417 Magazine | 52 Perfect Saturdays | September 2024
features
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52 Perfect Saturdays
We’ve curated an idyllic yet attainable list of the best ways to spend 52 Saturdays in the Ozarks. It’s your playbook for a full year of weekends spent soaking up all the fun 417-land has to o er.
104
Why Don’t We Just Live Here?
Take a peek inside the newly transformed mid-century home of interior designer Nathan Taylor and J Tyler Whitmer tucked away on Fritts Lane. See why this home captures their hearts.
112
Hanging Her Future on a Dream
A er 20 years, Meghan Chambers reflects on the evolution of Staxx, a local boutique and Brentwood Shopping Center staple.
ON THE COVER: Finley Farms was the backdrop for this shot. Read about you-pick flower farms like theirs on p. 96.
From The Field
Start your day with strawberry ricotta pancakes from Rise on p. 119.
The Long Way
Social Life
WATCH
The Whole Story
417MAG.COM
You may have noticed, 417 has had a glow-up! Our rebrand and redesign is explained a little bit by our editor and publisher on upcoming pages, but if you want to see more about our rebrand and redesign, then you’re in luck. We have a whole new video on our website at 417mag.com/about showing the highlights of bringing this brand to life for you. You can also see a behind the scenes look at the rebrand process at 417mag.com/rebrand.
VOTE
New Look, Same Stories
417MAG.COM
Some things might have changed about 417 Magazine this month, but others are always going to stay the same. Best of 417 is back again, and we want to know all about your 417-land favorites. Head to 417mag.com/bestof to cast your votes now!
LISTEN
Your Ozarks Soundtrack
SPOTIFY
We put together a bangin’ playlist to go along with our 52 Perfect Saturdays feature, so you can listen while you drive around to these nearby fun- lled destinations. Check out the online version of this month’s feature for a link to the playlist.
MEET
417 for the Ozarks
CALENDAR.417MAG.COM
Catch the 417 team out and about across the Ozarks sharing our love for 417-land and hooking you up with our new swag. We’ll be at Cider Days, the Kickapoo vs. Republic high school football game, Spring eld Little Theater Preview Night for The Wizard of Oz, the Spring eld Symphony Orchestra season opener, the Imagine Dragons concert at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena and more. Find all of these events on our calendar. See you there!
READ In Case You Missed It
417MAG.COM
Not everything we write about makes it into print. Go to 417mag.com for a variety of online-only stories. If you’re not regularly checking in on our website then here are a few of our favorite recent stories:
417-Land to France
INSTAGRAM + 417MAG.COM
417 Magazine Digital Coordinator Elizabeth VanFosson took a whirlwind trip to Paris with her parents to attend the 2024 Olympics. Read about her trip and see photos at 417mag. com/parisolympics.
Music with a Message
417MAG.COM
Local singer-songwriter Matteson Gregory has become an advocate for the mental health community. We spoke to Matteson about her musical journey, read the interview at 417mag.com/mattesongregory.
DON’T MISS A THING
Visit 417mag.com/ newsletters to sign up for the best local newsletters. Table Talk brings you don’tmiss food news every Tuesday, Datebook o ers the top weekend events every Thursday, and House of 417 is your monthly passport to inspired living.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Our November issue of the magazine features oodles of noodles! From ramen to mei fun, let us be your guide for where to load up on carbs in 417-land. Read it before anyone else by subscribing now. 417mag.com/ subscribe.
WE LOVE 417-LAND
We are a proud member of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the Ozark Chamber of Commerce, the Branson Chamber and Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City and Regional Magazine Association, the Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce, the Home Builders Association of Springfield and the Republic Area Chamber of Commerce.
EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR KATIE POLLOCK ESTES editor@417mag.com
MANAGING EDITOR & BUSINESS EDITOR DORI GRINDER dori@417mag.com
RESEARCH EDITOR JO JOLLIFF jo@417mag.com
CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS EDITOR & STAFF WRITER JORDAN BLOMQUIST jblomquist@417mag.com
EDITORIAL INTERNS ALLIE FREE & EMILY FUGE
CONSULTING CREATIVE DIRECTOR–REDESIGN CARLA FRANK CREATIVE
PHOTOGRAPHER & DESIGNER KATY ST. CLAIR kstclair@417mag.com
EDITORIAL DESIGN INTERN LAUREN GRAHAM
DIGITAL EDITOR JAMIE THOMAS jthomas@417mag.com
DIGITAL COORDINATOR ELIZABETH VANFOSSON evanfosson@417mag.com
EDITORIAL & ART CONTRIBUTORS JOSHUA BEECHER, MARY ELLEN CHILES, TESSA COOPER, SONY HOCKLANDER, SHERI HOLLOWAY, ANGELA HOUSKA, HEATHER KANE KOHLER, RYAN KOWALSKI, TARYN SHORR-MCKEE, MILES BOYER PHOTOGRAPHY, KEVIN O’RILEY, TORI REES, KRISTIN SHARP, LEAH STIEFERMANN, JENNIFER SWENSON, JULIE SWENSON, CARR WARD, DAN WILLIAMS, BRAD ZWEERINK
BUSINESS
PUBLISHER LOGAN AGUIRRE logan@417mag.com
VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS AND CUSTOM PUBLICATIONS MEGAN JOHNSONmjohnson@417mag.com
VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY AND SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE AMMIE SCOTTMOTES ascott@417mag.com
SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE JAMI WIGHTMAN jami@417mag.com
417 MAGAZINE 2111 S. EASTGATE AVE., SPRINGFIELD, MO 65809 417-883-7417 • FAX 417-889-7417
Editor’s Note
CHANGE IS GOOD
You’re reading 417 Magazine, I promise!
We look a little di erent (okay… a lot di erent). If you’re a longtime reader, then you know our logo has been the same since our earliest days. Since 1998, 417 has been shining a light on our community and inspiring you to live a life full of experiences, passion, purpose and pride in the 417-land. That’s literally our mission statement!
Although a lot has changed in the Ozarks since 1998, one thing that hasn’t changed is our brand. We knew it was time to refresh your reader experience and roll out a new promise to add to our mission. Ready for it? 417 Magazine: For the Ozarks
That means we are for you and this region. We are rooting for the people who make the Ozarks a great place to call home. We are creating content for you that brings a sense of place and the personality of 417land right onto the printed page. We want you to nd us everywhere: in your mailbox, in your inbox and in the community. And that’s because we know the Ozarks are full of stories worth celebrating.
This redesign was a huge undertaking and a huge team e ort. We worked with Consulting Creative Director Carla Frank. She started by getting to know us, our region (she’s from the East Coast) and the content we create. It was important to us that these Ozarks stories would have a home in print that was clean and beautiful. We wanted the stories to shine and for you to love them.
Sarah Patton, 417’s Creative Director, was Carla’s partner in crime throughout the year-long process of redesigning the magazine. She knows our content better than any designer out there, so she went through the redesign process right alongside Carla. Publisher Logan Aguirre and I met with them weekly too, and together we worked through all the details. The process was long, and fun and hard and enlightening—and exciting!
At the end of the day, the things I cared about more than anything else were the stories. I love living in 417-land. I love the beauty of the Ozarks. And I love the interesting people we meet as we go out in search of the best stories to share with you. This redesign gave us the perfect place to tell those stories, including in a new department devoted entirely to home design. I hope you have fun as you turn the pages of this edition to take in all the good stu we’ve made for you. Oh! And please, please send me a note to tell us what you think. We’re all ears.
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR KATIE@417MAG.COM
TALK TO US
Quick, I Need the Hug Emoji!
It’s like Christmas morning each month the 417 arrives. You’re so creative and the best in the business.
HALLEY FLEMING
Top Docs Is Buzzing
The results are in, and #MercyJoplin providers cleaned up in 417 Magazine’s Top Doctors contest! Counting winners and runners-up, our physicians placed in more than 50 categories! Congratulations to all, and thank you for what you do!
MERCY HOSPITAL JOPLIN, VIA FACEBOOK
Like, Really Buzzing
A huge congratulations to all of our current and alumni Summit families who were honored in the 417 Magazine 2024 Top Doctors issue! Your exceptional dedication and tireless commitment to healthcare have made a profound impact on Springfield and the surrounding areas. Your expertise and compassion ensure our community’s well-being and inspire future generations of medical professionals. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you for this outstanding achievement. Thank you for making our community healthier and stronger!
THE SUMMIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL, VIA FACEBOOK
To send us feedback or story ideas, email editor@417mag.com.
In the review of J.O.B. Public House in the August 2024 edition, we mistakenly said that J.O.B. had two decades of business under its belt. The restaurant originally opened in 2010, so “more than a decade” would have been more accurate. We regret the error.
Contributors
Our New Look
WELCOME TO A NEW ERA FOR THE Ozarks! Taking on a brand redesign alongside a full magazine redesign is exciting, terrifying, exhausting and rewarding. Projects like this take input and e ort from a deep bench of talent, and this Contributors page is the perfect place to say thank you. Beyond those you see here, every single person on our team had a hand in this e ort as well as awesome partners like Revel Advertising. I want to speci cally recognize our Creative Director Sarah Patton who shelved the idea of sleep in order to have the
Creative Director and Strategic Brand Consultant Carla Frank is internationally recognized for shaping premier brands. She worked closely with Oprah Winfrey as the Founding Design Director at O, The Oprah Magazine. Carla led the turnaround team for Cooking Light Magazine and was a member of the launch team of Saveur Magazine. She shared her creative vision at Condé Nast titles such as Traveler, Glamour Italia and Vanity Fair Italia. She travels at every chance, particularly to Italy, whose culture she loves.
perfect sunrise shot and ew to Denver to be on-site to ensure total perfection when this magazine came o of the printer. On behalf of the village that poured into bringing our new brand and design to life, I can tell you the most rewarding part is now, when we can share it all with you.
Joshua Beecher is an awardwinning photographer and adventurer with deep roots in the Ozarks. His work, which has been featured on numerous magazine covers, captures the natural world in its purest form, blending the rugged beauty of his homeland with the diverse landscapes he encounters in his travels. From the hills of the Ozarks to far-flung corners of the globe, Josh’s photography tells stories of the places and cultures he explores, reflecting a unique blend of local pride and worldly experience.
Sarah has been at 417 for nearly six years, leading a talented creative team in showcasing the best of 417-land. Born and raised in the Midwest, she has a deep appreciation for local culture, which, combined with her collaborative leadership style, drives innovative design and storytelling. With a background in advertising and marketing, Sarah excels at helping brands and publishers connect with their audiences. Outside of work, she enjoys life in Springfield with her husband, 3-year-old son and two cheeky dogs.
Katy is the face behind the lens. She’s been a photographer and creative small business owner in 417-land for more than eight years. She graduated with a degree in journalism from Evangel University and is a Louisiananative. Outside of her usual adventures capturing photos for 417, Katy recently created new publisher’s note photos (like the one above) by building a style guide and location plan to match the elevated look of the redesign. When she’s not planning a photoshoot, Katy is planning her next travel adventure.
PHOTOS BY KATY ST. CLAIR, BRANDON ALMS, LEAH STIEFERMANN, COURTESY
CARLA
FRANK,
JOSHUA
BEECHER
Carla Frank
Joshua Beecher
Sarah PattonKaty St. Clair
PHOTOGRAPHER
PHOTOGRAPHER
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
REDESIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Furniture from Across the Pond
ONE FAMILY TREKS TO EUROPE AND BACK IN SEARCH OF UNIQUE ANTIQUES FROM OVERSEAS.
BY HEATHER KANE KOHLER
417 Vintage Market brings hand-picked vintage finds from abroad to Branson.
HIDDEN GEMS
WHEN JESSICA AND JEREMIA Froyland, the owners of 417 Vintage Market (Branson), found it di cult to source vintage and antique furnishings in the United States, they began traveling overseas in search of
unique items with a history to share. Those items make their way back to the Ozarks and nd a home at their three- oor-tall store that has an on-site co ee shop. This spot is as much of an experience for visitors—thanks to its enormous size—as it was a place to nd new treasures. But after ve years in the Branson area, the Froylands knew they wanted to continue to grow their vintage
Jessica and Jeremia Froyland created a one-of-a-kind vintage shopping destination in the heart of downtown Branson with three stories spread across 15,000 square feet to explore.
PHOTOS
and antique side of 417 Vintage Market. “In an e ort to continue to keep providing older items to clients, we had to start traveling,” says Jessica. “We took the kids on a two-week European shopping trip to source items.”
The ability to buy large quantities of furniture and decor items and then have them shipped in containers back to the United States has allowed them to bring in unique pieces. “People love items with a story and history,” says Jessica. “The pieces we nd are unique to this area and just so di erent.”
“In an effort to continue to keep providing older items to clients, we had to start traveling. We took the kids on a twoweek European shopping trip last Christmas and over the New Year to source items.” Interior Design By
The Froylands have traveled to the United Kingdom, London, Belgium, France, India, Hungry, Germany and Switzerland looking for furnishings to bring home. They are excited to be o ering such unique pieces to their customers. They bought the contents of an old bakery in Eastern Europe and have collected Dutch tulip crates, old doors, baskets and vintage terracotta. “We tried to get a lot of stu that would sell for the following season,” says Jessica. “Some of my favorite recent nds were a really old 5-foot clock from a church and a really amazing hutch with glass.” The Froylands were surprised to nd so many smaller items they loved in Europe. “Homes are smaller there so naturally the pieces are smaller,” says Jeremia. As the Froylands travel they are learning as they go. The store is always evolving and growing, but the shopping experience—and the thrill of nding that perfect piece—stays the same.
NI SE KAY WRIGHT
Photo by Starboard & Port
David Burton and a group of his neighbors paint quilt patterns on old barn boxes.
The Power of Reaching Out
BY JULIE SWENSON
DAVID BURTON BELIEVED hewas a good neighbor. He removed his Christmas lights before New Year’s Day. He picked up after his dog. He was quiet and didn’t bother anyone. But in 2018, Burton and his wife, Stacey, realized that they didn’t know the names of any of their neighbors. The Burtons decided to do more to connect. “I printed a card with my contact info, and Stacey made cookies,” he says. “We knocked on doors and introduced ourselves.” When Burton took his dog for walks, he left his headphones at home to be approachable. When mowing his lawn, he stopped to greet passersby. When COVID-19 hit, the Burtons hosted Friday dinners in their driveway.
As the Community Development Specialist for University of Missouri Extension, Burton recognized that neighboring is a key
component of community development. “Social capital has waned in the United States,” says Burton. “We are isolated behind three pieces of glass—the smartphone, the TV screen and the windshield. We socialize only with people who look and think like us, to the detriment of our society and democracy.” In his research, Burton has uncovered numerous bene ts of neighboring, including improvement in physical and emotional health, reduction in crime and increased civic engagement. According to Burton, neighboring is a matter of prevention. “Neighbors are rst responders,” he says, “and when there’s a con ict, conversations go better with someone you have a relationship with.” Inspired by his own experiences in what he calls “front yard living,” Burton created the Engaged Neighbor Program in 2019. The program features Neighboring 101, a popular monthly Zoom class with guest
speakers and participants from across the country. The Engaged Neighbor Program also includes the award-winning Engaged Neighbor Newsletter and three annual events: Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day in March, Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week in June and Good Neighbor Week in September. Signed into law in 2022, Missouri Good Neighbor Week is the rst of its kind in the United States, and Burton’s advocacy was at the heart of its designation. Burton’s statewide study, “The State of Neighboring,” surveys participants about their perceptions of neighboring. He and his sta use the ndings to chart progress and guide programming for the future. Whether Burton is providing one-on-one coaching or speaking to a large group, he reminds audiences that being a good neighbor is about making connections. “Learn and use neighbors names,” he says. “Find an excuse to get together. Don’t worry about entertainment. Keep it simple. Are you having a cookout? Grill two extra burgers. Invite a neighbor to something you’re already doing. Every neighborhood needs a spark plug.”
Missouri Good Neighbor Week
September 28–October 4
Join Good Neighbor Week by visiting MissouriGoodNeighborWeek.com. There are many ways to plug in on their initiative, including: Honor a neighbor who goes above and beyond by nominating them for recognition. Nominees are accepted year-round, with prizes awarded during Good Neighbor Week. Perform an act of kindness for a neighbor and inspire others by sharing it. Nearly 20,000 acts of neighboring were documented in 2023.
BY
PHOTO
KATY ST. CLAIR
JOIN IN
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PARTNER SPOTLIGHT GIVING BACK
Ways to give back
Get Involved If you, your church, your civic organization or business would like to join in helping as part of a Unified Collective please email Pastor Mike pastormike@resurrectionsgf.com. If you would like to give help o set the cost of these initiatives or help us get ready for 2025, please visit resurrectionsgf.com and select the “generosity” tab or you can mail a gi to the church’s PO Box.
417-865-4374
RESURRECTIONSGF.COM PO BOX 9343, SPRINGFIELD
Gather. Group. Serve.
RESURRECTION CHURCH
under the leadership of Pastor Mike Randle, is not just a place of worship; it’s a beacon of authentic community engagement and service.
Embodying its core values of belonging, belief, prayer, active participation, and grace, Resurrection Church strives to create a space where everyone feels at home, regardless of background or circumstance. This ethos extends beyond the church walls, as shown by their active involvement in the Springfield community.
From partnering with local schools to hosting mobile food pantries and providing space for essential classes, Resurrection Church is dedicated to meeting the community’s needs in tangible ways. On August 17th, the second annual Back to School Bash and Day of Giving provided backpacks and school supplies to the students and teachers of Weller Elementary and McGregor Elementary. For this event, Convoy of Hope partnered with Resurrection Church to provide groceries, diapering products, laundry soap, Bombas socks and Plum organic nutritional smoothies. Care To Learn also contributed by supplying hygiene kits to the kids and their families.
We believe that if all churches work together, we can make a tremendous impact by loving our neighbors. Our goal for 2025 is for the Unified Collective to support four schools, ensuring that students start the school year on the right foot.
Continuing with a clear mission to connect individuals with God while serving the community, Resurrection Church is excited to welcome everyone to its services and events. Join us as we grow together in faith and fellowship.
GRASSROOTS
New Neighbors, Coming in Hot
HISTORIC SCHOOL FINDS NEW LIFE AS KINGDOM COFFEE PLANS A NEW LOCATION IN THE BOYD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LIBRARY.
BY TESSA COOPER
THROUGHOUT THE PAST decade, Kingdom Co ee has become a name synonymous with local Spring eld co ee, thanks to the success of its downtown and Lone Pine locations. Now, the business is expanding its reach even further by adding a third spot to its roster, located in the former Boyd Elementary School library in Spring eld’s Midtown National Register District. This Northside neighborhood is the city’s largest remaining concentration of historic residential architecture, according to the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation. The new location will span 2,100 square feet and will include ground oor, loft and outdoor seating, plus a robust, expanded food and beverage menu.
Kingdom Coffee opens their third, and perhaps most unique, location in a former school.
Co-owners Chris McGuire, Isaac Neale, Jason Strother and Nathan Boaldin are looking forward to re-establishing roots in North Spring eld. Neale
Wipe On, Wipe Off
Our favorite kitchen assistant is made from recycled materials and is available locally at The Market.
Kids make messes. Kitchen towels clean messes. Then those towels become stained rags that don’t deserve to be on display. Recently, though, I started using Geometry tea towels. I’d been wanting to try them, then my son gi ed me one he bought at The Market in Springfield. And I’m happy to report: function lives up to form! The towels are a so , fine microfiber (but not the kind that feels disgusting to touch) made from recycled materials. That little ecological win somehow translates to excellent absorbency and a supremely washable product that still looks clean a er many, many messes. Plus, they dry in a flash. A workhorse in the kitchen that looks great doing it? I’ll take five more.
KATIE POLLOCK ESTES
open-
and McGuire are Northside residents themselves, and Kingdom Co ee originally opened as The Hub Co ee & Bicycles in 2009 on the edge of the Midtown neighborhood before relocating downtown. “With our new opportunity to be in the Midtown Neighborhood, we want to provide something that belongs to that neighborhood,” Strother says. “This is a rare opportunity to be not just close to the neighborhood but actually in the neighborhood.” Upon entering, guests who’ve attended a Spring eld Public Schools elementary may feel a sense of nostalgia, because many of the school libraries feature the same blueprint. “We want it to be a truly beautiful and remarkable space that plays o the prior library,” McGuire says. The new location has a target open ing date of late 2024. Arkifex Studios and Boyd School Redevelopment Corporation are currently repurposing the building into 17 market-rate apartment units available for pre-leasing April 12.
SHOW
You’re Hot, Then You’re Cold
WE HEADED TO THETA WELLNESS CENTER TO SEE WHAT ALL THE FUSS WAS ABOUT FOR IMMERSION CONTRAST THERAPY.
BY JORDAN BLOMQUIST
ON A RECENT MONDAY, I HADN’T EXPECTED TO FIND MYSELF face-to-face with a cold plunge—but there we were: me, 417 photographer Katy St. Clair and a Titan cold plunge tub lled with, truly, the coldest water I had ever felt. I’d heard athletes and celebrities rave about the bene ts of cold plunging, but it never appealed to me. The idea of becoming submerged in near-freezing water just didn’t sound relaxing. Recently, though, a practice called contrast therapy has been on the rise. It involves alternating between a cold plunge and a sauna in the same session. “Contrast therapy has become very mainstream with more research,” says Amber Shoemaker, manager at Theta Wellness Center (Spring eld). “[The cold plunge and sauna] both have very similar bene ts, but it has been shown the contrasts boost all of those for you.” There’s an ongoing debate about whether cold plunging bene ts mental or physical health more—turns out it supports both. “It’s great for reducing in ammation and for physical, mental and psychological health,” she says. “It’s great for stress and
WE TRIED IT
anxiety, and depression as well.” According to Shoemaker, the practice resets the mitochondria on the surface of your skin, and the immune system bene ts from the lymphatic work done in the cold plunge.
I decided to test out these bene ts myself. I had been in a sauna before, but never a cold plunge. Like with anything that makes me uncomfortable, I did what I always do before going: spend hours scrolling “I wish I knew this before I went” articles and wondering how I tend to get myself into these situations. I learned a few things that helped, though. For starters, it’s going to be cold—really cold. In fact, Theta’s cold plunge sits at 48°F. I also learned that it takes people many tries before they can endure the cold for minutes at a time, so I made sure to give myself grace.
Walking into Theta was like walking into a wellness retreat in the heart of Springeld. The lights were dim, with ambiance lighting glowing in every corner of the
Staffer Jordan Blomquist tried contrast therapy at Theta Wellness Center.
From e Field
“Like with anything that makes me uncomfortable, I did what I always do before going: spend hours scrolling ‘I wish I knew this before I went’ articles and wondering how I tend to get myself into these situations.”
spa. I immediately felt more comfortable walking into the lobby, which is their goal: to create an environment where customers feel safe. Before diving into my session, I chatted with Shoemaker, and she recommended I start with the cold plunge, then move to the sauna and nish with another plunge. “Give yourself about ve minutes in between so that it is not a shock on your system and they can work together,” Shoemaker says. Conveniently, the Finnish sauna and cold plunge are in the same room, so I could use both during my session. I stood over the tub convincing myself I had to take the plunge—how hard could it be, right? Wrong! While there are many physical bene ts of the cold plunge to anticipate, I immediately experienced the mental and psychological challenges upon sinking into the piercingly cold water. There is something to be said about your mind telling you that you can’t do something, and then overcoming those thoughts and doing it anyway. I may not have been able to stay in as long as I did—which wasn’t that long, I should add—if Katy hadn’t been there to motivate and cheer me on. Thanks, Katy!
Getting in was just the tip of the iceberg. As soon as you nd stillness, it gets unbearably cold. This being my rst cold plunge, I couldn’t last the recommended minimum of three to ve minutes. I now understand why it takes many people several attempts to build the mental toughness to endure that long. Luckily, Shoemaker encouraged me beforehand to
be proud of myself if I made it at least 30 seconds—and that I did!
After my rst round in the cold plunge, I waited the recommended ve minutes before entering the Finnish sauna, which heats the room to temperatures between 150°F and 195°F. Stones are placed on the heater with a bowl of water nearby, so you can generate steam by tossing it on the sizzling hot stones. It felt like a science experiment to gently pour water on the stones and watch the steam rise. This added humidity, which was surprisingly more relaxing than a dry heat following the intense cold. The Finnish sauna’s steam and high heat are what separates it from a traditional infrared sauna. It is recommended to spend 12 to 20 minutes in the sauna to experience the bene ts—and to rinse o before going back to the cold plunge.
I completed the session with one more cautiously optimistic dip in the cold plunge. Yep, still shockingly cold.
Experiencing the cold plunge and Finnish sauna on a Monday was the best thing I could do for myself. Typically, Mondays are di cult as I transition back to the week’s routine after the weekend. I tend to be more tired and make more frequent trips to the co ee machine as the day drags on. But on this Monday, I found myself more energized than ever.
If the long-term bene ts ring true, I can see why people quickly become addicted to cold plunging. Will I? Only time will tell.
Take the Plunge
Local wellness centers that o er hot and cold therapy:
Theta Wellness Center theta.life, 417-812-5135
1339 E. Montclair St., Springfield Below Zero Cyro Spa belowzerocyro.com, 417-360-1044
1374 E. Republic Rd., Springfield Counter Negative counternegative.com, 417-420-9223
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Coffee Beans and Leafy Greens
AT URBAN GROUNDS COFFEE + PLANT LAB, CALLIE SITTON HAS CREATED A COZY HUB FOR COFFEE AND PLANT ENTHUSIASTS ALIKE—WHILE KEEPING COMMUNITY TOP OF MIND.
BY JENNIFER SWENSON
CAFFEINE AND CHLOROPHYLL. FOR CALLIE SITTON, THEY’RE THE PERFECT BLEND.
As owner of Ozark’s Urban Grounds Co ee + Plant Lab, Sitton oversees a boutique shop that o ers signature recipes, a plant lab and artisan gifts.
Five years ago, Sitton didn’t envision becoming a business owner. An Ozark native, she’d been a long-time educator, rst at Highlandville Elementary and then at Parkview High School. “I planned to teach forever,” Sitton says. But during a girls’ trip to Oklahoma, she found a really fun place that o ered plants and pots. “There was nothing like it back home,” she says.
Soon after her trip, schools were upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sitton’s fellow teachers said they needed a co ee shop—something to bring a little joy. She began to research the concept of a combined co ee and plant shop.
Sitton met with a business advisor, she crunched numbers, and in August 2022, she opened Urban Grounds.
BY BY
PHOTO
KATY ST. CLAIR
PROFILE
At Urban Grounds Coffee + Plant Lab, Callie Sitton combines tasty snacks and fresh plants.
Sitton is proud to provide items that are not available elsewhere in 417-land. Nearly all of Urban Grounds’ syrups are original, and menu items are in uenced by the changing seasons or personal stories. “My grandma made a strawberry rhubarb pie, and she would spread the leftover lling on a piece of toast for my grandpa,” says Sitton. That strawberry rhubarb pie inspired two items that appeared on Urban Grounds’ spring menu: Granny’s Pie Toastie and Granny’s Pie Latte.
In its plant lab, Urban Grounds allows locals to dig in and get creative. “We make planting seamless and fun,” she says. “Pick a plant to pot, use our soil station and leave the mess here.”
Above all, Sitton envisions Urban Grounds as a place to build community. “At least 10 Bible study groups meet here,” says Sitton. The location hosts bunco nights, wine tastings and holiday festivities. This month, Urban Grounds will host the Turn 417 Pink soirée, which supports American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer SWMO campaign. And Sitton came full circle to her roots in education when she talked about entrepreneurship to a business class from Ozark High School. “It’s amazing to talk to future generations, and to look at your community and see a need,” she says.
The Good Stu
Our favorite menu items:
Salted Caramel Toffee Latte: a cozy cup of espresso complete with housemade caramel and to ee nut syrup
Chili Avo Crunch Toastie: whipped ricotta and garlic chili crunch oil on top toasted sourdough and avocado
Turkey Panini: served with pesto mayo, red onion, tomato and provolone
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT MEDICAL
“Dr. Frydrych is excited to establish her practice in Springfield and bring the techniques that she has learned from world renowned experts during her training.”
The Center for Plastic Surgery
The Center for Plastic Surgery is excited to announce that DR. LYNN FRYDRYCH is joining their practice. She completed her undergraduate degree in American Sign Language interpreting at William Woods University in Fulton, Missouri, and her medical education at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wisconsin. During medical school, she was selected as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Research Scholar, a prestigious program where she completed an additional year of research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She then completed three years of general surgery training and an additional two years of research as a T32 postdoctoral research fellow at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Finally, she completed her training in Plastic Surgery at UCLA in Los Angeles, California, and a fellowship in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery with an emphasis on body contouring after massive weight loss at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Frydrych is excited to establish her practice in Spring eld and bring the techniques that she has learned from world-renowned experts during her training. She looks forward to working with her patients to achieve their aesthetic and reconstructive goals.
