9 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in the Ozarks
If you have a long weekend coming up and are ready to escape your daily grind, the Ozarks offer plenty of worthwhile options. Branson delivers big-name entertainment, with more than 100 theater shows and cruises on Table Rock Lake for when you want to relax. Jasper offers a quieter getaway, with its setting along the Buffalo National River and scenic overlooks along the Scenic 7 Byway. Starting with Ha Ha Tonka State Park, let's explore some of the Ozarks best vacation destinations.
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Ha Ha Tonka State Park is packed with ways to fill a long weekend getaway. The park features sinkholes, caves, a massive natural bridge, sheer bluffs, one of Missouri’s largest springs, and the ruins of a turn-of-the-century stone castle.
At the top of the hill lie the castle ruins, once the dream of Kansas City businessman Robert McClure Snyder. Tragically, he died in a car crash just a year after construction began. His sons completed the project, only to face the onset of the stock market crash. Despite the challenges, the structure endured through the Great Depression as a hotel before ultimately burning to the ground in 1942.
Thirteen trails spanning 15 miles wind through the park, leading visitors to remarkable sights. Among them is a natural bridge measuring 70 feet wide, spanning 60 feet, and rising more than 100 feet above the ground, once serving as the entrance to the castle grounds. Farther along the trail lies the Colosseum, a dramatic sinkhole measuring 500 by 300 feet.
These trails also guide visitors to Ha Ha Tonka Spring and several additional sinkholes. One trail includes a 316-step wooden staircase that climbs from the spring at lake level up to the castle ruins atop the bluff.
There are several lodging options just outside of the state park, including Rippling Water Resort, which offers several cabins and is just one mile from Ha Ha Tonka.
Branson
It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a long weekend of family fun, relaxation, or adventure; Branson, MO, has you covered.
If you’re taking the kids, one place you can spend an entire day is Silver Dollar City. This old-timey theme park just outside of Branson city limits is packed with things to do, from roller coasters and family rides to live shows and great food. You can wander through shops, watch skilled craftsmen at work, and catch entertainment happening all day long.
If you are looking for more adventure, head over to Runaway Mountain Coaster. Pretty much what it sounds like, this is a ride that follows the natural shape of the mountains for a fun, fast-paced experience. You sit in your own cart, which slowly pulls you up to the top like a traditional coaster. Once you reach the top, you’re off, twisting and turning down the hillside, weaving through dips, curves, and trees along the way.
With a long weekend, you can catch more than one of the 100-plus shows offered at theaters throughout Branson, including one on the Silver Dollar City Showboat, formerly the Branson Belle. The showboat cruise lasts about two hours and includes a meal and a show, while cruising around Table Rock Lake.
There are numerous lodging options in Branson and around the lake. Bar M Resort, located on the shore of Table Rock Lake, offers a variety of options. They have pull-through and back-in RV campsites, A-frame cabins, log homes, glamping cabins, and deluxe condo-style single bedroom rentals.
Eureka Springs
Eureka Spring, AR, offers a blend of historic charm and the arts tucked away in an Ozark mountainside village, perfect for a long weekend getaway
The city is teeming with historical sites and local art. Downtown is packed with art galleries and studios highlighting the talents of painters, glass artists, folk artists, and much more.
About 15 miles south of the city is Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, a 459-acre home to lions, tigers, bears, and other exotic and native animals, as well as a big cat sanctuary.
End your long weekend with a visit to one of the town’s spas. Wellness is woven into the town’s identity, dating back to the late 1800s when visitors arrived seeking the healing powers of its natural springs.
What began as a Victorian-era health retreat evolved into a destination. Today, that legacy lives on in places like the historic 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa, where guests can book modern spa treatments like massages, facials, and hydrotherapy, where health seekers were welcomed more than a century ago.
Basin Park Hotel and Spa also offers a full line of spa services and package deals right in the heart of downtown, a perfect spot to unwind before your long weekend comes to a close.
Lake of the Ozarks
The hard part of visiting the Lake of the Ozarks, MO, for a long weekend is deciding what attractions and adventures to forego.
The lake is home to some of the best fishing in the state and is teaming with crappie, bluegill, catfish, and bass. Bring your own gear or hire a fishing guide. If you don’t bring your own boat, no need to worry, Tropic Island Cruises and Celebration Cruises are just two of the tour groups that will take you out for an excursion on the lake. Those and Lake of the Ozarks Cruises also offer dinner cruises.
