Have you ever noticed that most small towns have that one place that stands out above the rest?…read moreThat one place that makes you want to stop and stay awhile? In Ozark, Mo., that one place is the Stained Glass Theatre (SGT), with its beautiful courtyard and welcoming atmosphere. The volunteers greet you with a smile, and the heartwarming chapel reminds me of sitting in an old country church. And on top of that, you have the fabulous set designs, the amazingly talented cast, and the outstanding backstage crew that brings it all together; it's a perfect place to spend your time. However, I think the best thing about SGT is that you can feel Jesus there. Their motto is "Serving Christ Through The Arts," and I can't imagine a better way to tell people what they stand for. In addition, they put on faith-based shows that are family-friendly, so you can feel comfortable there whether you are on a date, watching with your spouse and kids, your church group, or your parents. If you haven't been to Stained Glass Theatre, you're missing out. They change shows throughout the year, so grab yourself a season pass and enjoy it all year long. Trust me when I say you will be glad you did. You can check it out for yourself on their website: https://www.sgtheatre.com/.

This place is one of the hidden gems of the Ozarks! I have seen many shows here and every one of…read morethem has been delightful. Pay a visit to Stained Glass for uplifting and encouraging entertainment and fabulous intermission treats. Shows are all family-friendly and cover a nice variety throughout the year. They treat everyone like family in this place.

Love your track been going 20 years I seen a lot of stuff. Memories I have there when I was little…read moreI was caught up as a junior racer and you guys me and it was who was on the front of a quarter.

Very well maintained race track. Fun place for the family to go on a Saturday night for sure.read more

Watched Rock of Ages (Springfield Contemporary Theater). The performance far exceeded my…read moreexpectations. Singing was amazing, and actors were very entertaining. Highly recommend.

Always the best live performance value in our city. Such an intimate experience. Totally immersive…read more Please go when you can and support local theater.

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.

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

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

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.

Best macabre horror fringe theatre around! All of the shows are written by local artists and…read moreperformers!

I highly recommend Necrobroth Theatre. If you want to see original mind-blowing, provocative and…read moreoften scary shows there is no better place to see them in Springfield.

I love Beerfest. Yes, the tickets are pricy...but it benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of the…read moreOzarks. Drink beer and support kids...you don't get too many chances to do that! I am a Big with BBBS, so I know firsthand what a good organization it is, and how important that fundraisers like Beerfest are for our community. Soapbox aside, Beerfest is fun. Take a group of friends and enjoy an afternoon of beer tasting and nice people. Parking is easy, but they have cab services available if you need it. There are tons of booths from local and major craft breweries, and everything is free (yes, even the amazing salted caramel ice cream with bourbon candied bacon from Buckinghams...swoon). There are reps at every booth to help you discover new beers or learn how to make your own. The Homebrew Zoo has a large booth full of homebrewers that are proud to share their knowledge and let you try their creations. You can get a VIP ticket for a little more, which gives you collector glasses and early entry. Cops are meandering around, so everyone behaves. It's not a big sloppy drunkfest--there are no fights or loud people, so don't let an all day beerfest scare you away! It's worth it!

This is a regional Beer Fest that charges exorbitant admission prices and DOES NOT offer reduced…read moreadmission for designated drivers (would be easily identifiable through special wristbands/stamps). Aside from being a poor business practice, it is irresponsible when considering the dangers of drinking and driving. I doubt I will be returning next year.