WALKARTFULLY
FirstFridayArtWalk
DowntownSpringfield is home todozens of
venerable art galleries andexhibition spaces,
eachequallyworthyof an individual visit. But
why checkout one at a timewhen you can
explore 20 in the samenight?On thefirst
Friday eveningof everymonth, a rotating
roster of venues open their doors to the
public for theFirst FridayArtWalk, apopular
event that’s been takingplace in anofficial
capacity since 2001. Everymonth, hundreds
of patrons stroll the streets of theDowntown
ArtsDistrict, enjoying anight of art,music,
community and food.Miss thefirst Fridayof
themonth?A scaled-down sequel takes place
MAPS
&
LEGENDS
SPRINGFIELD,MISSOURI
,has the
ratherunusualdistinctionofbeing
hailedas thebirthplaceofRoute66,
despitebeingneither theoriginnor the
endpointof thehallowedhighwaywhere
20th-centuryAmericandriverswent
to“get theirkicks.”Instead, it’ssimply
where thename for thebygoneMother
Roadwasfirstproposed.
Thesedays,ofcourse,Route66 isbut
adistantmemory—as isthetirednotion
thatSpringfield isnothingmorethana
meanstoanend.Thankstodowntown
revitalizationefforts,ahealthyconcen-
trationofpublicparksand itsproximity
totheOzarkMountains, therearemore
reasonsthanevertovisitthisMidwest-
erngem.WhatSpringfieldmay lack in
theglitter-and-sequinsdepartment
(we’re lookingatyou,Branson), itmore
thanmakesup for inculture,historyand
naturalbeautythatvisitorsofallagescan
enjoy.Herearesixofour favoritewaysto
getout,allwhilestayingfirmly intown.
Fromarts toadventure,
enjoyeverything the
outdoorshas tooffer in
Springfield,Missouri
Get
Out!
40
SEPTEMBER2015
AMERICANWAY
I LLUSTRAT IONS
SCOTT CHAMBERS
1
