During the cold winter months, there's much more to do than stay inside and binge watch TV (although that's fun sometimes as well). There are plenty of indoor activities in the Ozarks that provide adventure and fun for the entire family. Here are several spots to have a great time indoors.
1984
Test your luck at 1984, the vintage arcade downtown. For just $10, get access to 80 games in the building such as Donkey Kong, Galaga, Asteroids, Smash Tv, more than a dozen variations of pinball and more.
Address: 400 S. Jefferson Ave., Springfield
Andy B’s Family Entertainment Center
Children play in the arcade at Andy B's Family Entertainment Center
Andy B’s has 21 lanes of traditional bowling, 10 VIB (Very Important Bowler) bowling lanes, an underground laser tag arena designed to look, feel and sound like an abandoned mine, and a large arcade game room with every game your kids could want. On top of that, they feature a full-service restaurant!
Address: 1127 E. Battlefield Road, Springfield
AR Workshop
AR Workshop. Photo courtesy of AR Workshop.
If you love to DIY or make your own crafts, AR Workshop is for you. Choose from an array of projects such as wood signs, chunky blankets, and seasonal projects designed for spring, summer, fall, and winter. Weekly classes are scheduled with a new project planned for each day.
Address: 1550 E. Battlefield Road Ste N-1, Springfield
Axe Throwing
Try your hand at Axe Throwing at Craft Axe Throwing. Reserve your target and start throwing. This activity is perfect for large groups looking to try out something new.
Address: 431 S. Jefferson Ave. STE 132 A, Springfield
Board Game Cafes
Snack, drink and play board games at Village Meeple Board Game Cafe or Dirk's Tavern. Choose from hundreds of board games from their selection and play as long as your heart desires. Entry is $5 a person for a full day pass.
Address: 1570 E. Battlefield Road STE F, Springfield
Address: 210 W. Commercial St. A, Springfield
Classic's Yard
An indoor social sport and game center located in the back of Classic Rock Coffee on Sunset, Classic's Yard is the perfect spot to chill out and hang with friends. Classic's Yard features an exciting variety of sports and games such as pickleball, fowling, Connect 4 basketball, free throw lanes, corn hole, golf simulators, table tennis, darts, pool and more. If you're hungry, grab a bite to eat or a drink at the bar.
Address: 1900 W. Sunset St., Springfield
Creative Escape Glass
Creative Escape Glass
Creative Escape Glass is a fused glass studio open to the public. Come learn how and make your own unique glass art pieces or shop the gallery with pieces made by CEG artisans. Examples include custom-made glass plates, bowls, crosses, pendants, earrings, bracelets, wind chimes, wall pieces and many more fused glass items.
Address: 1700 S. Campbell Ave. Suite H, Springfield
The Discovery Center of Springfield
The Discovery Center is the perfect place to take the kids on a cold day or when they are out of school on winter break. They’ll learn the entire time, but it's disguised as just fun.
Address: 438 E. St. Louis St., Springfield
Fritz’s Adventure
Fritz's Adventure in Branson, Missouri. Photo courtesy of Fritz's Adventure.
Just south of Springfield in Branson, Fritz’s Adventure is an elaborate, adventure-based, indoor family attraction that brings the excitement of outdoor adventure into a multi-dimensional indoor environment!
Address: 1425 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson
Fun Mountain at Big Cedar Lodge
Not far from Fritz’s, the all-new Fun Mountain offers up some of the most unique indoor attractions in the Ozarks. This 50,000-square-foot adventure complex has bumper cars that flip upside down, underwater-themed bowling, a 60-game arcade and more. The kids will love it!
Address: 190 Top of the Rock Road, Ridgedale
Loomi Candle Bar
Head over to Loomi Candle Bar in downtown Springfield to pour your own candle. Making your own is super easy, and you can have your finished product by the end of the day! Choose from one of many containers, pick a scent, grab your wax, and start mixing in your scent. Candles take a few hours to set and harden and can be taken home within a day or two.
Address: 400 W. Walnut St., Springfield
History Museum on the Square
The award-winning History Museum on the Square is a fun and interesting way to step back in time. The museum’s galleries explain the area’s history with interactive displays, interpretive exhibits, unique artifacts and fascinating videos showcasing what made Springfield the intriguing place it is today. Named the nation’s best new attraction in a “USA Today” readers’ poll in 2019, the state-of-the-art museum is a must-see during your visit to Springfield.
Address: 154 Park Central Square, Springfield
Itty Bitty City
Itty Bitty City
For some indoor fun with the kids, Itty Bitty City is the perfect place for hours of educational, hands-on play. Let the little ones roam in a miniature city complete with a fire station, grocery store, zoo and more created to inspire make-believe play.
Address: 3640 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield
Brightspeed Ice Park’s Public Ice Skating
Take to the ice at the only indoor ice skating park in the Ozarks. You can either skate for fun or you can sign up and take some classes to perfect your form.
Address: 635 E. Trafficway St., Springfield
Moxie Cinema
The Moxie Cinema
The Moxie Cinema is a locally owned theater that showcases various art films and popular headlining movies for an intimate movie experience. Grab your popcorn and a seat in the theater and settle in for a cozy night at the movies.
Address: 305 S. Campbell Ave. #101, Springfield
Painting With A Twist
Feeling creative? Try your hand at painting a masterpiece Painting With A Twist's many paint and wine events. Book a time to paint your masterpiece and learn how to make it step-by-step. Not that great of an artist? At least there's some wine to go with it!
Address: 3444 S. Campbell Ave. Suite G, Springfield
Pottery
For those whose preferred medium is clay, check out pottery shops that let you create your artwork from scratch or paint and decorate an already molded piece. Options include Springfield Pottery, Firehouse Pottery and Artistree Pottery.
Republic Warrior Sports
Republic Warrior Sports in Republic, Missouri. Photo courtesy of Republic Warrior Sports.
Even if it’s cold outside, it’s no excuse not to do something healthy for your body and have fun at the same time. Republic Warrior Sports is a 4,000-square-foot indoor obstacle course and functional training facility owned by Jon Taylor who was a competitor on Season 8 of American Ninja Warrior. The courses are great for family fun and individual training.
Address: 830 State Hwy 174, Republic
Route 66 Car Museum
If you want a glimpse of some pretty amazing cars, the 20,000-square-foot Route 66 Car Museum features a 75-car collection of sports cars with cars ranging from 1907 to 1980 classics and movie cars.
Address: 1634 W. College St., Springfield
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
You can spend hours exploring this amazing aquarium. Journey to Africa, the Arctic and under the sea at this 1.5-million-gallon aquarium adventure showcasing 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles and birds, and immersive wildlife galleries that bring visitors eye-to-eye with the greatest collection of record-setting game animals ever assembled.
Address: 500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield
Zenith Climbing Center
Zenith Climbing Center. Photo courtesy of Zenith Climbing Center.
If it’s too cold to hit the cliffs, Zenith Climbing Center is your answer. It features state-of-the-art Walltopia climbing walls, a training and systems area, yoga studio and gear shop. No experience necessary — just be ready to have fun!
Address: 3534 E. Sunshine St. #3, Springfield
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