Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, Springfield, MO

Location: 500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, MO 65807

Website: http://www.wondersofwildlife.org/

This place is nothing short of amazing and worth the drive. If you want to do some comparing here are the numbers:

1.) Wonders of Wildlife aquarium admission costs about $24.95 for kids 4-11, and adults are $42 per person (depending on the day/season). You can buy a combo ticket and get into the aquarium and the wildlife museum  (highly recommend both, you're there anyway so why not just go for it!). We visited the aquarium first, then had lunch in the cafe, and then did the wildlife galleries and it took about 3.5 hours for everything. It could have easily taken longer, we didn't sit through any of the movies and we kind of rushed through the end exhibits as we were tired. I would plan for at least 3 hours to a max of 6 hours for your visit.

Just a note about Shedd, you can find deals if you buy a CityPASS, and also parking costs an average of $20. 

Jellyfish are always mesmerizing

The shark area was super cool

They have these interactive touch screens everywhere that show what fish are in the tank and give you info about them.

Like Sea Life in KC, they have all these bubble tanks so you can crawl up in there and get a 360 view of the tank.

They had 2 areas for "petting" animals. One tank had horseshoe crabs and the larger tank had stingrays.

This sea shell collection was amazing

This was the swamp area complete with rope bridge and gators.

Seahorses!

They have the same thing that the Magic House has, where you draw a fish, scan it in, and it 'swims' on the wall.

The gift shop was awesome!

360-degree tunnel like Sea Lion Sound at the zoo

After the aquarium, you have to walk through Bass Pro Shop to get to the Wildlife half of the museum. That is an experience in itself!