Wonders Of Wildlife Aquarium and National Museum is one of Springfield, MO’s newest attractions. The 350,000 square-foot museum contains a 1.5-million-gallon aquarium aquarium and a mile and a half of exhibits.
Wonders Of Wildlife Aquarium and National Museum opened in late 2017 and has been wowing visitors ever since. 1.6 million people came that first year – and who can blame them?
The aquarium is home to more than 35,000 live animals, including exotic fish, mammals, reptiles, and birds. The museum’s immersive wildlife galleries contain a vast collection of game animals in stunning, highly detailed dioramas.
Wonders Of Wildlife (WOW) is the brainchild of Johnny Morris of Johnny Morris’ Bass Pro Shops. The museum is adjacent to the Springfield Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters.
Wonders Of Wildlife Museum
The WOW Museum starts off with 1.5 miles of trails that lead you through a variety of immersive diorama vignettes and habitats. You’ll visit the polar regions and the African savanna, America’s National Parks and the Amazon rain forest. You’ll even feel the temperature change as you travel from climate to climate through the different galleries.
The dioramas are spectacular, featuring hand-painted backgrounds and a loving attention to detail. Many of the dioramas are excitingly staged, feeling more like scenes from a wildlife film than a museum subject.
The museum is home to the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame and the International Game and Fish Association Hall of Fame. You can also visit a mock-up of Johnny Morris’ first Bass Pro Shop, started right here in Springfeield.
Wonders Of Wildlife Aquarium
If you think the museum sounds amazing, wait until you see the Wonders Of Wildlife Aquarium.
The WOW aquarium is home to more than 35,000 animals, including over 800 species of sharks, rays, jellies, eels, and other fish. Attractions include the Bait Ball, a three-story, tubular aquarium filled with thousands of herring and some accompanying sharks. Tide pool tanks allow for hand-on experiences with horseshoe crabs, small sharks, and even stingrays!
Perhaps most exciting is WOW’s Shark Dive. See real live sharks, barracuda, and other aquarium creatures from the safety of a submerged shark cage. State-of-the-art air helmets allow you to enjoy this experience without diver certification.
The WOW aquarium is much more than fish, though. You’ll also see eagles, owls, otters, brown bears, bats, and more. Some of the newest arrivals include a Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth and some tiny, common marmosets.
Visit Wonders Of Wildlife
500 W Sunshine St, Springfield, MO 65807
Most folks spend four to five hours during their first visit to WOW, so prepare accordingly.
Learn more about Wonders Of Wildlife online at www.wondersofwildlife.org. You can also follow the museum on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Missouri Lodging
Missouri is home to a lot of fascinating history and wonderful places but the quality of your accommodations is just as important. With that in mind, we suggest lodging at a locally owned B&B during your next Missouri getaway, A Missouri Bed and Breakfast not only offers superior hospitality but is also a great resource for what to see and do in the area. Make the most of your next vacation with a stay in a Missouri B&B!