10 Best Downtowns In The Ozarks
Where beauty reigns, there is no room for the drab and dull. Instead of a location without rhyme or rhythm, explore charm-soaked streets, beautiful Victorian architecture, eye-catching murals, historic theatres, and cozy, small-town libraries. But the backdrop matters. You want a soothing place framed by rolling hills, or one that features glittering waterfront views, where the gentle breeze flows, and the heart swells with quiet joy. Fortunately, the Ozarks Region of the United States is beautifully pockmarked by just such locations, downtowns that awaken the inner child. Still in doubt? Discover below the ten best downtowns in the Ozarks.
Mountain View, Arkansas
With a backdrop of ridges and rivers and a downtown with a mix of textures and styles, Mountain View is among the best downtowns in the Ozarks. Downtown hosts a bevy of locally-owned boutiques and gift shops, with places like the Rainbow Antique Mall keeping a huge variety of intriguing items. That said, the town is today widely known as the “Folk Music Capital of the World.” Its downtown features traditional music gatherings, many of which are surprisingly spontaneous. Check out the Ozark Folk Center State Park, a nationally renowned cultural site for crafts, music, and food that often draws crowds of tourists from every corner of the state. Pass by the Stone Drive-In Theatre as well, a one-of-a-kind movie theatre with a cool retro setting and a history that dates back to the 1960s.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs expresses its unique beauty and layout through how its streets curve and overlap, twist and turn, sometimes stacked atop one another. With few four-way intersections in the town, and streets that sometimes have stairs for sidewalks, Eureka Springs is as fairytale as they come. You will find little pocket parks, beautiful spring-fed pools, and eye-catching Victorian architecture, as if you are walking straight into the 1800s. In the environment, ravines add a bit of drama and direct water all around.
Keep in mind that Eureka Springs is the only city in America whose entire historic downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Places to check out include the 1886 Crescent Hotel, which bills itself as America's Most Haunted Hotel. At the Eureka Springs Historical Museum, you will find well-curated exhibits, including photographs, that offer a glimpse of the town's early years, many of which highlight the events surrounding the discovery of the healing waters. Before pulling down the curtains on your trip, pick a memento at Packrat's Paradise, where you will find several unique items that fit almost every nook.
Camdenton, Missouri
Camdenton is on the peaceful shores of the Lake of the Ozarks, one of America's popular spots for water-based recreation. This also means you will enjoy delicious waterfront views, a soothing ambiance, and a laid-back atmosphere. Downtown has a charming collection of shops and restaurants, and the scale is modest, making it feel more like a small town than a big city. For some great food right on the main drag, Stewart's Restaurant is the definition of comfort food. They serve gigantic cinnamon rolls that are nothing but divine. There is the Camdenton Library, with its quiet and relaxed atmosphere, and the Ozarkland General Store, a fantastic gift shop with a little bit of everything. Ha Ha Tonka State Park is within arm's reach and boasts a swoon-worthy outdoor space, featuring a 20th-century castle, beautiful hiking trails, and a natural bridge. The landscape and scenery here are so mind-bending that it will make your head spin.
Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Siloam Springs is a postcard-worthy small college town backdropped by the natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains. Sager Creek, which adds a mist of rustic charm to the already beautiful location, flows right through the town. Its lovely banks are lined with peaceful parks and Victorian buildings, features that create a Mayberry-style appearance that will not fail to hypnotize first-time visitors. Expect hip coffee shops and antique stores (check out the 5-star rated Milling Around Marketplace), a lively arts scene, and a yummy range of inviting restaurants, including Fratelli's Wood-Fired Pizzeria, where meals are typically crowned with some of the best gelatos in the region.
Meanwhile, City Park & Gazebo hugs the waters of Sager Creek and is a peaceful space with a sparkly little waterfall to admire. City Lake Park, just three miles from downtown Siloam, boasts over three miles of beginner and intermediate multi-use soft surface trails. So, don't think there's much beyond the downtown restaurants and boutiques.
Van Buren, Arkansas
Van Buren is a small, gorgeous river town whose lovely main street is six blocks of beautifully restored buildings, some of which date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. Several buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places and are today home to unique shops, boutiques, salons, galleries, and restaurants. The beautifully restored King Opera House, a conspicuous staple for over 100 years, is known for its vibrant theatrical offerings. The feeling that generations of families have been enjoying shows here for over a century is part of the theatre's appeal.
The Italian-inspired county courthouse anchors the town square. At the same time, the handsomely restored Frisco Train Depot, an Old-timey space, whose history dates back to 1902, serves as the Van Buren Visitor’s Center. It is also the terminus of the Arkansas-Missouri vintage excursion train, which rumbles through the ruggedly beautiful Boston Mountain range of the Ozarks. Pho Cao Noodle House is a renowned Vietnamese restaurant that serves up delicious pho with perfectly flavoured broth.
