We went to Springfield, Missouri for one reason: to see a giant Kraft macaroni noodle. That’s it. That was the whole plan.
What we didn’t know until we were already leaving town was that underneath that noodle — and underneath a good chunk of Springfield — sits one of the strangest storage facilities in America: Springfield Underground, a massive former limestone mine turned climate-controlled cheese vault.
Did we tour it? No. Did we even know it existed before we spotted the noodle? Also no. But now it’s on our list for next time, and if you’re into weird American infrastructure mixed with roadside kitsch, it should probably be on yours too.
The Giant Kraft Noodle: Why We Were There in the First Place
Let’s be clear: we are noodle people. Specifically, we are “drive however many miles it takes to photograph oversized food sculptures” people. So when we heard there was a giant Kraft macaroni elbow sitting outside the Kraft factory in Springfield, Missouri, we plugged it into the GPS and went.
It’s exactly what you’d expect: a big yellow noodle with the “You know you love it” slogan, standing there like a carb-based monument to processed cheese devotion. We took our photos, appreciated the absurdity, and started to leave.
That’s when we noticed signs for something called Springfield Underground.
Wait, There’s a What Underneath Springfield?
Turns out, beneath a significant chunk of Springfield sits a 3.2 million square foot former limestone mine that’s been converted into commercial storage space. And when I say “converted into commercial storage,” I mean companies like Kraft store millions of pounds of cheese down there in naturally climate-controlled limestone chambers.
The temperature stays around 62°F year-round, which makes it perfect for aging cheese, storing beverages, and apparently housing a small city’s worth of inventory. Over 50 companies lease space down there, and at one point there were rumors of 1.4 billion pounds of cheese stored in those caves.
We learned all of this after the fact, which is honestly how most of our best discoveries happen — stumble onto something ridiculous, leave, google it later, and then add it to the “next time” list.
Can You Actually Tour Springfield Underground?
Yes, but it’s not like your typical Missouri cave tour with stalactites and underground rivers. Springfield Underground does offer scheduled tours, but the whole operation has a low-key mysterious vibe to it. You’re not wandering through natural cavern formations — you’re seeing how modern industry has repurposed a massive limestone quarry into a functional warehouse.
The cheese storage areas require special arrangements to access, and honestly, most of what you’ll find online about Springfield Underground repeats the same handful of facts. It’s not heavily marketed like other Missouri attractions, which somehow makes it more intriguing.
If you want to book a tour, check the official Springfield Underground website for current availability and details. We’ll be doing exactly that before our next pass through Missouri.
Why Springfield Underground Is Worth Your Time
Missouri has no shortage of cave tours — places like Fantastic Caverns, Meramec Caverns, and Marvel Cave are all beautiful and worth visiting if you’re into natural formations. But Springfield Underground is something different.
It’s the intersection of geology, commerce, and Cold War-era infrastructure planning. It’s proof that America has been quietly storing absurd amounts of cheese in underground limestone vaults while the rest of us just buy it at the grocery store without thinking about where it’s been.
It’s also a reminder that some of the best road trip discoveries happen when you’re chasing something completely unrelated — like a giant noodle sculpture — and accidentally stumble onto a subterranean cheese empire.
What Else Is Worth Seeing in Springfield
If you’re making the trip to see the Kraft noodle and tour Springfield Underground, there are a few other stops worth adding to your day:
Fantastic Caverns – America’s only ride-through cave. You tour it in a Jeep-drawn tram, which is perfect if you want the cave experience without all the walking.
The Springfield Sculpture Walk – Public art installations scattered throughout downtown Springfield. Free, walkable, and a nice break from driving.
Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden – A peaceful Japanese garden that feels like it was dropped into the middle of Missouri. Worth the detour if you need a quiet hour.
Plan Your Visit: Giant Noodle + Underground Cheese Cave
- 📍 Giant Kraft Noodle Location: Outside the Kraft factory in Springfield, Missouri (easy roadside photo op)
- 🧀 Springfield Underground Tours: Check springfieldunderground.com for tour availability and booking
- 💵 Cost: Noodle photos are free; Springfield Underground tour pricing varies
- 🕒 Time Needed: 15 minutes for noodle photos; 1-2 hours if you’re touring the underground facility
- 🐾 Pets: Fine for outdoor noodle photos; likely not allowed on underground tours
Final Thoughts
We went for a noodle. We left knowing there’s a massive cheese cave underneath Springfield that we need to come back and see. That’s how road trips work when you’re paying attention to the weird stuff.
If you’re driving through Missouri and you like your tourism with a side of “wait, what?”, make time for the Kraft noodle and Springfield Underground. It’s the kind of odd pairing that makes perfect sense once you’re standing there: processed food marketing on top, ancient geology and dairy storage below.
We’ll be back with flashlights and a plan. Next time, we’re going underground.
📍 Looking for more unusual Missouri stops? Check out our Missouri travel guide for all the weird and wonderful places we’ve found in the Show Me State.