Get Your Fix…

…. Yup, you know where!  On Route 66, of course. And get it in Springfield, Missouri—the hometown buckle on the belt that connects Chicago and L.A. Here, in a city that masquerades as a homey, small town, the route is marshalled by frozen-in-time motels and vintage diners as it streaks through town.

Pull over at the Route 66 Car Museum, launched by collector Guy Mace in 2016 to showcase the 70 cars he’s amassed to fuel his passion, ranging from that first fancy acquisition, a 1954 Jaguar, followed by more Jags, two Rolls Royces and a slick 1948 Hudson, on down to the humble truck filmed in “Grapes of Wrath.”

But—surprise!—the town’s most-visited attraction stars a far different form of transportation: boats. It’s Bass Pro Shop. This fishermen’s mecca was launched right here in 1970 by Johnny Morris, a dedicated angler who couldn’t find himself any good tackle. The original shop—just a shelf in his liquor store—is displayed today, along with the first aquarium, configured from an old gas storage tank.

Today the shop connects with Morris’ mega-adventureland called Wonders of Wildlife, an expansive natural history museum-cum-aquarium. Journey through exhibits starting with Native Americans’ ways of life, where you’ll meet a buffalo, thanks to taxidermy, as you make your way to Teddy Roosevelt’s cabin in replica, a wall of antlers, a sheep mountain, penguin cove, African hall, and more-more-more, all painstakingly displayed in sweeping dioramas.

Take a break on-site at Hemingway’s Café to nibble on bison meatloaf, country-fried steak or smoked duck poppers. Or grab a bar stool to toast Ernest while watching fish float past the back bar’s see-through window to a giant fish tank. Then wander through the aquarium’s rainforest, pat the stingray if you dare, and peek at the penguins.

Springfield is a showcases for local art, too, starting with a sweet shop called Artists’ Collective, wherein fabricators offer sensuous silk scarves, colorful ceramics, shining glassworks and polished wood carvings (love the walking sticks!). If you’re in town for the city’s First Friday Art Walks, award yourself extra points.

On any day of the month, it’s rewarding to head to the Commercial Street neighborhood to do the C-Street stroll. Check out the art vibe—murals to metal sculptures to sidewalk mosaics—that punctuate the six-block area’s retinue of indie shops, cafes and coffeehouses. As a bonus, explore Springfield’s Art Museum, which shines a spotlight on American art since the 1800s. Wander the sculpture garden, too.

Live theater as an artform is alive and well in Springfield, too. Downtown’s Landers Theatre of 1909 is home to Springfield Little Theatre, where we caught a polished holiday performance of “Elf the Musical.” The following evening, the Springfield Contemporary Theatre troupe ambitiously performed “Treasure Island” in the Gillioz Theatre of 1926, where upcoming shows include “Rock of Ages” and August Wilson’s “Fences.” Best of all: on its campus, Missouri State U’s theater department’s ebullient, top-notch staging of “9 to 5 The Musical.” Dolly Parton, its creator, would be proud.

Not to worry: Springfield doesn’t neglect that most important artform—dining. Settle in amid the dark wood and warm lighting at Black Sheep for your choice of stylish burgers and—a first for me—a flight of fries, including Parmesan, truffle and sea salt renditions. Van Gogh’s, on C Street, salutes Dutch cooking (think savory pancakes, satays and my choice, a giant platter of cured meats and cheeses) in a cheery, casual setting). Gailey’s is clearly a town favorite for breakfasts. This former drugstore now features morning musts such as the Ozark Benedict, built upon whopping biscuits smothered in cream gravy.

Drost’s serves as the poster child for a classic small-town diner. Grab a booth or stool, then insist on a bowl of the kitchen’s snappy homemade tomato soup. Big Momma’s does morning coffee up proud on C Street; add a breakfast burrito or homemade scones and consider your morning off to a good start.

Then, for the ultimate Ozarks experience, head to Lambert’s, for 80 years “home of the throwed roll.” Yes, that’s how they’re served, so bring your catcher’s mitt. The menu runs from hearty ribs to homey meatloaf. Plus all-you-can-eat sides, from okra to home-fried potatoes.

For a grand finale, head to downtown’s centerpiece roundabout, anchored by a theater, library and the city’s history museum to round out your stay. Top it off with a visit to Martha’s Vineyard, downtown’s gay nightclub, featuring karaoke evenings, Ru-Paul’s Drag Race watching parties and more. To plan your stay, visit www.springfieldmo.org.