Introduction: A World-Class Conservation Attraction in Springfield
Want to visit one of America’s best aquariums? The Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium Springfield is a must-see destination that blends underwater wonders with wildlife heritage in one massive facility. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this attraction has won “America’s Best Aquarium” seven times by USA Today readers—more than any other aquarium in the country.
Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, created this incredible facility to celebrate hunters, anglers, and conservationists who care for the planet. The museum isn’t your typical aquarium. It’s a 350,000-square-foot experience with 35,000 live animals representing over 800 species. That’s bigger than the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History! Since opening in September 2017, the museum has welcomed more than 6.5 million visitors from around the world.
Whether you’re planning a family trip, a school field trip, or just looking for something cool to do, this guide covers everything you need to know about the Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium Springfield before your visit.
Planning Your Visit: Hours, Admission & Practical Details
Before you pack your bags, let’s talk about the basics. Knowing the hours, prices, and best times to visit will help you get the most out of your experience.
Hours and Operating Schedule
The museum is open seven days a week, every day except Christmas. During peak season, it’s typically open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. But here’s the thing—hours change with the seasons. In slower months, it might close at 5:00 PM. Always check the official website before you go so you don’t show up and find it closed.
One important detail: final entry is 15 minutes before closing time. So if the museum closes at 8:00 PM, you need to be inside by 7:45 PM. Give yourself plenty of time.
Ticket Prices and Admission
General admission costs $49.25 for adults and $29.95 for children. That sounds like a lot, but consider this: if you plan to visit more than twice a year, an annual membership is way cheaper. A membership costs less than buying two single-day tickets and gets you unlimited visits all year. Plus, members often get discounts on special experiences like the shark dive.
Pro tip: Buy your tickets online before you go. They’re cheaper than buying them at the gate. However, if you want to buy on the same day, you have to go to the ticket booth—third-party sites like GetYourGuide don’t sell same-day tickets.
Best Times to Visit
Want to avoid crowds? Plan your trip for late fall or winter (just skip the holidays). Weekdays—especially Monday through Thursday—are quieter than weekends. Weekends are packed, especially during summer vacation. The museum recommends planning for at least 3–4 hours, but honestly, many people spend the entire day exploring.
Parking and Getting There
Good news: parking is free. You can park in front of Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World or outside the Aquarium’s Great Oceans Hall. The facility connects directly to the Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters, so it’s easy to find. If you’re visiting from out of town, there are plenty of hotels nearby in Springfield.
Aquarium Adventure: Dive Into the Aquatic Exhibits
Once you’re inside, you’ll enter the Great Oceans Hall, where the underwater journey begins. This section is packed with incredible exhibits that bring the ocean to life in landlocked Missouri. You’ll even see historic fishing boats that belonged to Ernest Hemingway and Zane Grey. Pretty cool, right?
The Major Aquatic Exhibits
The Open Ocean exhibit is wild. It’s designed like a circular fish freeway, and you stand in the center watching thousands of fish swim around you. One of the coolest parts is the living bait ball—6,000 herring swim in formation to confuse predators. It’s nature’s defense mechanism in action.
Next up is Shipwreck Reef, where you can explore an actual sunken shipwreck. The tank is filled with eels, giant goliath groupers, and lobsters. There’s an interactive touch pool here too, where you can touch stingrays circling at the bottom. It’s hands-on learning at its best.
The Great Barrier Reef is a three-story saltwater tank bursting with colorful fish like Maori wrasse, potato cod, and moray eels. Look up, and you’ll see a life-size humpback whale and her calf swimming overhead. It’s absolutely stunning.
For monster-fish lovers, River Monsters features some seriously huge freshwater fish. You’ll see a seven-foot alligator gar, giant Amazon arapaima, and shark catfish from Southeast Asia—all in an underwater tunnel. This exhibit was actually featured on Animal Planet’s hit show TANKED.
The Swamp at Night transports you to murky Louisiana swamps surrounded by two-story cypress trees. Owls hoot, alligators lurk, and beavers work. You get the full swamp experience.
In the Amazon Rainforest section, you’ll find poison dart frogs, red-bellied piranhas, toucans, and a massive green anaconda. Signs explain why the Amazon is called the “lungs of the planet”—it produces oxygen for the whole world.
Finally, Marvels of the Deep showcases the ocean’s weirdest creatures: jellyfish that glow, delicate seahorses, giant spider crabs, and a massive Pacific octopus. There’s even a living coral reef display and thousands of shells from around the world.
