Pride Journey Summer Getaway: Springfield, Missouri

Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium

This 1.5-million-gallon aquarium adventure showcases 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. Located adjacent to Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield, Missouri, the 350,000-square foot experience celebrates people who hunt, fish, and act as stewards of the land and water. In “USA Today” polls, Wonders of Wildlife was named Best New Attraction and Best Aquarium in the country.

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World

The original and largest of the Bass Pro Shops®, the store in Springfield, Missouri, is nearly 500,000 square feet dedicated to the beauty of the outdoors. Waterfalls, aquariums, firing range, TRACKER® boat showroom, Hemingway’s Blue Water Café and more. Shop from a large selection of outdoor gear and visit the free NRA® Museum, Archery Hall of Fame, Bass Pro Museum and Bass Pro Motorsports Museum inside the store. With more than 4 million annual visitors, it’s the No. 1 tourist attraction in Missouri.

Dickerson Park Zoo

Learn about more than 500 animals while strolling along 1.2 miles of paved trails in the zoo that's organized geographically by the creatures' continent of origin. "Tropical Asia" features elephants, tigers and siamangs. "Missouri Habitats" features wolves, mountain lions, river otters and black bears. Reptiles are found in the Ambler Diversity of Life Building. A highlight is getting face-to-face with giraffes while feeding them snacks. Check out the goats, alpacas and other animals at the petting zoo. Sometimes you'll hear the lions roar and if you're there in the spring and summer, don't miss the zookeeper chats. Other features at Dickerson Park Zoo include a children's playground and water feature, café, gift shop and train ride (seasonal).