7 Whimsical Towns to Visit in The Ozarks
Long before the popular Netflix series “Ozark” put the region known as the Ozarks on the pop culture map, it was already a popular destination for travelers in search of outdoor recreation and exploration. Many well-known landmarks stand out, such as the Buffalo National River, Table Rock Lake, Mark Twain National Forest, and the Ozark National Forest. Tourism to the area has boomed in the past few years, and visitors are also drawn to the region for its quirky attractions and offbeat culture, in addition to its natural wonders. The best way to uncover these traditions is through the small towns within these mountains, from Baxter Springs in Kansas to Branson in Missouri.
Van Buren, Arkansas
The riverside town of Van Buren embodies the laid-back way of life that is symbolic of the Ozarks. Its location along the winding Arkansas River, which flows from the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the plains of Arkansas, gives visitors opportunities for hiking, biking, and water sports in the town’s 104-acre Lee Creek Park or nearby Ozark National Forest. Located between Van Buren’s historic downtown and the Arkansas River, visitors can also explore the Mike Myer Riverfront Park and see the landmark mural depicting Van Buren’s Civil War past,
Van Buren’s eight-block historic Main Street is the town’s epicenter. It is designated a National Historic District and features Victorian-style buildings and dozens of unique shops with vintage storefronts. Van Buren is also home to numerous landmark buildings, such as the 1891-built King Opera House, the Crawford County Courthouse, and the 1836 Drennen-Scott House, which played a crucial role in the Underground Railroad and is now a museum.
Baxter Springs, Kansas
It wasn’t until 1926 that Military Avenue in Baxter Springs became part of the iconic US Route 66 or, as coined by John Steinbeck in his novel, “The Grapes of Wrath,” the “Mother Road.” The historic town is over 150 years old and still draws visitors looking to get their kicks on the short stretch of Route 66 that runs through Kansas. A top destination and photo op for Route 66 enthusiasts, the Rainbow Bridge (also known as the Marsh Arch Bridge) is the last Route 66 bridge designed by the renowned engineer James Barney Marsh. Another landmark spot is the Kansas Route 66 Vistors’ Center, a restored Phillips 66 Service Station that sells souvenirs and memorabilia.
History buffs are drawn to the small town of fewer than 4,000 residents to visit the site of the Battle of Baxter Springs, Fort Blair. The exhibit also highlights the contributions of African American soldiers as the battle was fought by one of the first African American units in the Civil War.
Calico Rock, Arkansas
About 1,000 residents make their homes in the picturesque town of Calico Rock, Arkansas, whose name alone inspires a playful, whimsical feeling. The town’s name comes from the blue, black, gray, red, and orange checkerboard pattern that appears on bluffs over the White River. Still, its small-town charm attracts thousands of visitors each year to wander down its historic Main Street, flanked by 1920s-era stone and brick buildings with old-fashioned storefronts housing antique stores, art galleries, and the Calico Rock Museum, where local artists showcase their handmade artisanal work.
One of the biggest attractions in town is its preserved Calico Rock Ghost Town (aka “Peppersauce,” named after the local moonshine at the time), which adds to its quirky albeit spooky vibe. Visitors will find Peppersauce at the edge of town, where all good ghost towns are found, and take a self-guided tour following the markers that tell the story of each building, including a barber shop, a café, a jail, a funeral parlor, cotton gin, and more.
Branson, Missouri
Branson, Missouri, offers a wide range of zany attractions, making it hard for visitors to choose where to start. The town boasts flashy musical acts like Legends in Concert or the long-running Branson’s Famous Baldknobbers, the first country music variety show in town. Unlike Las Vegas, known as “Sin City,” Branson is a more family-friendly destination with activities everyone can enjoy. As the self-proclaimed “Live Entertainment Capital of the World,” it continues to draw millions of tourists each year.
If the kids are along on the road trip, visiting Silver Dollar City is a no-brainer. Originally an 1880s frontier town called Marmaros, the town mined guano (bat droppings) used to make gunpowder. When the guano ran out, the town morphed into Marble Cave, then into Silver Dollar City, the popular theme park it is today with attractions like the 68-mile-per-hour Outlaw Run roller coaster, PowderKeg, and the all-new Fire in The Hole indoor family coaster. The town also boasts quirky attractions like the upside-down WonderWorks museum, an OZART exhibit featuring young artists at the WonderWorks Art Gallery, the Titanic Museum, and the World's Largest Toy Museum, housing over 1 million toys.
Jasper, Arkansas
A small town in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, Jasper is home to the stunning Buffalo National River, the first national river named in the U.S. in 1972. The 135-mile-long river has swift-running and placid stretches, sandbars, limestone bluffs, and protected wilderness areas. Fishing for smallmouth bass along the river is a favorite pastime, as is hiking over 100 miles of trails or simply floating the river with a rented watercraft from Rio Buffalo Outfitter.
One of the most unusual features of the town is a scenic overlook called the “Arkansas Grand Canyon,” which is more of a lush valley than a canyon made up of seven peaks in the Boston Mountains. The spectacular view overlooks 1.3 million acres of rolling hills. Downtown Jasper has eccentric shops and eateries like Bubba’s Buffalo River Store and Peggy Sue’s Coffee. Don’t forget to stop at the 100-year-old landmark Ozark Café to try its famous Excaliburger—a 1/2-lb. burger sandwiched between two grilled cheese sandwiches.
Kimberling City, Missouri
Less than 20 miles from Branson, Kimberling City is close enough to enjoy the bright lights and big city attractions of Branson while benefiting from its relaxed lakeside setting on the famous Table Rock Lake. According to Travellersworldwide.com’s survey of 14 Best Lakes in the US in 2024, Table Rock Lake comes in at the top spot. Table Rock Lake is an artificial lake with over 800 miles of shoreline, renowned for its world-class bass, crappie, and catfish fishing, watersports, boating, and swimming. Check out Shell Knob Outfitters for rental boats, gear, and guided fishing excursions.
After a long day of outdoorsy fun, refuel at nearby eateries like Big Buoy’s Restaurant & Bar, which features live music on the weekends, or Pier28 Pizza & Grill. For a family-friendly underground adventure, visit the nearby Talking Rocks Cavern, known for its impressive geological formations, including stalactites and stalagmites.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is an eccentric town with winding streets that give it a maze-like quality, Victorian-era homes, caves to explore, and quirky shops. Once known for its natural springs and healing waters, Eureka Springs is a gateway to the Ozarks. It is also a haven for artists, writers, and musicians and host of the Original Ozark Folk Festival, entering its 78th year in 2025.
Overlooking the town of Eureka Springs is the 66-foot-tall Christ of the Ozarks Statue—one of the most visited attractions in the Ozark Mountains since its completion in 1966. If the statue isn’t odd enough, tucked in the nearby woods is the famous 48-foot-tall Thorncrown Chapel. With 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass, the wooden church sits on over 100 tons of colored flagstone in the middle of a forest. Since its opening in 1980, the chapel has received over 7 million visitors.
Wrapping Up
Grab the GPS and start making travel plans to the stunning Ozarks region, filled with whimsical small towns, like Van Buren and its cool riverside vibe, and Baxter Springs, steeped in Route 66 nostalgia and Civil War history. Calico Rock draws visitors to its colorful bluffs and eerie ghost town, while Branson, Missouri, dazzles with family-friendly entertainment. Jasper is a nature lover’s dream, Kimberling City is for lake enthusiasts, and Eureka Springs is an artistic paradise with a just touch of religious fever thrown in.
