GETT
I
NG
THE
R
E
AmericanAirlines
offers 12dailyflights to
Springfield (SGF)
from
Chicago
(
ORD
; 4flights
aday)and
Dallas/FortWorth
(
DFW
;8).OnNov. 5,
servicewill begin from
Charlotte
(
CLT
; 2).
every secondSaturday afternoon. Visit the
website for walkingmaps andparticipating
galleries.
Ffaw.org
PARKRECREATIONALLY
NathanaelGreene/
CloseMemorial Park
This picturesque citypark covers awhopping
114 acres and comprises 26distinct gardens
andoutdoor attractionswhere you can
get back tonaturewithout leaving the city
limits.Originally founded in 1975, thepark
has developed andexpandedover the years
to include a 12,700-square-foot Botanical
Center, walking and jogging trails, andwater
features. Take a calmingwalk through the
Zen-likeMizumotoJapaneseStrollGarden,
takeflight in theDr. Bill RostonButterfly
Houseor visit oneof thebotanical gardens
devoted tonativeMissouri plants andother
specialtyblooms.
Friendsofthegarden.org
EXPLOREADVENTUROUSLY
FantasticCaverns
In this case, you’renot somuchgettingout
as you aregoingbelow. But a trip through
FantasticCavernswill nodoubt show you a
new sideof Springfield.Discovered in 1862
by an area farmer, this cave is just oneof
more than anestimated6,500 in the area
formed as a result of seismic activity. Today,
guides lead tram tours through thisOzark
underbellywhere you’ll see cave formations,
natural passageways andmaybeeven agrot-
to salamander, oneof several native species
that call these caverns home. Best of all?The
caves are a constant 60degrees year-round,
making it aperfect activitynomatter the
season.
Fantasticcaverns.com
LEARNHISTORICALLY
Wilson’sCreekNational Battlefield
OnAug. 10, 1861, the secondmajor battleof
theCivilWar— and thefirst battle tohappen
west of theMississippi River—brokeout
near Springfield. It was especially significant
as it was the siteof thedeathofNathaniel
Lyon, thefirstUniongeneral tobe killed in
thewar. Today, theBattleofWilson’sCreek
is commemorated at thiswell-preservedna-
tional park, which features a 5-miledrivable
tour loop; the restoredRayHouse, the lone
dwelling to survive thebloodshed that be-
came amakeshift hospital for injured soldiers;
and amuseum containingCivilWar objects,
documents andphotos.
Nps.gov/wicr
SPECTATELEISURELY
SpringfieldCardinalsGame
Onpleasant evenings, sports fans flock
toHammons Field for someminor league
baseball action courtesyof theSpringfield
Cardinals.Grab aboxofCracker Jack and
cheer on thehome team, theDouble-A affil-
iateof theSt. LouisCardinals.Comehungry
onTuesdays, whenhot dogswill run you
just abuck apiece.Or let the littleones lace
’emup and run thebases after Sunday-night
games.Winor lose, anight at theballpark is
always ahome run.
Springfieldcardinals.com
FARMEDUCATIONALLY
Rutledge-WilsonFarm
CommunityPark
In anod to the rich agricultural historyof
Missouri, this 207-acre communitypark
welcomes visitors of all ages toexperience
lifeon a farm. Equal parts educational and
recreational, the family-friendly facility
boasts demonstration crops, live animals, a
milkingbarn, afishingpond andmore. The
friendly and knowledgeable staffhosts reg-
ular events, including their annual Fall Fest,
which features hay rides, a cornmaze and a
pumpkinpatch.
Parkboard.org/914/Rutledge-
WilsonFarmCommunityPark
–
JESSICA
JONES
4
5
6
3
2
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