Wildlife Galleries: Step Into Earth’s Most Extreme Habitats
If you think the aquarium is impressive, wait until you experience the Wildlife Galleries. These aren’t just displays of stuffed animals. They’re immersive 4D environments with sights, sounds, and even smells. Hand-painted murals, native plants, and special effects make you feel like you’re actually in Africa, the Arctic, or the mountains.
The Gallery Spaces You’ll Explore
The Native American Hall is where you start. It honors North America’s first conservationists and shows how Indigenous people lived in harmony with nature.
Theodore Roosevelt’s Cabin is a replica of the “Conservation President’s” famous Maltese Cross Cabin. You’ll see real artifacts from his life and learn why he’s called the father of American conservation.
The Boone and Crockett Collection features over 40 historically important North American game animals. This collection actually inspired America’s conservation movement back in the 1920s. It’s hunting history you won’t find anywhere else.
Bucks and Bulls is paradise for hunting enthusiasts. The museum has a rotating collection of over 200 world-record whitetail deer. Some of these are the actual current world-record trophies. There are displays showing deer at different life stages too.
Sheep Mountain is jaw-dropping. It displays 40 record-setting wild sheep collected by adventurer Arthur Dubbs, all set against a dramatic mountain mural. You’ll hear mountain sounds and even smell the wild air.
The Great African Hall immerses you in the African savanna. Elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, and zebras surround you in a dramatic landscape. It’s a tribute to the importance of African wildlife conservation.
Polar Expedition and Penguin Cove is the home of live Gentoo penguins. These birds are adorable—they can grow up to 35 inches tall and weigh about 20 pounds. You’ll spot their bright red-orange bills and brush-like tails. The oldest penguin at the facility is Reese, who just turned 32 years old. That’s way longer than penguins usually live.
Unforgettable Experiences: Premium Adventures & Special Encounters
Want something extra special? The museum offers premium experiences that’ll make your visit unforgettable.
Out to Sea Shark Dive
This is intense. You get inside a metal cage and descend underwater to come face-to-face with sand tiger sharks, brown sharks, barracuda, and Atlantic goliath groupers. Don’t worry—you don’t need scuba certification. You’ll wear state-of-the-art air helmets that let you breathe comfortably underwater. Tickets run $65–$89.95, and you need to book in advance. Shark feeding happens on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 1:00 PM if you want to see them in action.
Penguin Encounter
If sharks aren’t your thing, try the Penguin Encounter. It’s a 30–45 minute experience where you spend 15 minutes inside Penguin Cove. You’ll learn all about Gentoo penguins and experience the sights, sounds, and cold temperature of their Antarctic home. Tickets cost $30–$35 on weekdays and $35–$40 on weekends. Kids must be at least 4 years old, and younger children need a parent or guardian with them.
Heritage and Educational Halls
Don’t skip these areas. The IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame showcases the sport’s greatest fishermen and women through interactive exhibits and world-record fish mounts from both saltwater and freshwater. The Hall of Fishing Presidents displays photos and artifacts from U.S. Presidents fishing. There’s even a boat called Bass Force One—a gift Johnny Morris gave to President George W. Bush. The Bass Fishing Hall of Fame celebrates bass fishing, one of America’s favorite sports.
Conservation Impact: From Sea Turtle Rescue to Educational Programs
Here’s what makes the Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium Springfield stand out: it’s not just about entertainment. It’s about conservation.
Johnny Morris built this facility as a not-for-profit gift to celebrate hunters and anglers as America’s true conservation heroes. The museum serves as the official home of National Hunting and Fishing Day, a federally recognized holiday celebrated on the fourth Saturday of every September.
Over 40 leading conservation organizations partnered to create this attraction, including the National Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2022, the facility earned AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accreditation—a big deal that proves it meets the highest standards for animal care.
Sea Turtle Rescue Program
One of the coolest programs is the Sea Turtle Center. It’s the only dedicated sea turtle rescue facility in the entire Midwest. Since 2020, they’ve successfully rehabilitated over 40 sea turtles—including loggerheads, green sea turtles, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. These turtles arrive cold-stunned from northern waters and get care from experts and volunteers until they’re healthy enough to release back to their ocean home.
