Springfield, Missouri

They call Missouri the “Show Me State” and it certainly has a lot to offer. I recently took a day trip to Springfield, Missouri and got to take in some of the local sites and eat some delicious food. My trip included a visit to the brand new Buc-ee’s, the original and largest Bass Pro Shops, a ride thru Fantastic Caverns, and a delicious meal at Flame Stakehouse.

Buc-ee’s of Springfield

Buc-ee’s is famous for being a large gas station with clean restrooms, numerous gas pumps, a massive selection of food and snacks… and no semi-trucks. What started in Lake Jackson, Texas has no spread all over the country with over 40 stores and counting. Springfield welcomed their new Buc-ee’s on Dec 10, 2023 and it features 53,000 square feet of store and 129 fuel pumps. It is quite a site to behold… and might be one of the busiest one’s I’ve visited. It was like going to Walmart in both size and number of cars in the parking lot. While that might sound like a snooze, the Buc-ee’s experience is not one to miss… and their new location in Springfield didn’t disappoint.

The Bass Pro Shops

Springfield is home to the original and largest Bass Pro Shops. For those that love the outdoors, it’s a heaven of exciting sporting goods to take on the world. The store has plenty for sale, but be sure to check out the waterfalls, aquariums, boats, cafe, and more. During my visit, the front of the store even had Austin Dillon’s NASCAR vehicle parked in front.

Fantastic Caverns

Fantastic Caverns sits just northwest of Springfield. A Jeep-drawn trailer takes you on a tour of the caverns. Guides gave us the history of the cave and the layout and such. They hit on topics such as the Civil War, Prohibition and Speakeasys, stalactites and stalagmites. The best part is that it doesn’t matter if it’s hot or cold out… the caverns are about 60 degrees year round. It was amazing to feel the difference between the 90 degree sunny day and the 60 degree cave. If you like exploring and don’t want to walk, this is the adventure to take as you just board the trailer and sit back and relax… also – watch your head in a few places.

World’s Largest Fork

Some of us like to eat… and sometimes a big meal needs a big fork. But nowhere has a larger fork (by mass) than a random building in Springfield. Originally designed by an advertising restaurant, the fork was moved to the home of the advertising agency after the restaurant closed down. It’s not easy to find, but it’s an interesting sight none the less.

Flame Steakhouse in Springfield, Mo

A trip to Springfield would not be complete without a visit to my favorite steakhouse (yeah… the favorite, not just in Springfield.) They specialized in both wet and dry aged meats. Each dish is meticulously described so you know how long it has aged. My personal favorite is the Connoisseur Special. This has changed to the E3 Ranch options. All of the meat is properly aged, seasoned to perfection, and then seared at 1500 degrees. The special comes out tasting amazing. They also include a small bite of regular sirloin so you can taste the difference. They recently started to offer Japanese Wagyu for those looking for some authentic Kobe. However, after sampling them both… the Connoisseur/E3 Ranch is the cut for me. Finally, a cheesecake tree is a great way to finish off a meal.