From e Field
The Gillioz Theatre is hosting several movie night matinees throughout the month.
September Calendar
On the agenda this month: nonstop fun. Fill your days with the season’s best local events.
BY ALEX OSREDKER
WATERCOLOR
USA
Through September 1
The Spring eld Art Museum presents the 63rd exhibition of Watercolor USA, which recognizes contemporary American watermedia painting. This event features art from across the United States and is judged for a variety of prizes and potential purchase by the Spring eld Art Museum. Spring eld Art Museum, 1111 E. Brookside Drive, Spring eld; sgfmuseum.org
GILLIOZ MOVIE MATINEE: NORTH BY NORTHWEST
September 4
Enjoy this classic 1959 suspense lm showing at the Gillioz Theatre. Plus, if you arrive at 1:45 p.m., you’ll be able to participate in Ozarks Elder Law’s trivia event prior to the showing.
$5–10; 3 p.m., Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central E., Spring eld; gillioztheatre.com/ events
WOW SEA-RENITY YOGA
September 5
Enjoy a one-hour restorative yoga class while taking in the Open Ocean exhibit at Wonders of Wildlife. This relaxing class, led by a certi ed yoga instructor, is great for all skill levels. Attendees are instructed to bring their own yoga mats.
$16; 5:30 p.m., Wonders of Wildlife, 500 W. Sunshine St., Spring eld; wondersofwildlife.org
From e Field Calendar
CASABLANCA GALA
September 6
Help support a great cause while enjoying live music, dinner with friends, ra es and a casino after-party at the 8th Annual CASAblanca Gala. Proceeds contribute to helping create brighter futures for local children in foster care.
Ticket prices vary; 5:30 p.m., Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Spring eld; casaswmo.org
FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK
September 6
Immerse yourself in the 417-land art scene and stroll through downtown Spring eld, exploring local art, music and more on this free, self-guided tour.
Free; 5 p.m., Downtown Spring eld; springeldarts.org
JAPANESE FALL FESTIVAL
September 6–8
This annual event celebrates all things Japanese culture. Put on by Spring eld Sister Cities Association, the Japanese Fall Festival features visitors from sister city Isesaki, Japan who perform musical, craft and other demonstrations. Come for entertainment, activities and good food—all inside the beautiful Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden.
$4–14; times vary by day; Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden, Nathanael Greene/ Close Memorial Park, 2400 S. Scenic Ave., Spring eld; peacethroughpeople.org
COUNTRY MUSIC DAYS
September 6–8
Head down to Silver Dollar City for their annual Country Music Days festival. Enjoy delicious food and refreshing drinks as you and your crew hear music from various country artists.
Silver Dollar City, 399 Silver Dollar City Parkway, Branson; silverdollarcity.com
ROUNTREE HISTORICAL WALK AND TALK SERIES
September 7
Head over to the Rountree neighborhood for their third Historical Walk and Talk of 2024. Attendees will hear from local
experts in architecture about the neighborhood’s history and preservation e orts while enjoying light snacks and drinks.
7–9 p.m., Rountree Neighborhood, 1470 E. Meadowmere St., Spring eld; rountree-preservation.com
WES DICKINSON
SEPTEMBER 7
Enjoy live music from Wes Dickinson, solo acoustic artist as he performs a variety of songs from di erent genres, including country, blues and pop.
Fresh from the Tree
Visit these local orchards to pick your own apples, or purchase some freshly grown beauties from their farmstands.
Gardener’s Orchard & Bakery
Brighton
This month and next, this farm’s orchard opens up to visitors wanting to pick a peck of those sweet and tasty morsels. But it’s not the only thing there is to do there. You can also pick a bouquet of zinnias or grab a snack. The cider donuts and cider slushes are super-craveable. The farm’s fall festival runs now through late October.
Murphy Orchard
Marionville
This month, head to Murphy Orchard for you-pick apples. Or stop by the farmstand for several apple varieties (like Cameo and Jonagold, or the new-this-year Ludacrisp), plus other treats like fresh grapes, jarred foods and lots more.
Sunshine Valley Farm
Rogersville
Their Jonathan apples are the best we’ve ever had, but Sunshine Valley Farms grows several other varieties as well, like the huge Ozark Gold apples, the flavorful Mutsu, or the tart-crisp Liberty apples. If you’re not up for picking, the farmstand o ers fresh apples too and other farmgrown goodies like berries and veggies.
6:30 p.m., Turkey Creek Brewery, 1865 S. State Highway 65, Hollister; turkeycreekbrewery.com
IMAGINE DRAGONS AT THUNDER
RIDGE NATURE ARENA
September 8
Snag your tickets to hear Imagine Dragons live at Thunder Ridge Arena and enjoy hits like “It’s Time,” “Whatever It Takes” and “Believer.”
Take the kiddos to the Dickerson Park Zoo for some family fun. The zoo o ers special events each month, so make sure to check their calendar to plan your visit. September 8 is Grandparents’ Day and September 14 is Brew at the Zoo.
$0–19; Dickerson Park Zoo, 1401 W. Norton Rd., Spring eld; dickersonparkzoo.org/ events
AN EVENING WITH RICHARD DREYFUSS
September 11
Hear from Richard Dreyfuss, Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globewinning actor, as he shares his perspective on his career in Hollywood, including civic engagement and his creative process.
$65–100; 7 p.m., Aetos Center for the Performing Arts, 514 S. Nicholas Road, Nixa; aetoscenter.net/events/aetos-events
HARVEST FESTIVAL
September 13–October 26
Bring together the whole family and enjoy Silver Dollar City’s Harvest Festival. Festivities include tasty treats, great music, Halloween fun and more.
Silver Dollar City, 399 Silver Dollar City Pkwy., Branson; silverdollarcity.com
COCKTAIL MIXOLOGY—APPLES & S’MORES
September 13
Embrace quintessential fall vibes with Wonders of Wildlife and 417 Cocktails at this mixology class, where attendees will
NEW CONSTRUCTION
River Ranch Ozark
The Element Branson
From e Field Calendar
craft the perfect autumn cocktails, one shaken and one stirred.
$48; 6:30 p.m., Wonders of Wildlife, 500 W. Sunshine St., Spring eld; wondersofwildlife.org
BARN DANCE
September 13
Put on your dancing shoes and head to Sycamore Creek Family Ranch for a night full of two-stepping, line dancing, pizza and more! Pre-purchasing of tickets is required, so make sure to visit their website to get yours before the event. And if you don’t want to drive home after, you can book a Conestoga glamping wagons.
$0-15; Sycamore Creek Family Ranch, 2657 Sunset Inn Road, Branson; sycamorecreekfamilyranch.com
LIT-FEST
September 14
Calling all bookworms. This Saturday, the Farmers Market of the Ozarks will be
hosting local authors and story time for the whole family in addition to their regular festivities.
8 a.m., Farmers Market of the Ozarks, 2144 E. Republic Rd., Spring eld; loveyourfarmer.com
10TH ANNUAL MO FOOD TRUCK FEST
September 14
Grab your foodie friends and head to the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds for the annual Missouri Food Truck fest. Food options will include burgers, cajun food, BBQ, pizza, tacos, sweet treats and more.
11 a.m., Ozark Empire Fairgrounds & Event Center, 3001 N. Grant Ave., Spring eld; ozarkempirefair.com
PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ
September 14
Spring eld Symphony Orchestra is kicking o their 90th anniversary with a special evening of music, including Rimsky-
Korsakov’s triumphant Procession of the Nobles, Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony.
Ticket prices vary; 7:30 p.m., Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, 525 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, Spring eld.
AUTUMN DAZE ARTS, CRAFTS & MUSIC FESTIVAL
September 19–21
Downtown Branson is hosting the 51st Autumn Daze fall festival. With over 100 vendors including artists and food trucks, live music and the Sleds of the Midwest Classic Car Show on Commercial Street. Downtown Branson; 100 W. Atlantic St., Branson; downtownbranson.org
TRAVEL THE WORLD THROUGH WINE
September 19
Take “wine & dine” to the next level as you drink your way across the globe. Enjoy favorites from Spain, Eastern Europe, South America, South Africa and more
Give a Schnitzel
It may not be October yet, but it’s already time for Oktoberfest. Pick your favorite (or a few!).
For the Aspiring Cook Oktoberfest Date Night at Pickwick & Cherry
This hands-on cooking class for two will have you expertly preparing sauerkraut, spaetzle, stu ed pretzel rolls and apple strudel in no time! Oktoberfest classes are o ered September 26–28. To register, visit pickwickandcherry.com.
For Ozark and Nixa Brewery-Goers
Oktoberfest at 4 by 4 Brewing Company
This fun-filled event is back for year two, and it’s bigger than ever. Come for great food vendors and seasonal beers, homemade alcoholic slushies, live music and compete in Oktoberfest-themed games. Join the fun on September 21.
as you and your fellow wine enthusiasts taste carefully selected samples.
$35; MaMa Jean’s Natural Market, 3530 E. Sunshine St., Spring eld; mamajeansmarket.com/events
For Beer Lovers
Oktoberfest at 14 Mill Market
The 14 Mill Market is adding stein-hoisting, sing-alongs, dancing, a lederhosen-filled fashion show and food specials on September 28.
For Mother’s Crew
Oktoberfest in the Ozarks at Mother’s Brewing Company
Mother’s annual Oktoberfest is stacked with fun and bratwurst, pretzels and local brews on September 21.
MARSHFIELD HARVEST DAYS
September 20–21
Head to Marsh eld for their annual fall festival, featuring the Pumpkin’ Chuckin’ contest for all ages on Saturday
and live music, food trucks and plenty of other vendors to purchase handmade products and lots of fall decor.
Kick o the season and taste avors of fall at Cider Days this year. Grab a hot or cold cup of the festivals namesake and explore the variety of regional artists, crafters and performances.
10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Downtown Spring eld; 900 E. Walnut St., Spring eld; itsalldowntown.com/ciderdays
FALL KICKOFF AT FARMERS MARKET OF THE OZARKS
September 21
Get the fall season started with a visit to Farmers Market of the Ozarks. There
LOYAL TO LOCAL
From e Field Calendar
are lots of seasonal décor, food and drinks available during this fun event.
8 a.m., Farmers Market of the Ozarks, 2144 E. Republic Rd., Spring eld; loveyourfarmer.com
PINK
RIBBON LUAU
September 21
The Pink Ribbon Luau is back for its third year. Enjoy an evening with dinner, a silent auction, games and more, all bene ting Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.
$30, 6–10 p.m., The Queen City Eagles Lodge, 603 West Plainview Road, Spring eld. For more information, reach out to Janelle O-Neill at pinkribbonluau@ aol.com.
ROAD TO HOME GALA
September 21
Join FosterAdpot Connect of Spring eld for their annual Road to Home Gala at The Old Glass Place. Attendees will enjoy a local band, delicious food, games and a silent auction, all to raise funds to help keep children safe and end child abuse and neglect.
$125; 5 p.m., Old Glass Place, 521 E. St. Louis St., Spring eld; fosteradopt.com
PITBULL: PARTY AFTER DARK TOUR AT THUNDER RIDGE ARENA
September 21
Snag your tickets to hear Pitbull live at Thunder Ridge Arena and enjoy hits like “I Know You Want Me” and “Timber.”
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the Gillioz Theatre as you take a tour of the
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT TRANSFORMATION
Before and After
BROOKLINE DOORWORKS is rede ning home transformation with their exquisite attention to detail and commitment to quality. Known for their exceptional craftsmanship, they have recently completed two remarkable projects that showcase their ability to enhance any space.
The rst project is a stunning renovation of a suburban home that embraced a fresh, modern look. The “before” photo reveals a dated exterior with an uninspiring garage door. After Brookline Doorworks worked their magic, the “after” photo reveals a sleek, contemporary facade featuring a stylish, custom-designed garage door. The transformation not only updated the home’s aesthetic but also improved its curb appeal signi cantly.
In their second project, Brookline Doorworks turned their attention to new construction. The “before” photo shows a basic framework of a lake house, while the “after” photo displays a breathtaking retreat. The custom garage door seamlessly blends with the house’s design, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication that elevates the entire property.
Beautiful garage doors are more than just an aesthetic upgrade; they can signicantly increase a property’s overall value.
Brookline Doorworks understands this, o ering tailored solutions that meet both functional and stylistic needs. Their work stands as a testament to how transformative the right garage door can be.
theatre and learn about its history. Plus, if you’re a Producer Level 26 Club Member, you can attend this tour for free.
$10; 1:45 p.m.; Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central East, Spring eld; gillioztheatre.com
GILLIOZ MOVIE MATINEE: THE PRINCESS BRIDE
September 27
Settle in at the Gillioz for romance, action and comedy as you enjoy this annual showing of the 1987 cult favorite lm The Princess Bride. Follow Westley, Princess Buttercup and other memorable characters as they hilariously stand up Prince Humperdinck in this quotable movie.
$8; 8 p.m., Gillioz Center for Arts & Entertainment, 325 Park Central E., Spring eld; gillioztheatre.com/events
FALL FESTIVAL AND ANTIQUE MARKET
September 28
Scho eld + Gray’s seasonal pop-up fall market includes unique vintage antiques, home decor, boutique items and gift vendors. Admission is $5 and includes live music and food trucks, all nestled in at a cozy little homestead in Fordland.
$5; 9 a.m.–3 p.m; 353 E. Main St., Fordland; scho eldgray.com
ARTSY ALLEY
September 28
Head to the Farmers Market of the Ozarks on the last Saturday of the month to peruse local artisans’ booths for beautiful, handmade items in addition to the local veggies, produce, owers and more they o er every week.
Free; 8 a.m.–1 p.m; Farmers Market of the Ozarks, 2144 E. Republic Rd., Spring eld; loveyourfarmer.com
99 TIMES PARTY
September 28
Enjoy a beautiful evening at the Spring eld Art Museum’s 99 Times Party, their signature fundraising event that brings together living art tableaux, spirits and delicious food to bene t the museum with a Music for the Muse theme.
5 p.m., Spring eld Art Museum, 1111 E. Brookside Drive, Spring eld; sgfmuseum.org
Design & Build the of Your Dreams
From e Field Calendar
FALL MARKET DAYS
September 28
Head to Cassidy Station for all the fall vibes at their second annual Fall Market Days! Festivities include crafts, antiques, clothing, homemade goodies, local produce and more..
Cassidy Station, 5176 N. Fremont Road, Nixa; cassidystation.com
DOWNTOWN OZARK MARKET DAYS
September 28
Every fourth Sunday between April and September, the Ozark Square hosts their Market Days. Listen to live music while perusing goodies from local farmers, artisans and crafters—plus, there’s lots of yummy treats, too.
Free; 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Ozark Square, 110 E. Church St., Ozark; 4csertoma.com/ozarkmarketdays
KAMERON MARLOWE: KEEPIN’ THE LIGHTS ON TOUR
September 29
Grab your country crew and head to the Gillioz Center for Arts & Entertainment to enjoy a concert from Kameron Marlowe, including hits “Giving You Up” and “On My Way Out.”
$30–125; 8 p.m., Gillioz Center for Arts & Entertainment, 325 Park Central E., Spring eld; gillioztheatre.com/events
DRIED FLORAL PUMPKINS WORKSHOP
September 29
Make your own home décor at Finley Farms’ Dried Floral Pumpkins workshop! Local artist and ower farmer Cherelle of Flora & Forge will guide attendees through a two-hour workshop on crafting the perfect centerpiece addition.
Make a day trip to Branson and visit the Branson Farmers Market, where you’ll nd handmade products like soap and honey in addition to local vegetables and produce. This farmers market is at the Branson Landing’s south parking lot, so make sure to visit some of the other shops while you’re there, too.
Check out the farmers market at Finley Farms for fresh produce, seasonal vegetables, a variety of meats, artisan snacks, crafts, ower bouquets and more. While you’re there, walk over to The Workshop for food, drinks and live music, too.
Walnut Grove’s Farmers Market runs from May through October, featuring an assortment of artisan crafts, baked goods, beautiful plants, and farm-fresh produce. In addition, there are local musicians and food trucks at each event, making it a great place to bring a blanket and relax after shopping some local goodies.
Free; Walnut Grove City Park, 212 E. College St., Walnut Grove.
YOU-PICK FLOWER EXPERIENCE
Saturdays in September
Embrace your inner garden fairy at Stone Hill Farm’s You-Pick Experience! After a quick demonstration of proper ower harvesting techniques, you’ll be free to roam the scenic ower farm to pick your favorite fresh blooms. Then use them to create a beautiful seasonal bouquet to display at home.
$40; Stone Hill Farm, 1049 West Stonehill Road, Ozark; stonehill owerfarm.com/visit
BLUE ROOM COMEDY CLUB
Ongoing
Blue Room Comedy Club has a stacked September lineup of comics you’ll want to see, including shows by Zoltan Kaszas, John Crist, Brad Upton and Carlos Mencia. Head over to the club to enjoy a night full of laughs.
Ticket prices and show times vary; Blue Room Comedy Club, 420 W. College St., Spring eld; blueroomcomedyclub.com
SPRINGFIELD CARDINALS
Ongoing
There are a lot of opportunities to get your baseball x this month. Grab a cold drink, enjoy some ballpark food and watch the Cardinals go head-to-head against Northwest Arkansas and other teams.
Visit Silver Dollar City to see nationallyrecognized pumpkin carver Barry Brown.
Ticket prices and game times vary; Hammons Field, 955 E. Tra cway St., Spring eld; milb.com/spring eld
BE A helping hand
As one team, we can come together to meet health, hunger, & hygiene needs so all kids can succeed in the classroom.
With one helping hand, you can impact a child life forever.
Our mission is to meet children’s emergent health, hunger, and hygiene needs so they can succeed in school.
LEND A HELPING HAND BY scanning the QR code, making a gift online at caretolearn.org, or by calling (417) 862–7771.
Break a Leg!
Here are our top picks for exciting shows this season.
Springfield Little Theatre at Landers Theatre
The Wizard of Oz
SEPTEMBER 13–29
is classic musical based on the 1939 lm of the same name will take you and your family on a journey down the yellow brick road toward the Emerald City.
Murder on the Orient Express
OCTOBER 18–27
Agatha Christie’s famous novel from 1934 gains new life in this play’s performance dotted with an eccentric cast of characters faced with the biggest mystery of their lives.
Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts
Peter Pan
SEPTEMBER 9–11
Indigenous playwright Larissa FastHorse’s
updated adaptation of a tale of the boy who’ll never grow up brings more depth to timeless characters and a more inclusive approach to the show’s message.
Dear Evan Hansen
OCTOBER 8–10
A modern Broadway staple about mental health, social media culture and the complicated emotions of high school comes to Spring eld this fall.
Springfield Ballet
Performance at Cider Days
SEPTEMBER 21 AND 22
If you missed the Ballet’s spring and summer shows, this is a great opportunity to catch up on their best highlights at the annual Cider Days fall festival.
The Nutcracker
DECEMBER 19–23
At Landers eatre, this
Christmas classic will feature chillingly beautiful performances from dozens of dancers from 417-land for its 39th annual performance. is beautiful ballet is a 417-land holiday tradition.
Springfield Symphony Orchestra at Hammons Hall
Puttin’ on the Ritz
SEPTEMBER 14
With a performance of Grieg’s Piano Concerto No. 1from guest artist Spencer Myer, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10—a rst for the Spring eld Symphony—and Procession of the Nobles, this orchestral concert will be lled will be lled with plenty of “high notes.”
I Got Rhythm
OCTOBER 5
A brand-new concerto from contemporary
ai composer Narong Prangcharoen will have its second-ever U.S. performance during this stage show-o of the Spring eld Symphony, followed by a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.
Aetos Center for the Performing Arts
An Evening With Richard Dreyfuss
SEPTEMBER 11
BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfuss comes to the Ozarks to speak onstage about his long and storied career in Hollywood.
Las Guaracheras
SEPTEMBER 24
Even as we move out of the hot summer months, salsa will always be in season with this band from Colombia. Listen to Afro-Latin music that you’ll want to dance
your heart out to and expand your horizons at this venue.
Ozarks Lyric Opera at Gillioz Theatre
A Foreign A air
SEPTEMBER 12
A sold-out event for the last two years, this performance invites patrons to join performers on the stage for food, drink and various operatic arias. ese performances will also feature Michael Spyres, an international opera star as well as the OLO’s artistic director.
The Tender Land
NOVEMBER 8 AND 10 is American opera from the mid-1900s is about the dawn of a new adolescent era. Written by composer Aaron Copland, it is a great entry point for those whove never seen opera but are seeking to dip their toe into the genre.
TheLongWay
BY SONY HOCKLANDER
Visit Alley Mill and Spring in Eminence for easy trails and picturesque picnic spots.
e Long Way
TREK THROUGH SOME of the Ozarks’ most peaceful spots as you spend a day exploring the historic mills that pepper our scenic rivers. The drive time between all four of these mills is roughly two hours, and each one features a pretty natural spring nearby. Choose two or three as a day trip or visit all four if you’re spending a night in the area.
Montauk Mill & Spring
120 miles northeast of Spring eld in Montauk State Park near the Current River Montauk Mill is a well-preserved landmark in Montauk State Park. Popular with anglers and families for its shing, camping, quaint cabins and trout hatchery, there’s plenty to see and do in the park if you visit for the day. You’ll nd picnic areas, playgrounds, easy bank shing, short trails and, uphill from the mill, Montauk Spring—headwaters of the Current River.
Stop by the Dorman L. Steelman Lodge for information and an ice cream cone at its old-fashioned soda bar. On scheduled occasions the gristmill is open to visitors, with park rangers or volunteers showcasing original machinery and mill history. If you’re lucky, you might see a resident brown bat hanging about.
Alley Mill & Spring
135 miles east of Spring eld in Eminence near the Jacks Fork River
The bright red Alley Mill is one of Missouri’s most recognized landmarks, and its picturesque setting on the banks of Alley Spring’s turquoise pool has been widely photographed. A century ago, the community around Alley Mill was thriving, which is re ected in the park today. Easy trails, picnic areas, historic buildings and a museum inside the two-story mill make this park a must-stop near the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Inside the mill completed in 1894, visitors can learn about 19th cen-
The Greer Mill and Spring features cascading streams with a variety of trails to soak up the peaceful beauty of these unique hidden locations.
tury life. A pretty trail leads around the mill pond. Along the trail, take a bridge back to the mill or continue along the spring branch to picnic areas and parking.
Greer Mill & Spring
145 miles southeast of Spring eld via the Greer Spring Trailhead near the Eleven Point River
Plan to hike trails at Greer Mill and Spring
PHOTOS BY CARR WARD, JOSHUA BEECHER
“The trail to Greer Spring leads to a fairy-like setting. The spring emerges from a cave surrounded by a lush moss and fern-strewn landscape, flowing quickly into a cascading stream.”
near the Eleven Point River. The preserved mill stands where it began operating in 1899 at the top of a hill near Greer Spring. A trail to the mill, named for early settler Samual Greer, was recently added from the Greer Spring trailhead parking lot. If you only have time for one of the trails, head for the gorgeous spring. That trail, nearly two miles out and back, leads to a fairy-like setting at stream level. Here, the spring emerges from a cave surrounded by a lush moss and fern-strewn landscape, owing quickly into a cascading stream. A second spring outlet 250 feet downstream from the cave swirls up from beneath the ow.
Falling Spring & Mill
140 miles southeast of Spring eld near the Eleven Point River
It doesn’t get more rustically charming than the mill at Falling Spring. Nor could it be easier to visit. This nearly 100-year-old mill at the end of a gravel country road is in a beautiful setting you can see the moment you park your car. Step out to nd a convenient picnic area, a tree-lined spring pond, the mill with an overshot wheel and the nearby Thomas and Jane Brown Cabin (circa 1851). The mill, smaller than most in the area, was built in the late 1920s to replace the former mill. It was used to grind corn, saw wood and provide electricity. What makes this setting so picturesque is the beautiful spring waterfall that ows from a rocky blu behind the mill. It’s the perfect peaceful spot to end a day spent exploring.
Relax & Renew
Contour Pod
Experience the next level of wellness and beauty. Stimulates collagen, increases circulation, stimulates lymphatic drainage, reduces fat cells and reduces inflammation.
Cold Plunge
Benefits that extend beyond the mental and chemical aspects of your body.
Refreshes body, reduces inflammation, increases blood circulation, reduces pain & stiffness, increases better sleep and boosts your dopamine.
e Long Way
WHERE TO WANDER
From Zero to MTB Hero
WE EXPLORE A DIFFERENT SIDE OF OZARKS TRAILS AT HOWLER BIKE PARK—A FAMILY-FRIENDLY DESTINATION THAT TRANSFORMS BEGINNERS INTO MOUNTAIN BIKING ENTHUSIASTS IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS.
BY TARYN SHORR-MCKEE
BEFORE MOVING TO THE OZARKS, I LIVED IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA. IT WAS THE perfecthome base for an outdoor and adventure travel writer who’s always spent her spare time hiking, camping, road-tripping and seeking out both Type I and Type II fun. One thing I never got into, though? Mountain biking. Not because of a lack of opportunity—the Southwest has an epic MTB scene—but because it’s not easy to get into as an adult who falls solidly into the beginner category. Arizona has famously diverse, challenging terrain that attracts experienced riders. Quite frankly, it’s intimidating. Unfortunately, gatekeeping is also common, discouraging newbies through exclusionary attitudes or behaviors.
So when 417 assigned me to spend a day at Howler Bike Park (howlerbikepark.com) in Walnut Shade with my two children, ages 8 and 10, I truly didn’t know what to expect.
I was pleasantly surprised a week before visiting Howler. Co-owner Jennifer Penny asked if my kids know how to ride and for their measurements, to reserve appropriately sized bikes. I was taken aback. Howler welcomes people who don’t even know how to ride?! It’s also rare that bike parks rent bikes. Or any gear, actually.
After explaining we all ride bicycles but have zero experience on mountain bikes, we scheduled a School of Shred lesson.
Explore the map at howlerbikepark.com to find a guide to the spot’s many trails.
Within 30 minutes of our afternoon check-in (during which I ordered a memorable dark chocolate-peanut butter latte from Howler Co ee), my kids were geared up and at the top of the mountain with Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association–certi ed instructor Hayden Cavanah. He resonated with the kids, managing to simultaneously teach them new skills and build their con dence. At the end of the day, Hayden and my kids rode Stroller Coaster, Howler’s green (entry-level) trail, back to Basecamp. I took the hiking trail, just one mile but steep. Both kids, who sat on mountain bikes for the rst time just hours before, successfully made it down and couldn’t wait to go again the next morning.
We stayed overnight in one of Howler’s glamping tents. Despite it being 90-something and humid, the air conditioner kept us comfortable. The tents don’t have bathrooms, but they’re just across from the brand-new bathhouse with showers. Visitors who prefer more traditional lodging
Eat, sleep and ride your way through Howler Bike Park with lodging and overnight glamping tents.
can book the Howler Hideout, a modern 700-square-foot apartment. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Howler also has primitive tent campsites and parking lot space for boondocking RVs.
My kids started day two in the skills park with Hayden. After an hour of learning the basics of jumps and cornering berms, and a quick stop at the playground, the trio tackled Stroller Coaster again. I stayed behind to chat with the owners and explore the grounds, and something occurred to me. My kids were out of sight, doing something unfamiliar and very, very physical, yet I felt comfortable. Howler’s environment o ers a family vibe with a huge emphasis on safety.
Over a genuinely incredible burger at Growl Grill—headed up by chef Dustin Fox, formerly of Farmers Gastropub and The Hepcat—I got to know the Penny family. We discussed everything from cronuts to the Howler (a mythical Bigfoot-like creature living in the Ozark
Mountains), as well as what’s next for the park. The Pennys are very literally in the trenches, building new trails and nalizing plans for a full-service restaurant.
So, will we be back? Let’s just say I added to Howler’s 5-star reviews.
Pick Your Path
You’re a Beginner: Stroller Coaster is the easiest trail and perfect for beginners. You’re Testing the Waters: Hippie Cowboy is a little tougher, with some drops to challenge you a bit.
You’re a Glutton for Punishment: Say Uncle is an uphill trail with steep inclines. It’s a workout!
You Really Know Your Stuff: The Wizard has big gaps and drops and opportunities to pick up some serious speed. It’s rated “extremely difficult.”
e Long Way
Where the Wild Things Grow
Rachael West of Eating the Ozarks, a company that specializes in foraged food education, shares her best tips for foraging pawpaws.
