Springfield, MO may have the tendency to slip under the radar. Here are a few things you may be missing out on as you drive by our great city.

1. Cashew chicken is our baby.

Springfieldians take pride in the fact that cashew chicken originated here. There are dozens of Chinese restaurants all over town and I guarantee that every single one of them serves cashew chicken. I'm sure that they each claim to have to best as well.

2. The birth pace of Route 66.

The famous Route 66 was assigned it's numerical designation in Springfield, MO in 1926. (Side note: Interstate 44 runs right through Springfield, connecting us to surrounding major cities, and going through what was formerly route 66.)

3. Brad Pitt's hometown.

Ok I just had to throw this one in here. Brad Pitt may have been born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, but he grew up in Springfield, Missouri and graduated from Kickapoo High School. Other celebrities from Springfield include Lucas Grabeel, Kim Crosby, Jay Kenneth Johnson, Robert Westenberg, and famous band "Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin" (amazing band, I highly recommend).

4. "Queen City of the Ozarks."

Our 2015 class had their prom at Bass Pro. Enough said.

5. We've got stellar food.

Where to begin... Springfield is full of delicious food but what makes most places the best is the atmosphere that they provide. A great example is the Springfield Brewing Co. Their food is delicious, but may not be over-the-charts but the atmosphere they provide is stellar! They've always got live music playing, happy servers, and a variety of seating arrangements. They also have private rooms for large groups to reserve. I would also like to give a shout out to the best burgers in town served at Grad School (but also Black Sheep - it's a close call).

6. Our skies are out of this world.

The weather here in Missouri is pretty crazy; snow in May, tornado in January, cold and rainy one hour and sunny and warm the next. Where the weather can be inconvenient and annoying, it makes for some beautiful skies. Whether it's stormy, blue skies with white puffy clouds, or a clear day, the sky is always unbelievably beautiful. Our sunrises and sunsets rival any other and many a teenager can be found at the top of a parking garage just taking in the sights.

7. It costs very little to live here.

Seriously though, living costs in Springfield are the greatest.

8. So many business opportunities.

Small businesses are constantly sprouting up here in Springfield and thriving. With a growing population and many vacant places with low rent, Springfield is a perfect place to start a business.

9. We have Andy's.

If you don not know what Andy's frozen custard is, I cry for you. Missouri has the most Andy's locations and six of them are right here in Springfield. It is the place to be after any event with a group of friends.

I hope that these 9 things about Springfield have perked your interest. There are many other great things about our city - this only skims the surface. Perhaps next time you are driving through you'll take a pit stop at Andy's or watch a Springfield Cardinals game or get a bite of our cashew chicken. See you around!