10 Of The Most Welcoming Towns In The Ozarks
The Ozark region sits in the central part of the United States, mainly occupying southern Missouri and much of northern Arkansas, along with a small part of southeast Kansas and northwest Oklahoma. Also known as the Ozark Plateau, the area stretches over 47,000 square miles of rolling mountains, pristine forests, abundant wildlife, and many small towns exuding a rich heritage of hospitality. The warm and welcoming atmosphere of these charming communities offers many unforgettable experiences for visitors to explore. Whether attending a folk music festival, hiking on a wooded trail, or indulging in exceptional farm-to-table dining, these ten small towns are some of the best places to visit in the Ozarks.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
This small Carroll County town is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Ozarks, sitting about 45 minutes west of Fayetteville. Known for its historic downtown district, the community began as a rejuvenating resort built around the natural hot springs discovered there. It was initially known as the Indians' Healing Spring, and as the town grew, the mineral baths and natural beauty of the area continued to attract tourists to the refreshing waters.
Today, the downtown district of Eureka Springs has numerous old Victorian-style buildings, where several galleries and eclectic shops feature the works of local craftsmen and artisans. For a beautiful local studio and gallery, try the Birdcage or wander through the Quicksilver Gallery for unique handcrafted jewelry and trinkets.
The community enjoys a warm reputation of hospitality as many visitors come to see the Great Passion Play during the summer or hike along the many trails in the Ozark National Forest. The Crescent Hotel and the Palace Bath House are excellent places to experience the delight of staying in a turn-of-the-century building while soaking away your tensions in a hot spring mineral bath. Try the Le Stick Nouveau or the Grotto Wood Fire and Wine Cave for a romantic dinner made from the freshest locally sourced ingredients. The best time to visit is during the summer, but remember that this is also the height of the tourist season. Be prepared to encounter the typical traffic delays you might expect from a popular resort location.
Branson, Missouri
This town in Southern Missouri is one of the primary reasons people visit the Ozark region. Branson is a popular tourist destination built on a rich legacy of music, with countless entertainment venues featuring many nationally recognized performers. Every summer, the town swells with travelers wanting to see a quality stage show or music revue or explore the family fun of Silver Dollar City, a local amusement park with an 1880s Old West theme. Silver Dollar City features over 100 craftsmen who practice their skills for visitors daily, whether it's blacksmithing, rug weaving, or glass blowing. The park sits atop Marvel Cave and is open during the season for daily tours.
Ride the Showboat Branson Belle, an old-fashioned riverboat that makes nightly excursions around the lake for a stunning view of the Ozark scenery. With excellent fishing, camping, and hiking opportunities, Table Rock is one of the best places to experience the wonders of the Ozarks.
With many retail shopping outlets, like Tanger Outlets, there are plenty of activities to keep visitors busy. However, it's important to note that this town gets very crowded during the summer, so if you're not a fan of traffic, you might want to consider visiting another location in the Ozark region.
Mountain View, Arkansas
This small community enjoys its prominence as the "Folk Capital of the World" due to the bluegrass/folk music festivals that it hosts every year. The festivals attract many top performers from around the country, but a strong music heritage flows through the town. During the summer, the downtown square features performances each weekend, with some great local talent filling the air with the sound of banjos, fiddles, and dulcimers.
Visitors will want to explore the Ozark Craft Center State Park, a wonderful village of craft cottages with artisans on hand to demonstrate their skills and answer questions. The venue is perfect for children interested in learning how things used to be made during the days of the pioneers. The Park has dedicated itself to preserving Ozark crafts and music, a venue that should not be missed.
The town sits near the Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, and visitors will want to stroll along the paved trail to a beautiful waterfall for a more moderate hike through the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, try the White River Bluff Loop, which meanders to some scenic river views. This trail is uncrowded most of the time, offering some excellent bird-watching.
