The best things to do in Springfield

23 things to do we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Entertainment · 23 places · showing the latest additions first

Deer Lake Golf Course keeps things interesting with an exquisite layout, well-groomed fairways and greens, and those sneaky lines that make…

5544 MO-266

Deer Lake Golf Course keeps things interesting with an exquisite layout, well-groomed fairways and greens, and those sneaky lines that make every club decision feel heroic. It’s close to home, playable for all skill levels, and staffed by folks who share tips...

From the Springfield newsletter, August 4, 2026

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417 Escape Artist

Entertainment

417 Escape Artist builds its own handcrafted, family-friendly escape rooms, so the puzzles feel fresh and local. Grab your crew for Ozark…

2147 W Republic Rd

417 Escape Artist builds its own handcrafted, family-friendly escape rooms, so the puzzles feel fresh and local. Grab your crew for Ozark Howler, Deadly Seven, Captured at Sea, or the 417 Express and see if your group chat’s smartest person is actually useful under pressure.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 18, 2026

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Whether you’re sneaking in a quick nine or introducing the kids to the game, Betty Allison Family Golf Center keeps it fun with a walkable…

3031 N Stewart Ave

Whether you’re sneaking in a quick nine or introducing the kids to the game, Betty Allison Family Golf Center keeps it fun with a walkable par-3 layout and the area’s only lighted course. Family-friendly, easy on time, and perfect for an after-work swing fix.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 20, 2026

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Fun Acre

Entertainment

If you want easygoing mini-golf and straightforward batting practice, Fun Acre keeps it classic with 18 quirky holes and cages set to slow,…

214 W Glenwood St

If you want easygoing mini-golf and straightforward batting practice, Fun Acre keeps it classic with 18 quirky holes and cages set to slow, medium, or fast. It’s the kind of low-key spot you hit with friends, kiddos, or your softball swing in progress.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 12, 2026

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The Rage Room

Entertainment

When the week piles up like a stack of busted printers, The Rage Room gives you a safe, controlled space to let loose with your crew.…

1850 S Glenstone Ave · ✓ checked Sep 15

When the week piles up like a stack of busted printers, The Rage Room gives you a safe, controlled space to let loose with your crew. Different rooms, plenty of gear, zero cleanup... just a strangely satisfying reset you can actually schedule.

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Pythian Castle

Entertainment

Whether you’re craving Springfield lore or a playful scare, Pythian Castle dishes out ghost and history tours, murder mysteries, escape…

1451 E Pythian St

Whether you’re craving Springfield lore or a playful scare, Pythian Castle dishes out ghost and history tours, murder mysteries, escape rooms, and legit paranormal investigations. It’s the rare spot that works for date night, team shenanigans, or a friends-who-love-weird-stuff outing.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 13, 2026

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Whether you're hunting a smooth 18 or just hitting a bucket, Rivercut Golf Course has you covered with a driving range, leagues, and…

2850 W Farm Rd 190

Whether you're hunting a smooth 18 or just hitting a bucket, Rivercut Golf Course has you covered with a driving range, leagues, and lessons at the Connie Morris Golf Learning Center. Make it your home base to tune up this week and then go post a number.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 26, 2026

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Getaway Golf

Entertainment

Getaway Golf dishes out two creative 18-hole courses plus yard games like cornhole, outdoor ping pong, shuffleboard and foosball, so the…

3833 E State Hwy D

Getaway Golf dishes out two creative 18-hole courses plus yard games like cornhole, outdoor ping pong, shuffleboard and foosball, so the friendly trash talk writes itself. Finish strong at the 19th hole bar with drinks and snacks, then call a rematch later this week.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 22, 2026

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Whether you’re chasing a tidy par or just escaping the inbox, Bill & Payne Stewart Golf Course delivers a classic Perry Maxwell layout that…

1825 E Norton Rd

Whether you’re chasing a tidy par or just escaping the inbox, Bill & Payne Stewart Golf Course delivers a classic Perry Maxwell layout that rewards precise irons and confident putting, plus two practice greens, a driving range, and PGA pros for lessons. Make it your midweek reset.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 14, 2026

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Members, the course, courts, and aquatics at Highland Springs Country Club are calling. It’s a private golf, tennis, and social club with…

5400 S Highland Springs Blvd

Members, the course, courts, and aquatics at Highland Springs Country Club are calling. It’s a private golf, tennis, and social club with member tournaments, leagues, junior programs, and approachable dining, so swap another errand loop for swings, sets, and a relaxed meal with your crew.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 11, 2026

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When the group text devolves into "idk, you pick," Andy B's is the easy win with luxury bowling, a legit arcade, underground laser tag, and…

1127 E Battlefield Rd

When the group text devolves into "idk, you pick," Andy B's is the easy win with luxury bowling, a legit arcade, underground laser tag, and a full menu and bar. Solid for date night, kid birthdays, or league-level trash talk without taking it too seriously.