BY JO J OLLIFF
Along the edge of many rivers and creeks across the Ozarks, you’ll nd a native fruit growing abundantly that you more than likely have never seen in the produce section of the grocery store: a pawpaw. “If you’re ever oating the James or Finley River in the fall, you’ll just see them like bobbers oating down the river where they’ve dropped o a tree,” says Rachael West, founder of Eating the
Ozarks and a knowledgeable local forager. “A lot of times you can just push your kayak right up under the trees, give them a little shake and they’ll drop right o into your boat.”
While it may sound like a sweet nickname for a grandparent, the pawpaw fruit has been a staple of the Ozarks for centuries, a holdout from when the Ozarks had a tropical climate.
With a smell similar to an overripe bell pepper, the shape of a mango and avor similar to a banana, the pawpaw is certainly one of a kind.
Other than eating them on their own, West also recommends using pawpaws in a butter smear, in a salad dressing similar to a strawberry vinaigrette or mixed with whipped cream to create a pawpaw mousse. West warns against using pawpaws in baked goods because cooked pawpaw can be dangerous to consume but encourages 417-landers to give this fruit a taste.
GREEN SPACES
Did you know Missouri has a native tropical fruit? Let us introduce you to the pawpaw.
e Long Way
NOTHING QUITE BEATS THE pageantry of Friday Night Lights: players tearing through the cheerleaders’ hand painted team banner, the band marching onto the eld and the electricity of the crowd cheering from the stands. Whether you’re an alumni looking to cheer on your hometown team, a proud parent looking for a player on the eld or a transplant community member wanting to get in on the action, there’s no better time to be a 417-lander than football season.
With long-standing rivalries this season is sure to keep you on your toes as teams go head to head. Like Glendale and Kickapoo high school, both powerful adversaries, with
Take this Feud to the Field
THE STANDS ARE SURE TO BE PACKED FOR THE BIGGEST HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMES OF THE SEASON. GET INTO THE SPIRIT, AND JOIN IN FOR SOME FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.
BY JO JOLLIFF GAME NIGHT
Kickapoo beating them out the past two years after a ve-year losing streak.
Also long-standing rivals, Ozark High School and Nixa High School have faced o year after year. After losing to Nixa twice last season, once of which was in the semi nals, Ozark maintains a positive outlook. “Football and life are all about improving daily,” says Ozark High School head football coach Jeremy Cordell. “The most important thing we can do is build resilient and independent young men through the game of football that will be great future leaders.” While Ozark and Nixa may be considered classic
rivals due to their proximity to each other, Nixa is gearing up for the season and is also focused on their games against Republic and Carthage. “We believe we are going to be very good again and look forward to kicking o 2024,” says Nixa High School head football coach John Perry.
Kickapoo High School Chiefs faced off Hillcrest High School Hornets last season.
After battling their way to the state championship game last year, Republic High School just might be the team to beat. “Coming o a state championship game appearance last year, there is a lot of excitement around Republic Football,” Republic High School Activities and Athletics Director Trevyor Fisher says. Republic
beat Webb City High School before losing to Cardinal Ritter College Prep from St. Louis. Also new this season is the conference realignment with the disbandment of the Ozark Conference as local teams joined the Central Ozark Conference and the newly-formed Ozark Mountain Conference. The shift created a handful of new matchups, like Central and Parkview high school facing o for the rst time since 2019.
Regardless of the victory of well-deserved wins and the sting of hard-fought losses, high school football is truly about the community it builds. At games in 417-land this looks like PTA members selling ra e tickets to raise money for schools, clubs and organizations working the concession stands and charities hosting activities. You’re sure to see all of this and more as the community rallies behind their favorite teams.
Games You Won’t Want to Miss
September 13, 7 p.m.
Stra ord vs. Springfield Catholic at Springfield Catholic High School
VISIT US: September 20, 7 p.m.
Kickapoo vs. Republic at Republic High School
The 417 team will be at this game. Will we see you there?
September 20, 7 p.m.
Nixa vs. Carthage at Carthage H.S.
September 26, 7 p.m.
Glendale vs. Kickapoo at Kickapoo High School
October 3, 7 p.m.
Central vs. Parkview at Parkview High School
October 4, 7 p.m.
Republic vs. Webb City at Republic High School
October 11, 7 p.m.
Logan-Rogersville vs. Marshfield at Logan-Rogersville High School
October 18, 7 p.m.
Ozark vs. Nixa at Nixa High School
EN ROUTE
Getaway to Kimberling City
DINE, UNWIND AND EXPLORE ALL THAT THIS LOCAL LAKESIDE TOWN HAS TO OFFER ON AND OFF THE WATER.
BY SONY HOCKLANDER
LAKE CROWDS HAVE FADED WITH THE start of school, but the weather is still perfect for fun in the sun For a spontaneous early getaway with easy access to Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City makes a great home base for relaxing with a view, getting on the water and reaching nearby attractions.
PHOTO
Settle In
For a 51-year-old city with such a small footprint, Kimberling has numerous lodging options. Whether you prefer a resort hotel, a modern cabin or camping, you’ll nd it at Port of Kimberling Marina & Resort. The sprawling 220-acre resort features lakeside accommodations, a swimming pool, a marina, boat docks and dining. Or for something completely di erent, rent a houseboat from Five Star Houseboat Vacations, located on Port of Kimberling. More lakeside lodging can be found at Table Rock Resorts, the Kimberling Oaks Resort or the quaint, family-owned Cedar Wood Resort.
Dine and Indulge
Make a stop at Table Rock Lake before getting a sweet treat at the Funky Twig.
Make a Splash
What’s a lake getaway without a little time on the water? Take a spin on Table Rock Lake with a boat rental from What’s Up Dock?, the marina at Port of Kimberling. Whether you’re staying in the resort or just visiting for the day, the marina rents pontoons for groups, and ski boats and WaveRunners for adventure-seekers. One pontoon, the Godfrey, even has a slide. If you need a place to dock your own boat for a weekend away, the marina has those too.
Cross the Historic Bridge
If you like to eat fancy, you won’t nd it here. Kimberling diners are all about family-friendly comfort food and casual atmospheres where shorts and tees are welcome. Take a trip to Laketime Bistro for an extensive menu of classic and well-made
dishes. Or pull up in your boat to Goofy Goose Lakeside Bar & Grill. Need a sweet treat to end your day? Step into the Funky Twig, a family-owned artisan ice cream store on Missouri 13. You’ll have a hard time choosing a dessert splurge between its many avors and co ee-based treats. (Did we mention it’s a co ee shop, too?)
The Kimberling Bridge has a storied history. For many decades, a ferry took travelers across the White River near today’s location. According to Stone County, a bridge was built in 1922 then a second in 1927 after ooding. The current Kimberling Bridge was completed in 1957. And that 1927 bridge? Half remains where it once stood, deep under Table Rock Lake.
LET’S GO
Find the perfect spot for a fun- lled day trip or a weekend getaway. It’s the perfect time of year to get out there and explore. Experience Missouri and Arkansas natural beauty, outdoor action, compelling history, world-class museums, local shopping and more!
Take a trip to bike through the historic downtown City of Hermann or enjoy the nature while kayaking on the Spring River in West Plains.
WHERE WILL LIFE TAKE YOU NEXT?
Need a weekend getaway or a longer “staycation”?
We have curated the best road trip destinations for you!
BENTON COUNTY
Pack your swimsuits and excitement for a funlled family vacation.
BIG CYPRESS LODGE
Visit one of the South’s great natural wonders and glamp in luxury and style.
BUFFALO RIVER OUTFITTERS
The ideal destination for every passionate outdoor adventurer.
CAPE GIRARDEAU
This picturesque city is a blend of Southern hospitality and Midwestern warmth.
CITY OF HERMANN
The heart of Missouri’s Wine Country and beautiful bluffs.
GASTON’S WHITE RIVER RESORT
Unwind in the picturesque cottages at America’s #1 trout shing resort.
JEFFERSON CITY
Don’t be spooked, visit and see what Missouri’s history is all about.
ST. CHARLES
This charming and historic city is the perfect getaway for all ages with cobblestone streetsand beautiful architecture.
WARRENSBURG
Enjoy the seven major trails for hiking, biking and walking.
WEST PLAINS
Located just a short drive from the heart of 417-land, is the perfect relaxing weekend getaway.
BENTON COUNTY
660-438-2090
VISITBENTONCOMO.COM
HIDDEN TREASURES
Explore Benton County’s “Antique Alley” in Lincoln, Cole Camp and Warsaw, where vintage shops o er a glimpse into the past. Discover curated collections of furniture, décor and nostalgic relics, each with its own story waiting to be uncovered.
CULTURAL IMMERSION IN COLE CAMP
Journey back to the Civil War era with a visit to Cole Camp, site of the 1861 Battle of Cole Camp. Explore historical landmarks such as the Battle of Cole Camp site, the German Immigrant Memorial and the Cole Camp Museum and immerse yourself in the captivating takes of this historical town.
CULINARY DELIGHTS
Indulge in Benton County’s culinary scene, from farm-to-table restaurants to cozy diners. Sample local avors at renowned eateries like Cosmic Café in Warsaw, Estes Drive in Lincoln and Calgaro’s Pizza in
Cole Camp, each o ering a taste of the region’s nest fare. Your unforgettable Benton County adventure awaits!
BIG CYPRESS LODGE
800-223-3333
BIG-CYPRESS.COM
Discover the great outdoors and a nature lover’s paradise at Big Cypress Lodge, located inside the iconic Bass Pro Shops Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee. Combining rustic simplicity with modern elegance, Big Cypress Lodge features cozy rooms including treehouse retreats, private cabins or suites and amenities designed to bring the great outdoors inside, with screened-in porches overlooking Bass Pro Shops, electric replaces, handcrafted furniture and luxurious bathrooms with jetted tubs.
GLAMP IN STYLE
The nature resort is a glamping-style retreat, perfect for the entire family, with world-class restaurants, a unique deep sea-themed bowling alley, spectacular shopping and a 600,000-gallon Cypress Swamp teeming with a variety of native sh. Plus, you can step inside one of the country’s tallest free-standing elevators, the Sky High Ride, which takes you on a journey to the top of the Memphis Pyramid to a Glass Observation Deck to enjoy sweeping views of Memphis and the Mighty Mississippi River.
EXPLORE MEMPHIS
Conveniently located downtown, Big Cypress Lodge gives you easy access to explore the vibrancy of Memphis, whether it’s strolling along Beale Street for live music and entertainment, touring iconic landmarks like Graceland or the National Civil Rights Museum, catching games or concerts at the FedEx Forum, visiting the Memphis Zoo or enjoying the newly constructed Tom Lee Park along the Mississippi River. There’s no shortage of unforgettable experiences waiting for you and your family in the Home of the Blues. To learn more about all the exciting o erings at Big Cypress Lodge and to plan your next adventure into the heart of Memphis, one of America’s most historic cities, please visit big-cypress.com.
Relax and unwind on the cozy balcony at Big Cypress Lodge.
“As fall color covers the landscape, the Buffalo National River becomes a paddler’s paradise.“
BUFFALO RIVER OUTFITTERS BUFFALORIVEROUTFITTERS.COM
Discover the perfect blend of outdoor thrills and cozy relaxation at Bu alo River Outfitters. Overlooking the stunning Tyler Bend area of the Bu alo National River, this one-of-a-kind destination is the ideal fall getaway.
STAY FOR A WHILE
Guests can unwind in a log cabin surrounded by the colorful beauty of the Ozarks. Each cabin features a wide porch, private barbecue grill, stone fireplace, full kitchen and quality beds, ensuring a stay as comfortable as it is memorable. Visitors can soak in the tranquil atmosphere, make s’mores on the fire and stargaze under the wide-open skies of an International Dark Sky Park.
EXPLORE THE OUTDOORS
Bu alo River Outfitters also o ers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. As fall color covers the landscape, the Bu alo National River becomes a paddler’s paradise. The expert sta helps guests plan the perfect float trip, tailored to their skill level and preferences. Fall is also a great time to explore the stunning hiking trails that surround Bu alo River Outfitters. While enjoying scenic vistas, towering blu s and hidden waterfalls, guests can keep their eyes peeled for diverse wildlife, especially Arkansas’ only elk herd.
With more than three decades of experience, knowledgeable sta , top-notch equipment and a prime location, Bu alo River Outfitters is the ultimate choice for an autumn getaway.
CAPE GIRARDEAU VISITCAPE.COM
Discover the rich history of Cape Girardeau, one of Missouri’s oldest Mississippi River towns, o ering visitors an enchanting blend of history, culture and natural beauty.
A GETAWAY
From its easily accessible location to the many historic sites, museums and monuments, Cape is the perfect setting for a getaway. The vibrant riverfront downtown features eclectic shops and boutiques as well as local casual and fine dining, not to mention a full-service casino and hotel.
FOR ALL AGES
For families, Cape boasts state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor sports facilities and a four-acre water park. Outdoor enthusiasts can bike or hike miles of paved and unpaved trails throughout, including Trail of Tears State Park. Art aficionados can
enjoy Southeast Missouri State University’s vibrant community of gifted artists, musicians, actors, performers and dancers at the River Campus. And don’t miss the impressive murals that tell the town’s rich story, adding color and life to every corner.
CITY OF HERMANN VISITHERMANN.COM
Home to breathtaking views complete with towering blu s, rolling hills and row crops,
EAT, SIP, SHOP
Long known for exceptional wines and compelling tours of Missouri’s most historic and awarded wineries, Hermann is also home to distilleries, microbreweries and restaurants o ering a wide range of food. Sip wine and spirits while overlooking hillsides and vineyards, tour beautiful cellars and indulge in everything from
Hermann is the heart ofMissouri Wine Country.
Aerial view of Cape Girardeau.
burgers, wings and pizza to Cajun cuisine and authentic German-style fare served in a renovated carriage house.
The charming downtown district is home to locally owned restaurants and shops featuring antiques, boutique items, locally sourced and hand-crafted goods and ne arts. Specialty food shops will tempt your taste buds with sweet and savory staples.
ALL ABOUT THE ARTS
Hermann is teeming with opportunities for artists or art enthusiasts. Murals are found indoors and on buildings, along with statues, ne art galleries, art walks, Plein Air events and live music year-round.
KEEPING TRADITION ALIVE
Embracing its German heritage, Hermann keeps history alive with museums o ering tours, experiences and celebrations. Tour the Hermann Farm and learn about Black Shire Horses. Attend annual festivals such as Wurstfest, Maifest, JazzFest, Oktoberfest and Christmastime in Historic Hermann.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Start the day with yoga on the blu , bike the Katy Trail, hike the Grand Blu s and sh or kayak the Missouri River. Then, end the day at Riverfront Park for a walk along the river at sunset.
A MEMORABLE STAY
Stay in the heart of downtown amid beautiful German architecture or perched on a hillside with views as far as eyes can see. From cozy cottages to luxury suites, boutique hotels to whole house rentals, and RV camping in the City Park, Hermann is ideal for a romantic retreat or a quick getaway.
Sample local wines at the vineyards in Hermann, Missouri.
GASTON’S WHITE RIVER RESORT
1777 RIVER ROAD, LAKEVIEW
870-431-5202 | GASTONS.COM
Whether individuals are looking for a family trip, quick getaway or group gathering, they will nd unspoiled natural beauty and adventure at Gaston’s White River Resort.
TROUT FISHING
The trout shing is truly world-class—the White River is one of the best rainbow and brown trout streams anywhere, and Gaston’s friendly, experienced shing guides can help guests land their daily limit. Need lessons? The Fly Fishing School will teach guests all they need to know.
LODGING
Gaston’s o ers a variety of pet-friendly accommodations, from cozy cottages for two to a roomy lodge that accommodates 20.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Visitors can explore three nature trails or just watch as the emerald-green waters of the White River wash away their worries. When they’re ready to mark the perfect end to their day, they can head to the restaurant for seafood, steaks, ne wines and cocktails.
Guests can make plans today to experience Gaston’s White River Resort—they will be glad they did.
JEFFERSON CITY
573-632-2820
VISITJEFFERSONCITY.COM
Je erson City has many gems to o er outdoor enthusiasts, history bu s and thrill-seekers in the heart of Missouri. For a breath of fresh air, break out the bike and pedal the Katy Trail, the longest developed rail trail in the country. If the former
railroad is too much of a commitment, stroll the trails at Runge Nature Center or the Bicentennial Bridge to Adrian’s Island leading to the 32-acre riverfront Deborah Cooper Park.
TOUR THE CITY
Admire the pristine architecture of the Missouri State Capitol, the Governor’s Mansion and the downtown skyline. Visitors can wander the historic halls of the Capitol or join a guide-led tour to learn about the stunning structure. At the Mansion, docents guide you through the rst level of one of few executive residences open to the public. Be sure to contact sta in advance as reservations are required for both tours.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN HISTORY
Afterward, immerse yourself in intriguing exhibits at the Missouri State Museum and
Enjoy an unforgettable trout fishing experience along the scenic Gaston’s
White River.
the Museum of Missouri Military History. Book a history or ghost tour at the decommissioned Missouri State Penitentiary and visit the museum to learn of its 168 years of operation. The former prison has been featured on many television shows throughout the years, most recently including Destination Fear, Ghost Hunters, Mysteries of the Abandoned and Portals to Hell.
SATISFY YOUR HUNGER
Refuel at one of Je erson City’s original staple eateries like Prison Brews, The Grand Café or Sweet Smoke BBQ. To end your day in the capital city and satisfy your sweet tooth, indulge in Central Dairy ice cream. Make the drive and feel the history in Je erson City. Plan your trip at VisitJe ersonCity.com.
As the summer heat gives way to the cooling winds of autumn, St. Charles, Missouri, transforms into a haven of fall colors and holiday events. Nestled along the banks of the Missouri River, this charming historic
The Missouri River flows just steps away from Main Street in St. Charles.
city invites visitors to celebrate the season’s splendor with memorable experiences.
RIVERSIDE STROLLS & HISTORIC CHARM
What once was the final stop for explorers to gather supplies before heading out west is now a brick-lined Main Street full of unique shops, boutiques and restaurants. Visitors are invited to “Hit the Bricks” to learn more about the legendary characters that made St. Charles what it is today.
OUTDOOR COLOR AND BITES
Discover all the colors that autumn has to offer as you explore Frontier Park. Sandwiched between the Missouri River and the Katy Trail, Frontier Park is a picturesque setting for family picnics or romantic dates. Enjoy the views from Main Street restaurants with patios that overlook the park, perfect for visitors to enjoy local eats and beautiful days.
INDOOR ADVENTURES
If you’re a truly adventurous spirit, head over to Climb So iLL to tie into the ropes or hop on some boulders; there’s a climbing terrain
Downtown St. Charles, Missouri
for every age and ability. If you’re interested in a more passive activity, stop by the Foundry Art Centre and explore their worldclass galleries or visit with a resident artist.
FESTIVALS AND FUN
St. Charles’ event calendar is full, but truly comes alive in the autumn and winter. Don’t miss signature festivals like Saint Charles Oktoberfest, Legends & Lanterns®, and the 50th Anniversary of Saint Charles Christmas Traditions®. These celebrations promise memorable experiences for kids of all ages.
SIP AND SAVOR
Indulge in Missouri wines with a trip out to Historic Missouri Wine Country. Visitors will delight their palates with award-winning wines while taking in the Instagramworthy rolling hills of the Femme Osage Valley. This is a perfect way to unwind and savor the flavors of the season.
Autumn in St. Charles is the perfect time to discover the history, beauty and excitement that this charming city has to o er.
WARRENSBURG
660-262-4611
VISITWARRENSBURG.COM
Does this season of change have you looking for a change of scenery? The crisp, cool air of autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the Great Outdoors in Warrensburg, MO!
HIKE
Take a leisurely stroll down the Spirit Trail; this paved, 4-mile path meanders along the tree line, making it a favorite spot for hikers and bikers to bask in the beautiful fall foliage.
GOLF
Bring your clubs along for a quick round or two at Mules National Golf Club. Owned and operated by the University of Central Missouri, this par-70 course o ers a thrilling challenge for golfers of all skill levels—including an island green on the 18th hole—along with tree-lined fairways that erupt with color every fall. Ready to hit the lake?
FISH
Grab your pole and wet your line on the 8-acre Lions Lake and soak in the quiet stillness of a cool, fall morning as you hunt trophy cat sh, crappie and bluegill lurking beneath the tranquil surface.
BOWL
Finally, gather your friends and challenge your bowling skills at Alley Cats, where you can enjoy a vibrant atmosphere, bowling alleys, yummy snacks and drinks—the ideal way to wrap up a fun- lled day.
Plan your unforgettable fall adventure today—learn more at VisitWarrensburg.com!
WEST PLAINS
417-256-8835
EXPLOREWESTPLAINS.COM
On the eastern edge of 417-land, West Plains is close enough for a quick trip and far enough away to provide a break from one’s usual scenery. With West Plains serving as their hub, visitors can plan day trips to explore nearby natural and historic attractions, including water mills, crystal-clear rivers and springs, as well as hiking and biking trails.
WHAT TO DO
Multiple lodging choices await visitors, including a hotel that has been voted number one in the world for guest satisfaction for ve consecutive years. Dining and co ee shop options, two breweries and live music venues are part of an ever-growing arts and entertainment scene. The town’s mural collection includes four large works
by internationally known Nigerian artist Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo.
TRAVEL EASY
West Plains is the perfect distance for spending a few days, enjoying a long weekend or even an overnight trip. Visitors can drive over to relax, explore the sights and then return home feeling rested instead of worn out. With a four-lane highway connecting it to most of southwest Missouri, getting there and back is a breeze.
PLAN A VISIT
To assist in planning your adventure, you can visit explorewestplains.com to request a free visitor guide. Explore West Plains invites you to like and follow them on Facebook.
Take in the view at Warrensburg, Missouri and check out The Hodgson Water Mill in West Plains, Missouri.
At Home
A Home Inspired Traditionby
THE YOUNG FAMILY DESIGNED THEIR DREAM HOME TO BE A PLACE FOR ENTERTAINING FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITH LARGE PORCHES AND LOTS OF SOUTHERN CHARACTER.
BY HEATHER KANE KOHLER PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRANDON ALMS
At Home
ASOUTHERN-STYLE
home was top-of-mind when Clarissa and Jeremy Young began dreaming of the home they would build together. “We both went to school in Arkansas, and we love vacationing in New England, so we wanted a home that felt like the Hamptons meets the South,” says Young. “We love the grand porches and have always wanted one.”
The couple began construction of their home in 2021 and moved in during the fall of 2022. Young says her goal for the home was to be timeless and traditional. Although she loves di erent design styles, she says she really wanted her home to be classic so the family wouldn’t be tired of it after 20 years. “We kept the oor plan pretty cozy,” says Young. “We have 10-foot ceilings to help keep the space proportional, large windows for sunlight, and panel-covered appliances so the open oor plan blends seamlessly from space to space.”
One of the home’s loveliest features is the front porch. “We love to sit out on the front porch and drink our co ee in the morning,” says Young. Their sons (Emerson, 8, and Samuel, 2) love spending time on the porch too. “They’re usually reading a book, bouncing a ball or eating a popsicle,” says Young. The Youngs enjoy entertaining, so bringing out their bar cart and loading it up with fresh owers, lemonade and other goodies is something they do often. “I have a cut ower garden where I grow lisianthus, mint, zinnias, dahlias and cosmos,” says Young. “Lisianthus is native to Texas but it grows really well here, and I love it because it looks like roses.” The Youngs grow large bushels of heat-tolerant Russian sage in front of their porch for added color. “I’ve really just wanted our porch to feel as Southern as possible,” says Young.
An interior designer by trade, Young made many of the design choices for their home. “I love, love, love my lanterns on
the porch,” she says. “I knew I had to have hanging lanterns and searched all over to nd these.” The Youngs opted for classic wood rocking chairs for their outdoor seating. “Rocking chairs are just so Southern,” says Young. The wood nish on the chairs coordinates with their custom-stained solid wood front door, creating an inviting entrance on their Southern front porch. The Youngs enjoy entertaining family inside their home, just as much as they do outside. Inside the home the Youngs incorporated traditional lighting with lots of antique brass and oil-rubbed bronze xtures. “I think a hallmark of Southern homes is the attention to detail,” says Young. “Our rst home was from the 1930s and was a beautiful home full of architectural details.”
Crown molding, built-ins, bookcases and a China cabinet in the kitchen all add beautiful historic character to their new home.
Young is a big fan of designer wallcoverings and fabric. “I’m pretty partial to Schumacher, so anytime I can use that in my home, I’m happy,” says Young. “It marries my love of classic design without being too trendy.”
Young says she had always wanted to use Schumacher’s Pyne Hollyhock pattern since they began the designing process. They have wallpaper featuring the pattern in their powder bath as well as on a few throw pillows and cushions.
Young’s favorite space is the upstairs reading nook. “I’ve always wanted a window seat to read books and look out the window,” says Young. “We added some bookshelves and a round table and chairs, so it is such a cozy hangout for the kids or a good homework spot.”
The laundry room is another of Young’s favorite spaces in the home. It’s covered in a colorful, wild wallpaper with lemons and owers. “It makes me happy to do laundry,”
“I have a cut flower garden where I grow lisianthus, mint, zinnias, dahlias and cosmos. Lisianthus is native to Texas but it grows really well here, and I love it because it looks like roses.”—Clarissa
Young
Clarissa Young and her son, Samuel, enjoy their Southern-style front porch, complete with hanging lanterns and classic wooden rocking chairs.
says Young. “It’s just a bright, happy spot in the house.”
As for decor, Young uses antiques to add character to their spaces. A mix of old and new is the goal, and layering pieces makes the home feel Southern in style. “I do love a good monogram on linens, skirted tables, lanterns and bullion fringe,” says Young. “I also really love a good oral chintz on just about anything.”
Young’s Virginia Rose China collection that was passed down to her from her grandmother is very dear to her heart. “I really treasure her china because it reminds me of her hospitality, which I hope I emulate,” says Young. “Making your guest feel welcome is a hallmark of the South, and providing small details and comfort will make your home inviting.” Many of the family china pieces have things like a little note inside a sugar bowl. It brings back memories of her grandma serving with her Virginia Rose China at the bed & breakfast she owned. Old memories are cherished in the home, and now the family is making new memories too. Reading together, arranging fresh owers from the garden and cooking blueberry scones and lemon curd for family and friends make up their days, and Southern style is still at the heart of it all.
At Home
Sharing Is Caring
A LOCAL FAMILY’S 1920S FARM IN SPARTA BECOMES THE BACKDROP FOR BOUNTIFUL FALL GATHERINGS FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
BY HEATHER KANE KOHLER
THE REES FAMILY moved into their 1920s farmhouse in 2018, ful lling their dream of living in an older home with character and charm. The 7-acre property features a horse barn built in the 1950s and a shed that was built later. “We instantly fell in love with the house and the property,” says Tori Rees. Her husband, Garrett, has lots of help on the farm with their three oldest children,
Wyatt (9), Hank (8) and Jack (6). Even their youngest, Bonnie (2), likes to help out. “There’s always a project going on, something to x, or animals to take care of and all of our kids want to be just like their daddy, so they enjoy helping,” says Rees.
The Rees family has had their share of animals on the farm over the years, including horses, ponies, miniature donkeys, sheep, pigs, chickens, dogs and barn cats. “My favorite animals have been the horses and the sheep,” Rees says. “They are both so gentle with the kids!”
Maintaining their large 3,200-square-foot garden is another thing the Rees family likes to do together. They grow a variety of fruits, veggies and owers. Sharing their produce, their home and their property with their community, friends and family has been something that is very important to the Rees family. “We have it in our heart to bless others with this land,” says Rees. They’ve hosted
Tori Rees hosts food-filled outdoor events around her family farm’s scenic barn.
“I’ve always loved decorating and coordinating parties so hosting just feels so natural.”
several events, including a wedding, and they even had a fall festival in the backyard. Rees’s friend brought her food truck that served custom dessert wa es for the festival. The barn creates a beautiful backdrop for events and photos. “I’ve always loved decorating and coordinating parties so hosting just feels so natural,” Rees says. “My favorite holidays we host every year at our farm are the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving.”
Rees also loves cooking for big groups. “I enjoy cooking comfort foods like chili, soups, meatloaf and Italian food,” says Rees. She cans a lot of the produce they grow in the garden, making things like pickles and salsa. “I’m hoping for a successful harvest this year, so we are able to can enough green beans, tomato sauce, pickles, salsa and jalapeños to last us through winter,” Rees says. The Rees family hopes to grow their garden bigger in the future, creating a separate space for a large pumpkin patch—instead of the vertical trellises where they currently grow. Recently they moved their shed to be near the garden and to hold their garden supplies, but Rees hopes to one day transform it into a little farm stand for friends and family to come shop for bouquets of owers, fresh veggies, canned goods and baked goods.