Lake of the Ozarks offers more than just water sports and activities. For a break from the water, head underground at one of the three caves near the lake. Bridal Cave is known for its drapery-like rock formations, Stark Caverns features a vast subterranean lake, and Ozark Caverns is renowned for its “Angel Shower,” a unique phenomenon where water continuously falls from the cave ceiling.
While Lake of the Ozarks is most well-known for its abundance of outdoor activities, when you’re ready for a little retail therapy and great restaurants, hop over to Bagnell Dam Strip. There, you’ll find an abundance of shopping, dining, and entertainment, including live music, an arcade, and escape rooms.
Lodging around the Lake of the Ozarks runs the gamut of resorts, cabins, hotels and motels, vacation rentals, and campgrounds. If you’re looking for a Bed and Breakfast, check out Garden House B&B, which has a spectacular view of Lake of the Ozarks, and all of the rooms have walk-out patios where a homemade breakfast is served each morning.
Bella Vista
Bella Vista, AR, is built for the perfect long weekend, especially if you like the outdoors mixed with a little relaxing and exploring.
With more than 100 miles of trails winding through the Ozarks, there are plenty of hiking and biking opportunities for people of all skill levels. The Tanyard Creek Nature Trail is a 2.2-mile loop perfect for those looking for an easy hike. The reward is a beautiful waterfall and creek. The Back 40 trail system is about 40 miles of trails, many of which intersect. The 21-mile Back 40 Loop circles the trail network and is considered an intermediate trail.
For a less adventurous day, reconnect with nature and your spiritual side with a visit to the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, the chapel is constructed around fifteen Gothic arches towering fifty feet high. It was built using thirty-one tons of steel and 4,460 square feet of glass.
Just 15 miles outside of Bella Vista, you’ll find the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. A blend of art, architecture, and nature, this museum houses world-class American masterpieces from Georgia O'Keeffe to Andy Warhol. The museum is as much about the experience as the collection, with scenic walking trails, outdoor sculptures, and reflecting ponds.
Regardless of how you spend your long weekend in Bella Vista, you’ll want a relaxing place to rest your head at the end of the day. Several vacation rentals will give you the luxury of having your own house to retreat to, and many of them cater to mountain bikers, families, or are near the lakes. However, if you’re looking for a little pampering, look no further than Cedar Lodge. The lodge has five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, and sleeps up to 15 guests. Guests can enjoy a personal spa day compliments of the lodge.
Murfreesboro
Every diamond has a story. In Murfreesboro, AR, your story just might include you finding your own diamond. Crater of Diamonds State Park is a 37.5-acre plowed field and the only diamond site in the world open to the public. Rental equipment is available, and you can keep any gems you find. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
While you might be able to spend the entire weekend hunting for diamonds, there is more digging to do in Murfreesboro. The Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village offers visitors the chance to step back and learn about the ancient civilization of the Mound Builders. In the dig field, people can sift through the dirt for arrowheads and crystals.
If you get your fill of digging in the dirt, clean up and head to the historic downtown, which sprawls over 20 blocks of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Here you can dig around for a different kind of treasure at places like FunTiques Consignment, Garden Patch Thrift Shoppe, and Lil Brit Vintage.
When you are ready to get away from it all and just relax, book one of several cabins at the Coulter Farmstead. They have four secluded cabins dating to the 1840's that have been painstakingly renovated, as well as an 1860s Greek Revival style main house situated on 11 acres with a barn and an 1880's general store.
Cherokee Village
For a relaxing, low-key, outdoor fun extended weekend, consider Cherokee Village, AR.
With seven lakes and a river running through it, Cherokee Village offers no shortage of ways to enjoy the water. The lakes are perfect for fishing, boating, swimming, and kayaking. Lake Thunderbird is regularly stocked with crappie, catfish, largemouth bass, and bluegill, while you can snag trout and bass in the South Fork Spring River. The river is also ideal for tubing.
With so many ways to enjoy the water, it’s easy to fill an entire weekend with outdoor fun, but there is a lot more to Cherokee Village. If golfing is your thing, pack your clubs and try out one or both of Cherokee Village’s scenic, well-crafted courses.
