Springfield

Known as the Queen City of the Ozarks and the birthplace of Route 66, Springfield, Missouri, draws millions of visitors each year for the outdoors, country music and vacations. The Ozarks offer some of the best fishing, hunting, boating and camping in the country. The original Bass Pro Shops opened in Springfield in 1971, and next door is Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium, the world’s largest aquarium attraction, with 350,000 square feet and more than 1.5 miles of trails. Country music runs deep here: “Ozark Jubilee,” the first national country music TV show, aired live on ABC from Springfield starting in 1955. Missouri’s third-largest city is also home to Missouri State University.