Start with a vibrant downtown entertainment district, world-class attractions and fabulous family fun.

Add some sports, toss in a pinch of history, mix in the fine arts, drop in a touch of the great outdoors and season with dozens of unique dining experiences. That's the recipe for Springfield, the city where metropolitan charisma and Midwestern charm blend for the perfect getaway.

o get started, contact the Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-678-8767 or visit www.VacationSpringfield.com, and be sure to ask for your Passport to Family Fun, a discount booklet that will become a souvenir.

A trip to Springfield wouldn't be complete without stopping at Missouri's No. 1 attraction – Bass Pro Shops® Outdoor World®. With a huge selection of sporting goods, giant aquariums, a four-story indoor waterfall, restaurant and shooting gallery, the store is a must for anyone who enjoys the outdoors – or shopping.

A trip to city also can't be done without stopping at Fantastic Caverns, the only cave in North America large enough to ride through. It features amazing underground formations and an interesting history. The fun for nature lovers doesn't stop there. Public gardens, the Ozark Greenways Trails, Dickerson Park Zoo, the Springfield Conservation Nature Center and the natural beauty of Springfield's rolling landscape will delight anyone who takes pleasure in fresh air and greenery. Coming soon is the grand re-opening of Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium. The facility is undergoing a major renovation and expansion, with the result to be one of the most unique museum, animal and aquarium experiences in the country.

History buffs find plenty to enjoy in Springfield with Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and the site of the first recorded high-noon shootout of the Wild West era involving Wild Bill Hickok. The History Museum for Springfield-Greene County and Founders park chronicle local history and a cruise of Route 66 provides a tour of yesteryear.

For those whose tastes tend toward entertainment, Springfield offers a variety. The Springfield Cardinals offers great AA baseball games at Hammons Field and wacky, family-oriented entertainment at affordable prices. Sports fans also should see the memorabilia at the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, play the city's golf courses, cheer the Springfield Lasers professional tennis team and enjoy ice skating at Mediacom Ice Park.

On the softer side, Springfield's ballet, opera and symphony performances are available year-round, along with First Friday Art Walk and programs at the Landers, Gillioz and Vandivort theaters and Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. Those venues are just four of the entertainment options in downtown Springfield where nightclubs and chef-owned restaurants are hot spots for locals and visitors.

For help choosing the right ingredients for your vacation, call the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-678-8767 or visit www.VacationSpringfield.com.