The North Course, designed by John Cooper, has a par-72 layout stretching about 6,687 yards. The South Course, designed by Edmund Ault, ranges from 5,270 to 7,058 yards across four tee boxes. It features mountainous terrain, smooth greens, and is known to challenge golfers to use their full range of skills.
A perfect escape for anyone who loves the outdoors is a hike along the Cherokee Village Nature Trail, which brings you through lush forests and along peaceful streams. The trail is well-marked and filled with local wildlife and native Ozark plants. Don’t forget your camera and bring a picnic.
To experience the charm and history of the Ozarks, book a stay at Cooper’s Pointe. This retreat was built in 1965 as the home of John and Mildred Cooper, founders of the Cherokee Village community. The Main House and Guest House, once a private residence and entertaining space, are now a relaxing haven where guests can relax, unwind, and enjoy the beauty of the Ozarks.
Mountain View
Known for traditional folk music, crafts, and outdoor recreation, Mountain View, AR, is at the epicenter of preserving Ozark traditions and scenic natural beauty.
From mid-April through late November, the Ozark Folk Center State Park celebrates the music, crafts, and culture of the Ozarks. Visitors can watch more than 20 artisans at work, explore the Heritage Herb Garden, and enjoy live southern mountain music.
Guests can also attend workshops for hands-on learning, with tickets and registrations available online for both crafting experiences and live performances.
For a taste of the outdoors, Blanchard Springs Campground offers visitors a scenic basecamp surrounded by opportunities for camping, hiking, biking, swimming, birding, and exploring the crystal-clear waters of North Sylamore Creek.
Just minutes away, guests can tour the Blanchard Springs Caverns, a “living” cave filled with active formations. Or, walk to the nearby springs to watch water pour from the mountainside. The area also features Mirror Lake for trout fishing, a historic Civilian Conservation Corps gatehouse, and a natural amphitheater, making it easy to fill a day with outdoor discovery.
If you’re not interested in camping at Blanchard Springs, Mountain View has several Bed and Breakfasts, cabins, cozy cottages, and even tree houses. 87 Getaway Treehouses Retreat is tucked into the Ozarks with trees that grow right through the structure. When you’re not exploring the area, unwind in the jacuzzi tub, relax on the porch swing or rocking chairs, or lounge in the hammock below with music from the sound system.
Jasper
Tucked deep in the Ozarks along the Buffalo National River, Jasper, AR, is a perfect little base for a weekend getaway. Known for its scenery, hiking trails, waterfalls, and iconic views, it is quieter than places like Branson or Eureka Springs, but that’s perfect if you’re looking to unplug and let nature recharge your batteries.
Downtown Jasper has many buildings that date back to the 1800’s. The entire commercial area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The older buildings use a distinctive blend of native stone, brick, and concrete. While downtown, you’ll want to check out the old Newton County Jail. Built in 1902 of local stone, it was used as a jail until 2009 and is now a historic site. The old jail is close to the Bradley House Museum. Once home to Dr. and Mrs. W.A. Bradley the home now highlights the doctor’s office and has several themed rooms filled with early 1900s artifacts.
As you drive the Scenic 7 Byway, make sure you take a moment to stop at one of the many overlooks for the Arkansas Grand Canyon. It may not be as deep as the one out west, but definitely worth the stop. Because most of the overlooks face east, the best views are early morning when the sun rises over the Ozarks.
To get a glimpse into early Ozark life, make time for a visit to the Parker-Hickman Farm, where visitors can explore the historic grounds, learn traditional farming practices, and interact with animals and gardens.
For a blend of history and outdoor fun, stay at the historic Arkansas House in downtown Jasper, right on the banks of the Little Buffalo River. Just a few minutes from the Ozark National Forest, this is an ideal, central location for all that Jasper has to offer.
In Closing:
No matter which direction you choose, a long weekend in the Ozarks has a way of leaving you refreshed and wanting more.
Maybe it’s the rhythm of folk music in Mountain View, the peaceful waters of Lake of the Ozarks, or the quiet beauty tucked into towns like Cherokee Village; each destination offers its own way to step back and recharge. All that’s left to do is pick your spot, pack a bag, and make the most of your next long weekend.
