Surprising Springfield

Perched on a plateau of the Ozark Mountains, the birthplace of Route 66 leans into its history

By Irene Middleman Thomas

The beloved “Mother Road,” Route 66, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, and Chuck Berry fans (and otherwise) from everywhere will come and “get their kicks,” as his 1961 song advised. Congress passed the Route 66 Study Act in 1990, naming it “a symbol of the American people’s heritage of travel and their legacy of seeking a better life.” 

Springfield, Missouri, is the birthplace of one of the route’s most iconic stretches, originally called the Springfield Road. It’s the host city for the national kickoff of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration, slated for early August 2026. History buffs, road trippers and Americana lovers from all over are expected to descend on Springfield to join in the fun—visiting vintage diners and classic motels and experiencing the many new attractions this small city with big city features offers. 

The best place to start exploring is the Route 66 Springfield Visitors Center, which offers free maps and information and, naturally, souvenirs.

Springfield, perched on a plateau of the Ozark Mountains, is surrounded by rolling, verdant hills. It was named a national icon and international destination by the U.S. National Route 66 Centennial Commission and the Road Ahead Partnership, a national nonprofit working to revitalize and sustain Route 66. 

On April 30, 2026, a kickoff concert featured A-list entertainment at the Historic Shrine Mosque (where Elvis, Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson performed, among many others) live-streamed worldwide with cut-ins from Route 66 cities across the U.S. April 30 marked the anniversary of the telegram sent in 1926 from Springfield to Washington, D.C., requesting that a new transcontinental road be named Route 66. 

The enduring fascination worldwide with the Mother Road inspires songs, adventures, stories, films and so much Americana. Route 66 is more than a road or a highway—its kitschy legends live on. Indeed, it was home to the Route 66 hamburger joint, widely considered America’s first drive-through diner. In John Steinbeck’s novel, “The Grapes of Wrath,” he referred to Route 66 as the Mother Road because of its role as a refuge for people displaced by the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl years. 

The road symbolizes freedom and adventure with its scenic landscapes and quirky roadside attractions. Millions of enthusiasts have traveled the iconic highway from Chicago to California. For many years, U.S. 66 passed directly through Springfield’s Park Central Square, a favorite Springfield cultural venue, home to the city’s history museum featuring an excellent exhibit detailing the city’s role as the birthplace of Route 66.

The 170,000 or so residents of Springfield are diverse and dynamic. On a recent visit, I was astounded by the attractions I never would have expected in such a relatively small, under-discovered city. For example, Missouri is rightfully monikered “The Cave State,” with more than 7,500 known caves, 18 of which are open to the public for tours. There are five in the Springfield area, and each is somewhat other-worldly. Fantastic Caverns, Crystal Cave, Smallin Civil War Cave, Talking Rocks Cavern and Marvel Cave are all in or a short distance from the city. In fact, Fantastic Caverns is the only cave in North America to offer a complete ride-through tour. Discovered in 1862 by a dog, this cave offers an ancient underground river that carved a path guests can ride on today to explore surreal rock formations and one-of-a-kind sinkholes.  

The city, nicknamed “Queen City of the Ozarks,” is also home to the superb Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, which won best aquarium and best new attraction in the U.S. for the last six years by USA Today readers. With its four-story waterfall; a huge 1.5-million-gallon aquarium with 35,000 fish, coral reefs, shipwrecks, sharks and rays; a nature center and a taxidermy studio, it’s well worth a visit.

Adjacent to Wonders Wildlife is Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World (conservationist Johnny Morris founded both and still lives in Springfield). This enormous 350,000-square-foot complex also is home to six free-of-charge museums. It is considered the world’s largest, most immersive fish and wildlife attraction.

A quirky but delicious adventure is trying out Springfield-style cashew chicken (invented by the still-open Leong’s Asian Diner and copied by 70-some local competitors). You’ll even find a “Cashew Chicken Trail” for those who want to sample a few. Springfield is home to a surprising array of international dining spots, perhaps due to the three colleges and one university based there. My first lunch was a delight at Cusco in the trendy, revitalized Commercial Street neighborhood. It offers Peruvian and other Latin American cuisine in a beautifully restored historic building.

Who knew Oprah Winfrey’s favorite chocolatier would be in a small Missouri city? After sampling Askinosie Chocolates’ small-batch, bean-to-bar chocolate, I understood why it’s a fan favorite. The story of Shawn Askinosie is quite fascinating. Formerly a successful defense attorney in Springfield, he left law to study artisanal chocolate. Like a real-world Willy Wonka, Askinosie travels with his daughter to remote regions to source exotic cocoa beans directly from smallholder farmers. Askinosie Chocolate, also on Commercial Street, was born “committed to fairness, sustainability, minimal environmental impact and community enhancement.”

One more item: Brad Pitt is from Springfield and has several family members who still live in town. He visits often, I’m told, so keep your eyes open! For more information and to plan a trip,
visit springfieldmo.org