Day Itinerary
8 Activities
Day 1
155 mi
Drive Through the Lake of the Ozarks on the Way to Springfield
See the best of Central Missouri in a single day. After leaving Columbia, you'll visit the Lake of the Ozarks, a relatively quiet vacation area with a reservoir formed by the Bagnell Dam and walk among historic ruins at Ha Ha Tonka State Park. From there, you'll spend the night in Springfield, a vibrant city with a small-town feel.
08:451 hr
Duncan's Diner
Fuel up for your on-the-road adventure with breakfast at Duncan's Diner, a cozy family-owned restaurant in the tiny town of Prairie Home. Open for breakfast and lunch, Duncan's Diner makes everything from scratch, including a variety of Southern-style biscuits. The burgers and fried chicken are also popular. Don't leave without trying a slice of strawberry or peanut butter pie.
Call +16608415023 with any questions. Duncan's Diner is closed on Mondays.
Call +16608415023 with any questions. Duncan's Diner is closed on Mondays.
42.4 mi
1 hr
10:451 hr 30 min
Stark Caverns
Starks Caverns is an expansive cave once occupied by ancient Indigenous tribes and, later, early Missouri settlers. Guided tours take place daily at 11 a.m. on a route that's fully paved and lit, lasting about an hour (or less during off-season days with less traffic). Visitors get to walk a bridge across a small body of water, see dramatic rock formations and encounter Native American artifacts while learning about the history behind the cave. Spend some time in the Visitors Center afterwards.
Book an 11 a.m. tour in advance online.
Book an 11 a.m. tour in advance online.
8.8 mi
15 min
12:3030 min
Bagnell Dam
As you travel into the Lakeside community, you'll cross Bagnell Dam, the imposing 148-foot-tall structure that impounded the Osage River to fully form Lake of the Ozarks in 1931.
Drive across the top of the dam, then pull over to snap a few photos and browse the shops on the Bagnell Dam Strip (on the structure's south side). The area has a timeless vacation town feel and is a hotbed for boating, kayaking and other water activities. Most of the shops have been around for years, if not decades.
Drive across the top of the dam, then pull over to snap a few photos and browse the shops on the Bagnell Dam Strip (on the structure's south side). The area has a timeless vacation town feel and is a hotbed for boating, kayaking and other water activities. Most of the shops have been around for years, if not decades.
5.1 mi
10 min
13:101 hr
Tesla Supercharger
Time to charge your EV. Target department store is a nice, clean grocery store with charging ports in the parking lot. Hook up your car and feel free to browse the store for snacks and supplies for your road trip.
Type: Tesla Supercharger 8 stations, 8 plugs Power: 150 kW
Type: Tesla Supercharger 8 stations, 8 plugs Power: 150 kW
20 mi
30 min
14:451 hr 30 min
Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins
You'll drive through Ha Ha Tonka State Park on a winding road that leads to the ruins of an old "castle" – or, more specifically, a vacation home that later operated as a hotel.
The Ha Ha Tonka property was built in the early 1900s, modeled in the style of 16th-century European castles, and destroyed by fire in 1942. The remaining walls are a dramatic sight in the middle of dense forestry, walking trails and lakeside views. A renovated water tower from the same period sits on the opposite side of the parking lot.
Although Ha Ha Tonka is an official state park, there is no entry fee.
The Ha Ha Tonka property was built in the early 1900s, modeled in the style of 16th-century European castles, and destroyed by fire in 1942. The remaining walls are a dramatic sight in the middle of dense forestry, walking trails and lakeside views. A renovated water tower from the same period sits on the opposite side of the parking lot.
Although Ha Ha Tonka is an official state park, there is no entry fee.
69.8 mi
1 hr 20 min
17:451 hr
Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Springfield North, an IHG Hotel
You've arrived in Springfield. Check in to the Holiday Inn Express, a clean, contemporary hotel in the north end of the downtown area. Give yourself an hour to get settled and wash up before heading out to dinner.
4.4 mi
15 min
19:002 hrs
Civil Kitchen
Experience the heart of downtown Springfield with dinner at Civil Kitchen, a trendy restaurant in stylish stone and wood decor that overlooks Park Central Square. The menu of inventive New American cuisine and comfort food includes pork belly Bahn Mi tacos, seafood beignets and a "gooey butter cake" ice cream sandwich for dessert. You can also order more familiar fare, including burgers, chicken and waffles or a prime rib sandwich. Civil Kitchen has a solid lineup of traditional cocktails, but takes pride in an extensive craft beer selection.
Reservations are an especially good idea on weekends. Call +14175018456 to book a table. Civil Kitchen is closed on Mondays.
Reservations are an especially good idea on weekends. Call +14175018456 to book a table. Civil Kitchen is closed on Mondays.
4.5 mi
15 min
21:159 hrs
Holiday Inn Express & Suites - Springfield North, an IHG Hotel
Return to the hotel and get a good night's rest.