Fall is a favorite time on the farm and there’s still so much fun to be had as the weather cools down. “Our favorite thing to do as a family is light a bon re, roast marshmallows and watch an outdoor movie against our barn,” says Rees. Life is busy on the farm and with four children, so taking care of the farm and garden is always a family a air. But there’s lots of room for fun too. With a zipline over the creek bed and an attitude of the more the merrier, life on the farm is just what the Rees family pictured.
At Home
Bring the fun of Oktoberfest celebrations to your own backyard with these tips.
THE KOHLER FAMILY CREATES A GERMAN-THEMED MEAL AT HOME IN CELEBRATION OF EVERYONE’S FAVORITE FALL FESTIVAL: OKTOBERFEST.
BY HEATHER KANE KOHLER
ENJOYING OKTOBERFEST USED TO BE ONE OF MY HUSBAND’S AND MY favorite activities. We would go to a beer garden or even travel to Hermann, Missouri, to partake in all the German festivities. But with little kiddos these festivities sound stressful now, and not so fun. So, for the past three years we’ve been celebrating Oktoberfest at home, and it’s been a super-fun tradition that we hope to keep going for a long time. I enjoy eating all the food, setting up the tables outdoors, stringing lights and arranging owers in vintage beer steins. My husband, Ben, is a beer and pretzel fanatic, so he focuses on brewing his own beer and making homemade pretzels.
Visit 417mag.com to nd the recipe Heather uses for the Laugenbrezel German Rye Pretzel. MAKE IT
I think you really have to be a science nerd to like brewing beer and making pretzels. There’s an absolute science to both. We like to brew one specialty beer to serve and then we try and pick up some local beers so we can sample some di erent ones as well. This is a fun activity for guests, and for us. A must on the menu is Mother’s Brewing Company’s traditional Märzen lager. It’s a not-sosweet Oktoberfest brewed with Munich malts and German Spalt hop. German Road Oktoberfest lager by Piney River Brewing is one of my husband’s favorite spiced beers made with German Hersbruker hops.
For pretzels we do the real deal. That means we use lye— also known as sodium hydrox-
“Pair a traditional German pretzel with an Oktoberfest brew, and you’ll feel like you’re right in the center of Berlin.”
ide. Lye is an alkaline compound used in some food production like cured sh, olives, hominy and yes, pretzels!
Now, if you’ve ever eaten a pretzel in Germany you know that the Germans take their pretzels very seriously, so to create the perfect pretzel texture and color, lye is a must. But it must be food grade lye, and you must read up on how to use it safely! We work together to dip the pretzels and always wear protective gear. Once pretzels are baked, they are safe to eat, but you don’t want to get the solution in your eyes or on your skin.
You also don’t want it on your nice surfaces. Our favorite pretzel recipe is from America’s Test Kitchen. We serve our pretzels with cheese and mustard dipping sauces, but honestly they’re so good you don’t need to dip them at all. Pair a traditional German pretzel with an Oktoberfest brew, and you’ll feel like you’re right in the center of Berlin.
We like to make a meal to serve as well, and grilling up brats and sausages always feels right for the occasion. We love shopping at Hörrmann Meats in Spring eld for German sausages, specialty brats and our personal favorite, Thüngen sausages. These authentic German sausages are named after Thüngen, a market community in the Main-Spessart district in the Regierungsbezirk of Lower Franconia in Bavaria, Germany. Every year our guest list grows, and every year we reminisce about our Oktoberfest shenanigans during our childless years, but I must say I’ve grown to love having our very own Oktoberfest at home.
The Parker home has original stained-glass windows and wood floors.
Worth the Work
TACY PARKER CONTINUES HER DAD’S LEGACY BY MAINTAINING A HISTORIC HOME IN MARIONVILLE WITH HER TWO BOYS, REED AND LANE; THEIR DOG, HENRY; AND THEIR CAT, DONNIE.
BY HEATHER KANE KOHLER
PHOTOS BY KATY ST. CLAIR
FEELS LIKE HOME
BUILT IN 1903, THE PARKER family house is home to Tacy Parker and her two sons, 13-year-old Reed and 11-year-old Lane. It is Parker’s childhood home, and through the years she has seen memories of her own youth spent in the space intertwine with new memories as her sons grow up in the home too. Parker shares her beautiful house’s history, what she has preserved and what she has had to update.
What is it like living in the home where you grew up?
“Living in my childhood home is amazing. My parents bought this house in 1987 when I was 4. I grew up here with my sisters, and after college I lived here with my dad, but he passed away a few months later. I’m very sentimental, and I love being surrounded by memories. Every room in this house holds nostalgia for me. Being here, I feel closely connected to my dad—he loved this house—and also to my childhood, which I believe keeps me feeling young at heart. It is a great blessing that I can raise my own kids here. Watching their childhood, in a way, intertwine with my former childhood is just really special for me.”
Do you know any of the home’s history?
“We believe the home was built around 1903. It was built by a member of the prominent Coleman family in Marionville. The Colemans were involved in several local businesses, including a our mill, hardware store, cold storage, fruit farm, lumberyard
and the Bank of Marionville. Another Coleman brother built a large Victorian house nearby, and it is rumored the two brothers had a friendly competition on building the fancier home.”
What are some of the ornate features of your home that you’ve tried to preserve?
“This home has multiple stained-glass windows, inlaid wood ooring, ornate woodwork, 12-foot ceilings, two 9-foot double pocket doors, a big wrap-around front porch and two upstairs balconies. The home is heated with cast iron hot water radiators, and there is a beautiful old brick sidewalk out front. It also has many aws, but part of appreciating an old home is accepting the quirks and imperfections!”
Would you ever consider replacing some of the original features of the home with newer options?
“The windows are original and wood framed. They open and close using a weight and pulley system inside the wall. When you look through the glass, you’ll see it’s thick and wavy, and there are a few bubbles here and there because the glass was hand blown. They are drafty, they rattle when the wind blows, they don’t open smoothly, and most of the sash ropes are broken, so I have to prop the window up with a stick to keep it open. New vinyl replacement windows would x all those problems and more, but I’m just not willing to give up those beautifully awed windows!”
Your porches are incredible! How do you furnish them to maximize their use?
“My very favorite area of the home is the big wraparound front porch. I spend a lot of time out there. There is a porch swing on one side and a table I sit at most mornings to read my Bible and have my co ee, and sometimes we will eat dinner out there. There is a bench on the other side that was my great grandfather’s. I like to just sit and enjoy being outside when the weather is nice or even when it’s raining. It’s a great place for good conversation. The porch is basically another room of the house; it is used daily. In the spring I ll the porch with plants and owers, and in the winter I put out Christmas trees, decor and lights.”
from top products in the grilling game and start the outdoor kitchen of your dreams.
At Home
What are some of the challenges of living in a historic home like yours?
“When you go to fix one thing, you will find three more things that need attention. Everything was built by hand specifically for this home, most likely milled right in the front yard, so replacing or repairing something can be a huge chore. So many things in an old home are literally one of a kind and simply irreplaceable. I truly appreciate and respect the craftsmanship and the history surrounding me and would like to preserve it the best I can. It might be easier and faster to replace some things with cheaper or more energy e cient materials, and although there have of course been updates to the home over the years, for the most part, saving money is not worth the cost of sacrificing the home’s character.”
“It is a great blessing that I can raise my own kids here, watching their childhood, in a way, intertwine with my former childhood is just really special for me.“
The ice storm of 2007 created some havoc in your home. What happened?
“In 2007 when the big ice storm hit, I was without power in below freezing temperatures for 14 days. The radiators froze and cracked during that time and when it warmed back up the water leaked out and the house flooded upstairs and down. I was only 24 at the time. My dad had just passed away, and I lived here alone. It was overwhelming. Replacing the cast-iron radiators was di cult. Back then I could not find anywhere in the U.S. that made anything similar to what I had. I was finally able to find a company in Canada and had them shipped here by train. They are extremely heavy and had to be hoisted up through an upstairs balcony to get them in place. It was quite the ordeal, but I thought it was really important to preserve that feature.”
/ BY HEATHER KANE KOHLER
Wiggle With It
Cut zinnias like a pro by using the wiggle test and leaving long, 18-inch stems.
Learn how to use the wiggle test to encourage new blooms as you cut the zinnias in your home garden.
There are so many things to love about zinnias. These colorful and long-lasting annuals are not only easy to grow, they tolerate heat like a champ. Whether you’re picking your own home-grown zinnias or going to a pick-your-own zinnia patch, there’s a simple trick for knowing if your zinnia is ready to cut and enjoy. “It’s called the wiggle test,” says Taryn Buttam, owner of Stone Hill Farm. “Hold the stem with two fingers
12 inches or so below the bloom and gently move the stem from le to right. If the bloom flops from side to side, it is still too young.” If the bloom stays upright and in line with the stem, it’s ready to be picked. If you want to cut your zinnia so a new stem will regrow where the last one was cut, you just need to pay a little attention to the leaves. “Zinnias are a ‘cut and come again’ flower, so a new stem will regrow where the last was cut, as long
as you make your cut above a set of two leaves,” says Buttam. If you really want to cut zinnias like a pro, don’t be afraid to cut your stems long. “Cut stems at 18 inches or more to encourage long stems,” she says. Nothing beats a colorful garden filled with blooms, but you don’t have to have a green thumb to enjoy a zinnia bouquet. You can visit Stone Hill Farm in Ozark (or stonehillflowerfarm. com) for a pick-yourown experience.
GARDENS
Want to see the Ozarks on horseback?
Read about Horses of Hope (pictured) on p. 96.
PERFECT
SATURDAYS
We don’t want you to spend any of the year’s Saturdays catching up on your honey-do list. Instead, grab your favorite people and your favorite tunes, and head out to explore the giant playground that is southwest Missouri. Read on for your guide to lling each weekend with new adventures—from revisiting tried-and-true local favorites to discovering all the hidden nooks and crannies peppered around our beautiful Ozarks.
BY KATIE POLLOCK ESTES PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSH BEECHER
Bentonville: Sweet Arkansas Charm
DRIVE TIME: 2 HOURS SOUTHWEST OF SPRINGFIELD
THE CHARMING TOWN OF BENTONVILLE IS HOME TO SOME EXCELLENT DINING (DON’T MISS THE Preacher’s Son, Flying Fish, Onyx Co ee Lab or Oven & Tap). There are loads of world-class mountain biking trails, walking paths that connect the city of Bentonville, and a town square perfect for strolling. If you love art and architecture, visit Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art for a stunning collection of artwork or a tour of a beautifully preserved Frank Lloyd Wright home.
2. RIVER WAVES AND COOL CAVES
Find it: 2 hours southwest of Spring eld
LEAVE SPRINGFIELD early in the day, and you can hit three excellent Noel, Missouri, destinations in one day. First up: Kayak, canoe or raft down the Elk River for a scenic start to the day. The Trestle Bridge 6-mile oat is a good option that’s not too long and o ers beautiful blu views—but check water levels before you go. Once you’ve warmed up in the sun, cool down
with a sweet treat at Sammy’s Scoops, a sweet local ice cream parlor, before heading to Blu Dwellers Cave to explore its always-60-degrees natural wonderland lled with protected and preserved formations created over millions of years. After that, you can head back home for the day—unless you’re up for a short detour to Haven 55 in Pineville. This restaurant is located directly on Little Sugar Creek and serves tasty food with charming creekside views.
3. GO BACK IN TIME
Find it: 1 hour east of Spring eld
LOVERS OF HISTORY, literature and smalltown sweetness will love a day trip to Mansfield. There you’ll nd the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home & Museum, where fans of the Little House on the Prairie series can see where the real-life pioneer herself lived with her family. In late September, the whole town celebrates her during the annual Wilder Days festival. You can also get a taste of a simpler life
at the pioneer village at Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Serious homesteaders can attend their annual Spring Planting Festival and other events, and more casual gardeners can visit to buy seeds from the shop and stroll through the peaceful farm. And just 15 miles down the road in Hartville, another spot, Rosewood Farms, o ers chocolates, espresso and country-style gifts in a scenic farm setting.
4. NWA FTW
OZARKS ROAD TRIPS
There’s nothing like hitting the highway for a day lled with fun. Plan a road trip with numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 13, 31, 36 and 48 on this list.
Find it: 1.5 to 2.5 hours south of Spring eld NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, especially in the Ponca and Jasper areas, is packed with trails that will take your breath away—twice. Once as you hu and pu along the path, and once when you see the view. Explore one of the trails below, then nish with biscuits and chocolate gravy at The Ozark Café in Jasper’s town square. For an easy trek with the kids, drive to Lost Valley Trail. If you don’t mind a challenge, take Centerpoint Trail to Goat Trail and Big Blu —you will not believe the Bu alo National River views! The trail to Hawksbill Crag is a perennial favorite for photo ops, with its scenic rock jutting out over a deep wooded valley. You get two hikes at one trailhead if you go to Pedestal Rock and Kings Blu , and the rock formations are amazing. And nally, for a short hike and a big payo , try Sam’s Throne.
5. GET YOUR KICKS
Find it: along the original Route 66
SPRINGFIELD IS KNOWN as the birthplace of Route 66, so it’s the perfect spot to start your journey west on the historic highway. For a one-day trip, hit some Route 66 hotspots from east to west as you drive from Spring eld to Joplin. First up is History Museum on the Square in Spring eld’s Park Central Square, where you can peruse the Birthplace of Route 66 exhibit. Also in Spring eld are classic cars in every color of the rainbow at the Route 66 Car Museum. In Ash Grove, Gary’s Gay Parita features vintage Sinclair signage and kitsch covering every surface. Lottie’s Soda Shoppe is the next stop, in the tiny town of Avilla. Get a glass bottle of Route 66 brand soda there. You’ll get to Carthage next, where Iggie’s Diner o ers comforting meals and more chrome and neon than you’ve ever spotted in one place. In Joplin, swing through Route 66 Mural Park before grabbing dinner at Wilder Steakhouse, whose retro neon sign is part of the National Route 66 Preservation Project. Finally, swing through Carthage again on the way home to see a movie under the stars at the 66 Drive-In Theater before spending a night at the lovingly restored Boots Court Motel, the second oldest motel still in business along all of Route 66.
6. TAKE YOUR TIME AT THE MARKET
Find it: southeast Spring eld
THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF grocery shopping: There’s the kind you do to ll your pantry with the things you need to prep meals and pack lunches all week long, and then there’s the kind you do to ll your soul with a little joy and give yourself a few treats. To build a perfect Saturday, opt for the latter and head to Farmers Market of the Ozarks with a friend and your pup on a leash—we promise he won’t be the only four-legged buddy in attendance. While you’re there, stroll the booths, chat with the vendors, buy some produce that you need, and splurge on some fresh owers and art that you don’t. When you’re nished shopping, grab a bite to eat from one of the food trucks and spill the tea over a lazy picnic table lunch.
7. IT’S LIKE A COZY HYGGE HUG
Find it: downtown Spring eld
RAINY SATURDAYS CALL for a little extra comfort. Instead of staying home, grab you umbrella and rain boots and visit some of downtown Springfield’s coziest spots. Warm your hands around a cup of hot tea at MudHouse Co ee, where the cozy interior will warm you right up. Then venture to Heirloom, where you can customize and pour a candle to burn at home that’s the perfect scent
for you. Eat lunch at Rise, where the food is nourishing and delish. (Get the black pepper and ginger homemade soda with your meal. It’s so, so good.) And nally, end your cozy day with a movie at Moxie Cinema and enjoy the warm glow of the big screen.
8. GIVE A LITTLE BIT
Find it: varies
CONSIDER A DAY SPENT giving back, and find a local organization that speaks to you. Consider tutoring a young reader through Ozarks Literacy Council, connecting neighbors to the nutrition they need with
Ozarks Food Harvest or building homes with Habitat for Humanity. These are just three of the many, many local nonpro ts that work every day to make 417-land a better place to live— and that could probably use your help to reach their goals.
9
Brentwood Center: Shop Til You Drop
FIND IT: SOUTH SPRINGFIELD
WHAT’S BETTER THAN A SHOPPING STROLL WITH COFFEE IN-HAND? The best place for that is a neighborhood spot where you can spend the whole day exploring and never have to move your car—a place like Brentwood Center. Start with yoga at Sumits Hot Yoga followed by co ee at The Press. Then shop at The Market, The Uptown Boutique Staxx, BonBon’s Candy House and more. After getting your nails done at Gloss Nail Lounge, end with a late lunch at Farmers Gastropub.
I-44: Take a Micro-Mini Road Trip
FIND IT: 20 MINUTES EAST OF SPRINGFIELD
THE I-44 CORRIDOR IS A FAST TRACK THROUGH THE MIDWEST, BUT have you ever slowed down to explore it super-close to home? Start by packing up the kids for Wild Animal Safari in Stra ord, where a drivethrough trail takes you past zebras, gira es, camels, llamas and more. On the way home, pop into Buc-ee’s and let the kids pick whatever wild snack they want. Your nal stop is Fireworks Supermarket. Pick up something bright, loud and extra-fun—then blow it up responsibly.
11. ART FOR ALL
Find it: downtown Spring eld
EVERY MAY, THOUSANDS of locals and out-of-town visitors ock to Historic Walnut Street in Spring eld for Artsfest. This outdoor juried art exhibition features work from about 100 regional artists working in just about every medium. The artists are situated
in booths lining the scenic street, and there you can view their work and shop for the perfect piece. It’s easy to spend a few hours there, soaking up the beloved festival atmosphere, hunting for fresh art to purchase for your home, watching live dance and music performances, munching on treats from food trucks and so much more.
there. The James River runs all the way down to Table Rock Lake, but we recommend going to Galena to get a tube oat day pass at Camp Tomahawk. They let you loose on the river with an in ated tube, and you can travel the quick 2.5-mile oat over and over, as many times as you want. You can even get a four-person raft so you and your pals can take it easy together. It doesn’t get more low-key than that! If you want to try something a little more unique, Camp Tomahawk also o ers HOVBUG tours on a “hovercraft” that glides down the river on an 8-inch cushion of air for a unique experience.
13. A WATERFALL WORTH DRIVING FOR
door farmers market featuring locally made art, fresh veggies, delicious baked goods and some excellent homemade dumplings at the on-site mini-restaurant that has a walk-up window for ordering lunch.
14. GO GET THAT PICKWICK CHARM
Find it: central Spring eld
12. A LAZY DAY ON THE JAMES
Find it: 1 hour south of Spring eld
YOU CAN TRAVEL HOURS to get to the most popular scenic rivers in the Ozarks, and it’d be worth every minute on the highway. But there’s a beautiful and underrated waterway right in our backyard, and it takes a lot less time to get
Find it: 1.25 hours west of Spring eld AT A WHOPPING 163 feet wide, Grand Falls in Joplin is the widest continuously owing waterfall in the state, and it’s a low-key spot to wade and splash around. The water at Grand Falls ows over a 12-foottall ledge into a calm pool surrounded by at chert. Younger kids hop around on the exposed rock while sunbathing grown-ups relax nearby. Meanwhile, the more daring visitors walk along the water above the fall—careful not to slip! And everybody, eventually, hops into the water to take a dip. Afterward, round out the day with a visit to Joplin Empire Market, an in-
THERE IS A TREASURE trove of great places to explore at the intersection of Cherry Street and Pickwick Avenue in Spring eld. It’s easy to spend hours, even all day, popping in and out of local businesses slinging cool products, delicious food and loads of personality. Start at Sleepy Opossum Cafe for breakfast (you have to try the biscuit sandwich) before walking next door to Artistree Pottery to paint a little present for yourself. Grab lunch at Tea Bar & Bites (it has to be the curry chicken salad) and then save room for homemade ice cream across the road at Box Turtle Creamery. Round out the day by shopping for gifts at Culture Flock and grabbing wine at Cherry Picker Package x Fare or beer at Tie & Timber Brewery.
15. RELEASE YOUR INNER GAME NERD
Find it: south Spring eld
SAVE THIS ONE FOR A rainyday, when you need something to do indoors with the kids. You’ll say you’re helping them squelch their
boredom, but we know the truth: You’re a game nerd at heart, and this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. The moment you can absolutely blow them away with your board game and Lego-building skills. Start at Village Meeple Board Game Cafe, where they have a tiny $5 entry fee and a library of hundreds of excellent board games. It’s a great place to pick up an old favorite or try something new. After that, head just a few doors down to Bricks & Mini gs, a shop selling new and used Lego sets as well as loose Lego pieces to help you complete your masterpiece. Kids can even choose from thousands of pieces to create their own custom mini- gure. Buy whatever supplies you need, then head home for an epic building marathon.
16. GET IN THE SPIRIT
Find it: Spring eld, Branson and beyond HOLIDAY PREPARATIONS can dominate the calendar once November and December roll around. Our advice: Take some of your holiday to-dos, add in a sprinkling of Christmas lights and some hot cocoa, and turn it all into a day of fun. Start out by exploring locally owned shops to nd the perfect holiday gifts. H•I•M always has unexpected items for the men in your life, and Blackwell’s is perfect for the stylish man on your list. 417 Cocktails is great for nding in-
SHOPPING & DINING
Find boutiques and restaurants packed with unique treasures and great eats in numbers 6, 9, 14, 16, 24, 33 and 50.
gredients and more for holiday entertaining, and Pagination Bookshop is a wonderful stop for books and children’s gifts. And those are just a few of the great spots to shop. After you’ve spent the day spending, grab a hot cocoa from your favorite co ee shop. It’ll keep you feeling warm and happy as you drive around looking at Christmas lights. Don’t miss Spring eld’s Bagwell Lights, Nixa’s Christmas Cottage or the drive-through displays in Ozark and Branson.
17. LUNCH AT THE HERONS’ PLAYGROUND
Find it: south Spring eld
THERE ARE THREE things that always equate to a good Saturday when you put them together: good food, great people and a lazy river. So gather up some of your favorite friends, and pick up lunch for a picnic by the water. Derby Deli, located at Brown Derby International Wine Center, is the perfect spot for lunch-to-go with its elevated deli
sammies and excellent salads—and wine shop proximity. For a day beside the water, opt for the summery taste of their tarragon chicken salad. Once the grub is secured, it’s onward to the water. Head to the Joe Crighton access on the James River, set up camp chairs in the shallow part of the water, and kick around in the river while you eat lunch and take turns spotting lazy turtles and majestic blue herons going about their business on the peaceful river.
No Boys Allowed: Your Rory and Lorelai Day
FIND IT: COMMERCIAL STREET IN SPRINGFIELD
IF YOU’RE A MOM WITH A TEENAGE DAUGHTER, WE HAVE THE PERFECT GIRLS-DAY-OUT FOR you. Head to Commercial Street and start at Blue Heron Farm & Bakery, where you can munch on perfect pastries (both savory and sweet) and sip equally perfect co ee. Once you’ve fueled up, go across the street and down the block to your rst thrifting spot: Hakaar’s Bazaar. After that, venture east down Commercial Street to pop into Chabom Tea & Spices and Ms. Gilmore’s. The two shops are located side-by-side, one selling loose leaf teas and the other selling antiques and vintage goods. Stay at Ms. Gilmore’s if it’s lunchtime for tea room fare.
Farms & Orchards: Pick a Peck
FIND IT: 417-LAND FARMS
FRESH FRUIT ALWAYS TASTES BETTER WHEN IT’S STILL WARM FROM the sun. In 417-land you pick all kinds of fruit at local farms. Harvest strawberries in late spring at Boz’s Berry Farm or Missouri Berries. In June and July, it’s all about blueberries and blackberries at Persimmon Hill Farm and Black and Blue Berry Farm in Rogersville. Later in summer, visit Gardener’s Orchard to pick peaches. And in the fall, it’s apple-picking season. (Read more about apple picking on p. 40.).
20. THE PERFECT
RIVER DOESN’T EXI—
Find it: 2 hours south of Spring eld
THERE’S A REASON THE rst waterway to be designated a United States National River was the Bu alo National River Every beautiful inch in of it is worth preserving—and oating it is a must-do. The river has crystal-clear water and
plenty of great swimming spots. But the most distinctive features are the soaring blu s that rise up directly beside the water’s edge. Start your day at Bu alo Outdoor Center in Ponca. They’ll set you up with canoes and kayaks, and they also rent out secluded and scenic cabins, so you can rest when the fun is done.
21. FLOWER POWER
Find it: up to 30 minutes from Spring eld
LOCAL FLOWER FARMS
Finley Farms and Stone Hill Flower Farm in Ozark and Golden Grove Sun ower Farm in Fair Grove are each located less than half an hour from Spring eld, so you can spend a morning hand-picking a bouquet and feeling like you’re in another, dreamy, ower- lled world—then then be back home in time for lunch.
22. TEE TIME WITH A VIEW
Find it: 1 hour south of Spring eld
THE OZARKS ARE HOME to world-class golf courses that can ll those Saturdays quite nicely. Payne’s Valley, designed by Tiger Woods and Big Cedar Lodge, might take the cake in terms of breathtaking views. Book a tee time, and see what we mean.
23. WATERFALL WANDERING
Find it: 2 hours southwest of Spring eld
24. THE BEST OF THE BEERS
Find it: Nixa and Spring eld CRAFT BREWS AREN’T the only draw at our 417-land’s local microbreweries. Many of them o er great outdoor spaces, live music, food trucks and games. Spend a day making mini-visits to a bunch of them. (And please, arrange a designated driver!) We recommend this north-tosouth route: Hold Fast Brewing, Tie & Timber Beer Co., Great Escape Beer Works and then nally the Nixa location of 4 by 4 Brewing Co.
25. JUST FOR YOU
Find it: in Spring eld SOMETIMES WHAT YOU need is a Saturday spent all alone. So why not treat yourself? Center yourself with a sound bath at Awaken Healing + Massage before heading to Acacia Spa for a massage and some time in the sauna and steam shower. Finally, get a gua sha facial and try the halotherapy salt vault at Breathe Health Spa.
OUTDOORS ADVENTURES
It’s no surprise the beauty of the Ozarks is all over this list! Get outside with numbers 4, 12, 17, 19, 20, 23, 27, 30, 39, 42, 46, 47, 51 and 52.
TWO WATERFALLS PLUS one scenic lunch stop—all in one day? Perfection! Hike to the 210-foot-tall HemmedIn Hollow waterfall that pours down over a blu . Then head down the road to The Cli House Inn. It’s located on a blu overlooking the “Arkansas Grand Canyon,” so you can have lunch with a view. If you are still rearing to go, end at nearby Magnolia Falls for your own little Fern Gully experience.
26. HOP ON A HORSE
Find it: Lampe and Rogersville
HAVE YOU EVER VIEWED the Ozarks from atop a horse? Even beginners can try it at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park (Lampe), where trail rides take you o the beaten path. And if you want to connect with a non-pro t that provides equine therapy to those who need it, you have to check out Horses of Hope (Rogersville).
Table Rock Lake: A Little Bit Lazy, A Bit Little Wild
FIND IT: 1 HOUR SOUTH OF SPRINGFIELD
TABLE ROCK LAKE IS THE BEATING HEART OF 417-LAND’S lakegoing scene. With its pristine shoreline, the water at Table Rock Lake falls smack-dab into the lively and inviting sweet spot between the two lake extremes: nothing-to-do and way-too-crowded. And existing in the sweet spot means TRL’s visitors can choose their own adventure when they visit the lake—a quiet and peacefully lazy day on the water, or a morning-to-night excursion
lled with speed and great big splashes. There’s truly something for everybody. You can head out pre-dawn for shing in the silence of the morning, or you can cove out and cli jump to the soundtrack of laughter, whoops and wails all around you. You can sunbathe on the deck of your boat as it bobs gently in the water, or you can strap on a kneeboard and spend the day soaring o your boat’s wake. No matter you what you pick, you know it’ll be a good day.
Ozark Empire Fair: Sweet Summer Fun
FIND IT: NORTHWEST SPRINGFIELD
IT’S A SUMMERTIME TRADITION FILLED WITH CARNIVAL-STYLE games, wild rides, concerts, and every over-the-top food-on-astick you can think of. No matter which of those things draws you to a Saturday at Ozark Empire Fair , one thing is certain: It’ll be hot as heck out there. Our advice: Embrace it. It’ll make that massive chocolate-covered frozen cheesecake slice (on a stick, obviously) all the more delicious when you treat yourself to it after sweating it out at the ring toss booth for a giant teddy bear prize.
