The only negative was the price point, other than that this was an amazing experience for our…read morefamily of 5. We have already been multiple times and noticed new or forgotten things each time.! Especially perfect for an indoor activity when weather is unpredictable.

This place has something for the whole family, museums, shopping, restaurants and nature to be seen.read more

They are not family friendly or community friendly . We came in from St Louis to see our daughter…read more. We parked in an open parking lot adjacent to the discovery center. All visual indications it looks like open public parking . We were told the lot was open for community engagement parking . There is no sign indicating any pay per hr parking or no signs stating no parking after 5 pm . There are no signs indicating anything which are visible at night . Our car was towed within minutes . No one in the adjacent businesses could provide any information . Springfield is a very dangerous city with homeless population abound at night . We felt very unsafe and felt our safety was at risk standing helpless on the street . Do not patronize this establishment. No one answered any of our calls . There was no telephone numbers listed any where for emergencies or questions . Safety is there least priority and taking advantage of out of town visitors.

So, perhaps I'm a bit biased because we have the coolest Kid Museum at my home in Washington State…read more(Everett, to be precise), but my family found the Museum to be kind of meh. But, the front desk lady was dellightful and extremely personable. The thing that really stood out in epic-ocity was the bee exhibit. My granddaughter absolutely loved it. Everything else was kinda lackluster. However, honorable mention definitely goes to the Bed of Nails exhibit. It was a true bed of nails, with a pillow provided for comfort!! In conclusion, if you happen to be in Springfield, MO, give this place a visit. Otherwise, don't bother making a special trip, you could be disappointed.

Great museum covering Spring Missouri history and Route 66 history. The docents at the museum are…read moregreat on their knowledge of the city and its history it played in 20th century westward expansion. First class museum all the way

This is a really interesting and well-displayed view of Springfield's past. Multiple floors…read more Excellent docents to whom you can ask endless questions.

Nice museum with great people working there! I would highly recommend seeing when you are in the…read morearea!

Went to the museum during operating hours and the door was locked. No answer when I called and no…read morereturn phone call when I left a voicemail. Thats very disappointing for my children that I tried to take there.

Xuehua Jin is a Master's degree student at Missouri State but his biography is already quite…read moreimpressive. Having founded a private art school in China and co-authoring three collections there, based on what I saw here, I'd sign up for an art class from this young master right now. 'The Truth of the Great Wall - 1' is a two-sided ink and charcoal drawing on cotton that stood in the center of a gallery and I came back to it again and again during my visit. 'Silent Excruciating' is a landscape featuring actual grass. 'The Lonely Road of Self-Redemption' is another landscape that employs tree bark. 'Masters from China' is a black and white landscape of acrylic, ash, and ink upon which a blood red section of a shirt hovers over it. His style is a mashup of Anselm Kiefer and free-wheeling calligraphic elements. I guess I should mention that there's more here. It's a small museum to be sure but there are some surprises in the permanent collection including an early Jackson Pollock and a deck of large playing cards by Jean DuBuffet. Manage your expectations and you may be glad you visited.

Really nice variety of pieces, the facility is beautiful. There's an outdoor area that would be…read morenice when it's sunny out. Everyone working there was really nice and helpful

Oh. My. Gosh. I love this place. So much fun and so many great throwbacks. A wonderful place for…read moreall ages. If you're looking for a date spot or a place to take your kids or even if you're just with your buddies it's a good time. People are always so nice and the BATHROOM IS AWESOME! Haha check it out totally worth it

What an awesome blast from the past. I remember the 80s. I wasn't too fond of it then, but this…read moreplace just has all the good parts as you walk back through time. I loved sitting on the couch watching music videos (INXS, Madonna, Devo). The only thing missing was rust color shag carpet. The people working there are really nice and take a lot of joy in what they do. They are practically museum curators. Where else can you experience this much from the 80s?! Have fun playing any game you can remember... because it's probably here!!!

This is a small natural science museum that offers free admission and a scavenger hunt activity and…read morea small play area for little ones. It was a nice addition to a weekday afternoon with my granddaughter while she's enjoying her summer vacation. The museum is small but interesting and you can be as quick or leisurely as you like. They have an open museum gift shop with books, t shirts, toys, beautiful stones, crystals from the cave and other items. And there's "Henry". Go see.

Staff was very welcoming upon arrival. Was able to walk the exhibits and learn a few things…read more Shopped the gift area with out feeling pressured to purchase a thing. Then we took a short walk to the rock formations to look for fossils this was fun for both my husband and I. We came home and were more than happy to tell our friends and family about our experience.

Tucked inside Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, the NRA National Sporting Arms Museum feels less like…read morea retail add-on and more like a time machine disguised as a detour. You walk in expecting camouflage and fishing reels and suddenly you're staring at centuries of American history told through craftsmanship, innovation, and survival. This museum quietly traces the evolution of firearms from early colonial America through the frontier, the Civil War, world conflicts, and into modern sporting culture. The collection includes exquisitely engraved pieces, early hunting arms, military firearms, and guns tied to presidents, explorers, and cultural icons. It's not flashy -- it's deliberate, curated, and respectful of the historical weight these objects carry. What stands out most is how the museum frames firearms as tools that shaped exploration, self-reliance, and national identity, rather than as props or politics. You leave with a deeper appreciation for the engineering, artistry, and context behind each era. The interpretive plaques actually explain why these pieces mattered, not just what they are. Best part? Admission is free. The space is clean, well-organized, and quiet considering it sits inside one of the busiest Bass Pro locations in the country. Staff and volunteers are knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic, especially if you ask questions. If you're a history buff, a museum lover, or someone who enjoys understanding how America got from point A to point chaos, this place is worth your time. Come for the store, stay for the story.

Had a fun time looking at all the firearms in the museum! The archery displays were amazing so…read moredon't miss that to. Lot of great history in the museum. My son and I had a great time talking about all the firearms.

Lovely trail and I love the that the first stop is the museum/gift shop. It has loaded information…read moreon the wars in trans-Mississippi. Driving around felt so calming. I wish we were warned that there were deers in the area. There was a deer that crossed the road and we had to hard brake. Overall, lovely experience if you want to hike.

I been to so many places in the NPS system and was blown away by how well done this small museum is…read moreat Wilson's Creek National Battlefield. There is so much information about what led up to the battle and who fought at this site as well as its place in the Civil War timeline. This is the site of the first Union general killed in action as well as the first Civil War battle that took place West of the Mississippi River. I did the Junior Ranger packet to obtain my free badge and watched the film. I chatted so long with Ranger Clayton Hanson about the Civil War and racism that his colleagues had to basically kick us out because they had the gate to the gift shop already down! It's great to chat with rangers who are passionate about their post. There was no entrance fee at this site. Visited December 2024