from Missouri State's campus is the Springfield Art Museum, which includes rotating art exhibitions and a permanent collection.
During Family Weekend, the museum's exhibitions will include "Humanities, Vol. 1," "Humanities, Vol. 2," and "Creating an American Identity."
"Humanities, Vol. 1" features work selected by museum staff, board and committee members that highlights the people who keep the museum moving forward. The exhibit includes 49 works from artists such as Julie Blackmon, Paul Cadmus, Dwaine Crigger, Morgan Frew and Thomas Hart Benton.
"Humanities, Vol. 2," features work from the museum's collection, selected by three local artists: musician Jin J. X, poet Kate Murr and dancer Sarah Wilcoxon. The exhibit will showcase the collection pieces next to new pieces from each artist in their own medium.
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"Creating an American Identity" is an ongoing, semi-permanent exhibit at the museum. The exhibit presents a timeline of the shift of what "American identity" means and looks like. It includes 75 works from an array of mediums. Guided tours are available upon request.
The Springfield Art Museum is located at 1111 E. Brookside Drive and open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. The museum's campus is currently under partial renovation, but it is still open to the public.
Golf with the entire family
Whether it be at the driving range or putt-putt course, there are several golfing opportunities for families in Springfield.
BigShots Golf
BigShots Golf is a 12-acre interactive golf driving range, including 56 bays and a six-hole mini-golf course. BigShots offers a ball-tracking system and Live Play, allowing customers to play interactive games with virtual targets. The range also includes full-service food, a sports bar and outdoor patio.
BigShots is located at 1930 E. Kearney St. and is open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pricing ranges between $29-53, depending on the time of day one plays.
Fun Acre
Fun Acre, right off Campbell Avenue, includes an 18-hole mini-golf course and batting cages. Mini-golf admission is $3 per adult, $1.75 per child ages 5-11, and free for children 4 and under. Batting cages are 25 cents, which gives players five pitches. Fun Acre only takes cash and pre-approved checks.
Fun Acre is located at 214 W. Glenwood St. and open Monday through Friday noon to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Getaway Golf
Located a bit further from Missouri State's campus is Getaway Golf, a travel-themed miniature golf course. Featured holes include the Golden Gate Bridge, Gateway Arch and Statute of Liberty. One course admission is $11 per adult, $9 per child ages 4-12 and free for children 3 and under. Snow cones, drinks and popcorn are also available.
Getaway Golf is located at 3833 E. State Highway D (Sunshine Street). The golf course is open Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Swing Right Golf
Another course in town is Swing Right Golf, which offers a driving range, golf simulators, mini-golf course and disc golf. Driving range admission is between $8-13, depending on the number of balls one purchases. Mini golf admission is $7 per adult and $4.50 for children under 11. Disc golf is $5 per round and simulators range between $20-33, depending on the number of holes one plays.
Swing Right Golf is located at 444 E. Farm Road 192 and open Sunday and Monday noon to 6 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Eat, shop and lodge along Historic C-Street
Historic Commercial Street was Springfield's original downtown and the city's first historic district. Today, the six-block stretch includes local restaurants, retailers and community spaces.
When rolling through for food, Historic C-Street offers a variety of different ethnic eateries, from Café Cusco to That Lebanese Place to Van Gogh's Eeterie. For a quick coffee or snack pitstop, try Eurasia Coffee and Tea or Big Momma's Coffee and Espresso Bar. And if you're looking for a place to stay, Culture Boutique Hotel offers six hotel rooms above Eurasia.
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C-Street's eclectic selection of retail shops may appeal to all members of the family. Vintage lovers may get their fix at VTG 315, Hakaar's Bazaar, Gypsy Girl Junk or MJ's Flea Market. For more boutique-style shopping, visit Cymphony's, Soozeezbees, Ms. Gilmore's Vintage Suitcase, Footbridge Trading Company or Springfield Mercantile Co.
A signature element of Historic C-Street is the C-Street City Market, open Thursday 4-8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market features an array of homemade and locally produced goods and art. The market is located at 321 E. Commercial St.
Springfield's CultureFest is taking place on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Historic C-Street. The festival will include educational booths, hand-crafted goods and international food. The event is free.
Channel your inner child at 1984
Located in downtown Springfield, 1984 is a two-story arcade filled with vintage video games and pinball machines. Popular classic video games include Space Invaders, Asteroids, Tetris and Q*bert. But there are more than 70 to choose from.
Entry admission is $10, which includes unlimited access to all video games. Pinball machines are pay-as-you-go and range between 25-50 cents.
Each game's high score list is reset daily, as the games are shut off each evening and do not contain an internal battery. This means new high scores can be set every night the arcade is open.
To track these, two television monitors are displayed throughout the arcade with each system's high score. When a player sets a new high score, the player's name will be added to the scoreboard. In addition, the player will receive a high score "Brag Button" and a free admission pass for the next visit.
For those looking for an extra challenge, the arcade also has a Legend's Board, which displays the names of players who have the highest high scores on each game system. Players who beat these scores receive a legends "Brag Button" and the choice of 10 free passes or a free 1984 t-shirt.
Located at 400 S. Jefferson Ave., the arcade is open 4-11 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 5 places to visit in Springfield during Missouri State Family Weekend
