From Wikitravel

Springfield [1] is the third-largest city in the state of Missouri. Though located on a flat plateau, the more picturesque Ozarks are just Southeast of the city.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By Plane

Springfield-Branson Regional Airport (SGF) [2] is served by Allegiant Air, American, Delta, Northwest, and United.

[edit] By Car

Springfield is located on Interstate 44 in southwest Missouri.

By Bus Greyhound has regular service running up and down I44. Buses typically transfer in Tulsa for onward service to Dallas & Austin.

[edit] Get around

Just about everyone drives, but because Springfield is so flat bicycling is another good option.

[edit] Districts

Downtown -- A busy professional atmosphere by day and vibrant nightlife to follow. This area is an entertainment hub. Coffeehouses, theaters, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs are abundant. Stop by the Square and see the location where Wild Bill Hickok shot Dave Tutt.

Commercial Street -- This Historic District features coffee houses, thrift stores and newly renovated loft space. Many regard this area of town as the most interesting up-and-coming area of town. Stop in at Lindberg's for a beer.

MSU campus -- not the most bohemian college in the county, yet the area has a youthful energy and vitality to it.

[edit][add listing] See

Fantastic Caverns [3] Springfield's most popular attraction is the only cave in which you ride in a tour vehicle, rather than walk.

Missouri Sports Hall of Fame [4]

Springfield Nature Center has well maintained biking and hiking trails through the bluffs and along the shore of Lake Springfield.

[edit][add listing] Do

Discovery Center [5] - This is one of Springfield's greatest attributes. Great for kids and adults. The newest building even has a place where your can bicycle across a tightrope. This is also Springfield's first "green" building.

Moxie Cinema - Springfield's only independent movie theater. They show first-run documentaries, foreign films, and other independents that typically don't make it to smaller markets such as Springfield. They serve beer and wine as well.

Springfield Cardinals Baseball [6]

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 1935 S. Campbell, 417-887-7334, [7]. Can be a pleasant place to stroll around and look at the different wildlife exhibits. Occasionally has very good deals on closeout items.
• Battlefield Mall, [8].

[edit][add listing] Eat

A popular local dish is "cashew chicken", a pseudo-Chinese dish found at all Chinese restaurants in Springfield. The dish is fried chicken pieces served on fried rice and covered with an oyster sauce. The dish is then garnished with green onions and cashews. Chinese restaurants are quite plentiful in Springfield because of the popularity of the dish. If you want local food there are several restaurants.

• Mexican Villa, some believe it is the best Mexican food in town (others thinks its the worst). The burrito enchilada (the house specialty), tortillas, and hot sauce are all highly recommended.
• Anton's coffee shop, great omelets and good pancakes
• Tea Bar & Bites Cafe, one of the most unique restaurants, serving fresh food with a Mediterranean twist. Great outdoor patio, too.
• Gailey's, good specials and great fruit-yogurt-granola bowl
• Marias, little pseudo Mexican cafe downtown... preppy drunk college atmosphere, but ok food
• Wellspring cafe, (open from 11-3 M-F) great vegetarian food; try the veggie Ruben and a cashew butter-carob chip cookie (maybe two).
• Caspers, has great chili but is only open from Labor day through Memorial day.
• Crosstown BBQ, been here for 25 years+ and taste great with nice people.
• J.Parrino's, the one on Battlefield, try the Mediterranean Pasta or the Pork!
• Cielito Lindo's, the closest thing to "real" Mexican food in Springfield
• Amigo's, authentic Mexican food - family owned and operated.
• South Ave. Pizza Company, try the spinach-artichoke dip
• Buckinghams, the loaded smoked sweet potato may change your life
• Thai Peppers, incredible Tom Yum Goon Soup
• Gem of India, their tomato soup is great! that and its the ONLY taste of indian cuisine for 100 miles...
• W.F. Cody, try to eat it all
• Gilardi's, good wine list, great eggplant pasta
• Silk Road, they haven't been voted Springfield's best for nothing!
• Harruno, sushi and other Japanese food
• Ocean Zen, seafood and they also have good steaks.
• Avanzare, higher-end Italian food!

Nakato, the best hibachi in town After dinner go to Andy's Frozen Custard for a treat and sit on the curb and relax.

[edit][add listing] Drink

If you are looking for good cup of coffee, the Mudhouse would make a great choice. It has a great selection of both hot and frozen drinks and has monthly art exhibits. It is downtown on South street one block south of the square. You will find that a lot of college kids hang out there, but it has a quiet atmosphere nonetheless. A good place to get a cup of coffee, read a book, or find an interesting person to talk to.

The Springfield Brewing Company (or BrewCo for short) is a pretty good local microbrewery located downtown. In addition to various ales and lagers they have decent pub food. Hosts bands oftentimes at night.

Dive Bars: the downtown area still has some funky dive bars despite the ongoing gentrification of the area. Expect cheap beers and girls of dubious repute.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] 'Budget:

' most of the city's more affordable motels are located near the intersection of Glenstone and Kearney not far from the I44 exit.

[edit] Splurge

• University Plaza Hotel, 333 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy., +1 417 864-7333, [9]. Accommodations, conference center, fitness center, sauna, indoor and outdoor pools.

• Walnut Street Inn[10] - 900 E. Walnut - Tel: (417) 864-6346

[edit] Contact

[edit] Get out

• Branson A family-friendly Las Vegas with lots of live stage shows, two amusement parks, and more.
• Buffalo National River in Arkansas is an untarnished, free-flowing river that is perfect for boating and fishing.
• Joplin A quirky Ozark town west on I-44.
• Lebanon and Rolla are both east on I-44.

This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!