In spring 2024, the facility introduced satellite tracking technology so visitors can follow the journeys of released turtles online. You can see exactly where they go. While rescued turtles aren’t available for public viewing (they’re too fragile), you can see resident green sea turtles named Izzy and Ms. Pam in the Open Ocean exhibit.
Educational Programs
The museum runs the Wonders of the Ozarks Learning Facility (WOLF) School, which provides a comprehensive outdoor learning program for fifth-grade students. It’s designed to inspire the next generation of conservationists through hands-on experiences throughout the facility.
Johnny Morris’s Vision: From Tackle Shop to Conservation Leader
You can’t talk about the Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium Springfield without talking about Johnny Morris. His story is inspiring.
In 1972, Morris started his business by selling fishing tackle out of the back of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri. That small operation became Bass Pro Shops, one of America’s largest outdoor retail chains. Today, he’s recognized as one of the country’s foremost conservation leaders—some people even call him a modern-day Theodore Roosevelt.
Morris created the Wonders of Wildlife with a clear mission: “We built this facility with a lot of passion. And one thing that separates it from many museums and aquariums, and even the Natural History Museum, is that we very proudly salute the hunters and anglers, the sportsmen and women, of America.” His vision celebrates those who hunt, fish, and act as stewards of the land and water.
The location matters too. Springfield, Missouri, sits where half the nation’s population lives within a day’s drive. This makes the museum accessible to millions of people. It’s become the centerpiece of America’s Conservation Capital in the Ozark Mountains.
The grand opening in September 2017 was huge. Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush attended. President Bush said, “This is the story of America’s future. I value Johnny for promoting the idea of being a good steward of God’s creation and I applaud you for your willingness to educate a group of youngsters coming up about how vital the outdoors is to our nation’s future.”
Visitor Tips, Dining & Additional Amenities
Before you head out, here are some practical tips to make your visit smooth and enjoyable.
What to Bring and Wear
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking 1.5 miles through the facility. Seriously. Your feet will thank you. Bring a light jacket—the aquarium areas can be cool.
Re-entry Policy
Here’s a nice feature: you can re-enter the museum throughout the day with your ticket stub or receipt. So if you want to grab lunch outside or take a break, you can come back without buying another ticket.
Where to Eat
You don’t have to leave the facility to eat. There are two on-site options: Fish Tales Cafe and the Shipwreck Snack Bar. If you want something fancier, Hemingway’s Bluewater Cafe is nearby in Bass Pro Shops.
Accessibility and Other Amenities
The facility is wheelchair accessible with elevators and accessible routes throughout. However, there are no lockers or coat check services, so plan accordingly.
Free Bonus Attractions
You can’t beat free attractions. Adjacent to the museum, during Bass Pro Shops store hours, you can check out:
- A replica of the original Bass Pro Shops location with company memorabilia
- A NASCAR and motorsports museum featuring winning race cars
Pro Tips for Your Visit
- Arrive early to beat crowds
- Start at the Wildlife Galleries first for the most immersive experience
- Then head to the Aquarium
- Plan for a full day if possible
- Book special experiences like the shark dive in advance
- Check the official website for current hours before you go
Why Wonders of Wildlife Deserves Your Visit: Awards & Recognition
Still deciding if it’s worth the trip? The awards and recognition speak for themselves.
The Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium Springfield has won “America’s Best Aquarium” from USA Today a record seven times. No other aquarium has won this award more than three times. In fact, the facility earned “Best New Attraction in America” during its grand opening year in 2017. It also received the 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award for Best Aquarium.
With over 6.5 million visitors since opening, it’s clearly a favorite. The facility spans 350,000 square feet—bigger than the Smithsonian—and houses 35,000 animals of 800+ species in 1.5 million gallons of fresh and saltwater.
These aren’t just random awards. They represent the real experiences of millions of visitors who’ve been amazed by what they saw.
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Ready to Visit?
The Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium Springfield isn’t just an aquarium or a museum—it’s an adventure that celebrates the natural world and the people who protect it. Whether you’re into sharks, penguins, hunting heritage, or conservation, there’s something for everyone.
Plan your visit today. Buy your tickets online for a discount, check the hours, and pick a weekday if you can to avoid crowds. Trust us: once you experience the wonder of 35,000 animals in one massive facility, you’ll understand why it’s won “America’s Best Aquarium” seven times over.
Ready for your next adventure? Visit the Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium Springfield and see why families, educators, and wildlife lovers from around the world make this destination a must-see attraction.