7 Quirkiest Ozarks Towns You Didn't Know Existed

If you have had enough of Anytown America, tucked deep in the Ozarks are a handful of small, eccentric towns, some of which brim with personality, local legend, and offbeat charm. Think of Victorian homes that cling to treacherous cliffsides, spontaneous jam sessions in neat and charming town squares, and English-themed towns that transport the mind to London’s 10 Downing Street. Ready for the discovery? Discover the 7 quirkiest towns in the Ozarks you did not know existed.

Hollister, Missouri

Hollister reclines in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, seemingly unbothered by what goes around in the world. But if you want an idyllic escape into nature’s embrace, Hollister will give you a first-class treatment. This underrated gem has been called “the English village of the Ozarks,” especially because it boasts a decent collection of Tudor-style buildings, the first of which predates the First World War. In keeping with the English theme, one of the town’s main thoroughfares is called “Downing Street.” You might think you are in the gated street in London’s Westminster that houses the official residences of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The College of the Ozarks, one of the town’s defining landmarks, is among a few campuses in America where students can graduate debt-free. This is because of a program based on work-study arrangements and donations from well-wishers. Downing Street Pour House is a cool place to enjoy a pastrami sandwich, while the Turkey Creek Brewery, a few steps away, serves drinks that are light, smooth, tasty, and flavorful.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

With streets that twist, turn, and climb in odd directions, Eureka Springs is unlike any other town you have set foot in. Then you have beautiful Victorian homes, some of which are tucked into treacherous cliffsides so that they appear almost suspended. Additionally, the town has a paranormal aspect, particularly due to locations like The Crescent Hotel, a 139-year-old landmark that has gained a reputation as “America's Most Haunted Hotel.” The nearby Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, with all the beautiful big cats and bears, is one of the most amazing places in the Ozarks. Nab a chair at the Local Flavor Cafe, and sit down to some of the most delicious crab cakes in the world. Alternatively, the locally owned Ice Cream Delights serves old-fashioned burgers at a reasonable price.

Mountain View, Arkansas

It may sound unbelievable, but in Mountain View, locals often bring fiddles and banjos to the town square and start playing tunes that transform the environment into a big, lovely carnival. The best part? It is usually spontaneous. No wonder Mountain View has been christened “the Folk Music Capital of the World.” Although there is so much art and culture to pique your interest at the Ozark Folk Center State Park, their herb garden, one of the most diverse organic herb gardens in the nation, is such an underrated gem. Check if something is showing at the Stone Drive-In Theatre, a long-running establishment that shows a mixture of family-friendly, classics, and more adult selections. Wing Shack-Cheeseburger Grill has been serving heavenly ribs for some time, while the Arkansas Craft Guild & Gallery boasts an excellent selection of beautiful handcrafted items to admire or buy.

Ava, Missouri

Ava is an offbeat town with fascinating historical and cultural heritage located within the southern escarpment of the Salem Plateau. In the 1940s, the Douglas County Herald ran a front-page article that described how four people received gifts from an anonymous sender to the tune of $450. People thought it was a one-off boon, but a week later, the headline was “Mysterious Gifts Still Mysterious.” Over the next weeks, the gifts kept coming, so that even Time Magazine had a blurb about the Angel of Ava. At the end, the anonymous Angel of Ava blessed around 15 people with gifts totaling $812, a tidy sum by today's standards. To date, no one knows the identity of the person who signed his or her notes “Your Sunshine Friend.” Expect a mix of interesting rural traditions and eccentric community events.

The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association is headquartered in Ava and is dedicated to a horse breed whose versatility is still celebrated today. The Missouri Fox Trotting Horse World Show and Celebration, which takes place in town every year, is the largest horse show for the Missouri Fox Trotter breed. A home-style dish at Haro Brothers Restaurant, followed by an hour at the Ava Ranger Station Historic District, should come before a quiet afternoon at the nearby Assumption Abbey, where luscious fruitcakes will crown the adventure with flavours that hit every spot.

Calico Rock, Arkansas

Although it is content to be in the shadow of big names such as Eureka Springs, Calico Rock is among the prettiest small towns in the Ozarks. Its quirky side is in the fact that it has two downtowns, something you don’t come across often. On Main Street, you will find brick and stone buildings from the 1920s, the Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Centre, and a sense of timelessness at the Calico Rock Historic District. Enjoy a hearty meal at Printing Press Cafe, and then explore Calico Rock’s more eerie downtown: the Peppersauce Ghost Town. This weird place is on the east side of town, just steps away from the thriving town centre. You will want to do the Ghost Tour, which takes you to a funeral parlor, a theatre, a tavern, and a barber shop. Keep in mind that White River flows around and presents several options for outdoor fun and adventure.

Leslie, Arkansas

Leslie, a small, laid-back community ranked among the coolest small Towns in Arkansas for a summer vacation, is an old railroad town with hippie artists and homesteaders. Restored old buildings give the town a genuine, nostalgic feel — and are a throwback to a slower, simpler time in America. You may think that the dining scene of a tiny, blink-and-you-miss-it town is nothing to write home about, but Serenity Farm Bread, which has been in business for more than 30 years, is a 2022 winner of the Best Bread in Every State award by Food &Wine. Expect delicious old-world sourdough or the many varieties of focaccia in a fun, homey atmosphere. Spend some time at the Ozark Heritage Arts Museum for bite-sized bits of Arkansas history, or some precious moments at the Leslie Antique Mall, a great place to find unusual old tools such as tongs and hammers.

Hermann, Missouri

Hermann is a 19th-century time capsule founded by immigrants who wanted to recreate the Rhine River Valley in America. You will find a beautiful downtown with over 150 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the 19th-century brick homes hug the sidewalk in the traditional German style. Hermann’s wineries, many of which had not been running for several years after Prohibition, today account for more than a third of Missouri’s total production. These include the Stonehill Winery, Missouri's oldest and most acclaimed. Other touch points include the Deutschheim State Historic Site, for a glimpse into the lives of the enterprising immigrants who founded the town, the Missouri River, and the Hermann City Park RV Campgrounds, a perfect place to camp and ride bikes into town.

In a world filled with the uninspiring boredom of sameness, being different is an act of rebellion. Some towns in the Ozarks take this as a serious business, and are among the best off-the-beaten-path destinations you will find in America. Think of locations with two downtowns, places with Tudor-style streets, and others with a spine-tingling paranormal reputation. Whether you choose Eureka Springs, Arkansas, or Hermann, Missouri, you will find a town with your name on it.