29. JUMP IN A JEEP
Find it: 1 hour south of Spring eld
IF YOU HAPPEN TO NEED a reminder about the world-class beauty of the Ozarks, listen up. Pink Jeep Adventure Tours are only in ve destinations: Sedona, the Great Smoky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Branson. We’re
in good company! There are several tour options that take you through scenic sites, and they depart from Branson, right across the street from Titanic Museum Attraction. So you know what we’re going to say next, right? Flesh out this perfect Saturday by popping into some attractions on the strip too!
30. CAST A LINE ON THE WHITE RIVER
Find it: 2.25 hours southeast of Spring eld JUST ACROSS THE STATE in Lakeview, Arkansas, is a resort on the White River that has been connecting people to the waterway for more than 60 years. Located on a pristine stretch of river, Gaston’s White River Resort is home to shing cottages, a tasty restaurant, an air strip for visiting private planes and lots of opportunities for shing—whether you’re an old pro or a curious beginner. Guided shing trips are o ered for full or half days, with options for things like freshly cooked lunches on the banks of the river. Or if you’d rather go it alone, you can rent boats and shing gear for a perfect day out on the water.
31. NIXA’S HAD A GLOW UP!
Find it: 25 minutes south of Spring eld
HAVE YOU NOTICED?
again, pop into Piccolo for dinner and indulge in pasta and cannolis. The day will end at Aetos Center for the Performing Arts, which brings in national shows to a brand new, state-of-theart venue.
32. A DAY MADE JUST FOR THE GUYS
Find it: around Spring eld
LEAVE THE GIRLS AT home, and head out on a father-son adventure
➽
OZARKS ATTRACTIONS
There’s a reason these spots draw in visitors and locals alike. Find them in numbers 11, 21, 22, 26, 29, 34, 35, 38, 40, 41 and 43.
There have been a lot of changes the past several years in the city of Nixa, with new businesses and attractions opening all the time. Now, it’s an excellent spot to spend a day when you just need to get out of town. Start midday with lunch at 14 Mill Market, a 10-kitchen food hall o ering a variety of tasty options. Then shop a little at The Red Poppy Boutique, Alps Pharmacy & Gifts or Rosebud’s Cottage (where you can get clothes for kiddos too). When you’re hungry
Start in the morning with shing on Fellows Lake, where you can rent a boat to use out on the scenic, quiet waters of the lake. In the afternoon switch to some high-tech golf at BigShots, where he can practice his swing and you can give him some fatherly pointers along the way. Afterward, head to City Butcher and Barbecue for some of the best beef brisket around before you drive downtown for a Springeld Cardinals game. Bonus points if you plan this for a night during the summer, when the Cardinals are likely to shoot o some great big reworks at the end of home games.
33. SPRUCE UP YOUR FRONT PORCH
Find it: west and north Spring eld
DECORATING YOUR porch for fall might show up on your to-do list, but it’s no chore. The process of shopping at local greenhouses and garden stores for the best seasonal pumpkins, warty gourds, bales of
hay and mums exploding with fall color is honestly a joy. Call it home improvement on your budget, but we all know it’s just plain fun. Shops like Scha tzel’s Greenhouse, Wickman’s Garden Village and Fassnight Creek Farm are always good spots to stock up on all the things that will make
your house the envy of the street as the neighborhood trees take on their fall hues around it.
34. BEST
DAY
EVER AT SILVER DOLLAR CITY
Find it: 1 hour south of Spring eld
THIS IS YOUR MOMENT to feel just like a kid again! Get some tickets
to Silver Dollar City for you and a few friends, and commit to riding every single roller coaster together. Every single one! Then pick your favorite. Ours is the suped up take on a classic wooden coaster, Outlaw Run. If more spins and loops are your thing, you will get a big kick
out of Time Traveler. The thrills, screams and laughs that erupt while you’re soaring through the breeze are an instant mood booster. And the best day ever at Silver Dollar City is about more than just rides. You also—and I cannot stress this enough—must eat a Twisted Tater Hot Dog
while you’re there. When you’ve had enough riding and eating and need to walk o that potato-dog treat, that’s when you can start shopping. Visit the little stores featuring handmade goods crafted by the park’s many artisans. Finally, stock up at the salt water ta y shop.
Nathanael Greene Park: Your All-Day Moment of Zen
FIND IT: WEST SPRINGFIELD
FINDING PEACE IN A BUSY WORLD IS NO SMALL FEAT.
Luckily, there’s a park in west Spring eld that makes it easy. At Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park and its on-site Spring eld Botanical Gardens, you can connect with nature via themed gardens bursting with greenery and blooms. Our favorite is the shaded hosta garden with its lush pathways and quiet places to sit and read a book. There’s a walking path that circles the duck-speckled waters
of Lake Drummond. Most picturesque of all is the 7.5-acre Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden (pictured above) with its beautiful landscaping, quiet paths, traditional structures like the ceremonial tea house and burbling water features. It even has a meditation garden. To make your Saturday at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, pack a picnic so you have no excuse to leave, and spend all day soaking up some Vitamin D, getting your steps in and—of course— stopping to smell the owers.
Ozark: Day into Night at the Finley River
FIND IT: 20 MINUTES SOUTH OF SPRINGFIELD
THE FINLEY RIVER IS THE HEART OF OZARK, AND EXPLORING this beloved waterway is a great way to spend a Saturday. It’s perfect for a waterside picnic, shing from the banks or embarking on a bit of kayaking. Plus, Finley Farms is located right beside the Finley River. There, you can grab dinner at The Mill Restaurant and then after-dinner drinks or dessert at The Garrison—at both places you’ll have the option to sit on the patio and watch the water ripple by while you
eat. After that, end the day with a twilight stroll across the historic Riverside Bridge, located just a few steps away. And don’t worry; we have an alternative itinerary if you don’t want to start your day by getting into the water in a kayak or risk getting your feet wet while you sh: Swap all that Finley River water- lled fun for a tour of the historic and fascinating Smallin Civil War Cave, also located in Ozark, before you head to Finley Farms. That way, you can enjoy the river strictly from the shore.
BY
PHOTO
JOSH BEECHER
37.
GO WILD WITH THE GRANDKIDS
Find it: Spring eld and Saddlebrook
KIDS LOVE ANIMALS, AND grandparents love kids. It’s a match made in heaven. So next time you’re planning a fun day out with your kid’s kids, make it animal-themed. Start with a morning stroll through Dickerson Park Zoo, where they can feed the gira es, marvel at the huge elephants and giggle at the playful river otters. Up next: a visit to Wonders of Wildlife to explore the world-class natural history museum and aquarium. They can feed the animals there too—stingrays this time! Round out the day at National Tiger Sanctuary to learn about the world’s biggest cats. Some tours even take place at feeding time.
38.
RIDE THE RAILS
Find it: 45 minutes south of Spring eld
YOU PROBABLY ALREADY know you can visit Branson Scenic Railway in the winter for its popular Polar Express events, but another great time to visit is in the fall, when you can take in the changing colors of the leaves as you race along the tracks, through tunnels and over bridges that dot the Ozarks hills. Over the course of 45 minutes, you’ll trek from Branson to Northwest Arkansas to the south or Galena to the north. Opt for the dinner train if you want to enjoy a candlelight meal too.
39. CLIMB A HILL AND SLIP DOWN A SLIDE
Find it: 1.5 hours southwest of Spring eld
THIS DAY TRIP IS ALL about working up a sweat, then cooling down again. You’ll start with a drive to Roaring River State Park. It’s a great place to view the hatchery or the beautiful natural spring, but the trails are the main event. The Fire Tower Trail is a rugged 4.4-mile trek with some steep areas, and the views are worth the e ort. Afterward, visit Beebe’s Waterslide for a nostalgic experience and a much-needed splash to cool o .
40. FOR THE LOVE OF ART
Find it: Spring eld WHEN YOU’RE FEELING creative, indulge your inner artist by exploring local spots like Fresh Art Gallery, Hawthorn Gallery and OH Gallery. After you’ve had your ll of visual art, switch to performing art and see a Spring eld Ballet, Spring eld Symphony Orchestra or Spring eld Little Theatre show.
41. GO ANALOG
Find it: Spring eld
LET NOSTALGIA WIN FOR a day, and go full retro! Fun Acre both looks and feels just like it did when you were a kid. Casper’s, a great lunch stop, is lled with kitsch and has the 115-year history to match. After you’ve had your ll of chili dogs, pop downtown to play all the 1980s arcade games you can handle at 1984.
Dog Days: Treat Your Pup
FIND IT: THROUGHOUT SPRINGFIELD
YOU CAN’T HAVE A PERFECT SATURDAY WITHOUT YOUR BEST FRIEND. Take this as your cue to spoil your furry friends. First, head to Bass Pro Shops, where they can shop with you. Then get them a drive-through treat: They give pups ice cream at Black Sheep Burgers & Shakes and Andy’s Frozen Custard, and Huey Magoo’s treats them to a grilled chicken tender. After that, head to Fetch Pet Supplies to pick out a new toy. Finally, turn them loose in the dog park at Bark Yard.
➽
DAY OUT WITH THE KIDS
You can bring your kiddos to most of the spots on this list, but the plans in numbers 10, 15, 18, 28, 32 and 37 are designed with them in mind.
42. LOOK UP!
Find it: near water
SEEING WILD ANIMALS can be breathtaking, and you can even spy some bald eagles around the Ozarks. In December through February, look near waterways. Eagles love catching sh near dams. And they’ve been known to nest along Missouri streams.
43. GOTTA GO FAST! Find it: 45 minutes south of Spring eld
STEEP HILLS AND HAND breaks are key ingredients for Branson thrills! For a wild ride, try the alpine-style roller coasters at Copperhead Mountain Coaster, the Branson Mountain Coaster and Runaway Mountain Coaster.
46.
Downtown: Girlfriends’ Splurge Day
FIND IT: DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD
THINK OF ALL YOUR FAVORITE GIRLS’ DAY ACTIVITIES—GOOD FOOD, good drinks, a good show—and then treat yourself to every single one of them. Start your girls night out in the afternoon with a drink and a view on the patio at Vantage Rooftop Conservatory & Lounge. After that, splurge for dinner at Flame Steakhouse, where you can indulge in a dry-aged steak and great wine. Then take a stroll across Park Central Square to the Gillioz to see a show before calling it a night.
FAR AWAY BUT CLOSE TO HOME
Find it: up to 30 minutes south of Spring eld SOMETIMES YOU CRAVE the great outdoors, but you don’t want to spend half the day in the car trying to get there. On Saturdays like that, hop on a little south-Springeld-and-beyond mini adventure loop and visit the Spring eld Conser-
vation Nature Center, Lake Spring eld Boathouse and Busiek State Forest & Wildlife Area. Each one has its own personality and plenty of ways to connect with nature. At the Spring eld Conservation Nature Center, you can stroll quiet paths through woods that feel like they couldn’t possibly be so
47. NORTH FORK OR BUST
Find it: 2 hours southeast of Spring eld ONE OF THE MOST scenic places to canoe or kayak is the North Fork of the White River. It has plenty of swimming holes and nearby springs to keep you entertained the whole day through. Dawt Mill, located in Tecumseh, is a great place to begin and end your trek down the North Fork. The historic mill is now a resort with a canoe out tter, on-site cabins and campsites and a couple of dining options to keep you well fed and happy. One is The Beach Bar, open seasonally in the summer and located right at the water’s edge. A newer spot, The Hearthside, is more of a ne-dining experience. Located in the grist mill at Dawt, it features riverside views and dishes that toe the line between upscale and comforting, like craw sh corn fritters and classic steak with potatoes.
48. BIG DAY IN WALNUT SHADE
Find it: 45 minutes south of Spring eld
es are more your speed. And speaking of speed, not far away on the other side of Highway 65 is Wolfe Mountain, where you can zipline through the tree canopy or y down the hillside on a year-round faux sledding hill. When you’re nished with all that, you’ll surely be ready for a break from the adventure. That’s when you’ll drive to Bear Creek Wine Company & Brewery for some craft beer, locally made wine and tasty snacks on a big deck overlooking the Ozarks hills. Don’t miss the little extras here, like repits and live music.
49. BOOK A WINTER STAYCATION
Find it: 1 hour south of Spring eld
close to town. The Lake Spring eld Boathouse is your chance to get out onto the water, with rental kayaks that you can use on the James River Water Trail. And nally, Busiek has trails for all experience levels, some with water crossings, and a quiet stream perfect for kicking around in the cool water.
WALNUT SHADE IS ONE of those little pockets of 417-land that’s packed with a surprising amount of things to do in a surprisingly small area. You can explore the wooded hillsides of Walnut Shade on two wheels at Howler Bike Park or on four legs at Bear Creek Trail Rides— you just have to decide if mountain bikes or hors-
IF YOU’VE NEVER escaped your responsibilities in the dead of winter to veg out in front of a blazing replace at a quiet resort, boy are you missing out. It’s one of our favorite things to do! We recommend booking a replace room at Big Cedar Lodge with your favorite person. There’s plenty of good dining on hand, so you don’t have to worry about food all day. But the best part is that the scenic and chilly—and hopefully snowy!—walks through the beautiful grounds can be rewarded in so many warm-and-cozy ways. You can cuddle up by the re in your room, you can have a drink by one of the replaces at nearby Top of the Rock, you can swim in the
warm waters of the grotto pool at Cedar Creek Spa (which is also home to saunas and some replaces of its own), and you can book a massage as the icing on the cake.
50. THE ULTIMATE TREASURE HUNT
Find it: around 417-land
THE PERFECT TABLE FOR your entryway does exist—you just have to be willing to hunt for it. That’s why we love the antique shops and seasonal antiques markets in the Ozarks that always o er something new and unique. Scho eld + Gray opens
TREAT YOURSELF (OR SOMEONE ELSE)
You deserve a little something special!
And passing on the love to someone else (even your pup!) feels just as good. Find some inspiration in numbers 7, 8, 25, 44, 45 and 49.
about three times a year in a sweet setting in Fordland, with vendors selling vintage goods, art and more. Backroad Relics in Bolivar opens one weekend per month, also selling antiques and vintage goods, presented in charmingly arranged vignettes within the store. But if you don’t want to wait for a seasonal market, local shops like The Vintage Peddler in Spring eld and Camp Flea in Ozark o er antiquing opportunities all the time. Another Ozark spot, Spring Creek, is perfect for a midday stop because it also has
a long-adored tea room inside serving to-die-for desserts and tea room classics like strawberry soup and delicate slices of quiche.
51. A DREAMY LITTLE SWIMMING HOLE
Find it: 3 hours south of Spring eld
JUST SOUTH OF THE Bu alo National River in northwest Arkansas is an easy-to-access swimming hole that manages to feel like a secret spot just for you. That’s because although you have to travel well into the country to get to Falling Water Falls with
its sparkling waters, the challenge ends there. The swimming hole itself is situated just o the road, so hiking to nd it is not required. Pack a picnic lunch, though, because this spot is pretty darn remote and you won’t be making a mid-swim McDonald’s run to feed hungry kids. While you’re there, you’ll nd families swimming in a little pool that sits below a small waterfall, kids trying their hands at the rope swing, dogs lazing about on the rocks and daring souls cli jumping, all in an idyllic wooded setting.
Rockbridge: Where the Fish Always Bite
FIND IT: 1.75 HOURS EAST OF
SPRINGFIELD
ROCKBRIDGE RAINBOW TROUT & Game Ranch sits on more than 2,000 acres along Spring Creek, and it’s a prime destination for shing. If you choose the catch-and-keep permits, the sta at Rockbridge will clean and pack your sh for you, so you can cook them at home. Beginners can even hire a guide to teach them all about y shing. After a long day of angling, you can hop over to the Grist Mill Club, a bar located inside an 1800s mill serving tasty cocktails. Also on site is a restaurant that serves dishes made from trout caught on-site. It’s easy to make it a day a Rockbridge, traveling there in the early morning and arriving back home in time for bed. But if you think you’ll be too pooped to trek back home, you can opt to reserve the on-site lodging instead.
WHYDON’T WEJUST LIVE HERE?
INTERIOR DESIGNER
NATHAN TAYLOR AND ACTOR/DESIGNER
J
WHITMER
BY HEATHER KANE KOHLER
PHOTOS BY JEREMY MASON MCGRAW WITH GLOBAL IMAGE CREATION
WHEN ACTOR AND
designer J Tyler Whitmer traveled from his apartment in Chicago to meet Nathan Taylor, Interior Designer and Owner of Obelisk Home, for an impromptu second date, he found himself humoring his date and touring a 1950s mid-century home tucked away on Fritts Lane. This was May of 2020, and what followed was a lot of meant-to-be moments, and extensive collaboration. “We originally bought the home to ip it,” says Taylor. “Houses just don’t go up for sale in Fritts Lane, so we had to jump on it.” For those unfamiliar with the area, Fritts Lane is located in a subdivision between Brentwood Terrace and King’s Way UMC Church on Lone Pine. Known for its very few and very unique homes, its wide open space and an abundance of quiet, Fritts Lane is a charming storybook-esque area tucked away from the busyness of the city, while still being in the center of it all.
The home over the years always had remained very mid-century, although at times had more traditional decor. “We loved the windows and doors on the front of the home and the 60s broken mosaic oor that’s now our family room,” says Whitmer. As demo on the home began, Whitmer and Taylor were met with a unique proposal by friend and real estate agent Adam Graddy. “He said, ‘Why don’t you just live there?,’” says Taylor. “We thought about it, and just said ‘We can do this!’”
Things swiftly changed from thinking of the home as a ip to thinking of it as their house. “We changed the layout of the house and converted the closet and the bathroom into our closet and added the primary
With unique pieces from oor to ceiling, this home is a designer’s oasis.
The primary bedroom is cozy yet sophisticated with a more neutral palette of browns.
“I
LOVED FIGURING OUT THE KITCHENAND DININGROOM. ITWAS FUN TO REIMAGINE HOWTOMAKE IT ALLWORK.”
bathroom on the north side of the house,” says Taylor. They also added new doors, removed a dividing bookcase and changed the duct work covered in wood in the family room where the incredible mosaic oor is. Painting the family room with a fresh coat of white paint created a beautiful backdrop for the broken mosaic oors to really shine. “We took the old addition that was on the front and east side of the house and raised the roof to match the architecture,” says Taylor. “The current dining room was once a small bedroom with an adjacent bathroom.” This was Taylor’s favorite part of the remodel. “It all just evolved into more usable spaces,” says Taylor. “I loved guring out the kitchen and dining room. It was fun to reimagine how to make it all work.”
It’s no surprise art and gallery walls adorn the home in almost every nook. Taylor’s known for his love and support of local art.
The home was reworked in many other ways, but many of the features the couple loved remained focal points throughout the home. “We really use every single living space now,” says Whitmer.
The exterior of the home, with its clean, architectural lines, long walkway and front patio that extends along the whole front of the home, creates an indoor/outdoor living aesthetic and creates beautiful views to be taken in from almost every room in the home. When entering the home, you’re rst greeted by the original mid-century door, which the couple stripped, stained dark and varnished. You rst step onto a magni cent Kelly Werster tile and above you a large mid-century chandelier lls the entryway. “I’ve had that light xture forever,” says Whitmer. “My mom bought it from the Christian Science church in my hometown.”
As you make your way into the main living room, you’re greeted by a traditional rug, modern seating and an art gallery wall with a mix of styles. “I’m a traditionalist at heart,” says Taylor, “where J is more architectural and modern.” Whitmer describes his styles as more neutral and minimal and Taylor’s as more colorful and maximalist. “Every space is so representational of both of our lives,” says Whitmer. “It was really fun to move in and start styling.” Many of the pieces the couple has
As you make your way through the rest of the home, elements like unique stone and marble really shine through in their collection.
used in their home mean something to them. “It’s been meaningful to come up with our own style, together,” says Taylor.
As you make your way to the dining room, you can’t help but be in awe of the large crystal chandelier and the oor-toceiling windows. “The view is incredible, “ says Whitmer. “I sit here and work all the time.” The crystal chandelier was a treasure they uncovered together at an estate warehouse in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. “It was in a crate and you couldn’t even see what it looked like, and Nathan said we had to buy it!” The xture turned out to be in almost perfect condition and even the lightbulbs that it came with worked. “The only thing it was missing was the bobéche,” says Taylor. The couple reached out to the family in Spain who made the chandelier and they sent a new bobéche for $300. “This was an incredible nd,” says Taylor. “This chandelier would have cost between
$30,000 and $40,000.” The dining room is a great example of how di erent elements work together in the home. “It’s a mix of di erent styles and a mix of old and new,” says Taylor. “We’ve loved using pieces we’ve each already had and then collecting and nding pieces together.”
In the kitchen the quartzite makes a beautiful statement, and in the family room a large green marble table sits on the broken mosaic oor. The couple’s collections make bold displays throughout the home as well. “We love collections. All the art came from both of us collecting pieces through our lives,” says Whitmer. “My mother is an artist and an interior designer and we have ve of her pieces throughout the home.” Taylor has been in uential in supporting the local art scene. Other collections are grouped among each other and mixed into the decor of the home. “I began collecting obelisks, and
now people give them to me as gifts,” says Taylor. When Taylor and Whitmer began uniting their collections to style their home, they realized how their collections often mimicked each other’s. “We realized at some point that we both collected boxes independently,” says Taylor. “We both love antiquing, and our rst date was actually antiquing in Chicago,” says Whitmer. “We both turned and looked in awe at the same marble bookends.” A testament to how the couple’s taste aligns so well.
Visit 417mag.com to make a batch of J Tyler Whitmer’s famous grain-free, dairy-free cookies! MAKE IT
Down the home’s main hallway you’ll nd two impeccably styled guest rooms and the primary suite the couple recon gured and added to. Beautifully draped white draperies line the giant windows and doors that are part of the front of the home. The primary bedroom feels architectural and collected at the same time. The very grand bed adds to the architectural nature of the room. “We both love to
“WE BOTH
LOVE TO PLAY WITH SCALE. THE BIGGER THE PIECEIS,THE MORE BALANCEDTHE SPACE FEELS.”
play with scale,” says Whitmer. “The bigger the piece is, the more balanced the space feels,” says Taylor. This concept of using larger scale pieces in smaller spaces is apparent in several spaces in the home. The large scale lighting the couple used really stands out in an elegant way. “Picking the plumbing xtures was the most fun part of the process for me,” says Whitmer. “We
really wanted an elevated hotel experience for the bathroom.” The gorgeous marble, stunning xtures and massive shower work together to create an opulent space indeed. “When we have parties people end up hanging out in the bathroom,” says Whitmer. Entertaining in their home is something the couple does frequently. “Entertaining should never feel like hard work
and this home really does most of the work for us,” says Whitmer. I have never wanted to live in a home that felt too precious to let people really enjoy it, so even though we have a lot of pieces that mean a lot to us that we have either collected or purchased, I never feel the need to guide people away from anything. The entire home is free for entertaining!”
Although they enjoy sharing their home with friends, family and the community, the couple enjoys the quiet of the neighborhood and spending time together at home, cooking in their beautiful kitchen while enjoying the view. “I am de nitely more of a baker than a chef,” says Whitmer. “I make these grain free/dairy free chocolate chip cookies that I have become known for and they’re super easy to make and guilt free.” Whether the couple is entertaining, working from home or cooking they love being happily tucked away on Fritts Lane and spending time at home. “This is truly the most beautiful place to call home,” says Taylor.
The primary bath draws you in with the beautiful view of the yard and soaking tub.
Hanging her future on a dream, she built a
legacy
Meghan Chambers reflects on the evolution of Staxx from a college dream to a Springfield staple.
By Jordan Blomquist
While sitting in class at the University of Arkansas’ Sam M. Walton College of Business 20 years ago—without realizing it—Meghan Chambers was formulating a plan to someday open her own business. She began assembling the pieces of what she thought was a pipe dream, until it was all coming together in front of her. Now, on any given day, you can nd Chambers zipping around Staxx, taking her kids to practice or sifting through inventory. She is a mom rst, but second, she is the owner of two connected stores in the Brentwood Shopping Center: Staxx, a local boutique, and Jellybeans, a children’s clothing store. Staxx has become a bit of an institution, and they are celebrating 20 years in business this year. It is the destination for 417-landers hunting for the perfect out t for any event—whether it’s a birthday celebration, a debut at a
Photograph by Katy St. Clair
major networking event, a day on the lake or vacation prep. They carry popular brands like For Love & Lemons, Free People, Good American, Baggu and more.
Chambers graduated college in 2003, secured the LLC for Staxx later that year and eagerly dove head- rst into the business world. Meeting with attorneys, city leaders, business leaders and the chamber of commerce—all while working other jobs— Chambers was researching, meticulously formulating a plan and executing it. Staxx then opened in March 2004—less than a year after her college graduation. Chambers scouted Spring eld’s growing areas to nd the perfect spot for Staxx. She chose a location at the corner of Walnut and South downtown, aiming to bring something new to the area.
Staxx has called various locations home, including downtown, Republic Road, Farmer’s Park, and since 2019, the Brentwood Shopping Center, where it remains. “It has been a roller coaster of emotions over the years,” says Tara Hamilton Miller, store manager, creative director and head buyer at Staxx. “We’ve been through a recession, COVID, three store moves and many more life events that have made us grow beyond what we ever imagined.”
Over time, Chambers re ned her business practices for the best and most sustainable outcome. “Meghan leads with love,” Hamilton Miller says. “She is never afraid to hand over the reins, once she believes you are ready. She values her team and their input so much. She has allowed us to take the lead with Staxx, wanting it to be our home as much as it is hers.” This rings true with Chambers’ decision for her businesses to play the Great Game of Business—an open-book management system created by her dad, Jack Stack. For companies that play the Great Game, every employee is involved in the goal-setting process. The plan to play the Great Game came a few years after Staxx opened. Chambers was working long nights trying to gure out how to balance cash ow and inventory all on her own. At that time, her dad reminded her how important it is to let her employees in on the company’s aspirations. “I remember going to my dad and he said, ‘You have to share them with those within your organization, and I promise you, your clouds will part, and the sun will shine,’” Chamber says. It was then that she decided to sit down with her employees and truly let them in. They formatted goals they could meet by working together. “It was really fun that we were all invested, and it has helped tremendously,” Chambers says. “It changed my business.”
New Addition: Jellybeans
later that year. Chambers actually worked at Jellybeans while in high school, which she says may have sparked a desire to own a business from a young age. Jellybeans has served the Spring eld community for 30 years, and Chambers has been the owner for 15 of those years. Its long-time presence in Spring eld has allowed Chambers to witness a full circle—young Jellybeans customers are returning, this time as parents shopping for their own children. “It has been really ful lling to watch,” she says. “It’s just awesome to be part of customers and families like that.”
Passion for Fashion
“Meghan leads with love… She values her team and their input so much. She has allowed us to take the lead with Staxx, wanting it to be our home as much as it is hers.”
When the world is asleep, Chambers comes alive. After her four children—ages 14, 12, 8 and 7—go to bed, she gets busy buying inventory and analyzing rising trends. She and her team always have an eye on social media and in uencers—what they’re wearing and how they’re breaking new ground in styling. They go down rabbit holes researching the lines they carry and what’s trending. Besides staying on top of emerging trends, remaining motivated is crucial after two decades in the business. “It’s been an incredible ride, and I owe it mostly to the family of employees we have for both businesses,” Chambers says. “I love what I do, and I adore who I work with, and they mean so much to me. We are all really close.” Chambers draws inspiration from her father, admiring his ability to juggle ve children, a thriving business and a ourishing family life. “He was able to balance his family and work,” she says. “If it was a painting, he’d have a masterpiece.” When it comes to her personal style, Chambers is a risk-taker. Though, she recognizes how she’s had to adapt her fashion choices as a mom. “What I’m doing after my work doesn’t always lend to a short dress and chunky boots,” Chambers says. “I’ve had to change my style more for my lifestyle at work and not at work.”
The Next 20 Years
When the call came asking Chambers if she’d like to acquire Jellybeans, a children’s store that had been in Spring eld under a di erent owner for 15 years, it was 2010 and she had just had her rst child. “I remember when I hung up the phone, I looked back at my very newborn baby with her car seat facing so I saw her face in the mirror, and I just said, ‘Oh girl, buckle up, because we’re going for a ride,’” Chambers says. They made the transition
In the early years of growing Staxx, Chambers was focused on what her sales goals would be and how much progress she could achieve. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, she has been focusing on making her business consistently healthy to navigate any challenge. “During that time, when we couldn’t do anything, how were we reaching out?” Chamber says. “How do we exist when the lights in the store aren’t on?” The team changed their entire point of sales system to coincide with their 24/7 store that is open online. Now, they are ne-tuning it. “There are so many things with the social media world that change every single day, and so it’s consistently being creative and keeping up with that and being innovative,” Chambers says.