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
This river town sits on the west bank of the Mississippi River, about sixty miles south of St. Louis. As a gateway to the eastern edge of the Ozark region, the community enjoys its status as the oldest European settlement in Missouri when French-Canadian trappers settled there around 1750. Over the years, the early families found the rich, fertile soil perfect for growing grains, producing tons of flour to export down the river to New Orleans. Today, the community exudes an Old-World ambiance with its remarkable preservation of colonial buildings from the late 1700s.
The downtown district boasts several historic buildings listed on the Register of Historic Places. Today, these buildings are home to various boutiques, shops, and restaurants. The Felix Valle House State Historic Site is a must-visit if you are a history enthusiast. For families with young children, the Ste. Genevieve Museum Learning Center or the Welcome Center are excellent places to explore and learn about the region's earliest inhabitants. The Anvil Restaurant and Saloon is excellent for delicious meals, including made-from-scratch onion rings, pies, and other comfort foods. If you plan a romantic getaway, the Chaumette Winery offers secluded villas, an award-winning restaurant, and a perfect tasting room for wine lovers.
Jasper, Arkansas
This rural mountain community sits in Newton County, near where the nation's first national river, the Buffalo River, begins. The area has numerous outdoor activities for visitors, including canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and fishing. As you explore the many trails near the town, don't be surprised by a herd of 450 elk introduced into the nearby forests. Boxley Valley is one of the best places to spy the herd as they graze and freely roam, but remember that these are wild animals, so keep your distance to be safe.
During the summer, many outdoor adventurers rent canoes or flat-bottom boats to float down the upper portion of the Buffalo River. Several companies, like Buffalo Outfitters, offer all kinds of river excursions with specific drop-off and pick-up points. These float trips are an excellent way to see the pristine natural beauty of the Ozarks, including some beautiful stone bluffs that rise hundreds of feet above the river.
The downtown square is a rustic tribute to the value of rural life. There are various shops, boutiques, and restaurants to explore. For a nice home-cooked meal, try the Low Gap Cafe. If you prefer a burger and beer, the Ozark Cafe is the place locals love with live music. Take a few minutes to sit in one of the several rocking chairs on the courthouse lawn to get a feel for the slower-paced life the town enjoys.
Osage Beach, Missouri
Osage Beach is a popular resort on the south shore of the Lake of the Ozarks in central Missouri. This premier lake has excellent outdoor activities with over 1,100 miles of shoreline, numerous hiking/biking trails, and several sun-filled sandy beaches. In addition, many visitors flock to the numerous marinas on the lake for boating and fishing opportunities.
One of the primary attractions is the Ha Ha Tonka State Park, featuring the ruins of a turn-of-the-century stone castle. The Park is a geological marvel with caves, sinkholes, and a freshwater spring. Most of the trails are paved and easy to access. After exploring the castle ruins, walk along the contour of the lake on the Shady Ridge Trail, a two-mile easy walk through some of the prettiest scenery in the Ozarks.
Make sure to visit the Ozark Distillery to taste their home-brewed moonshine. The Main Street Music Hall is a great place to watch stage and Broadway performances. They have a family-friendly music revue that showcases Ozark mountain music. If you're looking for some delicious Missouri BBQ, head to the Wobbly Boots Roadhouse, which has been piling up regional and national BBQ awards for over twenty years. You can't miss it - look for the big welcome sign hanging over the front door.
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
This charming town is the capital of the Cherokee Nation and home to two federally recognized Native American tribes. The area has a rich history of Native American culture that is well worth exploring. If you're visiting, stop by the Cherokee National History Museum. It was recently restored in the original Capitol building and boasts over 7,000 square feet of exhibits. Visitors can often take lessons on the production of authentic arts and crafts. The Cherokee Prison Museum is also worth a visit. It provides interesting information on the role of outlaws who often sought refuge on Native American land. The exhibits include the jail and gallows, which offer a sobering glimpse into the past.
