Springfield, Missouri: A Family Road Trip Around the Birthplace of Route 66

Your first stop should be the Route 66 Springfield Visitor Center on St. Louis Street. Step inside to pick up maps and travel guides and chat with friendly Visit Springfield staff members. They’ll be able to offer attraction and restaurant recommendations to help you make the most of your time in Springfield. After your day of travel, head down the street to savor some comfort food and retro vibes at the Route 66 Steak n’ Shake. Admire the original neon signs out-front, well-preserved artifacts from when this diner welcomed drivers to pull off the Mother Road for a hot meal. Enjoy classic Americana fare (a burger and a milkshake perhaps) before checking into your accommodations for the night. Some standout options nearby include Rockwood Motor Court, an original Route 66 landmark complete with vintage furnishings, and Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven, where Elvis Presley famously spent the night in 1956. This room is extremely popular among guests; consider planning your trip well in advance if you’d like to stay in Room 409, the Elvis Suite.

Explore Springfield’s storied past and discover its hip present with a trip downtown. Start at the History Museum on the Square, an immersive museum with eight interactive galleries that preserve artifacts from the city’s history. The Birthplace of Route 66 Gallery is a must-see, sporting original neon signs, retro cars and memorabilia from the road’s heyday. Take a short walk to Downtown Springfield’s Park Central Square to soak up some city ambience amid sculpted fountains and pristine landscaping. Keep your eyes peeled to spot quirky public art pieces as you wander the square and pop into the boutique shops nearby. Stop in for a bite at the Square’s local restaurants and bars. Check out Civil Kitchen for comfort food with a modern twist, then pop into Golden Girl Rum Club for tropical-themed cocktails and trendy vibes. End your night with a visit to the Gillioz Theatre. This stunning Mission Revival-style space was built in 1926 and originally functioned as a movie theater; today, you can snag tickets to see live comedy shows, touring bands, opera and musical theater performances, and more.

Venture to some iconic Route 66 stops just outside Springfield. On your way out of town, stop at the Route 66 Car Museum. Take a step back in time to admire over 70 vintage vehicles on display, from the first automobiles of the early 20th century to celebrity cars and classic sports cars that might have been seen cruising Route 66. Grab lunch before you hit the road: College Street Cafe is just next door, ready to fuel you up with burgers named after classic automobiles (try the Hot Rod or the T-Bird) and house-made merengue pies. After lunch, drive about 30 minutes outside Springfield to reach Gary’s Gay Parita, a nostalgic recreation of a 1930s gas station. Take some time to snap photos of the original gas pumps and explore a curated collection of Route 66 memorabilia. Once you hop back in the car, you’ll drive another half hour to reach Red Oak II. Built by artist Lowell Davis, this village made up of preserved buildings and homes from the artist’s hometown of Red Oak, Missouri, is part ghost town and part art installation. It’s a fascinating look into the artist’s memories and a can’t-miss stop on your Route 66 journey. Your excursion to Red Oak II puts you about 10 minutes outside the town of Carthage, another town rich in Route 66 history. Stop at a local restaurant for dinner before heading back to Springfield for the night.

Back in Springfield, take some time to connect with the natural world at premier attractions around town. Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium is a great place to start. This immersive conservation-focused experience has been voted America’s Best Aquarium by readers of USA Today six times – and for good reason. Start in the Wildlife Galleries to see taxidermy of the country’s native animals in vivid recreations of their natural habitats. Explore the Aquarium Adventure to watch penguins, sea turtles, tropical fish and more, and learn about the country’s unique aquatic landscapes. Next door, visit the flagship store for outdoor outfitter Bass Pro Shops to browse a huge selection of gear for camping, boating and more. Take time to spot the bronze animal statues and linger over a meal at Hemingway’s restaurant. For a truly unique experience, venture to Fantastic Caverns, the only cave in the USA that you can experience on an hour-long guided tram ride. This tour is an accessible and family-friendly way to experience one of Missouri’s largest limestone cave systems. It’s an incredible memory that you’ll keep with you on your journey home as you fly out of Springfield Branson National Airport – or continue your Missouri road trip along Route 66.