Looking ahead to the next 20 years, Chambers has a new vision. The way the team at Staxx puts themselves and the business out there is ever-changing. “Knowing what I know from the past 20 years,” Chambers says, “slow, steady growth is what I want for the business so we can keep up and grow at the pace to achieve what we want to.”
Staxx’s inventory includes everything from clothing and accessories to home decor and beauty products. Shop for the kiddos one door down at Jellybeans. These items and more are available online at shopstaxx.com and tinytotstweens.com.
Clockwise from top le :
Sneakers: London in White Cloud, $275
let’s shop!
Necklace: Wilder necklace, $70
Earrings: Gold teardrop pearl French wire earrings, $60
Dress: Amira denim dress in Riviera, $150
Book: Live Beautiful book, $48
Teddy Bear: Brown bear Warmies, $30
Jeans: Checkered bootcut jeans, $62
Hat: Paris hat in navy, $22
Perfume: Santal roll-on, $62
TURN THE PAGE TO FIND PIPING HOT DINING NEWS AND SOME EXTRADELICIOUS OZARKS EATS.
Taste is
Ciao Down
ARE YOU READY TO DIG INTO THE YUMMIEST STUFF AROUND? LET’S EAT!
BY TESSA COOPER
DIG IN!
Avanzare Italian Dining relocated to its current home on Fremont Avenue this past May, and we visited to experience the classic dishes in the fresh new atmosphere.
Taste is
AFTER 22 YEARS IN business and counting, Avanzare Italian Dining is a name synonymous with Spring eld Italian food. But although I’ve lived here my entire life and have covered local food news for more than half a decade, I was an Avanzare virgin up until recently. Shocking, I know.
I did get a chance to visit the old location on Glenstone when I interviewed owner Tony Garcia for a previous story. After dining in the new sprawling space on Fremont, which can accommodate 250300 guests, it was hard to imagine how they were managing in the old location that could only seat 100 people max. It was a full house the night I visited, and there was a lively, excited energy all throughout.
The spacious entrance alone makes a grand rst impression with a large glass chandelier hanging high, while on the right, there’s a beautiful replace with a mosaic tile design above. There are multiple seating areas to choose from: a dining room hidden behind the wine cellar perfect for private parties, the main dining room located on the east side, the back bar area and the covered patio.
It was a beautiful evening the night of our visit, so my husband, Chandler, and I decided to enjoy our meal on the patio. We kicked it o with fried calamari and bruschetta. Out of the two appetizers, the bruschetta was our favorite. The bread was easy to bite into, and the tomatoes tasted
Avanzare
Italian Dining
3240 S. Fremont Ave., Springfield, 417-567-3463, avanzareitaliandining.com
Open Mon.–Sat., 4:30–10 p.m., Sun. 4:30–9 p.m.
$$–$$$
super ripe despite it not being peak tomato season yet. As for the fried calamari, the dish really came alive when we added the squeezed lemon on top.
Although Avanzare’s location is new, the quality o erings, prices and portion sizes remain the same. I ordered the Melanzane Alla Parmigiana, which was an eggplant Parmesan dish. Despite it consisting of primarily good-for-you vegetables, it still tasted like a decadent pasta meal with its spaghetti noodles and a generous helping of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. The eggplant was lightly breaded and pan-fried, and the inside was perfectly tender. Chandler ordered the Pollo Salata, a pan-seared chicken breast paired with fresh ingredients like artichoke hearts, mushrooms and kalamata olives all doused in a butter sauce. I asked him for some tasting notes, and he delivered. He said
that the sauce was “thick and creamy, and was enhanced by the brine in the Kalamata olives” and the chicken was “pull apart tender.” Honestly, sometimes I wonder if he’s coming for my job.
To cap o the perfect meal, we ordered the Fondonte. If you love brownies in the center of the baking pan more than the corners, this gooey ourless chocolate cake is for you. The side of vanilla ice cream balanced out the richness of the cake, and I was de nitely sad when I had no room left to nish it. To me, that’s the sign of a good meal.
We tried the fried calamari, Pollo Salata and the eggplant parmesan.
THE SWEET SPOT / BY TESSA COOPER
It Really Stacks Up
Starting your day o with the strawberry pancakes from Rise (105 Park Central Square, Spring eld) is like eating dessert rst, and we quite frankly love this dish for that. Owners Uliana Komodi and Christina
Sava are queens of all things pastry, so it’s no wonder that the ricotta pancakes always come out perfectly u y. The stack of two comes dressed to the nines with a wavy stripe of whipped vanilla mascarpone, pink pearl
sprinkles and strawberry dust. And then there’s the strawberries, but they aren’t just any strawberries. They are macerated, which means they sit in a sugar mixture for a few hours until they become even juicier and softer than before. We love pairing it with a simple drip co ee to balance out the sweetness.
Ricotta pancakes from Rise served with whipped mascarpone and strawberry dust.
Tuna Cigars are served in a cigar box that arrives at the table billowing smoke.
FLAVOR BOMB
Tuna Cigars
We admit it, we’re obsessed. The Tuna Cigars from Ariake Sushi & Robata in Spring eld is the surprise we never knew we needed.
BY TESSA COOPER
ARIAKE SUSHI & ROBATA has created a Japanese dining experience unlike anything else, with a sophisticated and moody atmosphere and dishes crafted from the highest quality ingredients. The Tuna Cigars are a beautiful example of this elevated level of service. Here’s what we love most about this delicious dish:
The Inner Layer:
Diced tuna is infused with spice thanks to the addition of tru e chili oil.
The Outer Layer:
A crispy spring roll wrapper cradles it all, and tobiko ( sh roe) adds a pop of color and a dash of umami.
The Presentation:
Get your camera ready, they arrive tableside in a cigar box lled with smoke that gently wafts your way.
Getting Sauced
We’ve rounded up a list of places that give their dishes a spicy glow-up with extraordinarily delicious hot sauces. Even better, most of them are available to purchase by the bottle.
BY TESSA COOPER
The Place: The Wheelhouse 1845 E. Sunshine St., Springfield
The Sauce: If you order any level of spice in your dish, it’s the housemade Thai chili sauce that you can thank for it. Try it at home on nachos or a burrito.
Available by the bottle: Yes
The Place: Bubba’s BBQ 504 N. West Bypass, Springfield
The Sauce: The Ozark Mountain Spicy BBQ Sauce will turn your grill game up a notch this Labor Day. Even better, it comes in a pack with their signature mild BBQ sauce and Gold BBQ sauce.
Available by the bottle: Yes
The Place: Caracas House 2463 W. Sunshine St., Springfield
The Sauce: Habaneros and a blend of spices give this made-in-house signature hot sauce its flavorful heat, while bell peppers and cilantro keep things fresh.
Available by the bottle: No
A variety of nigiri should also be on your lineup when you visit Ariake, and of course, you might as well order a sushi roll while you’re at it.
If seafood isn’t your thing, you’ll denitely not be left out. The Korean fried chicken doesn’t disappoint, and we are currently craving another round of the bacon-wrapped tomato skewers. The tomatoes taste especially sweet and the bacon fat softens them to perfection.
Don’t forget to come a little thirsty because the drink menu includes everything from wine to sake to light and refreshing beers like Yuengling.
The Place: Café Cusco 234 E. Commercial St., Springfield
The Sauce: The Loco Roco hot sauce, which gets a bit of sweetness from boiled raisins and brown sugar and an extra spicy kick thanks to serrano peppers and aji rocoto peppers.
Available by the bottle: Yes
BY
PHOTO
TESSA COOPER, KATY ST. CLAIR
SNACK ATTACK
Try a Torta
Tortuga Torta puts their own spin on classic Mexican comfort food.
BY TESSA COOPER
YOU DON’T HAVE TO CRUISE VERY far down Campbell Street before you spot Tortuga Torta (3867 S. Campbell Ave., Spring eld), recently set up its post in the Parkcrest Center parking, where it slings out tortas. The llings in these Mexican sandwiches are de nitely something to write home about, but it’s the bread that does it for us. It’s not just any bread—the signature bread on a torta is telera, which is a distant cousin to French bread. Each sandwich spends a bit of time in a press that seals o the sides and leaves it with a turtle shell pattern on top. On our visit, we tried the Al Pastor torta. This sandwich features pork shoulder marinated in a sweet-and-savory blend of dried Mexican chilis. The addition of pineapple pico o ers a tangy touch of acidity, while the refried beans and guac make it extra lling. But if you’re still hungry, you can always add on a Nachito, nachos with fries.
Sweet Sips
A er a humid Missouri summer, we’re all ready for a dose of fall. However, the weather still hasn’t quite gotten the memo. That’s why the apple cider slushy from Gardener’s Orchard and Bakery (4455 W. Farm Road 2, Brighton) is the perfect September sipper. This chilled drink is made from the orchard’s pure apple cider, which con-
Sip the apple cider slushy, made from apples from Gardener’s Orchard.
tains pressed farm-fresh apples and no added sugar, water or preservatives. We saved the best part for last—it comes with an apple cider doughnut around the straw. We honestly can’t think of a more perfect pairing. Grab one for yourself at the farm store, and sign up to hand pick some fresh apples to take home from the orchard while you’re there.
BY
PHOTO
TESSA COOPER, KATY ST. CLAIR
FARM TO TABLE | BY TESSA COOPER
Good Things
One list. Zero themes. Just seven dishes that we have recently tried and can’t stop recommending.
BY KATIE POLLOCK ESTES
1
The updated menu at The Ozark Mill Restaurant at Finley Farms (Ozark, nleyfarmsmo.com) doesn’t disappoint—especially the Sticky St. Louis Ribs. They are covered with bourbon barbecue sauce, peppers and pickled onions.
2
We love the Scandelicious cocktail from The Order (Spring eld, theordersgf.com). We’re itching to plan a happy hour with friends just so we can sip another one. White rum, coconut and pineapple are delicately accented with falernum, Aquavit, Ambrosia Aperitivo, lime and—the drink’s surprise star—a bit of sumac.
3
A shareable app you’ll want all to yourself is the J.A.L Crab Cake from Metropolitan Grill (Spring eld, metropolitan-grill.com). It’s packed with blue lump crab and features a pineapple remoulade.
Good pastrami is an indulgence we can never resist, and we love it piled on the Reuben sandwich at Downing Street Pour House (Hollister, dspourhouse.com). It’s topped with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and a fried egg.
When our sweet tooth calls, we answer—and the Bliss in a Cup from Pineapple Bliss (Joplin, pineappleblissyourself.com) never lets us down. It’s a designyour-own soft serve; we recommend watermelon (when it’s available) with freeze-dried peach rings.
For a spicy take on pimento cheese, try the jalapeño-laden turkey and pimento sandwich from The Hive (Willard, hiveoftheozarks.com). Plus there’s more to love: This nonpro t employs people with disabilities for an inclusive environment we can really get behind.
4 5 6 7
Spice things up with the K-Fried Chicken Super Bowl from The Gochu at 14 Mill Market (Nixa, 14millmarket.com/ theGochu14Mill) with veggies and chicken.
Jeramey & Julia Henson, Owners
The 2024 Face of Paintless Dent Repair in 417 Magazine
Tackle Your Appetite
The founders of the biggest open tailgate at Arrowhead Stadium, the Chiefs Lot J Tailgating Crew, share their favorite recipes for cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs this football season.
BY JO JOLLIFF
HAT STARTED AS A SMALL GROUP OF FRIENDS TAILGATING BEFORE chiefs games has turned into what is now widely known as the biggest open tailgate at Arrowhead. One of the founding members, Spring eld native Joshua Wahba, says his friends started a Facebook group with around 20 people after college to plan who would bring what and where they would meet for games. “We made what we thought was a closed private Facebook group but started getting a bunch of random requests from people wanting to join our page,” he says. “So we realized it wasn’t a closed group like we thought, and from there it organically grew. Now we have over 24,000 members on our tailgate Facebook group page.” Of that number, the crew hosts around 300 to 600 people at each home game with attendees traveling from all around the country. They’ve even had fans from Canada, Australia and Germany at their tailgates—which include two DJs, corn hole and a pregame rally. Visit their Facebook or Instagram @chiefslotjtailgatecrew for more information.
IN THE KITCHEN
Lot J founders Nate Morrow, Joshua Wahba and Larry Fennel Jr. tailgate with a crowd.
Lot J’s Chiefs Domination Wings
“Pedro” Brandon Costales helps prepare Lot J’s food, including these world-famous (or at least Chiefs-kingdom famous) wings.
Dry Rub
1⁄2 tsp. ancho chili pepper
1⁄2 tsp. smoked paprika
1⁄2 tsp. onion powder
1⁄2 tsp. kosher salt
3⁄4 tbsp. light brown sugar
3⁄4 tsp. chili powder
3⁄4 tsp. paprika
3⁄4 tsp. cumin
1⁄2 tsp. garlic powder
1⁄2 tsp. cayenne pepper (adjust for preference)
1⁄2 tsp. mustard powder
1⁄4 tsp. black pepper
1⁄4 tsp. dried oregano
1⁄4 tsp. dried ground thyme
Instructions
Asian Zing Sauce
1 tbsp. soya sauce
1 tbsp. rice vinegar
1 tbsp. rice wine
1½ tbsp. sriracha
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1⁄2 tsp. ginger, julienned
1⁄2 tsp. crushed red chili flakes
1 tbsp. sesame seed oil
Salt (to taste)
Crushed pepper (to taste)
Cilantro leaves, chopped scallions and white sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Combine dry rub ingredients in a bowl and coat chicken wings. In another bowl add soya sauce, rice vinegar, rice wine and sriracha; mix well. Place a skillet on medium heat and add sesame oil. Add crushed garlic and ginger julienne and sauté until fragrant. Next, add dried crushed red chili flakes. Pour prepared sauce into pan, increase heat and stir until it thickens. Smoke wings at 220°F for 40 minutes. Then fry at 350°F for 6 to 8 minutes. Add the chicken winglets into the pan and toss until fully coated with sauce, cook on medium. Garnish with optional toppings.
OUR DINING GUIDE FEATURES A SELECT LIST OF RESTAURANTS IN THE Ozarks. The magazine’s editors recommend all these restaurants, and we don’t accept freebies in exchange for reviews or listings. Entries are updated often and appear based on space availability. Specially featured restaurants are chosen by editors in service to readers.
$ = under $10, $$ = mostly $10-20, $$$ = $20 or more
Food hall. There are 10 restaurants and the full-service Wisner Bar here. Get Korean barbecue at The Gochu, sweets at Liege Love Wa e Co., tacos at No’cho Ordinary Taco, burgers at Mo Slider Company, British pasties at London Calling, poke bowls at Fresh Poke, and more. $–$$ L D d
ANDY B’S ENTERTAINMENT CENTER
Springfield and Branson, bowlandybs.com.
American. The restaurant at Andy B’s o ers bowling lane-side food service and a menu with burgers, pizzas, pasta and more. $ L D
AVIARY BY LAVENDER FALLS
2144 E. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-8819736; aviarycafe.com Crepes and bistro fare. Come for freshly prepared crepes—which you can find in both savory and sweet varieties. There are also salads and entrees that have a bit of French flair. $–$$B L D d
BLUE HERON FARM & BAKERY
206 E. Commercial St., Springfield, 417-701-1130
Farm-to-table. All of the freshly baked pastries and breads are amazing here. A favorite: galettes filled with loads of luscious lemon curd. Many of the ingredients are from ocal and regional producers. $ B L
CAFE CUSCO
234 E. Commercial St., Springfield, 417-8688088, cafecusco.com
Peruvian. Dishes here are inspired by the cuisine of Peru and the Andes Mountains. A few standouts: the black bean quinoa burger with avocado spread, the Lomo Saltado, and a host of delicious entrees. $$ L D d
CANYON GRILL RESTAURANT at Dogwood Canyon Nature Park, 2038 W. State Highway 86, Lampe, dogwoodcanyon.org American. Canyon Grill
Restaurant oozes rustic elegance with a menu inspired by its surroundings. Try the bison burger made with bacon and caramelized onion. $–$$ L D d
DEVIL’S POOL RESTAURANT
at Big Cedar, 612 Devil’s Pool Road, Ridgedale, bigcedar.com
American. Here you can enjoy a tasty meal while watching a view of Table Rock Lake. For an appetizer, the smoked trout is fantastic, and so is the cornbread topped with cracked pepper maple butter and smoked bacon. Brunch on Sundays. $$–$$$ B L D d
DOBYNS DINING ROOM
at the Keeter Center, 1 Opportunity Ave., Point Lookout, 417-690-2146, keetercenter.edu
CHATEAU GRILLE
415 N. State Highway 265, Branson, 417-243-1777, chateauonthelake.com
Contemporary American. This restaurant features lakeside views and a menu that focuses on upscale, seasonal cuisine. They fly in fresh seafood and source local ingredients for the menu. $$$ B L D d
CHERRY PICKER PACKAGE + FARE
601 S. Pickwick Ave., Springfield, 417-986-5800
Contemporary American. This combo of a co ee shop, bar, cafe and liquor store o ers a small selection of sandwiches, soups and salads. We’re big fans of the To Brie or Not to Brie sandwich. $ B L D d
DERBY DELI
2023 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-883-4066
Bistro fare. Located inside Brown Derby International Wine Center, this eatery features sandwiches, salads, cheese plates and salami plates, a hummus board and more. We love the Martin’s salad with roasted chicken, or the Local Goat salad topped with chicken salad. $ L D
FIRE & ICE at Oasis Hotel & Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-8665253, oasisfireandice.com
Global cuisine. This spot specializes in dry-aged steaks and certified Angus beef. Be sure to try the Fire & Ice Whiskey Burger with a Maker’s Mark whiskey glaze and crispy fried onions. $$ L D d
THE GARRISON at Finley Farms, 802 Finley Farms Lane, Ozark, 417-210-6644, finleyfarmsmo.com
American. College of the Ozarks students grow produce and raise meat to use in the restaurant, so the menu has a very farmto-table quality. The Keeter Center also has a creamery that o ers ice creams and sorbets. Brunch on Sunday. $$ B L D d
American. Serving elevated bar food and creative, hearty entrees, Downing Street Pour House offers must-try dishes like award-winning barbecue, the giant Bavarian pretzel appetizer and the delish wagyu burgers. $–$$ L D
FARMERS GASTROPUB
2620 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-864-6994, farmersgastropub.com
British and American. The menu here features locally sourced ingredients wherever possible and changes regularly. Try the Scotch eggs or something from the great selection of beer. The burgers and fish and chips are always delicious, as are the creative daily specials. $$ B L D d
Shareable fine dining. Located beneath the Ozark Mill at Finley Farms, The Garrison features a dark and moody speakeasy vibe, a fine dining menu and a beautiful riverside patio. Try the mini pot roast, the forest panzanella salad or the rosemary pound cake. $$$ D d
THE GROTTO
301 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield, 417-886-9600 gogrotto.com
West Coast–style American. The menu is accessible to meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. The super-indulgent warm blue cheese chips are a favorite appetizer. Customers like the burgers (especially the burger topped with lots of tangy blue cheese). Order the grilled salmon sandwich with a side of the potato fries. $ L D d
HARVEST
RESTAURANT
8011 E. State Hwy. AD, Rogersville, 417-8303656, harvestmo.com
Farm-to-table. Owners, Craig and Tamara Von Foerster, have created a restaurant focused on hyper-seasonal, local cuisine. The menu is always in flux depending on what is in-season. Our tip: Order whatever seafood option is currently on the menu. It’s always delicious. $$$ D d
HY-VEE
Two Springfield locations, hy-vee.com
American and more. It’s all about variety when it comes to the freshly prepared food at Hy-Vee, so it’s a great place to find something for every member of your family. You have a hibachi grill, a pizzeria, comfort food, sushi, Chinese dishes and burgers. $–$$ B L D
LA HABANA VIEJA
220 East Commercial Street, Springfield, la-habana-vieja.com, 417-771-5723
Cuban. Find mojitos and a menu full of Cuban fare at this Commercial Street eatery. Try the ropa vieja, Cuba’s national dish of beef brisket, rice and veggies. You can also get yucca fries, or ceviche that’s served with plantain chips. $$–$$$ L D
METROPOLITAN GRILL
2931 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield, metropolitan-grill.com, 417-889-4951, Eclectic fine dining. Known for its flash-fried spinach, this restaurant specializes in steaks and seafood. The salads are always fresh and delicious. And we love that the menu is always changing, giving us something new to be excited about—served in a familiar space. The cocktails are delicious and the service is always topnotch. $$$ D d
NEARLY FAMOUS DELI & PASTA HOUSE
2708 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-8833403, nearlyfamous.net Deli and Italian. Regulars love the weekly specials: egg salad on Fridays, pear sandwiches on Thursdays and more. The tomato soup is fantastic. It’s hopping at lunchtime. They’re a good stop for a weekend brunch as well. $$ B L D
NEIGHBOR’S MILL CAFÉ & BAKERY
1435 E. Independence St., Springfield, 417-7204162; neighborsmill.com
Deli and bakery. This fulltime bakery o ers a hearty menu packed with sandwiches, soups and salads. Don’t miss the Reuben on pumpernickel rye bread. Grab a loaf of the delish Neighbor’s Best bread to take home. $ B L D
THE ORDER at the Hotel Vandivort, 305 E. Walnut St., Springfield, 417-8321515, theordersgf.com
New American. The atmosphere is trendy but relaxed while the food is prepared in a from-scratch kitchen. Try Executive Chef Calvin Davis’s spin on cashew chicken or the market fish specials that change daily. Brunch is excellent here too. $$–$$$ D
OSAGE RESTAURANT
at Top of the Rock, 150 Top of the Rock Road, Ridgedale, 1-800-2256343, topo herock.com
American fine dining. Take in beautiful views from the dining room that overlooks Table Rock Lake. The steaks and fried chicken are popular dishes here.
A er your meal, head downstairs to get a drink at the End of the Trail wine cellar. Reservations are recommended. $$$ B D
THE OZARK MILL RESTAURANT
at Finley Farms, 802 Finley Farms Lane, Ozark, finleyfarmsmo.com, 417210-6644
Farm-to-table. Inside the beautifully restored Ozark Mill, you can order upscale farm-to-table meals that are made with ingredients grown right at Finley Farms. Try the risotto fritters appetizer or the Chicken & Dumplins. The desserts and homeade ice cream are always winners. $$–$$$ L D d
FOOD + FUN
Pizza and then Some
One of south Spring eld’s neighborhood pizza spots is bringing back Bingo Night events—the perfect opportunity to munch on some wood- red pizza, sip some champagne, and hang out with friends. Bingo Nights are back at Cheri’s Happy Place. There are two dates coming up this month: September 11 and September 25. It costs $25 per person to play, and seats are limited. Be sure to make reservations at 417-889-4951.—Katie Pollock Estes
PIER 28 PIZZA & GRILL
344 Nautical Circle, Kimberling City, 417-5271580, pier28pizzagrill.com
American. Come for lakeside views and a menu filled with pizza, burgers, tacos and more. Get an order of the spicy pickle chips to share. Or if you’re in the mood for lighter fare, try one of the tasty salad options. $$ L D
QUEEN
CITY SOUL KITCHEN
1626 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, 417-3798614, facebook.com/ QueenCitySoulKitchen Soul food. The menu changes from week to week here, but the o erings are always delicious and homemade. Find comforting fare like meatloaf, fried chicken wings, smothered pork chops and more. $–$$ L D
REBAR KITCHEN & TAP ROOM
2902 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-5974569, rebar-taproom.com. American. This spot features elevated takes on taproom fare. A few menu highlights include charbroiled oysters, duck bacon wontons, pizza, wings and more. There are several burgers, like the Hoglager BBQ Burger. $$ B L D
RETRO METRO
2150 W. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-7201708, eatretrometro.com
Contemporary American This throw-back concept brings back old Metropolitan Grill favorites and brand-new flavors from owner Chef Tiny. Order the flash-fried spinach and chicken spiedini. During happy hour, come in fro wagyu sliders. $$$ D
SPLIT SOCIAL KITCHEN
3027 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-7557155, splitspringfield.com American. Come for creative shareables, like burrata with tru e pesto, that are served a teeny restaurant space that packs a lot of good vibes. We love the macaroni and cheese. And the Chiliville hot chicken sandwich is seriously spicy. Brunch on weekends. $$ B L D
ST. MICHAEL’S SPORTS BAR & GRILLE
301 South Ave., Springfield, 417-865-2315
American. The burgers are top-notch, and the huge salads topped with seasoned grilled chicken are a favorite. Come hungry enough to get dessert; the cakes are stellar. $–$$ L D
Taste is Dining Guide
TEA BAR & BITES
621 S. Pickwick Ave., 417-866-7500, teabarandbites.com. Bistro fare. Everything we’ve tasted at Tea Bar & Bites has been fantastic. Try the curry chicken salad or the yummy quiche with beautiful, flaky crust. We love the menu items that have a Mediterranean flair. For your sweet tooth, try a caramel rolls or coconut cream cupcakes. $ B L d
VAN GOGH’S EETERIE
334 E. Commercial St., 417-344-0085, vangoghseeterie.com Indo-Dutch. Dutch pancakes, chicken witlof and other Indo-Dutch and Dutch-inspired cuisine populate the menu. We love the Farm Near Auvers pancake topped with goat cheese, apples, honey, arugula and thyme. $$ B L D
BARBECUE
BUCKINGHAM’S SMOKEHOUSE BBQ
2002 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, buckinghambbq.com, 417-886-9979
Diners love the ribs and the burnt ends. We can’t get enough of the smoked salmon with horseradish sauce. $ L D d
CITY BUTCHER & BARBECUE
3650 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-7201113, citybutchersgf.com
Come early because this Texas-style barbecue spot, where the meat is smoked in small batches is known to sell out. Their brisket is incredible, and so is the piled-high City Smokestack sandwich. Get the smoked chocolate chip cookies for dessert. $–$$ L D d
CROSSTOWN BBQ
1331 E. Division St., Springfield, 417-862-4646
Try the ribs or the brisket. We loved the smoked chicken salad for something that feels healthy and indulgent at the same time. And as for sides, you have to go with the crispy fried okra. Another customer favorite is the fried catfish. $–$$ L D
GETTIN’ BASTED
2845 W. Highway 76, Branson; 606 W. Mount Vernon St., Nixa; gettinbasted.com
Come for award-winning barbecue in all your favorite varieties: brisket, ribs, pulled pork and more. The seven wagyu burgers on the menu are fully loaded, and the apps game is strong. You have to try the pulled pork tacos appetizer. $–$$ L D
If you have a foodie story idea, news about a local restaurant, or a correction to one of our Dining Guide listings, email our editorial team at yum@417mag.com.
BREAKFAST
BILLY GAIL’S CAFE
Branson and Ozark, billygailsrestaurant.com
Billy Gail’s has been a beloved breakfast hotspot for ages. Come for massive pancakes and other breakfast fare. $ B L D
BRUNCHEONETTE
424 N. Main St., Joplin, thebruncheonette.net, 417-781-3447
We love their creative takes on eggs Benedict. Don’t miss your chance to order a plate of poutine, and the carrot fries are wonderful too. $ B L
EARLY BIRD BREAKFAST PUB
1717 E. Cherokee St., Springfield, 417-885-8088
This spot serves creative breakfast fare and has a full-service bar. The tasty breakfast margaritas are made with orange marmalade for a nod to the mornign meal. Try the Bluebird Bird’s Nest, a pu pastry topped with cream cheese, fruit, , honey and a hardboiled egg. $ B L d
FIRST WATCH
2946 S. National Ave., Springfield, 417-8890601; 3103 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-6337094; firstwatch.com
Go traditional with a plate piled with crispy bacon, eggs and toast. Or order something more creative like lemon-ricotta pancakes. The eggs Benedicts are all great. $– $$ B L
GAILEY’S BREAKFAST CAFÉ
220 E. Walnut St., Springfield, 417-866-5500
The sweet potato hash browns are super-delish and a staple at this longtime downtown Springfield favorite.. We also love The Bear Hug biscuits and gravy. Gailey’s is known for breakfast, but the restaurant also has a tasty lunch menu. $ B L
JW’S KITCHEN
2111 E. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-306-9997
This brunch spot comes from the owners of Farmers Gastropub, Andy and Misty Hampshire. The menu is creative and varied. You can get biscuits with chocolate gravy (a southern American favorite), a full English breakfast (black sausage included) and so much more. $$ B L
RISE
105 Park Central Square, Springfield, 417-6916088, 417rise.com
The menu is inventive and superbly executed, with clever dishes like pavlova-inspired French toast, baklava-inspired Belgian wa es, nourishing grain bowls and more. There are homemade sodas (try the ginger and black pepper one!), great brunch cocktails and some lunch dishes too. $ B L
SLEEPY OPOSSUM
1427 E. Cherry St., Springfield, danisflourpotbakery.com, 417-3799401
We are obsessed with the hashbrown quiches, and the homemade biscuits topped with everything seasoning are to-die-for. Any baked sweet is a dream here too. $ B L
CHINESE
BAO BAO CHINESE BISTRO
2101 W. Chesterfield Blvd., Suite A104, Springfield, 417-877-7505
This little spot in Chesterfield Village has a chef who used to own a restaurant in Shanghai, so there are several authentic items on the menu. Try the salt-and-pepper pork, super-tender duck entree or a hot pot. $ L D
CORNER
21
1369 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-7666630, corner21us.com
The menu o ers a large variety of authentic Chinese dishes. Try the braised pork belly with rice noodles, crispy fried pumpkin, spicy Szechuan fish and lots more. $ L D
LEONG’S ASIAN DINER
1540 W. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-887-7500
The Leong family serves its original cashew chicken, among lots of other yummy stu . The egg rolls are a classic, made from scratch with a peanut butter flair. Dip them in the homemade spicy mustard sauce. Another favorite is the Hunan beef. $–$$ L D
LUCY’S
CHINESE FOOD
Several locations, lucyschinesefood.com
We like the sweet and sour chicken here. But if you’d rather eat something spicy, order the hot chicken. We love the kids meals here, too. They are the perfect little portion for tiny diners, plus they come with a spring roll, a crab rangoon and a drink. $ L D
COFFEE SHOP FARE
ARCHITECT COFFEE
1604 E. Republic Road, Springfield, architectcoffeeco.com, 417-771-5030
This co ee shop o ers a bright and cozy atmosphere with warm drinks and hearty food. The breakfast burritos are stellar. We love the seasonal drinks too. $ B L
BIG MOMMA’S COFFEE & ESPRESSO BAR
217 E. Commercial St., Springfield, 1010 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield; bigmommasco ee.com
This spot o ers co ee, espresso and blended frappes. Be sure to try the sandwiches. The Juliette is a favorite (with apples, provolone and creamy spreads) $ B L D d
Taste is Dining Guide
THE BLACK LAB COFFEE CO.
