Missouri's third largest city, Springfield is home to just over 150,000 residents, and enjoys a stable services based economy and good facilities for residents and visitors alike. A cultural and economic hub of the region, Springfield is home to a variety of visitor attractions and site of interest, particularly with the redevelopment of the downtown area as an entertainment and leisure center.
The Wonders of Wildlife aquarium is a substantial aquarium and zoo with over 250 species across both salt and freshwater sealife. With education programs for children and adults, the Wonders of Wildlife aquarium is set to relaunch in 2010, with a more substantial collection and a calendar of special launch events and exhibits.
The Dickerson Park Zoo is also a popular attraction in Springfield for families, housing over 450 animals from across 250 different species. In addition to its public exhibits, which are open year round, the zoo also runs a series of educational programs and courses for children, and hosts a variety of events and one-off exhibitions throughout the year.
