8 Most Eccentric Towns In The Ozarks
The Ozark Mountain range is rugged, beautiful, and historic—just three reasons to visit. These eight eccentric towns embrace the creative spirit of the mountains, where artists have carved a unique space just as stunning as the mountains themselves. Most of these towns have natural hot springs and mountain views, adding an elegant backdrop to the bustling cultural districts. These destinations are home to art galleries, live theatres, and public murals. These towns hold their own for their eccentricity in a unique region like the Ozarks.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is one of the Ozarks' most intriguing and storied towns. The vibrant downtown area is packed with things to do and is anchored around the Flat Irons Building, which is located where Center and Spring Streets intersect. The historic building is the most photographed in town and is located in the middle of the many points of interest.
Within walking distance of the flats are several underground tunnels that are available to tour and many world-class restaurants. The most unique eatery is the Grotto, with a chef-driven menu, warm ambiance, and an actual grotto in the dining room. The historic district includes many notable structures, such as St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, with an iconic bell tower, and the Cresent Hotel considered the most haunted in America.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
The resort town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, makes an ideal spa vacation getaway. Natural hot springs are prevalent, especially at Hot Springs National Park, which has been visited for hundreds of years, and Bath House Row. Bathhouses have existed since the 10th century, and Buckstaff Bath has a thermal bath.
You can learn about Hot Springs's history at the Fordyce Bathhouse Museum and Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center. The history traces the eccentric town's history to its settlement in 1807 and when it became a resort town in the 1830s. The historic bathhouses are on Central Avenue and should not be missed by anyone traveling through the area.
Jasper, Arkansas
Jasper, Arkansas, embodies the natural beauty of the Ozarks. This hidden mountain town is the epicenter for outdoor adventures like kayaking, hiking, and camping. In town, you will discover fun attractions like the town square. Most buildings date to the mid-19th century and are on the National Register of Historic Places.
A landmark structure amid the traditional storefronts is the historic Arkansas House. It offers rooms, suites, and cabins on the banks of the Little Buffalo River and is considered the best lodging in town. It also puts you in the center of the historic district, where many unique attractions are a short walk away. While exploring the area, snap a few photos of the old Newton County Jail. It was built in 1902 and used until 2009.
Branson, Missouri
Branson, Missouri, is the ultimate family vacation destination in the Ozarks. It is famously lined with theaters, Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Attraction, and Silver Dollar City. Theaters like God and Country and Grand Country Music Hall host live events year-round, leaving you with hundreds of shows to choose from. Silver Dollar City should not be missed during a visit. The Weld West-themed show is the world's most visited dinner attraction, with world-class performances and a four-course feast. Silver Dollar City is a wild theme park with roller coasters, a water park, and a dinner theater, all with an 1880s theme. Branson is the number one destination for fun attractions and live events.
Camdenton, Missouri
Camdenton is on the Lake of the Ozarks, making it a family-oriented vacation hub, especially in the summer. It has many natural attractions, notably the Ha Ha Tonka State Park. It is a geologic paradise with Missouri's 12th largest Spring, sinkholes, and a natural bridge. The park is also home to an early 20th-century stone castle overlooking Ha Ha Springs and the Lake of the Ozarks.
The Adrenaline Zipline Company and Big Surf Water Park are other adventurous attractions. The Bridal Cave is a must-see natural wonder. It has been open to explorers and visitors for over 75 years and is considered the most beautiful cave in the Show Me State. It is the only cave in the state accessible by water, and it includes a boat ramp, which is one of the best ways to explore the area.
Eminence, Missouri
Eminence, Missouri, is famous for its natural springs, historic sites, and romantic setting. Noteworthy Alley Spring includes a 100-year-old red grist mill available for tours and is one of the Ozarks' most famous landmarks. Big Spring is the largest in Missouri and the largest freshwater spring in the US. Eminence also claims the state's deepest Spring is the blue Spring.
Taking a day trip down Scenic Highway 19 should top any visitor's list. It runs through the heart of the Ozarks and is surrounded by natural beauty and many springs. History buffs will love Story's Creek School. The one-room schoolhouse is over one hundred years old and within walking distance of the grist mill.
Sullivan, Missouri
Sullivan, Missouri, was established in 1856 and is known for its many attractions, such as the nearby Meramec State Park, Fisher Cave, and the Meramec Caverns. The park is an all-inclusive destination with cabins, a hotel, and river float rentals. Floating the five-mile distance of the Meramec River is a local tradition and one of the best ways to spend a warm day.
Fisher Cave is one of the state park's best wonders and is available for tours. The narrow streamside passageways lead to huge rooms filled with calcite deposits and columns over 30 feet tall. Meramec Caverns are considered Missouri's hidden treasure. The complex of mineral formations and color is a rare combination that took thousands of years to grow. Rangers lead guided tours on lighted walkways to unique formations like the "Wine Table" and a seven-story mansion, all built underground.
Baxter Springs, Kansas
Baxter Springs, Kansas, is famous for its traditional storefronts lining Military Avenue, part of the Mother Road, Route 66. There is a National Cemetary dedicated to President Abraham Lincoln and a Civil War battlefield where visitors can walk where the tragically epic battles were fought.
Kansas' Historic Route 66 Byway passes through town. It allows visitors to drive over the original structures of the legendary American highway. Make a pit stop at the Baxter Springs, Kansas Route 66 Visitors Center on Miltery Avenue for a unique glimpse at the iconic road's history. You will find it by looking for the antique gas pumps out front. It is also home to the Baxter Springs Heritage Center and Museum, where you can learn about the four-state area surrounding this classic town.
The villages and small towns surrounding the rugged Ozark Mountains embrace the region's spirit, unlike any other city. They are full of history, culture, and memorable points of interest that should be at the top of every traveler's destination list. The natural springs are reason enough to visit. Still, the communities built up around them bring their quirkiness, adding to the stunning backdrop of this region.
Eureka Springs is one of the unique towns in the Ozarks. Downtown is drenched in history, including underground tunnels and restaurants with grottos in the dining rooms. Even the architectural styles in this area are beautifully eccentric, like the Flat Irons building in Eureka Springs. Hot Springs has a fascinating history and is the spot to be for a pampering weekend, while other cities offer unbeatable outdoor adventures.
