| Destination of the Month - Springfield, Missouri |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Wednesday, 29 October 2008 09:00 | |
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Springfield, Missouri, offers all the charm of a Midwestern city along with the charisma of a metropolitan area. The third-largest city in the state is small enough to maintain the friendly atmosphere of a small town, yet large enough to offer big city amenities. Cooper Tennis Complex. This complex features 12 indoor courts, pro shop, outdoor patio and concession area, workout facility and clubhouse with a multipurpose meeting room. With 16 lighted outdoor courts, the lighted Mediacom Tennis Stadium seats 2,500 people. Cooper Tennis Complex is home to the Springfield Lasers, a professional tennis team. Hammons Field Baseball Stadium. This 6,750-seat stadium is a state-of-the-art facility featuring indoor practice area, retractable batting cages and a FieldTurf surface. Hammons Field is home to the Springfield Cardinals, the AA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. Hammons Student Center. One of many facilities available at universities in Springfield, Hammons Student Center is one of the largest indoor facilities in southwest Missouri with seating for nearly 9,000 people. Basketball, volleyball and swimming events are among events hosted at the center, which also features racquetball courts, office space, a lounge area and varsity locker rooms. Killian Sports Complex. Part of the Cooper Park Sports Complex, Killian offers six lighted softball fields, ample parking, a gated entrance, concessions, restrooms and an air-conditioned building for up to 250 people. Lake Country Soccer. Featuring 18 full-size outdoor fields, and indoor stadium, a full-size indoor field and one indoor futsal field, this facility draws thousands of soccer players to Springfield each year. Mediacom Ice Park. Ice sports are getting noticed in Springfield, thanks to this new ice park featuring two skating surfaces and seating for more than 1,000 spectators. Meeting rooms, concessions, locker room and a pro shop are available on site. Places to Have Fun:  Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World. The first and largest Bass Pro store in the country is the “Grandaddy” of all outdoor stores. If you need any type of outdoor gear, this is the place to get it. But Bass Pro isn’t just about shopping. Visitors enjoy huge aquariums, an art gallery, firing range, waterfalls, and more.Dickerson Park Zoo. Hundreds of wild animals can be viewed at Dickerson Park Zoo, including elephants, tigers and gibbons in the “Tropical Asia” section. New features include “Missouri Habitats,” where animals native to the state are housed, including gray wolves, mountain lions and river otters. And don’t miss the Ambler Diversity of Life Building, filled with reptiles from around the world. Discovery Center. This interactive, hands-on science center teaches and challenges people of all ages. The building itself, a certified sustainable facility that lessens the impact on the environment, is an educational experience in itself.  Throughout the building are displays explaining those unique features, along with hundreds of exhibits that explore physics, chemistry, energy, health and culture.Fantastic Caverns. The only cave in North America large enough to ride through offers a 50-minute guided tour along an ancient underground riverbed that will entertain and enlighten. Massive formations can be seen along with educational explanations provided by knowledgeable tour guides. Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. When you’re not on the field but still want to enjoy sports, this is the place for you. Filled with thousands of memorabilia, hands-on exhibits and interesting displays, the hall is a fun, family-friendly activity for sports enthusiasts. Mizumoto Stroll Garden. A beautifully landscaped Japanese garden at Nathanael Greene Park offers acres of winding paths and bridges, a moon deck, pagoda and more for peaceful relaxation and outdoor recreation. Several other public gardens are available at the park. Ozark Greenways Trails Network. Miles and miles of trails are available in and around the city, ranging from paved areas to moderately rugged. Enjoy hiking, biking, walking, running, even horseback riding on the trails showcasing southwest Missouri’s natural beauty. Springfield Art Museum. For the art lover, the Springfield Art Museum is a great place to view thousands of years of culture. Special collections include 19th, 20th, and 21st century American paintings, watercolor, sculpture and prints Springfield Cardinals AA Baseball. Attending a Springfield Cardinals’ game is a family affair filled with great baseball, wacky games and entertainment. The Springfield Cardinals, the AA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, is ranked among the best in the Texas League..  Springfield Conservation Nature Center. A visitors center, aquariums, educational displays and walking trails provide educational information, along with a way to enjoy Mother Nature’s best.Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. The Battle of Wilson’s Creek on Aug. 10, 1871, is commemorated at this national landmark. A free visitors center features a film, museum and changing exhibits, along with the Hulston Civil War Library. The battlefield includes a five-mile driving tour of the site where the battle occurred. Places to Rest Easy: Springfield is home to more than 60 hotels and 6,000 hotel rooms, along with a variety of meeting facilities, including the Springfield Expo Center, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds and facilities at a number of hotels. Contact Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau Ms. Bobbi Box, Sports Sales Manager 800-678-8767, Ext. 106 Ms Dana Maugans, Groups Sales Director 800-678-8767, Ext. 111 www.SpringfieldMOSports.com |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 October 2008 11:06 ) |
Springfield is a hotbed for amateur and professional sports. Soccer, tennis, baseball, softball, ice hockey, figure skating – you name it, Springfield has it. Here are just a few of the city’s sports facilities.|
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