Arkansas, USA
Just north of the Arkansas border, Branson a major entertainment destination. It famous for its live music shows, numerous theaters, theme parks (notably Silver Dollar City, a 1880s-themed park), outlet shopping, and extensive lake activities on Table Rock Lake.
Drive your own car. The drive straightforward. Branson best explored independently with your own car. This permits choice over which shows, attractions, and shops you visit on your own schedule. Tour buses often go to Branson, but independent travel presents greater flexibility.
Journey to other unique regional sites.
Located in the Ouachita Mountains, south of the Ozarks, Hot Springs National Park famous for its naturally occurring thermal springs and historic Bathhouse Row. You can tour historic bathhouses, drink spring water, and even experience a traditional bath.
This historic city on the Arkansas River rich in frontier history. It known for the U.S. Marshals Museum and the Fort Smith National Historic Site, which preserves the remains of two frontier forts and the "Trail of Tears" route.
Beyond the main towns, the Ozarks and surrounding areas present historical and cultural sites that deepen awareness of the region.
A well-preserved Civil War battlefield. You can drive or walk through the historic field, viewing interpretive signs and monuments.
Another significant Civil War battlefield where an Union victory helped secure Missouri. The park features a self-guided driving tour and walking trails.
Drives through smaller towns and rural countryside display traditional Ozark life, with small farms, local markets, and a slower pace.
The Christ of the Ozarks statue and The Great Passion Play complex in Eureka Springs significant pilgrimage sites for many Christians, with an unique blend of religious devotion and large-scale outdoor drama.
Consider adding 1-3 days to your Ozarks trip for other regional highlights.
Consider adding an extra 1-3 days to your itinerary to combine your Ozarks trip with other regional highlights.
Dedicate more time to hiking and camping in the Ozark National Forest. Discover less-visited waterfall trails or challenging sections of the Ozark Highlands Trail.
Experience different sections of the Buffalo River or Kings River with multi-day float trips. Spend more time in local communities.
Take a day trip to Branson, Missouri, for its live shows, Silver Dollar City, or lake activities on Table Rock Lake. Consider a 1-2 day extension south to Hot Springs National Park and the Ouachita Mountains.
For stays longer than two weeks, consider renting a cabin or vacation home for a week or more in a central location (e.g., near Eureka Springs, Jasper, or Mountain View).
Fly into Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), explore Bentonville and Fayetteville, then head east to the Buffalo National River (Ponca/Jasper area). Continue south to Mountain View, then further south to explore the eastern Ozarks and potentially connect to the Ouachita Mountains and Hot Springs.
Fly XNA, explore NW AR, Buffalo River, Mountain View, then Ouachita Mountains & Hot Springs.
Fly XNA, explore AR Ozarks, then north to Branson, MO, returning to XNA or SGF.
Memphis, Tennessee (approx. 4 hours from eastern Ozarks), for blues, BBQ, Graceland.
