Life

Give the Gift of a Local Experience

Stuck on what to give your family and friends this Christmas? Don’t settle for the overdone candle and gift card present. Instead, brighten their season with a fun experience and feel good about supporting a local business.

By Jenna Murray

Dec 2023

Discovery Center of Springfield
Photo courtesy Discovery Center of Springfield

For Animal Lovers

Dickerson Park Zoo

1401 W. Norton Road, Springfield417-833-1570

Gift someone free daily admission to the local zoo for a year with a Friends of the Zoo membership. This pass includes free one-day admission passes to share and more.
Price: Starting at $79

Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium

500 W. Sunshine St., Springfield800-456-4812

Aquarium lovers will love a membership to Wonders of Wildlife. Memberships include unlimited visits for a year, invitations to select events, special discounts and more.
Price: $75/adult and $50/child

For Avid Learners

Discovery Center

438 E. St. Louis St., Springfield417-862-9910

Foster curiosity and learning by purchasing memberships for your friends and family. Memberships include free admission for a year, insider previews and other discounts.
Price: Starting at $50 for two members

History Museum on the Square

154 Park Central Square, Springfield417-831-1976

Give history enthusiasts a time machine to the past with a membership to the History Museum on the Square. Memberships include free admission for a year and more.
Price: Starting at $40

For Outdoor Fun

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park

2038 W. State Highway 86, Lampe800-456-4812

Gift your outdoorsy friends a year of unlimited visits to Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. This mem-bership includes additional perks.
Price: $75/adult and $50/child

Silver Dollar City

399 Silver Dollar City Parkway, Branson417-336-7100

Surprise the thrill-seekers in your life with unlim-ited visits to Silver Dollar City. Choose from three season pass levels. 
Price: Starting at $154

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield

5242 S. State Highway ZZ, Republic417-732-2662

Help preserve local history with a Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield Foundation membership.
Price: Starting at $10/year for students and $25/year for others

For Arts & Culture

Springfield Ballet

Landers Theatre: 311 E. Walnut St., Springfield | 417-869-1334

Give the gift of dance with season tickets to the Springfield Ballet, including both The Nutcracker and Alice in Wonderland.
Price: Starting at $52/adult and $40/child

Springfield Little Theatre

Landers Theatre: 311 E. Walnut St., Springfield | 417-869-1334

Live theater lovers will enjoy a season subscription package to Springfield Little Theatre.
Price: Starting at $56

Ozarks Lyric Opera

Gillioz Theatre: 325 Park Central E., Springfield417-863-9491

Please arts and culture fans with season tickets to the Ozarks Lyric Opera. Contact Gillioz Theatre box office to purchase.
Price: Starting at $125

Alamo Drafthouse

4005 South Ave., Springfield417-708-9599

Share the love of the big screen with a season pass and bonus perks.
Price: Starting at $16.99/month

Moxie Cinema

305 S. Campbell Ave., Suite 101, Springfield417-429-0800

Film enthusiasts will love a membership to the Moxie Cinema. The independent theater has membership options that include free popcorn.
Price: Starting at $50/students and $100/others