Take a Journey Around the World

The Great African Hall features creatures large and small.

Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium — Springfield’s newest and biggest attraction — takes visitors on an awe-inspiring journey inside the great outdoors.

Voted America’s Best New Attraction and Best Aquarium in America in USA Today polls, Wonders of Wildlife is a 350,000-square-foot fish and wildlife attraction that includes the greatest collection of record-setting game animals ever assembled and a 1.5-million-gallon aquarium adventure showcasing 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds in multiple aquariums and galleries. “We built this facility with a lot of passion,” said Morris. “And one thing that separates it from many museums and aquariums, and even the Natural History Museum, is that we very proudly salute the hunters and anglers, the sportsmen and women, of America.” Years in the making, the Wonders of Wildlife experience begins with an ascent up an escalator surrounded by buffalo and leading to a gallery recognizing Native Americans and their contribution to conservation. “We wanted to have this special tribute to them because in many respects they were our first conservationists,” said Morris. “They lived off the land and were good stewards of the land and they had a profound and deep appreciation for fish and wildlife.” From there the museum takes visitors on a journey through wildlife galleries featuring hundreds of creatures large and small followed by the aquarium where thousands of fish swim about, showcasing their variety of sizes, shapes and colors. “Our conservation partners have spent literally hours and literally years studying these habitats to share them accurately and I’m very proud of them,” said Morris.

A Historic Opening Celebration

At the grand opening of the museum in September 2017, Morris was joined by former presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush along with other dignitaries and conservationists. “Laura sends her best and I can’t wait to tell her how cool this place is,” said Bush, during the grand opening ceremonies. “This is the story of America’s future. I value Johnny for promoting the idea of being a good steward of God’s creation and I applaud you for your willingness to educate a group of youngsters coming up about how vital the outdoors is to our nation’s future.” Bush also read a statement from his father, late former president George H.W. Bush who was a long-time friend of Morris. “What my friend, Johnny Morris, has created with this museum is a treasured gift to America and our proud outdoor heritage,” the elder Bush wrote. “What excites me the most is the impact I know this facility will have on our young people.” With a mission to celebrate people who hunt, fish and act as stewards of the land and water, Morris’ legacy will undoubtedly live on for generations because of Wonders of Wildlife.

Jellyfish at Wonders of Wildlife are a mesmerizing display of nature’s creativity.

By the Numbers

Vibrant and expansive aquariums and aquatic habitats allow visitors to immerse themselves inside a river full of piranhas, discover what it’s like to touch a stingray, traverse an underwater tunnel surrounded by river monsters and plunge to the depths of the ocean among spectacular sharks.

• 350,000-square-foot fish and wildlife attraction.

• More than 1.5 miles of trails through immerse exhibits and displays.

• 1.5 million gallons of world-class aquarium adventures with freshwater and saltwater habitats.

• 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds representing more than 800 species.

• More than 40 leading conservation organizations contributed to Wonders of Wildlife.

Highlights of Your Next Big Adventure

Great Oceans Hall: The breathtaking Great Oceans Hall brings the depths of the ocean to the middle of America. After admiring historic fishing boats that belonged to Ernest Hemingway and Zane Grey, step inside a 300,000-gallon circular habitat teeming with life. Shipwreck Reef: Plunge to the depths of the ocean floor and explore a sunken shipwreck now home to colorful reef creatures including eels, goliath grouper, lobsters and more. The Great African Hall: This dramatic exhibit immerses guests in the African Savannah with elephants, giraffes, rhinos, crocodiles, zebras and other species capturing the continent’s daily drama and raw beauty as a tribute to the importance of African wildlife conservation.

Sheep Mountain: More than 40 record-setting sheep from around the world stand atop the rugged cliff sides of Sheep Mountain. Penguin Cove: A colony of Gentoo penguins lives in an exhibit that includes two 360-degree “pop-up” bubbles that place guests directly inside the habitat. Out to Sea Shark Dive: This new attraction lets guests get under the water inside a metal cage and come face-to-face with sand tiger sharks, brown sharks, barracuda and Atlantic goliath groupers. State-of-the-art air helmets allow guests to comfortably submerge under the water without diver certification. Additional fees apply.

The Aquarium also honors legendary anglers with boats from Ernest Hemingway, Zane Grey, personal fishing artifacts and mementos from U.S. Presidents, and some of fishing’s most accomplished sportsmen and women at The International Game Fish Association’s Fishing Hall of Fame and the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame.

The Windland Smith Rice International Awards and its annual Nature’s Best Photography exhibition recognizes and displays the creative talents and documentary achievements of nature photographers. The exhibition features a rotating gallery of jaw-dropping wildlife photography and video from around the world as a celebration of people and nature.

Wonders of Wildlife is adjacent to Bass Pro Shops ® Outdoor World ® in Springfield. You can purchase tickets in advance online at wondersofwildlife.org. Enjoy your adventure!

Native American heritage is displayed and honored at Wonders of Wildlife.

Life-sized displays of wildlife provide a realistic look at creatures from around the world.