In this economy, finding a fun way to spend an evening or a weekend without it costing an arm and a leg can be a difficult task. Many places have put their prices up, and finding a budget-friendly activity for your next date or family outing has become nearly impossible.
However, you are in luck if you live in or around Springfield, Missouri. This charming city is packed full of budget-friendly events, activities, and attractions that people of all ages can enjoy. The hard part is figuring out when and where these attractions are.
To help you plan your next day out, we have compiled a list of activities in Springfield that are not just budget-friendly but are completely free. This will help you to have a fun day out without needing to spend a dime. Consult this list the next time you’re stuck for something to do on your weekends!
Let’s get into it!
One of the best free things to do in Springfield is visit the Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. Located just outside of the city center, this park covers a whopping 113 acres of parkland, making it the perfect place to spend a morning or even a whole day.
The great thing about Nathanael Greene Park is that it acts as a blank canvas, allowing you to choose how you want to spend your day. Whether you wish to go for a walk, run, spend the day cycling, have a picnic or do all these activities, you can! The park’s size means it can accommodate all types of activities, making it the perfect place to practice all your hobbies at once. Plus, the size of the park means you can constantly explore and find new areas that you have never visited before.
Additionally, the park offers some free amenities that make for a perfect weekend activity. This includes the on-site Springfield Botanical Garden, the Dr. Bill Roston Butterfly House, and the Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens. All of these are free to enter and can help you take your park visit to the next level.
The park is open year-round and can be enjoyed no matter the weather. However, we recommend you visit in the spring and summer months for maximum enjoyment, as there is nothing like spending some time with nature on a sunny day!
You would think that visiting an art gallery would not be a budget-friendly activity, let alone a free one. Many art galleries and museums across the country and the world charge an arm and a leg for entry tickets, meaning they can only be enjoyed on special occasions. However, the Springfield Art Museum is entirely free to enjoy, making it the perfect weekend or date-night activity to enjoy with friends and loved ones.
Just because the gallery is free to enter doesn’t mean it skimps on quality. The collection is home to over 10,000 different objects and pieces, ranging from paintings, sculptures, textiles, and even furniture. The art has been sourced from all corners of the globe to bring the people of Springfield a diverse and interesting collection. Additionally, there is a significant amount of local art on display, giving visitors a taste of the talent that calls Springfield its home.
If you’re looking for an exciting way to spend an afternoon, and want to engage your brain while still having fun, you cannot go wrong with a visit to the Springfield Art Museum!
One of our favorite places in Springfield is Phelps Grove Park. This green space is an oasis that is located inside the city center, making it the ideal spot for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Phelps Grove is extremely popular with nature lovers, as it is home to some of the most majestic trees in Springfield. This draws in some interesting bird life and insects, so if bird watching is your thing, you will enjoy it here.
Additionally, if you prefer an activity that has you up and moving, you will love the 10-mile fitness track that the park contains. This track is perfect for runners, walkers, cyclists, and even rollerbladers. It winds through the park, allowing you to see everything that Phelps Grove has to offer.
The park also has several other amenities that make it a popular spot with locals. Guests can use the baseball diamond, a fitness course, and a tennis court. If you bring your equipment, these facilities are also completely free to use, which helps to keep the cost down while you play your favorite sports. If you would prefer to relax, you can also find grills, picnic areas, and a stunning historic pavilion to enjoy.
Access to the park and all its amenities is completely free, so if you don’t know how to spend your next Sunday morning without breaking the bank, this is a great option.
Lake Springfield Park is one of the city’s best-kept secrets, offering stunning views and proximity to some fascinating wildlife.
The lake and adjoining park are located a short drive outside of Springfield, making it a great spot for those who want to spend some time outside of the city, without traveling too far. The whole complex includes the beautiful Lake Springfield and a 153-acre park that stretches throughout the surrounding areas. There are many walking trails and paths within the park that take visitors through the bluffs, hills, and shorelines of Lake Springfield and its surrounding areas.
The park is a good spot for keen outdoorsmen and nature lovers, as many different species call Lake Springfield their home. From turkey, waterfowl and deer, you can spot all kinds of wildlife that live in the local area. Those who enjoy fishing will also appreciate the population of carp, channel catfish, and largemouth bass that can be found in Lake Springfield.
If you happen to visit during the warmer months, the Lake is also the perfect place to take a quick dip, however, make sure you do so in the designated swimming and wading zones. Use of the park is completely free, and you can spend an hour or a whole day out there, depending on what you want to do. We highly recommend giving the lake a visit next time you’re looking for a cheap way to spend your day.
If you want to learn something new, but don’t want to break the bank while doing so, consider attending one of the free events at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. The center is located within an 80-acre stretch of wildlife that has built-in trails and tracks for you to enjoy. It is a great place to spot deer and mink, and there are also picnic facilities scattered around the area!
However, the real highlight is the visitor center that throws free events and evenings regularly. These events are centered around education and teaching attendees about the features of the local wildlife, as well as the importance of conservation. They host all kinds of events, including interactive exhibitions, lectures, and even events geared towards children and teens.
The fantastic part about these events is that they are completely free, even though a lot of time and effort goes into planning them. The free events at the center are a great way to learn something new and get close to nature, without paying a dime. Make sure you regularly check the website to see the events that are coming up soon.