545 E. Elm St., Republic; 3541 S. Lone Pine Ave, Springfield
This casually canine-inspired co ee stop is Republic’s place to be for a piping hot Labbuccino, and their second location in Springfield serves all the same pup-inspired menu items. Try the Black Lab, which includes to ee nut and chocolate. $ B L
CAFE CUBANO
3650 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-8877777, facebook.com/ countrygirlsespresso
Aside from all of the delicious co ee drinks, the real must-try item here is the authentic Cuban sandwich, served pressed on Cuban bread. Cafe Cubano’s’ signature is its Cafe Con Leche with scalded milk. We also love the guava pastry, a huge treat filled with tropical sweetness. $ B L D
CLASSIC ROCK COFFEE
1900 W. Sunset St., Springfield, classicrockcoffee.com, 417-881-7625
This co ee shop o ers espresso drinks with rock ‘n’ roll–inspired names. Try the Sweet Emotion latte (with chocolate and caramel) and a ham and cheese pu pastry breakfast pocket to start your day. Another perennial favorite drink: The Dirty White Boy. $ B L D d
THE COFFEE ETHIC
124 Park Central Square, Springfield, 417-8666645, theco eeethic.com
Try the single-origin coffee or any of the creative and delicious seasonal drinks. The cappuccino is fantastic, and the shop also serves wine and cra beers on dra . The food game here is strong, with loaded oatmeal, fresh muffins and more. We love the bottled lattes. $ d
DANCING MULE
COFFEE COMPANY
1945 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, dancingmuleco ee.com
The mochas are great— chocolatey but not too sweet. Dancing Mule also does a really good authentic cappuccino that’s made just right. Extra bonus if you’re busy: They have a drive-thru. $ B
ECHELON COFFEE
2407 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-3742739, echelonco ee.com
This sunny co ee shop (with a drive-thru!) has excellent espresso drinks, drip co ee, pour-over and more. The cortado is always well done. And we love The Formation (espresso with vanilla, cinnamon and honey) prepared as a frappe. There are excellent biscuits and gravy on the weekends, and the smoothie bowl is so darn perfect. $ B L D d
KINGDOM COFFEE
211 S. Market Ave., Suite 100, Springfield, 417-3501234; 2896 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfield; kingdomsgf.com
The co ee menu features classic espresso drinks. We love the classic cortado the most, and the not-toosweet and super-creamy iced matcha latte is truly delicious. The seasonal drinks are always a treat here, too. When they have it, order a cheddar and chive scone. $ B L D d
MUDHOUSE COFFEE
323 South Ave. Suite B, Springfield, mudhousecoffee.com, 417-832-1720
The co ee is always fantastic here, at Springfield’s OG downtown co ee shop. And the atmosphere is warm and cozy. In addition to fun lattes, Mudhouse also o ers a wide variety of loose-leaf teas. The mu ns here are huge and delicious (try the one with berries). $ B L D
THE PRESS COFFEE & JUICE BAR
2710 S Glenstone Ave, Springfield, 417-771-5950
In addition to co ee drinks, this whole-foods cafe o ers organic dishes and cold-pressed juices. The real draw here is the Mexican-Korean fusion menu, featuring gogi nachos, kimchi fried rice and street tacos. $ B L D d
URBAN GROUNDS
COFFEE & PLANT LAB
5557 N. 21st St., Ozark, urbangrounds417.com
This spot specializes in drinks made with locally roasted co ee. Try classics like lattes and cappuccinos, or opt for a flavored options (like salted caramel to ee) or a botanical latte made with things like beetroot, turmeric and more. When you’re hungry, munch on loaded toasts, grazing trays, smoothie bowls and more. $ B L
The menu includes classic co ee and tea o erings plus super-sized suped-up toasts (the avocado toast is fully loaded and fully delicious). Don’t miss the delicious creamy chicken salad or The Workshop Shake, a shaken iced latte with vanilla syrup, cinnamon and honey. $ B L d
DELIS
J. PARRINO’S QUEEN CITY DELI
1647 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-8871148, queencitydeli.com This spot serves pasta, soups, salads and some super-delicious sandwiches. Don’t miss The Burnes (beef tenderloin on garlic bread) or the Italian beef sandwiches (order them wet to get plenty of luscious jus). $ L D
MYTHICAL ‘WICH
113 E. Main St., Branson, mythicalwich.com
This sandwich shop comes from the owners of another Branson favorite: Gettin’ Basted. It o ers a large selection of bold lunch and breakfast sandwiches, like the Holy Hand Grenade topped with pastrami hash and a fried egg. There are also soups, salads and desserts—like the banana pudding. $ B L D
SANDWICH SCENE
208 W. McDaniel St., Springfield, thesandwichscene.com, 417-685-9682
This little walk-up spot slings some seriously good sammies. Don’t miss the Eurbano, made with mojo pork, house-made terrine, ham, Swiss and spicy giardiniera. The Meatball sub is crazy good too, and you should keep an eye out for any of the get-them-whileyou-can specials. $ L D
THE SUB SHOP
1721 E. Seminole St., Springfield, 417-8873804; 456 W. McDaniel St., Springfield, 417-8318077
The Fighter Pilot sandwich comes fully loaded with salami, pepperoni, cheese, banana peppers, lettuce and sub sauce. The Nightmare is packed with Italian meats, pepperoncinis and marinara. $ L d
DESSERTS
ANDY’S FROZEN CUSTARD
Multiple 417-land locations, eatandys.com
Frozen treats. Don’t miss the rotating seasonal toppings (our sta ers love the key lime pie and blackberry in the summer, and the apple pie and pumpkin pie in the fall). Don’t miss the classic fave: the Ozarks Turtle sundae, a classic concoction topped with Andy’s incredible roasted pecans. $ d
BOX TURTLE CREAMERY
1458 E. Cherry St., Springfield Frozen treats. This cute little creamery in the Rountree neighborhood serves handmade scoops in flavors ranging from familiar to adventurous. We loved the lemon-cranberry and the banana-honeycomb ice creams the most so far. You can even get a six-scoop ice cream flight to try them all. Fun bonus: It has a walk-up window. $
EUROPEAN CAFÉ
207 Park Central East, Springfield, 417europeancafe.com, 417-569-6702
European pastries. Along with co ee drinks, this little bakery serves lovely croissants, beautiful desserts, perfect pastries and more. Their macarons are to die for, and the pretty little mousse cakes are almost too lovely to eat. We love the quiche here as well. It pairs perfectly with the ever-changing seasonal co ee and tea drinks. $
HURTS DONUT
320 Park Central West, Springfield, 417-7194119; 1111 E. Republic Road, Suite 164, Springfield, 417-7557574; wannahurts.com Donuts. Outside-the-box toppings cover these super-delicious doughnuts. A customer favorite is the maple-bacon bar. You can also get shakes, ]enormous apple fritters and more. $
LUCKY CAT BOBA TEA & TAIYAKI
3424 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-351-3136
Boba tea. There is a he y menu of bubble tea options (we like the passionfruit mojito bubble tea). The taiyaki are fish-shaped wa e-like cakes with tasty fillings like sweet red bean, Nutella and vanilla custard. Try the pork-filled steamed buns. $
PRAIRIE PIE
307 S. Je erson Ave., Springfield, prairiepie.com
Pie and cookies. Prairie
Pie makes stellar all-butter-crust pies in flavors that range from classic to inventive. Any pies made with rhubarb are superb. Stop by the storefront for other o erings as well, such as savory pot pies, cookies and crazy-good mashed potatoes. $–$$
SOCIETEA
1653 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-720-4094
Boba tea. We love that you can customize the sweetness level of your drinks and top them with uncommon options like big pieces of co ee jelly or creamy cheese foam). $
ST. GEORGE’S DONUTS
Several Ozarks locations, stgeorgesdonuts.net
Donuts. Lots of luscious doughnuts are made fresh daily here. We love the glazed blueberry and the oh-so-fresh chocolate cake donuts. $ d
DINERS
BILLY BOB’S DAIRYLAND
1901 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson, 417-337-9291
Burgers. Billy Bob’s is an institution on the strip in Branson. There are 24 flavors of fried pies, cheeseburgers (pro tip: top them with grilled onions), foot-long hot dogs and lots more nostalgic flavors to try. $ L D
CASPER’S
937 South Glenstone Avenue, Springfield, caspersdiner.com
Chili. This spot is filled with bright colors and a kitschy vibe. It serves overflowing bowls of chili and a few other diner options (like burgers and hot dogs). Don’t forget to order some chili cheese fries. $ B L D
DRUFF’S
331 Park Central East, Springfield; 417-7191719, yumdru s.com
Grilled cheese. Dru ’s o ers a menu of grilled cheeses, soups and creative sides. For a little heat, try the Good Doctor, made with cheddar, cream cheese, bacon and jalapeño. $ L D
RED’S GIANT HAMBURG
2301 W. Sunshine St., Springfield
Burgers. A revival of the Route 66 staple (the original Red’s is rumored to be the country’s first drive-through restaurant), this diner serves as much nostalgia as it does classic burgers. Get a griddle burger with freshly fried onion rings, then finish your meal with a cold malt. $ B L D
INDIAN
INDIA CLAY OVEN & GRILL
2005 W. Highway 76 Country Blvd., Suite 209, Branson, 417-973-0044, indiaclayovenandgrill.com
We loved the karahi lamb (tender lamb, bell peppers and onion in a spicy sauce) and the mushroom aloo matar (mushrooms, potatoes and peas in a creamy sauce). Their paneer is to-die-for, and we love the samosas. $$ L D
NAWAB’S INDIAN CUISINE
3654 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-844-5050
Find all your favorite classic Indian dishes here (the tandoori chicken and the makhni paneer are both excellent) along with some others you might not have seen around town before (like the gol gappay, a dish made with crispy little hollow fried balls that are filled with chickpeas, potato, onion and spices). End your meal with a mug of warm chai. $$ L D
MORE TO LOVE
Big Whiskey’s New Concept
Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar opened its newest outpost late last month, and this one’s in Lebanon. Like other Big Whiskey’s locations, it features menu favorites, such as bu alo chicken dip, loaded French fries, steak entrees and more. Unlike the other locations, it features something brand new: Whiskey’s Yard. The outdoor gathering space has a re pit; games like cornhole, putt putt and bocce; and plenty of drinks at the full bar.
—Katie Pollock Estes
TAJ MAHAL INDIAN RESTAURANT
1250 E. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-719-4573
There is a variety of naan bread (and it’s so, so so and perfect), many types of curry and rice dishes and fun desserts like rice pudding and gulab jamun (donuts soaked in syrup). We are obsessed with the lamb rogan josh and chicken jalfrezi. Be sure to try the lunch combos, which are a steal. $$ L D d
ZAYKA INDIAN CUISINE
311 S. Je erson Ave., Springfield, zaykaspringfield.com, 417-351-4400
The vegetable korma, chicken tikka masala and malai ko a are just a few of our favorite dishes. For dessert, you can’t beat a bowl of warm, sweet gulab jamun. $–$$L D d
ITALIAN
AVANZARE ITALIAN DINING
3240 S. Fremont Ave., Springfield, 417-567-3463,avanzareitaliandining.com
Pasta is always a hit at Avanzare. Customers love the Bistecca Rosemarino steak and the pasta with seafood in a spicy tomato-based sauce. Indulge in the chocolate torte for dessert. $$$ L D d
BAMBINO’S CAFÉ
2810-D E. Battlefield, Springfield, 417-8814442, bambinoscafe.com
This little Italian eatery serves hearty helpings of tasty Italian fare that won’t break the bank. The Ziti is not to be missed, with its creamy tomato sauce and tender, delicious braised beef. $ L D d
Don’t miss the tortellini carbonara, or the penne pesto cream with chicken (a dreamy combo of Alfredo and pesto sauces). The lobster and shrimp ravioli in spinach-mushroom sauce is another delight; get it with the freshly made bread. The Italian cream cake is a great dessert. $$ L D d
BRUNO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT
416 South Ave., Springfield, 417-866-0007
Start with the shellfish arancini. The bucatini with panchetta, chili oil and basil is a must-try pasta dish. Get it with the arugula salad with pine nuts and Parmesan cheese. $$$ D
Taste is Dining Guide
GILARDI’S
820 E. Walnut St., Springfield, gilardisonwalnut.com, 417-862-6400
Owner James Martin focuses on handmade pasta and fresh ingredients at this charming little restaurant that makes a wonderful date spot. Don’t miss the meatballs in red wine rosemary cream sauce that are served over goat cheese polenta. $$$ D d
NICOLA’S RISTORANTE
3631 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, nicolasspringfield.com, 417-886-3700
This restaurant serves a delicious sea bass. Try the lumache: fresh snails sauteed in garlic butter and baked with Parmesan cheese. Gluten-free pasta and pizza are available. Enjoy the spacious outdoor patio when the weather permits, or belly up to the bar for happy hour with friends. $$–$$$ D d
NONNA’S ITALIAN CAFÉ
306 South Ave., Springfield, 417-8311222, nonnascafe.net. The seafood lasagna is a must-try dish, and the spicy arrabbiata lasagna is crazy-good. The Tuscan pappardelle ragu is excellent, and the pesto linguine is a delight. For dessert, we particularly love the delectable chocolate torte and the rich and delicious tiramisu. $$ L D
PICCOLO
107 West Aldersgate Drive, Nixa, 417-3747291, eatpiccolo.com
When you’re craving indulgent Italian fare, Piccolo delivers with a range of piled-high pastas, pizzas, steak and chicken entrees. Start things o with the Italian Nachos (fried wonton chips, homemade Alfredo sauce and toppings). Do yourself a favor and leave room for a cannoli. $–$$ L D d
SALVATORES FRESH RISTORANTE
ITALIANO
1932 W. Retail Lane, Ozark, 417-485-3838, salvatoresfresh.com
The menu here is packed with handmade pastas that are freshly cra ed every day. The menu also boasts everything from fried calamari to steak entrees. Plus there are Italian beef and chicken parmesan sandwiches too.
$–$$ L D d
JAPANESE
ARIAKE SUSHI & ROBATA
1110 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield, facebook. com/arikake.spfd
This fine-dining spot offers excellent nigiri and sashimi, as well as small plates and tapas. You have to try the hot rock dish that uses wagyu beef. Be sure to order something from the excellent sake menu. And get the excellent matcha crème brûlée for dessert. $$–$$$ L D d
CRAFT SUSHI
251 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-3195887, facebook.com/ cra sushi
At Cra Sushi, you’re in control of your meal as you customize your own sushi and poke bowls. Try a salad bowl topped with marinated tofu, asparagus, mushrooms, jalapenos, edamame and spicy wasabi sauce. . $$ L D
HARUNO JAPANESE SUSHI BAR
3044 S. Fremont Ave., Springfield, 417-8870077, harunosushi.com
The Oh My God roll and the Sex and the City roll are trademarks here. If simple nigiri is your style, you’ll love the tuna sampler. Be sure to venture o the sushi menu and try the entrees, like mango-jalapeño ahi tuna. $$–$$$L D
NEW ON THE SCENE
Kebabs? Yes, Please.
We love it when avors from far away make their way to Springeld, and that’s exactly why we were excited to nd out that the recently opened Charcoal Grill House (3522 S. National Ave., Spring eld) specializes in Armenian cuisine. Word-of-mouth has already caught on like wild re, and rave reviews have been circling social media. We can’t wait to make it over there ourselves to try out the dishes we’ve been hearing about, like the tomato salad with a spiced vinaigrette, lamb and beef kebabs cooked over charcoal and chicken shawarma. However, we’re most excited to try the one dish that we haven’t seen anywhere else around town yet, and that is the khachapuri. It’s the national dish of Georgia, and it features u y leavened bread lled with a medley of cheeses and other ingredients like eggs and spices. Sounds like a carb-laden delight straight from heaven.
—Tessa Cooper
HINODE JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE
4301 S. National Ave., Springfield, 417-877-1777
Hinode is known for wonderful hibachi meals with perfectly cooked proteins and all the extras: rice, stir fry noodles, veggies and that luscious seafood sauce. And don’t forget to try something from the sushi menu. $$ L D
KAI
306 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-8320077, kaia erdark.com
This lounge-like restaurant in downtown Springfield has fantastic sushi. Don’t miss the restaurant’s black cod or sea bass entrees with sides of the tasty wasabi risotto. They are as impressive as the sushi rolls! This is a great date spot with a good cocktails menu too. $$–$$$ L D
KARAI RAMEN + HANDROLL 640 W. Republic Road, Suite 100, Springfield, 417-319-5225
This spot takes ramen seriously, and it shows. The Karai Ramen with a flavorful and spicy house-made broth is incredible, and we add a seasoned so -boiled egg and chasu pork when we order it. Don’t miss the delightful steamed buns filled with shredded pork, or the hand rolls. $ L D
NAKATO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE
2615 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-8817171, nakato.com
Performance-style hibachi dining is what Nakato is known for, and they do a great job. The sushi menu’s great here too. The Jenny Roll is a popular option, but all the rolls are pretty darn tasty. $$ L D
NIJI SUSHI
3938 S. Lone Pine Ave., Suite 100-B, Springfield, 417-851-1707
We love the super-fresh Cherry Blossom Roll featuring a rice paper wrapper and tons of colorful raw fish. For something with a bit of heat, the Spicy Yummy Roll is a good choice. This menu also boasts rainbow-bright cocktails and seven types of ramen soups. For dessert, try the flu y Japanese cheesecake. $$ L D
SAKURA
3230 S. National Ave., Springfield, 417-882-8000
There’s a solid sushi menu, and you can order a sushi donburi box to really get some bang for your buck. The bento boxes are great too. We recommend getting teriyaki salmon in your bento box. $$ L D
SUSHI VILLAGE
1440 W. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-8901016, facebook.com/ springfieldsushivillage
This cozy sushi spot has a warm date-night atmosphere. All the sushi is fresh and flavorful, and some pack fun ingredient combos. $$ L D
KOREAN
BAWI KOREAN BBQ
4121 S. National Ave., Springfield, 417-8862777, bawikbbq.com
At this authentic Korean dining experience, you cook the meat yourself on tabletop grills. Keep an eye out for Korean-style fried chicken specials. $$ D
GOLDEN KOREAN RESTAURANT
1406 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-832-1093
The beef bulgogi and dolsot bibimbap are best sellers here. If you’re in the mood for something really comforting on a cold day, opt for the kimchi chigae. You get Korean side dishes alongside your meal. $ L D
KORIYA
4121 S. Fremont Ave., Springfield, 417-882-0077
Order some create-yourown bibimbap. One of our favorite dishes is the japchae, made with sweet stir fried potato starch noodles and lots of veggies. Don’t miss the zaru soba if you’re in the mood for something lighter. $ L D d
MEDITERRANEAN
GREEK BELLY
320 E. Walnut St., 417597-3382, greekbelly.com
Try a pork gyro with tzatziki, tomatoes, onions and French fries. Our favorite is the loukaniko wrap with sausage and spicy feta dip. For dessert, get the ice cream topped with baklava and honey-cinnamon-citrus syrup. $ L D
THAT LEBANESE PLACE
338 E. Commercial St., Springfield, 417-536-6677
The kibbeh is fantastic if you like herbaceous and satisfying eats, and any of the delicious and meaty kebabs is a great choice. We love the stu ed grape leaves appetizer, served with a delicious tahini dipping sauce. $–$$ L D
THE KEBAB SHACK
900 E. Battlefield, Suite 120, Springfield, 417-3069087, thekebabshack.com
You can find tender steak and chicken kebabs (or chicken or beef shawarma), served with flavorful rice, fresh baladi salad and so pita. Vegetarians can opt for a similar combo, but with falafel instead of meat. Kids menu items are great here too; they feature the same super-tender meats as the full entrees. $$ L D
MEXICAN
CABOS BONITOS
GRILL & CANTINA
406 South Ave., Springfield, 417-221-3490
Come to this downtown Springfield spot for all your classic Mexican favorites plus some fun and unique dishes like the fried avocado appetizer. This indulgent bite has beer-battered avocado halves filled with your choice of meat and topped with sour cream and chipotle ranch sauce. $$ L D
CASA
BELLA MEXICAN CUISINE
4610 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-7715031; 300 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield, 417885-9097
The menu is huge at Casa Bella, which has two Springfield locations. Try the tasty ceviche, any of the street tacos, or the spicy camarones a la diabla. $$ L D
CATRINA’S MODERN MEXICAN
2925 Battlefield Road, Suite 105, Springfield, 417-350-1006, catrinascantina.com
Look for hand-crushed guacamole that can be loaded up with chicharron. The grilled plantains are a treat! Some of our favorite entrees are the sopes topped with shredded beef, the Yucatan shrimp and the Catrina quesadilla. The cocktail menu is excellent. $$ L D d
CESAR’S OLD MEXICO
2627 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-881-8252
We love the birria taco filled with succulent shredded beef. Don’t miss the Salvadorian pupusas stu ed with beans and cheese. The carnitas torta is also excellent. It’s huge and is stu ed with savory carnitas $ L D
EL PARAISO MEXICAN KITCHEN
610 W. College St., Springfield, 417-7715641; 305 E. Chestnut Street, Suite C, Stra ord, 417-736-0019; elparaisokitchen.com
This Stra ord-based Mexican restaurant with an outpost in Downtown Springfield is known for a great lineup of margaritas. For an app, try the flaming cheese. Try the piña a la parrilla—a pineapple bowl filled with chicken, steak, shrimp, scallops, veggies and more. $$ L D
IGUANA ROJA
107 W. Church St., Ozark, 417-485-8585; 12051 MO-13, Kimberling City, iguanaroja.net
4:30–11 p.m.
There are delicious margaritas at this little eatery located on the square in Ozark. Don’t miss the one made with jalapeños; it has a kick that’s so much fun to drink. The chips are excellent here, with a yummy seasoning sprinkled on top of every one. $–$$ L D
MENU UPDATES
Fresh New Bites
Several local hotspots have made menu upgrades recently. That means you have the perfect excuse to revisit some old favorites.
Casper’s has found another way for you to indulge in their chili: Over a carb-alicious bed of pasta. They’ve added chili mac to menu, featuring elbow pasta topped with chili, cheese sauce and onions. If long noodles are more your jam, you can get Spaghetti 3-Way too. The pasta is topped with chili and shredded cheese.
At Metropolitan Grill, creative menu refreshes are kind of owner Pat Duran’s thing! Food Writer Tessa Cooper got a chance to try the new Kolstad Burnt Ends with fried green tomatoes, as well as espresso sundae with Luxardo reduction sauce.
The menu at The Ozark Mill Restaurant at Finley Farms is now serving hearty fare like St. Louis–style ribs for the meat-eaters and an Impossible meatloaf for the vegetarians. The craw sh macaroni and cheese is an indulgence!—Katie Pollock Estes
LA PALOMA
3041 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-7194484, lapalomamo.com; 1425 W. Battlefield St., Springfield, 417-8892985, thelapaloma.com
This spot o ers a huge range of Mexican dishes including delicious fish tacos. The pastor tacos are great too, and they feature tender pork cooked with pineapple. $–$$ L D d
MEXICAN VILLA
Multiple 417-land locations, mexicanvilla.net
This spot is a favorite among longtime Springfield locals, and it is known for its sweet sauce served with tortilla chips. Also popular is the Sancho Enchilada Style. $ L D d
PRIMA’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT
3662 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-8901212; 5557 N. 21st St., Ozark, 417-582-2776; primasmexicangrill.com
Diners love the pollo abovado, a chicken breast topped with homemade chorizo, white queso and tomatoes. Try the asada tacos too. $–$$ L D
PURPLE BURRITO
1700 S. Campbell Ave., Suite A, Springfield, 417863-6688
We love the street-style tacos. The fish tacos are so delish. A dinner favorite is the carne asada burrito. For something a little different, try the super-cheesy chili relleno burrito. $ B L D
TINGA TACOS
308 W. McDaniel St., Springfield, 417-8318007, tingatacossgf.com
This downtown taco shop is open late slinging shells of its wildly creative combinations. We are partial to the Fu Yu made with super-flavorful marinated tofu. $ L D
TORTILLERIA PERCHES
1601 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-864-8195
This spot makes its own corn tortillas and chips. Try a Mexican soup or a tamale when you visit. Don’t miss Taco Tuesdays and Tamale Thursdays. $ B L D
PAN-ASIAN & FUSION
OCEAN ZEN PACIFIC RIM RESTAURANT
4117 S. National Ave., Springfield, 417-8899596, eatoceanzen.com Asian fusion fine dining. We particularly love ordering the Hawaii Five-O sushi roll. Don’t miss the delicious steaks here, or the macadamia-encrusted chicken. $$–$$$ L D d
THE WHEELHOUSE
SEÑOR JULIAN
MEXICAN BAR & GRILL
3405 E. Battlefield Road, Suite 100, Springfield, 417-240-2120
This tiny restaurant packs big flavors, with a menu that features traditional Mexican soups, handmade-to-order flour tortillas, quesabirria tacos and more. Don’t miss the huge margaritas menu. $–$$ L D
TEAM TACO
1454 E. Cherry St., Springfield, 417-4292503, teamtacosgf.com
At the little red building near Pickwick Avenue and Cherry Street you’ll find flavor-packed tacos, nachos and bowls. $ L D d
THE BIG SLICE
1450 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-7201928; 4126 S. Kansas Expy., Springfield, 417720-4108; thebigslicespringfield.com New York–style. You can get big New York–style brick oven pizza by the slice here. Or buy a whole pie if you prefer. We love the creamy spinach pizza and the addictively good pepperoni pinwheels. $–$$ L D
GARBO’S PIZZERIA
2101 W. Chesterfield Blvd., Suite C101, Springfield, 417-8839010, garbospizzeria.com St. Louis–style. If you love a loaded St. Louis–style pizza, try the toppings-packed Grandiose. Or try the Bavarian pizza for something a little different; it is topped with Canadian bacon and sauerkraut. Customers are really big fans of the Garbo’s house salad and its tasty homemade dressing. $–$$ L D d
MASO PIZZA BAR
1845 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, wheelhousefood.com, 417-430-0400 Thai-Mexican fusion. The pineapple fried rice is a fan favorite at this Thai-Mexican fusion spot. We always go for the kimchi-falafel tacos. They are pack some seriously spicy heat thanks to the homemade kimchi. $ B L D
PIZZA
ARRIS’ PIZZA
1332 E. Republic Road, Springfield, arrispizzaonline.com, 417-881-7260 Greek-influenced. Thincrust pizzas have a Greek flair at Arris’ Pizza. Order the Athena (made with feta, pepperoni, olives, mushrooms and green peppers). $–$$ L D
3653 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-720-1047 Wood-fired. We can’t wait to try options like the Nic Rise and Shine, Italian Stallion and vegetarian-friendly Monica Healthy pies. The menu also spans salads, panini, pasta, soups and more. $$ D d
PAPPO’S PIZZERIA
221 E. Walnut St., Springfield, 417-8661111; 900 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield, 417306-9091; pappospizzeria.com
Stonebaked. Try the spicy chicken Cholula pie topped with a mixture of red sauce and olive oil, grilled chicken marinated in Cholula sauce, garlic, mozzarella cheese, red onions, cilantro. Also, be sure you try the meatballs. We really like the salads here as well. $–$$ L D
PHOTO BY KEVIN O’RILEY
THE PITCH PIZZA & PUB
2924 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-368-0277
Hand-tossed. With a menu full of pizza, pastas, salads, sandwiches and pub fare, there’s something to please everyone. We love to build our own pizza with Alfredo sauce and mushrooms. Be sure to order the Brussels sprouts; they are flash fried and served with crispy potatoes, lardons, goat cheese and a balsamic drizzle. $$ L D
PIZZA HOUSE
312 E. Commercial St., Springfield, 417-881-4073
Thin-crust. This restaurant has been a tradition in Springfield for more than 50 years, and the pizza they serve is super-thin and cut into super-tiny pieces. It’s a classic that’s not to be missed. $ L D
ROCCO’S PIZZA & SUBS
Multiple 417-land locations; roccospizzaandsubs. com
New York–style. This Italian eatery specializes in New York–style pizza that has anybody who’s been to the east coast swooning. It’s legit. Also on the menu are hot subs, like meatball or eggplant Parmesan, plus salads, calzones and a handful of pasta entrees. $–$$ L D
PUBS & BARS
BEFORE & AFTER BREWING
2940 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, beforeandaerbrewhouse
There are cra beers, espresso drinks and cocktails on the menu, along with zero-proof cocktails. The loaded hot pretzel is a shareable indulgence, and they serve tasty boards (with all the accouterments) that feature high-end tinned fish as the centerpiece. $$ L D
BLACKSTONE GASTROPUB
1521 E. Broadway St., Joplin, 417-553-0665
Damien Tiregol of Crabby’s Seafood Bar & Grill now has another Joplin eatery. Blackstone Gastropub features hand-cra ed cocktails and 16 beers on tap alongside some great-looking eats like the crispy fried chicken, grilled salmon on a bed of gnocchi. Keep an eye out for Blackstone’s super-creative daily specials. $ $ L D
THE CELLAR
507 W. Walnut St., Springfield, 417-3512824, thecellar.springfieldbrewingco.com
Created by the team behind Springfield Brewing Company (and located just around the corner from it), The Cellar is a casual setting for small bites and creative cocktails. Munch on popcorn garnished with fresh Parmesan or housemade portobello jerky. $ D
CELLAR+PLATE
2916 S. Lone Pine Ave., Springfield, 417-3681739, cellarandplate.wine
At Cellar+Plate you can get exceptional wine and tasty food in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Customers love the seafood ravioli. Don’t miss the Cellar Board with meats, cheeses and fruits. And as you can probably guess from the name, Cellar+Plate has a great wine menu. $$ D d
CIVIL KITCHEN & TAP
107 and 222 Park Central Square, Springfield, 417-501-8456, civilkitchenandtap.com
With 28 beers on tap, Civil Kitchen draws inspo from Southern and Midwestern staples. Favorite dishes include salmon with fruit pico de gallo, crispy charred Brussels sprouts, huge salads and truly indulgent and gigantic battered onion rings. $ B L D d
east on the freshest flavors in the Ozarks at The Order. Our seasonal menu features a modern ta e on issouri cuisine sho casing locally sourced ingredients and crafted coc tails. e sure to plan ahead for complimentary valet ith dinner reservations.
