Things to Do in Southwest Missouri: The Ultimate Ozarks Guide

Southwest Missouri packs an astonishing amount of fun into one corner of the Ozarks. Within about an hour's drive you can ride a tram through an underground cavern, stand eye-to-eye with sharks at one of America's best aquariums, catch a world-class dinner show, zipline off a 230-foot tower, fish a spring-fed trout stream, and cruise the coves of Table Rock Lake. This guide covers the best things to do in Springfield, Branson, Eagle Rock, and Cassville — with links to each attraction so you can plan your Southwest Missouri getaway.

Things to Do in Springfield, MO

Springfield is the birthplace of Route 66 and the gateway to the Ozarks, blending big-city attractions with small-town charm. Here are the top things to do in Springfield, Missouri.

Bass Pro Shops & Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

Adjacent to the Bass Pro Shops national headquarters, Wonders of Wildlife is a 350,000-square-foot conservation attraction featuring a 1.5-million-gallon aquarium with roughly 35,000 live animals, immersive wildlife galleries, and 1.5 miles of trails through recreated habitats. Repeatedly voted America's Best Aquarium by USA TODAY readers, it's the crown jewel of Springfield attractions — and the flagship Bass Pro store next door is a destination in itself.

History Museum on the Square

Located in downtown Springfield on historic Route 66, this award-winning museum tells the city's story across three floors of interactive galleries — from the first Wild West shootout (featuring Wild Bill Hickok) to the birth of the Mother Road. It was named USA Today's Best New Attraction shortly after its 2019 reopening.

Discovery Center of Springfield

A hands-on, interactive science center for all ages, the Discovery Center lets kids (and adults) explore physics, energy, health, and more through hundreds of exhibits — including the famous HighWire Bike. It's one of the best rainy-day and family activities in Springfield.

Dickerson Park Zoo

Spanning about 70 acres, Dickerson Park Zoo is home to hundreds of animals from Asia, Africa, South America, Australia, and Missouri's own habitats — including Asian elephants, tigers, giraffes (with a seasonal feeding deck), and native black bears and gray wolves. A seasonal miniature train and water play area round out a great family day.

Fantastic Caverns

Known as America's Ride-Thru Cave, Fantastic Caverns is the only cave in North America you can tour entirely by Jeep-drawn tram. The 55-minute guided ride follows an ancient underground riverbed past towering columns and delicate soda straws, staying a comfortable 60°F year-round — perfect for all ages and mobility levels.

Route 66 Car Museum

This 20,000-square-foot museum along the historic Mother Road showcases roughly 75 automobiles, from brass-era classics to Jaguars, Rolls-Royces, and famous movie cars — including the truck from The Grapes of Wrath. A must-stop for car enthusiasts and Route 66 road-trippers alike.

Relics Antique Mall

Missouri's largest antique mall offers 90,000 square feet of antiques, collectibles, vintage furniture, and decorative arts from hundreds of vendors — plus an on-site tea room. Set aside a few hours; treasure hunting here is a Springfield tradition.

Doling Park

One of Springfield's most historic green spaces, Doling Park has drawn visitors since the 1880s and once hosted a full amusement park. Today the 56-acre park features Giboney Cave, a lake with a paved walking loop, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and the Doling Museum celebrating the park's colorful past.

Springfield Conservation Nature Center

Operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation, this free nature center offers indoor wildlife exhibits and about three miles of hiking trails winding through woodlands, glades, and lakeside habitat. It's a peaceful escape for hikers, birders, and families.

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

Springfield's ultimate indoor playground goes far beyond trampolines, with a ropes course, climbing walls, Sky Rider coaster, dodgeball, and more. It's a year-round, weather-proof option for birthday parties and burning off kid energy.

Things to Do in Branson, MO

Branson is the Live Entertainment Capital of the Ozarks — home to a legendary 1880s theme park, dozens of live shows, world-class golf, and endless outdoor adventure on Table Rock Lake.

Silver Dollar City

Branson's iconic 1880s-themed park combines record-breaking roller coasters with demonstrating craftsmen, world-class festivals, and an actual cave beneath the park. Consistently ranked among America's best theme parks, Silver Dollar City is the anchor attraction of any Branson vacation.

Top of the Rock Golf Course

Perched at the highest elevation in Taney County overlooking Table Rock Lake, Top of the Rock features a Jack Nicklaus-designed par-3 course, a scenic golf cart cave tour, the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum, fine dining, and nightly sunset ceremonies. Even non-golfers should make the trip for the views alone.

Chateau on the Lake Resort Spa & Convention Center

Branson's "Castle in the Ozarks" is the area's only AAA Four-Diamond resort, overlooking Table Rock Lake with lake-view rooms, the 14,000-square-foot Spa Chateau, multiple restaurants, and its own marina. It's a premier choice for a luxury stay, wedding, or conference in Branson.