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1984

Entertainment

1984 is a local indoor spot all about vintage 1980s video games and pinball, pure button-mashing nostalgia for all ages. When the group…

400 S Jefferson Ave · ✓ checked Sep 7

1984 is a local indoor spot all about vintage 1980s video games and pinball, pure button-mashing nostalgia for all ages. When the group chat stalls, this is the easy pick...

From the Springfield newsletter, September 19, 2026

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Moxie Cinema

Entertainment

Moxie Cinema is Springfield’s community-supported nonprofit with two cozy screens serving indie gems, foreign finds, and revived classics,…

305 S Campbell Ave #101

Moxie Cinema is Springfield’s community-supported nonprofit with two cozy screens serving indie gems, foreign finds, and revived classics, plus series like Big Screen Classics, Essential Arthouse, Moxie Flix, and National Theatre Live.

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Discovery Center of Springfield turns curiosity into a workout, from riding the HighWire Bike and “flying” a Merlin cockpit to digging in…

438 E St Louis St

Discovery Center of Springfield turns curiosity into a workout, from riding the HighWire Bike and “flying” a Merlin cockpit to digging in the Midwest’s largest gallery of giant animatronic dinosaurs.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 20, 2026

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Swing Right Golf

Entertainment

Whether you’re chasing a smooth 18 on the mini golf course, loosening up on the real-ball driving range, or testing Pebble Beach on the…

444 E Farm Rd 192

Whether you’re chasing a smooth 18 on the mini golf course, loosening up on the real-ball driving range, or testing Pebble Beach on the simulators, Swing Right Golf is that south Springfield spot where the kids burn energy and adults quietly keep score.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 3, 2026

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Springfield Golf & Country Club keeps it casual with a par 3 course for quick rounds, a full driving range and indoor simulator for when it…

3106 E Valley Water Mill Rd

Springfield Golf & Country Club keeps it casual with a par 3 course for quick rounds, a full driving range and indoor simulator for when it pours, plus pools and pickleball when you’re not chasing birdies. There’s even a restaurant, so your post-round stories have snacks.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 7, 2026

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Founders Park

Entertainment

Founders Park turns local history into a mini quarry-scape, with a 250-seat amphitheater wired for shows, a re-created spring, and a…

330 E Water St

Founders Park turns local history into a mini quarry-scape, with a 250-seat amphitheater wired for shows, a re-created spring, and a massive 10-by-120-foot mural and timeline of Springfield’s first century. Quick, low-stress outing this week for a dose of culture without the homework.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 29, 2026

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Fantastic Caverns

Entertainment

With a steady 60 degrees and tram ride tours, Fantastic Caverns lets you explore Missouri's underground without hiking boots or headlamps.…

4872 N Farm Rd 125

With a steady 60 degrees and tram ride tours, Fantastic Caverns lets you explore Missouri's underground without hiking boots or headlamps. It's an easy win for lazy Saturdays, curious kids, and group outings, plus their field trips are a science teacher's secret weapon.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 5, 2026

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Since 1955, Twin Oaks Country Club has been where Springfield folks mix crisp tee shots with post-round hangs, pool days, and a little…

1020 E Republic Rd

Since 1955, Twin Oaks Country Club has been where Springfield folks mix crisp tee shots with post-round hangs, pool days, and a little friendly trash talk on the tennis and pickleball courts. Come for the golf, stay for the community vibe and legit dining that turns games into gatherings.

From the Springfield newsletter, September 15, 2026

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GlowGolf

Entertainment

Mini-golf played in a psychedelic, glow-in-the-dark indoor environment.

2825 S Glenstone Ave

Mini-golf played in a psychedelic, glow-in-the-dark indoor environment.

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If you want a private club that actually feels like Springfield, Hickory Hills Country Club blends championship golf on meticulously…

3909 E Cherry St

If you want a private club that actually feels like Springfield, Hickory Hills Country Club blends championship golf on meticulously manicured greens with an incomparable culinary scene, a resort-style pool, and tennis and fitness when you’re off the fairway.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 31, 2026

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Craft Axe Throwing

Entertainment

When your week needs a release valve, Craft Axe Throwing has twelve lanes, real coaching that gets first-timers sticking bullseyes, and a…

431 S Jefferson Ave Ste 132A

When your week needs a release valve, Craft Axe Throwing has twelve lanes, real coaching that gets first-timers sticking bullseyes, and a full bar to keep it fun. Try ninja stars, rally the work crew for team-building, or just walk in downtown and toss till the stress quiets.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 17, 2026

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Springfield’s premier locally owned independent theater, College Station Theaters keeps the reels spinning with a fresh now playing slate,…

415 W College St

Springfield’s premier locally owned independent theater, College Station Theaters keeps the reels spinning with a fresh now playing slate, August happenings, and that homegrown vibe. Check it this week, tap the loyalty perks or grab a private booking for your crew, then bask in the big screen glow.

From the Springfield newsletter, August 15, 2026

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