West Plains, Missouri
West Plains is renowned for its rich musical heritage and is the hometown of several notable musicians, including the famed country music singer Porter Wagoner, affectionately known as "Mr. Grand Ole Opry." At Harlin Museum, Porter Wagoner’s guitar, original artwork from one of his albums, and some correspondence lie in a glass case. The West Plains Courthouse Square Historic District, which carries whispers of yesteryears, is anchored by the Howell County Courthouse. The district's 46 contributing buildings, most of which were developed between 1881 and 1950, include representative examples of Italianate, Queen Anne, Romanesque Revival, Late Gothic Revival, and Art Deco styles of architecture. There is Craft Cafe, for delicious burgers and Greek salads, and the James Monroe Memorial Park, formerly known as Buck Park. It is a great park for frisbee golf, walking, and rustic views.
Paris, Arkansas
It may not be as old or historic as its world-famous namesake across the Atlantic, but Paris, Arkansas, is still a cool spot to feast your eyes on. You can pin it on the town's setting and the scenic Ozark backdrop, a charming town square with features that transport the mind to “the City of Love,” or the slow, relaxing atmosphere ideal for a week-long vacation. Even if you don't have a fiancé with whom you can enjoy what Paris offers, Paris will still strike you as charming and romantic.
Think of a replica Eiffel Tower, the beautiful Logan County Courthouse with its elegant temple-style porticos on three sides, and the austere grandeur of nearby Mount Magazine, the state's highest peak. For perspective, Bicycling Magazine once named Mount Magazine “the climb to do in Arkansas.” If you want to start with some thin-crusted pizza, Pizza Barn is right on Walnut Street, just 100 yards from Eiffel Tower Park.
Heber Springs, Arkansas
Heber Springs is a nice little town in the foothills of the Ozarks. It boasts a neat, old-school downtown that leads to the photo-worthy Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River, both of which are playgrounds for all kinds of water sports, including bass fishing. You will enjoy strolling through the town and sampling its delightful range of offerings, including the iconic Gem Theatre, a fantastic one-screen movie house with a history that dates back to the 1930s. It was originally built in what was once a feed store. You can start with a creamy matcha latte at Stream Coffee, a fantastic drive-through place with a warm, friendly atmosphere. Ellen Hobgood Gallery, a delightful place filled with beautiful paintings and pottery, is known to pair big-city quality with small-town pricing. Bridal Veil Falls, home to some of the most stunning views in the world, is just south of town.
Lebanon, Missouri
It may not receive a lot of attention, but Lebanon offers Midwestern hospitality, breathtaking natural views, and a quaint main street that will delight the heart. The town is dotted by several antique stores in the downtown area, with places like Heartland Antique Mall offering an incredible variety of fun finds. You will enjoy walking through the booths and searching for a wide range of fascinating treasures, from beautiful antique furniture to rare collectibles, comics, and records. Think of nearly 350 booth spaces to enjoy. Keep in mind that Lebanon is on Route 66, which Steinbeck affectionately described as the “Mother Road” in the book “The Grapes of Wrath.” So, pass by the Route 66 Museum before catching a movie at the adjacent B&B Lebanon Ritz 8 Theatre, a cozy space with comfortable seating and a fabulous selection of films. Additionally, there is Bennett Spring State Park, one of the oldest in Missouri, and Atchley Park, which features a disc-golf course and excellent walking paths.
Branson, Missouri
Branson is synonymous with the world-famous Silver Dollar City. This 1880s theme park offers record-breaking coasters, an escape to nature, and epic festival entertainment at a scale and intensity that only a few other spots in the world can match. However, Branson’s downtown area is also charming and does not deserve to be overshadowed by the number one theme park in America. You will be blown away by a lovely downtown district along the beautiful Lake Taneycomo, featuring amazing stores (check out Dick's 5 & 10), craft breweries, and the scenic Branson Landing Riverwalk, a cool place to walk along the river and admire a gorgeous fountain.
Keep in mind that Branson is big on food, an aspect of the town that has not been properly appreciated. So, pass by Guy Fieri's Branson Kitchen + Bar, and sit down to some tongue-tingling trashcan nachos, the kind that leaves you grinning out the door. Still have some time? Check out the Titanic Museum Attraction.
Amazing Downtown Areas In The Ozark Mountains
So, if beauty will save the world, the Ozarks Region of the United States, with its shimmering lakes and lush landscapes, its rolling hills and verdant valleys, will have to be given its rightful position in the pecking order of visit-worthy regions. You will find beautiful Victorian architecture that makes you gasp in admiration, dated red bricks that speak of a slower, saner time, and all kinds of oaks, willows, and dogwoods. Still, downtowns are not created equal, and the highlighted towns are ahead of the pack.
