Jaw-some fun this Shark Week at Wonders of Wildlife in Springfield

You can actually swim with sharks at the largest immersive wildlife attraction in the world!

Credit: Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium

Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium (WOW) in Springfriend, Mo., is located within the “granddaddy” of Bass Pro Shops, the massive outdoors shop created by Missouri native Johnny Morris. Like its retail anchor encompassing nearly 500,000 square feet, Wonders of Wildlife is the largest immersive wildlife attraction in the world with several wildlife habitats with taxidermy, Nature’s Best Photography exhibit, conservation efforts, the history of Morris and his retail empire and a massive aquarium filled with a variety of sea life. It's so extensive, visitors are encouraged to spend four to five hours to see it all.

“It’s just under two miles of walking trails,” said Nichole Mosley, education manager.

That oversized aquarium also lets visitors swim with their sharks! For the Out to Sea Shark Dive, guests can don a wet suit, enter a cage that's mostly submerged in the giant shark tank and watch the sea monsters swim by, along with a host of other wonderful fish. Take all the photos you want. No diver certification is needed; wetsuit provided.    

And now that it's that frightful Shark Week—starting Sunday, July 20, 2025—Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium (WOW) is offering an array of themed events all week long – most free with paid admission. Here are a few:

Shark Cart & Obstacle Course | July 20, 26 and 27  – 11am-3pm  

Dive into shark science with the Stand with Sharks cart, where visitors will learn about common shark myths and view amazing adaptations. Then test your skills on a shark- themed obstacle course.

Craft Station | July 20, 26 and 27 – 11am-3pm 

Enjoy hands-on shark-themed crafts in Upper Shipwreck. 

Story Time | July 21,23 and 25  – 9:30-10am 

Gather at Shipwreck Theater for a fintastic shark storytime, where tales of the ocean’s most fascinating creatures come to life.  

Painting with Splash: Shark | July 22 – 6-8pm 

Create shark painting with an instructor-led session. Check-in starts at 5:45 p.m. so grab a seat and refreshments before class begins.

Shark Feeding | Out to Sea

The feeding takes place at 1 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at WOW’s Out to Sea exhibit.  Guests can watch the team feed sharks, no reservation required.   

For a full calendar of Shark Week event, click here.

Where to Stay

Angler’s Lodge in Springfield is located across from Bass Pro Shops and Wonders of Wildlife. The affordable motel offers an outdoors ambiance and includes an indoor pool, complimentary breakfast and welcomes pets. In nearby Branson, Big Cedar Lodge by Morris offers cabins, cottages, lodge rooms, golfing accommodations and camping at its 4,600-acre lakeside retreat. The resort offers a variety of outdoors activities, a luxurious spa, golf course and dining options.

Weird, Wacky & Wild South is written by travel writer Cheré Coen who took a dive at Wonders of Wildlife and loved watching the sea life go by, sharks included.