The downtown area boasts the oldest main street in the state, having been plotted in 1842, almost 60 years before Oklahoma's statehood. Today, the main street stretches for several blocks, and the red brick facades feature numerous shops, galleries, and restaurants. If you want a unique twist on Creole/Cajun cuisine, head to Linney Breaux's Cajun Eatery. Alternatively, you can try out the chocolate ice cream-filled tacos at Rollie Pollie Ice Cream Shop – it's a must-try!
Hot Springs, Arkansas
The entire downtown district of this community is a National Park Historic Site featuring eight unique bathhouses that, over the years, have lured visitors to the region's healing natural springs. Today, visitors can walk along "Bathhouse Row," take tours of several former spa buildings, or even enjoy a long, refreshing soak in one of two remaining bathhouses that are still in operation. Be aware that the bathhouses are very popular during the tourist season, so you must make your reservation early.
The National Park Service also offers several beautiful nature trails easily accessed from the Grand Promenade (behind Bathhouse Row). The Hot Springs Mountain Trail, which wanders around the North Mountain, offers several scenic views. For a reflective, pastoral experience, seek out the Garvan Woodland Gardens. The forest-lined paths and gurgling mountain brooks offer the perfect opportunity to sit down, take a breath from the busyness of life, and reconnect with the natural beauty of the Ozark hills.
There are a couple of great breakfast places in downtown Hot Springs. Many locals eat at the Pancake Shop or the Colonial Pancake and Waffle House on the other side of the street. Don't be surprised if you have to wait for a table, but trust us, the pancakes and fresh sausage patties are worth it.
War Eagle, Arkansas
This town is located a few miles east of Rogers in northwest Arkansas. The community is renowned for its Red Grist Mill, the only working mill in the state. Photographers often visit the Park to capture images of the eighteen-foot wheel that churns from the current of a nearby river. With the Park's natural and untouched beauty, it's not uncommon for visitors to extend their stay in this peaceful setting. Additionally, the War Eagle Park surrounding the mill hosts one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the South annually. Visitors can explore the historic mill, dine at the charming restaurant, or wander around the grounds.
Beaver Lake is a perfect spot for fishing enthusiasts, as it offers excellent opportunities to catch large bass, crappie, and catfish. The lake is usually less crowded on weekdays, making finding a good spot and catching some fish easier. There are several swimming holes near Rogers, and with plenty of forest trails, hikers and mountain bikers will find plenty of wilderness to explore. If you're in Rogers and looking for a place to dine, The Blackberry Brasserie is a new restaurant focusing on fresh farm-to-table ingredients and an upscale dining experience. For breakfast or lunch, First Watch is a popular spot.
Heber Springs, Arkansas
This town sits about an hour north of Little Rock in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, serving as a gateway to Greers Lake, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Little Red River. The town began as a place of healing due to the natural springs and was known as Sugarloaf for many years. Today, the community enjoys its stature as an excellent spot for trout fishing. The Greer Ferry Fish Hatchery sits below the dam and produces over a million rainbow trout for the Little Red River yearly, so plenty of fish can be caught. (Be mindful that you need a valid fishing license and trout permit before casting your line).
Hikers will want to enjoy the many local trails like the Bridal Veil Falls or the Collins Creek Cascade for a perfect picture moment. During the winter, the region is a prime spot for bald eagle sightings as they migrate from their northern habitats. The historic downtown square has numerous opportunities to shop for antiques, curios, or other nostalgic treasures. The Abbe' House Inn is a beautiful bed and breakfast if you need a place to spend the night. For great pizza and wings, try the Pizza Pie-Zazz for lunch or dinner.
The charming small towns of the Ozarks offer a warm and welcoming atmosphere that allows visitors to connect with nature like nowhere else. With an abundance of outdoor activities, a rich heritage of folk music, and a range of fresh dining and winery experiences, it's no surprise that many people are drawn to this region throughout the year. Although some attractions may become crowded sometimes, it's important not to let that deter you from visiting. These communities rely heavily on tourism, and their rural ambiance and unique charm guarantee that they will continue to be treasured as national gems.