Big Cedar Lodge

Created by Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, Big Cedar Lodge is a nationally acclaimed wilderness resort on Table Rock Lake featuring rustic-luxury lodging, championship golf, family attractions, spa amenities, and unforgettable Ozark Mountain scenery just south of Branson.

The Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks

On the campus of College of the Ozarks ("Hard Work U"), the Keeter Center is a stunning lodge-style destination for farm-to-table dining, overnight stays, and events — staffed by students who grow and prepare much of the food themselves. The Sunday brunch is legendary in the Branson area.

Dolly Parton's Stampede

Branson's most popular dinner attraction pairs a four-course Southern feast with an arena spectacular featuring 32 horses, trick riders, music, comedy, and friendly competition. It's a can't-miss evening for families visiting Branson.

Titanic Museum Attraction

Housed in a half-scale ship replica you can't miss on Highway 76, the Titanic Museum lets you walk the grand staircase, touch an iceberg, and explore hundreds of authentic artifacts. Each guest receives a boarding pass with the name of a real passenger — and learns their fate at journey's end.

Branson Dinosaur Museum

More than 40 life-size dinosaur replicas — sculpted by paleo-artists using molds from real fossils — fill this self-guided museum on the Highway 76 strip. With fossil exhibits, a scavenger hunt, and endless photo ops, it's a roar-worthy stop for families with young dino fans.

Copperhead Mountain Coaster

Branson's longest downhill mountain coaster snakes through loops, drops, and curves in the Ozark hills at Shepherd's Adventure Park, with riders controlling their own speed. It's one of the area's top outdoor thrill rides.

Zipline Canopy Tour at Shepherd of the Hills

Soar tree-to-tree across eight suspended platforms on this top-rated canopy zipline tour, taking in sweeping Ozark Mountain views over roughly two hours of guided adventure. A perfect blend of scenery and adrenaline for the whole family.

Shepherd of the Hills Historic Park

Built on the homestead where Harold Bell Wright penned the novel that put Branson on the map, this historic park offers the 230-foot Inspiration Tower, outdoor drama, heritage attractions, and family activities — a living piece of Ozarks history.

Vigilante Extreme ZipRider

Launching from high atop Inspiration Tower, the Vigilante Extreme ZipRider sends up to four riders at once rocketing more than half a mile over the Ozarks at speeds up to 50 mph — seated, belted in, and grinning the whole way down. It's one of Branson's most extreme (and most photographed) experiences.

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

This 10,000-acre private nature preserve near Table Rock Lake features waterfalls, towering bluffs, hand-built bridges, and crystal-clear trout streams. Explore by foot, bike, horseback, Segway, or wildlife tram tour through herds of elk, bison, and Texas Longhorn cattle.

Tanger Outlets Branson

Branson's upscale open-air outlet center brings together dozens of name-brand stores and local shops just off the Highway 76 strip. It's the go-to destination for deal-hunting between shows and attractions.

Branson Music Shows

With dozens of live performance theaters, Branson earns its title as the Live Entertainment Capital of the World. From country jubilees and gospel to magic, comedy, and Broadway-style productions, there's a show for every taste nearly every night of the year — check the official Branson tourism site for current schedules.

White Water

Silver Dollar City's tropical-themed water park delivers 13 acres of slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers — including the seven-story Kalani Towers freefall slides and a 500,000-gallon wave pool. It's Branson's ultimate summer cool-down.

Things to Do in Eagle Rock, MO

Tucked along the White River arm of Table Rock Lake, tiny Eagle Rock delivers big outdoor fun — from drive-thru safaris to full-service lake adventures.

Promised Land Safari Park

Drive your own vehicle through this scenic safari park, home to hundreds of rare and endangered animals across dozens of species — many of which will come right up to your window. A petting zoo, walk-thru area, and Parakeet Paradise make it a favorite for families exploring the Table Rock Lake and Eureka Springs area.

Eagle Rock Marina on Table Rock Lake

A family-run marina on Table Rock Lake since the 1960s, Eagle Rock Marina offers pontoon and boat rentals, slips, fuel, supplies, and local fishing know-how on one of America's premier bass fishing lakes. Rent a tritoon for the day and explore hundreds of miles of Ozark shoreline.

Things to Do in Cassville, MO

Cassville is the gateway to some of the wildest, most beautiful public land in the Ozarks — anchored by one of Missouri's most popular state parks.

Roaring River State Park

Set in a dramatic, deep Ozark valley eight miles south of Cassville, Roaring River State Park is one of Missouri's premier trout fishing destinations, with a spring-fed river stocked in season. Seven hiking trails, a fish hatchery, a nature center, cabins, and campgrounds make it one of the most visited state parks in Missouri.

Mark Twain National Forest

Missouri's only national forest surrounds the Cassville area with vast hardwood hills, hiking and mountain biking trails, and scenic drives — including the Sugar Camp National Forest Scenic Byway that winds right past Roaring River. It's the place to truly unplug in the Ozarks.