Adventures abound for day-trippers

Spring is a busy time for travel, said Deana Crouch, assistant vice president of leisure sales at Great Southern Travel. "People want to get out and see the blooming trees like the dogwoods and redbuds," she said. "Especially this year, after the nasty winter we've had."

Travel doesn't necessarily involve a weeklong vacation, however. "Not everybody can take an entire week," said Linda Overend, one of the principals of The Travel Group. "We're seeing a lot more people taking short weekend trips."

Road tripping

For travelers wanting to head out on the highway, several cities are within easy driving distance from Springfield. From country music to art museums to baseball, each has something unique to offer visitors.

With baseball season beginning soon, Kansas City and St. Louis are two likely candidates for weekend getaways, according to Crouch. "St. Louis is popular right now because the Cardinals are so popular," she said. "I recommend people book early, because a lot of the games are going to be sold out."

St. Louis and Kansas City also have zoos, amusement parks, water parks and museums, Crouch said. "The science museum in St. Louis has lots of hands-on exhibits, making it great for kids."

Tulsa, Okla., is only a 2 1/2-hour drive from Springfield, making it excellent for a weekend getaway, Overend said. People go to Tulsa for the shopping, art galleries and museums "The Gilcrease Museum has world-renowned exhibits," she said.

And then there's Branson. According to Crouch, Branson's most popular attractions are the shows and the shopping malls. Further south, Arkansas offers some unique getaway locales such as Eureka Springs and Hot Springs. "Hot Springs is becoming really popular for weekend getaways," Crouch said. "You have the horse races through the end of March, and people really like the spa packages."

According to Overend, spas have become very popular with couples, and especially with women. "People just like to get away for a short time and de-stress," she said.

Flying the friendly skies

When air travel is involved, short weekends can become even shorter. But the time away can still be refreshing, especially if an extra day or two can be tacked onto the weekend. "If you leave Thursday, you can have all day Friday and Saturday, then come back Sunday," Overend said. For short trips, she recommends traveling to cities with direct nonstop flights from Springfield, because with too many connections, travelers can end up getting delayed. "Then you spend your vacation time at the airport."

Springfield travelers might go to Chicago, Dallas or even as far as Denver. "In August, people like to go there because it's cooler. If you fly in, you can rent a car and go into the mountains," she said.

With summer coming, Chicago offers many things to do, particularly for families, Overend said. "It's a wonderful city to go to. It has excellent shopping and restaurants, the Sears Tower, and lots of great museums," she said. "It's wonderful for kids."

Bon voyage

A cruise may seem out of the question with only a few days of travel time available, but Crouch said weekend cruises are actually very popular, and quite reasonably priced. A three-day cruise costing $249 to $279 includes all meals and entertainment, she said. "It costs almost the same as going to Branson, by the time you pay for your hotel, meals and show tickets." During fare wars, she said, travelers can usually find an inexpensive flight to the port cities of Los Angeles, Miami and Port Canaveral.

Back to nature

The season for outdoor recreation is beginning, according to Barb Harper, salesperson at Ozark Adventures. And recreational options are only as limited as the trails, rivers, lakes and parks within a few hours' driving distance from Springfield. That is to say, not very limited at all.

"People tend to say there's nothing to do around here," Harper said, "but this area has so much to offer. There are so many things to do outdoors."

Several lakes, including Stockton Lake, the tri-lakes area and Lake of the Ozarks, are close enough for a weekend journey or even a day trip. Fishing, boating and water skiing are prevalent at area lakes, Overend said. "A lot of families want to be outdoors once it gets nice outside. People enjoy getting away and getting out into nature."

Northern Arkansas offers many outdoor recreation opportunities, Harper said. "People really like the Buffalo River area. There are so many trails. You can hike right alongside the river, or on any of several loops."

Climbing, mountain biking, and canoeing are other popular activities in the area, said Harper. Numerous outfitters provide canoe rental and hauling, and many of these will also have campgrounds, cabins, or even motels, she said.

Rivers and trails

Missouri has its fair share of trails and rivers, with many excellent opportunities for fishing and leisurely floats in canoes or inner tubes. Roaring River State Park near Cassville and Bennett Spring near Lebanon are two popular fishing locales. "They offer trout fishing, fish hatcheries, and lots of hiking," Crouch said. There are also plenty of campgrounds, cabins and hotels nearby.

South central Missouri is home to several floatable rivers, including the Current River, Jack's Fork, North Fork and Bryant Creek. "This area is more pristine than the Buffalo River area," Harper said. The spring-fed water is cold, making these rivers less populated in the summer when many people are interested in swimming.

On the other hand, she said, "because they're spring-fed, you can rely on them having water in the summer, more so than rain-fed rivers." Outfitters in the area, often located in small towns with antique shops and restaurants, usually have campgrounds or other places to stay, Harper said.