05 . W lnu S ., Springfield 41 51 5 e rder g .c
Savor the soul of Cuba at La Habana Vieja! Relish authentic dishes and dance the night away at our electrifying Latin Dance Nights every last Saturday of the month!
0 . eric l S ., Springfield 417-771-5723 | la-habana-vieja.com
CLEAR LOUNGE
At Hilton Branson Convention Center, 200 E. Main St., Branson, 417243-3433
CHICKEN
NOW OFFERING KOREAN CUISINE!
HOURS:
MONDAY–FRIDAY: 10:30 A.M.–2 P.M., 4–9 P.M.
SATURDAY 10:30 A.M.–9 P.M.
Just across the street from Branson Landing at the Hilton Branson Convention Center is Clear Lounge, a great place to grab a cocktail with friends. This spot is home to tasty food, good music and fun drinks. D d
COYOTE’S
ADOBE
CAFÉ & BAR
1742 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-8897120; 807 N. Main St., Nixa, 417-725-6803, coyotes4wings.com
This spot is known for its 40 flavors of chicken wings, from common (buffalo) to unexpected (tandoori spice). There are also tons of apps, sammies and entrees. $ B L D d
GALLOWAY STATION
1281 E. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-881-9730
We love the Rajun Cajun burger; it’s big, hearty and always delicious. Plus, we can’t get enough of the fries and freshly made potato chip. Order them with a side of the spicy ranch dressing for dipping. The chicken wraps are another longtime customer favorite at Galloway Station, and there’s a reason for it. It’s a classic. $ L D d
GEORGIA MAC’S
1440 E. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-3195770, georgiamacs.com
HARRY’S COCKTAIL LOUNGE & BAR at Big Cedar Lodge, 612 Devil’s Pool Road, Ridgedale, 417-339-5200, bigcedar.com/dining
This chic cocktail spot is located downstairs at the Worman House on the Big Cedar Lodge property. It’s a great place to stop by for a drink (they have excellent cocktails and a great wine and whiskey selection), and they also o er a rotating menu of small plates and appetizers. We loved the short rib sliders and the strawberry-infused Paper Plane cocktail. $–$$ L D d
THE GOLDEN GIRL RUM CLUB
137 Park Central Square, Springfield, 417-4255162, thegoldengirl.com
This rum bar on the southwest corner of Park Central Square (with a great people-watching patio space) serves up handcra ed cocktails and a madefrom-scratch, eclectic, internationally inspired menu. Try the Thai sticky wings for an unusual twist on a bar staple. Be sure to try the tacos, ramen and artisan pizzas. The pizza specials always come with creative toppings. As for drinks, everything on the menu is reliable well-done. Our favorite: Mr Guava Lava, which is both fruity and spicy. $ L D d
J.O.B. PUBLIC
HOUSE
LINDBERG’S TAVERN
318 W. Commercial St., Springfield, 417-8688900, lindbergsbar.com
Forget about basic bar food. This storied watering hole goes above and beyond with creative takes on hearty comfort food classics. The burgers are delicious, but honestly everything we’ve tried has been impressive. The specials are always beautifully creative, and the Sunday brunch is one of the best around. $ L D d
THE ROYAL
1427 E. Cherry St., Suite B, Springfield, theroyalmusichall.com, 417-351-3029
This tiny and beautiful spot serves well-cra ed cocktails, bottled cocktails and finger foods like warm olives or rosemary and bitters glazed nuts. Be sure to visit when there is live music; the intimate setting makes for a great experience. $D
SPRINGFIELD BREWING COMPANY
305 S. Market Ave., Springfield, 417-8328277, springfieldbrewingco.com
CALL 417.890.1016 TO ORDER VIEW MENU ON OR GRUBHUB 1440 W. REPUBLIC ROAD, SUITE 120
The food is hearty and comforting with a southern flare. You can find burgers (like the one topped with jalapeño bottle caps), fried catfish, country fried steak, loaded fries with tons of toppings, and more. The chicken fingers are some of the best we’ve ever had (order them with the delish sweet potato fries), and the Georgia Hot Chicken sandwich packs a bit of heat. $ $ L D
319 E. Walnut St., Springfield, job417.com
This spot is known for its excellent bourbon selection and elevated bar food. Longtime favorites include the Full Ride burger, the Codi Brah falafel sandwich, and the pepperoni pizza balls. If you’re in the mood for a cocktail, try the O ce Crush, made with Rittenhouse Rye, housemade peach and black tea syrup, lemon juice and peach puree. $$ L D
Try the fish and chips paired with one of the beers that are brewed on-site at Springfield’s OG brewpub. Also delicious are the burgers and the mac and cheese, and we love getting the breakfast pizza during a lazy weekend brunch with friends and family. Live music. $$ B L D d
SWEET BOY’S NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
310 South Ave., Springfield, 417-7194224, sweetboysbar.com
Come for pinball, a laidback atmosphere and a small but very well done cocktail list. For something more like dessert, try the HellBoy, a frozen Irish co ee with a Fat Boy’s ice cream sandwich. $
USS MISSOURI BOAT
TEMPURA RAMEN
SEAFOOD & FISH
CRABBY’S SEAFOOD BAR AND GRILL
815 W. Seventh St., Joplin, crabbysjoplin.com, 417206-3474
This Joplin hot-spot serves some fantastic seafood, and we’ve enjoyed everything we’ve tried there. The Chilean sea bass is a specialty. Try some of the small plates, like portobello mushroom fries, steamed mussels or a lovely charcuterie board. The entree salads are excellent here.
$$–$$$ L D
ROCKBRIDGE RESTAURANT
4297 County Rd. 142, Rockbridge, rockbridgemo.com
This fishing lodge is home to a restaurant that specializes in all things trout. The super-fresh fish dishes are made with trout that are caught on the property. We love the trio appetizer, which comes with trout salad, smoked trout and a trout dip that is so craveable! For an entree, try the blackened trout dish. There’s also an on-site bar, The Grist Mill located in a historic former riverside mill. $ B L D
VANTAGE ROOFTOP
LOUNGE & CONSERVATORY
260 E. McDaniel St., Springfield, 417-8511768; roo opvantage.com This roo op bar at Hotel Vandivort has a breathtaking view of downtown Springfield. Make sure you try some of the items on the super-fresh, beautifully prepared raw bar. The pickled shrimp and scallop ceviche are two of our faves. The cocktails are creative and classically well-done, and the menu of shareables and snacks bring the concept of bar food up several notches with items like the pork rillette tartine. $$ d
STEAK
CHAR STEAKHOUSE & OYSTER BAR
1620 E. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-823-8383
Try favorites like the bacon-wrapped dates and chicken Bijan, or dig into options like Waygu steaks, lamb shank and fish dishes that up the ante. Indulgent lobster potato puree and crispy flashfried Brussels sprouts round out the sides, and raw oysters, ceviche and bone marrow pique the appetite as starters. Be sure to sample Char’s cocktails, or something o the extensive wine list. $$$ D d
FLAME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR
314 W. Walnut St., Springfield, flamesteakhouse.com, 417-862-4444
The restaurant specializes in delicious dry-aged steaks. Don’t miss the lobster macaroni and cheese (we’re serious; you have to try this stu ). The desserts are always divine, and we can’t get enough of the appetizer menu. Head to Red Room downstairs for killer happy hour food and drink specials. (Don’t miss the burgers at happy hour! They are so delicious and such a bargain.) $$$ D
JIMM’S STEAKHOUSE & PUB
1935 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-8865466, jimmssteakhouseandpub.com
We love the tasty steaks here. They are always prepared perfectly. The stu ed Peppadew peppers are a must-try appetizer; trust us, you need to taste those things! The peppers are stu ed with cream cheese, wrapped in bacon and drizzled with a balsamic glaze. And if you love a good salad bar, Jimm’s has one of the best. Desserts are a treat here as well. $$–$$$ L D
Hours
Tuesday–Thursday: 5–9pm Friday: 5–10pm
Saturday: Hours vary
Sunday: 3–7pm
Monday: Closed Happy hours every day!
Never-ending summer vibes with beachy dishes and elevated bar bites at a local bar and grill. Warning: The cocktails and atmosphere will be hard to leave!
1198 W St. Hwy NN, Ozark, MO 65721 417-771-9330 | volleyballbeachozark.com
Discover the original Cashew Chicken and other delights at Leong’s Asian Diner, Springfield’s culinary gem. Enjoy authentic flavors, friendly service and a legacy of delicious Asian cuisine.
1540 W. Republic Rd., Springfield 417-887-7500 | leongsasiandiner.com
LEVEL 2 STEAKHOUSE
The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel, 200 E. Main St., Branson, 417-243-3443, level2steakhouse.com
This Branson restaurant specializes in steaks, but its gooey butter cake dessert is gaining a following. Try the Kansas City strip steak and the egg noodles with cheese. The Caesar salad is a must-try; it comes topped with fried anchovies. $$$ B L D
Dry-aged prime steaks are served in this spot’s fine-dining atmosphere. The sides are delish, like the garlic potato puree and tru e creamed corn. $$ D
WILDER’S STEAKHOUSE
1216 S. Main St., Joplin, 417-623-7230, wilderssteakhouse.com
Come to Joplin’s Wilder’s Steakhouse to find steaks in all sizes and varieties, all of which are certified black Angus beef and free of hormones and antibiotics. The menu also has seafood and chicken. $$$ D
TEA ROOMS
BETH’S BAKE SHOPPE & TEA ROOM
1645-D West Republic Road, Springfield, bethsbakeshoppe.com, 417-866-5533
Try a chicken salad sandwich served on cinnamon raisin bread. We love the spinach salad with warm bacon vinaigrette, and the couscous salad loaded with veggies and Feta. $ L
MS. GILMORE’S TEA ROOM AND VINTAGE SUITCASE
211 E. Commercial St., Springfield, 417-8867000, robinsvintagesuitcase.com
The daily specials and desserts are the star of this tearoom and pastry shop on Commercial Street. There is always an excellent quiche and soup of the day, plus great desserts. $ L
SPRING CREEK TEA ROOM
107 S. Third St., Ozark, 417-582-1331
The homemade desserts are to die for. Be sure to order them quickly before they run out—like you might want to order them before you order entrees! Don’t miss the veggie sandwich, the classic strawberry soup or the chicken salad. $ L
THAI
EVERYDAY THAI
220 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield, 417-7700147, myeverydaythai. com
This spot serves consistently delicious Thai dishes. Some of our favorites are the tom kha gai soup, the comforting yellow curry with chicken and the mango sticky rice dessert. $–$$ L D
RAMA THAI CAFÉ
1129 E. Walnut St., Springfield, 417-865-3204
This restaurant, located inside a charming old house on Historic Walnut Street, features a menu full of delicious Thai tastes in a cozy atmosphere with a shady patio out back. Dig into the entrees with an order of curry noodles or green curry. $–$$ L D d
SIMPLY THAI
2808 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-8650101, simplythai.com
From the owner of Thai Express, Simply Thai o ers a similar menu of Thai restaurant favorites—and some Springfield-style cashew chicken too. The Thai basil stir fry with tofu is our favorite dish, and the magic noodles never disappoint. They also sell super-cheap cashew chicken cups if you’re in the mood for a classic Springfield flavor. $ L D
TAI KITCHEN
114 E. Main St., Branson, taikitchenbranson.com, 417-544-0581
This family-owned spot serves fresh flavors in dishes like the Tai Beef Salad, Thai fish cake appetizer, and several types of Thai soups. Don’t miss the great curries here too! $–$$ L D
THAI THAI CUISINE
1615 W. Highway 76, Branson, 417-334-9070, thaithaibranson.com
Thai Thai Cuisine o ers really great Thai food and a sweet sta on the strip in Branson. We liked every dish we tried, but the panang curry was our favorite. It’s served on a little bed of fresh spinach. $–$$ L D
THAI EXPRESS
2113 W. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-8650101, 417thaiexpress.com
When you visit this friendly spot, don’t miss the Magic Noodle, mango curry chicken and volcano shrimp dishes. They are all tasty. The green curry is delicious, with a sauce so divine you might just want to drink it. (We admit: We’ve been tempted!) Get a red or green Thai tea with your meal. $ L D
THAI SQUARE
307 S. National Ave., Springfield, 417-7715300, facebook.com/ Thaisquare307
From the folks who owner Rama Thai (and located just around the corner from it), Thai Square o ers an excellent menu of Thai food favorites. Our favorite dish is the salmon choo chee, but the traditional pad Thai comes in at a close second. $$ L D
THAILAND STATION
TONG’S THAI RESTAURANT
3454 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-889-5280
VIETNAMESE
BAMBU
1338 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield, 417-881-9881
1730 E. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-3501001, thailandstation.net
Find all your favorites (a variety of curries, stir fried noodle dishes and soups) plus some surprises like crispy duck and stir-fried pork belly. We love the som tum (papaya salad) and the laab (ground chicken salad). When it’s in season, get mango sticky rice. $ L D
With a colorful owner who loves to chat with his customers, this spot has been a Springfield staple for ages. The restaurant serves up a menu packed with tasty Thai flavors, and the fresh Esarn lettuce wraps are a longtime customer favorite. The fried basa fish topped with your choice of one of Tong’s yummy sauces is another fan fave; we always like to order it topped with basil sauce. Don’t forget about the Thairito, a dish that’s unique to Tong’s. Full bar. $–$$ L D
The pho is a specialty here. You can add spice, herbs, jalapeños and sprouts to customize it. (Our favorite: Use all of the herbs, a couple of jalapeños and a squirt of sriracha.) Don’t miss the lemongrass beef bun bowls! $ L D d
HONG YEN
2926 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-3513915, facebook.com/ hongyenrestaurant. Come to Hong Yen when you’re in search of excellent beef pho. The chicken pho is pretty good too! Anything with noodles is worth a try, and the menu has several clear noodle and egg noodle soups in as well. $ L D d
PHO KIM
3433-C S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, phokimspringfield.com, 417-883-9999
Here you can fill up on Vietnamese staples like pho, spring rolls, a variety of bahn mi sandwiches and more. The chicken fried rice is extra crispy, and the chicken pho is just as tasty as the classic beef variety here. We love the fresh spring rolls too. If you aren’t afraid of heat, try the spicy beef noodle soup.
$ L D
SKULLY’S
1427 E. Cherry St., Springfield, 417-3680949, facebook.com/ skullys417
This spot specializes in non-traditional takes on Vietnamese banh mi sandwishes. Try the one made with oyster mushrooms, or the marinated lemongrass beef option. $ L D
Sweetness In Every Bite
Midwest Goodbye the
HEY, WE HAVE A FEW MORE OZARKS MOMENTS TO SHARE WITH YOU BEFORE YOU GO.
Goodwood Homecoming
Take a sneak peek at I Pour Life’s Goodwood Homecoming Gala. It took place atop the Riverside Bridge at Finley Farms for a peaceful outdoor dinner. The event’s theme leaned into the Goodwood era of the 1940s and raised funds for I Pour Life’s mission to help local at-risk youth learn critical life skills.
Continued on page 146 >>
From le to right: Branden & Hilary Roberts, Roseanne & Jim Shule
People Pics e MidwestGoodbye
Goodwood Homecoming
I Pour Life’s Goodwood Homecoming Gala included a social hour overlooking the Finley River followed by a delicious dinner and engaging program atop the riverside bridge at Finley Farms. The event had a theme focused on celebrating like 1945 and raised funds for serving older, at-risk, foster care and exploited youth.
Date: May 3
Benefiting
Organization:
I Pour Life
Location: Finley Farms
Sponsors: Brent and Barbie Davis, Impact Church, John and Erin Davis, Mercy, Metro Appliance & More, Mouery’s Flooring, Next Level Solutions, Ron and Janice Penney, Sam and June Hamra
1. Je and Jill Bryant
2. April and Jayson Workman
3. Jenn and James Pierce, Brock Fick, Katie McCormick
4. Maritza and Jurgen Windbacher, Sandra
5.
6.
7.
PHOTOS BY RYAN KOWALSKI
Hasiba
Janet Glaser, Hailey Kolstad, Jodee Smith
Jon and Erin Davis
David Yabarra, Alicia Deck, Corey Milam
Date: April 27
Benefiting Organization: Burrell Behavioral Health
Location: Hammons Field
Sponsors: Community Foundation of the Ozarks Advancing Mental Wellness Grant
1. Cory Matteson, Ethan Bryan
2. Faith Grimes, Damon Paige, Clay Goddard
3. Louie, Jeanne Coburn
4. Emily Hudson, Merritt Payne
5. Lauren Stockam, Whitney Mann
6. Mara Aruguete, Jason Kearbey
7. Chris Rowden, Cody Schroeder
Men’s Mental Health League
Burrell Behavioral Health’s Be Well Initiatives team hosted the Men’s Mental Health League at Hammons Field to address the Springfield area’s high male suicide rate by encouraging open discussion and practicing healthy activities. Attendees got to hear from Drew Robinson, former professional baseball player, and Ethan Bryan, author of A Year of Playing Catch
People Pics e MidwestGoodbye
A Time to Share
Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozark’s annual A Time to Share event by The Breast Surgeons at CoxHealth and The Center for Plastic Surgery raised funds for those fighting breast cancer. The evening included a silent auction and fashion show with clothes from local boutiques.
Date: April 25
Benefiting
Organization: Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.
Location: Gillioz Theatre
Sponsors:
417 Magazine, CoxHealth, Great Southern Bank, Mercy, Mercy Oncology, Missouri Surgical Center for Breast Health, O’Reilly Hospitality Management, Oncology Hematology Associates, Reliable Superstore, Rick’s Automotive, The Center for Plastic Surgery, The Charlie & Mary Beth O’Reilly Family Foundation
1. Charolette Hardina and Karla Jamerson
2. Margaret Glorfeld, Tammy Kirks, Jordan Robertson
3. Jayme Travis, Debi Murray Bennett
4. Abby and Dr. Brian Biggers
5. Megan Johnson, Dr. Connor Barnes, Terra Bussard, Dr. Bucky
6. Dr. Jessica Snider, Kendall Snider
7. Jen Battagler, Candice
Buckner
Miller, Becky Dock
Warrior’s Journey Gala
The annual Warrior’s Journey Gala raised funds to support their mission to help veterans go beyond focusing on physical wounds of combat to heal invisible wounds. The event included dinner and guest speaker Tim Tebow.
Date: May 4 Benefiting Organization: Warrior’s Journey
Location: Oasis Hotel & Convention Center
Sponsors: Fireworks Over America, Legacy Bank & Trust, Reliable Lexus Superstore
1. Chase and Michelle Kelly
2. Tim and Demi Tebow, Tom and Michelle Simon
3. Chloe Elmquist, Connor Sechler
4. Gary Metzger Janice and Ron Penney,
5. Jeremy Marti, Brian Cheever
6. Jake and Nicole Lovelace, McKenna Goddard, Brad Perkins
7. Michelle and Rick Meewes
Giving back to the community is a top priority for 417 Magazine. Each month, we support local nonprofits that help 417-land thrive. We proudly support events by charities and organizations that create Good Times for a Great Cause.
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2024
5:30 PM - VIP TICKET HOLDERS' LOUNGE, FASHION SHOW AND TABLEAUX PREVIEW
7:00 PM - COCKTAIL TICKET PARTY AND TABLEAUX EXPERIENCE
VIP TICKETS: $250 EACH | COCKTAIL TICKETS: $100 EACH ALL TICKETS INCLUDE COMPLIMENTARY FOOD AND DRINK + DONATION TO THE MUSEUM.
LAST BIG, BLOW-OUT EVENT BEFORE THE MUSEUM CLOSES FOR CONSTRUCTION!
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY BEFORE 99X SELLS OUT!
SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE - CONTACT KATE FRANCIS, MUSEUM AFFAIRS OFFICER AT 417-874-2865 OR KATE.FRANCIS@SPRINGFIELDMO.GOV
PLATINUM SPONSORS: +
JASON & BERTIE RADER GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER: THE FAMILY OF PAMELA MORRISSEY, NESBITT CONSTRUCTION & ANDREA NESBITT DESIGNS, NETTIE J’S BEAUTY & BOTOX PARLOR SOUTHWEST MISSOURI MUSEUM ASSOCIATES, TAL & ROSALIE O'REILLY WOOTEN FAMILY FOUNDATION | TABLEAUX SPONSORS: THE FOX FAMILY SARAH & MATTHEW KERNER | SONYA & JOHN WISE | PATRONS: DEB MERGEN, NETTIE J’S BEAUTY & BOTOX PARLOR | MEDIA SPONSOR:
*AS OF JULY 31, 2024
Giving back to the community is a top priority for 417 Magazine. Each month, we support local nonprofits that help 417-land thrive. We proudly support events by charities and organizations that create Good Times for a Great Cause.
e Midwest Goodbye
WHERE’S417?
Bring 417 Magazine on your next adventure—whether you’re traveling or exploring close to home.
1. Dingle Peninsula, Ireland James, Clara and Megan Berlin took their copy of the 2024 “Best of 417” issue with them to Ireland.
2. London, England Cathy Tong and Stacy Piccagli took their copy of the “Top Doctors” issue with them to London.
3. Springfield, Missouri Chris Magers, Eva Dean, Karen Thompson, Trish Latall and Michelle Noel brought their copies of the
2024 “Best of 417,” “Where to Eat Now” and “Where to Live Now” issues with them to Brown Derby.
4. Edinburgh, Scotland Kristy Gilmore, Jessica Gilmore, Tracey Snodgrass, Nancy Bareford and Ron Snodgrass took their copy of the “Summer on the Farm” issue with them to Scotland.
5. St. George Island, Florida Catherine, Evan, Dr. Robert, Tammy, Nancy and Dr. Loren Emma, Loren, Marilyn, and Loren Michael Broaddus took their copy of the “Take Me to the River” issue with them to Florida.
6. Boston, Massachusetts Caleb Perkins, Jenny Perkins, Sam Martin and Jessica Martin took their copy of the “Summer on the Farm” issue with them to Boston.
7. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Doug and Juliet Eden took their copy of the “Where to Live Now” issue with them to Punta Cana.
e Midwest Goodbye Where’s 417?
1. Manitou Springs, Colorado Mike, Kace and Christy Hlavacek traveled with their copy of the “Take Me to the River” issue with them to the Manitou Incline in Colorado.
2. Hilton Head, South Carolina Rachel Anne and Jordan
Hunter took their copy of the “Where to Live Now” issue with them to Harbor Town in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
3. Nile River, Africa Glenn and Kaylene Marcum brought their copy of the “The Ultimate Arts and Culture
Guide” issue with them while traveling to the Nile River.
4. Santorini, Greece Debbie Carroll, Gary, Shane and Nicole Amstutz took their copy of the “Where to Live Now” issue with them on their trip to Greece.
5. Hoonah, Alaska James Pyle, Cindy Pyle, Leasa Brosseau and Kent Brosseau brought their copy of the “Summer on the Farm” issue with them to Hoonah, Alaska.
6. Table Rock Lake, Missouri Mindy Schroeder, Janet Jordan, Gretchen Heinz, Angie Frederick, Rose Schwarte, Mo Cli on and Marty Schmitt took their copy of the “Where to Live Now” issue to Table Rock to watch the eclipse.
7. Lake Louise, Canada Michelle and Travis Paquin took their copy of the “Where to Live Now” issue with them to Canada.
8. Mount Rainier, Washington Joe and Margo Carl brought their copy of the “Take Me to the River” issue with them to Washington state.
9. Dauphin Island, Alabama Lindsay Hanaford, Samantha Maples, Susan Hunter, Amber Marsh, Chrissy Mitchell, Julie Rawlings, Tammy Smith, Sally Springer, Kathy Dean, Karla Fenix and Pam Pringle brought their copy of the “Where to Live Now” issue to the beach.
10. Volubilis, Morocco Je Munzinger, Kathy Munzinger and Michael Thomas took their copy of the “Where to Live Now” issue with them to Morocco.
Oh,OneMore Thing e Midwest Goodbye
Q+A with Cuonzo Martin, Missouri State Men’s Basketball Head Coach
BY JORDAN BLOMQUIST
“ENJOY THE JOURNEY OF LEARNING, BECAUSE IF YOU’RE JUST STARTING OUT, YOU HAVEN’T REACHED YOUR DESTINATION.”
QWhat does it mean to you to be back coaching at MSU?
“It feels good to be wanted and to be in coaching. It also feels good to have an opportunity to … mold young men and help them reach their dreams of success, on and o the court.”
What are your goals for this season?
“My personal goal is always to be the best version of myself I can be or become. As for team goals, we always have shortterm goals that we like to keep. Our goal is to win a Missouri Valley Conference Championship, and we started working on that on June 3.”
Are there any specific players to watch this season?
“I never do that as a coach. Here’s the reason why: The ones that everybody perceives to be the best often turn out to be someone else. Those young men that have the growth mindset—they’re open to growing, they continue to grow, and they keep reaching their goals. You see it in the NBA draft every year. All the guys everybody thought were the guys four years ago, it turns out to be somebody different—the guy in the back of the gym that nobody paid attention to, who just worked, worked, worked.”
Visit 417mag.com to read our extended interview with Cuonzo Martin.
