So, we have friends who recently moved from Sacramento to a little town south of Omaha, and we’re planning a trip out to visit them this fall. We’ve never been to that part of the country, and we’re looking for a good side trip within a day’s drive. The most likely option appears to be the Ozarks.
So – are there particular things we should see/do with 3-4 days in the Ozarks? Places to Stay? Stick to the closer parts in Missouri, or is it important to go down into Arkansas? Will it make much difference in weather or fall color if we go early or late in October?
Have we missed something important in another direction? Should we blow off the Ozarks and go somewhere else within a days drive of Omaha instead?
No need for suggestions for places between Sacramento & Omaha; the plan is to fly out and rent a car. We are open to a one-way car rental and flying home from a different airport, if that makes sense.
Yes, I guesstimated an 8 hour drive. The theory is to visit in Omaha for a few days, then drive for up to a day to somewhere else, spend a few days there, then fly home. Maybe too much road time for a shortish trip, but we’re thinking there must be something to see in the middle of the country while we’re there.
Arkansas is probably the most underrated state in the country in terms of beauty. It is called the ‘Natural State’ for a reason. Some of my family including my father relocated there by choice because it is so pretty.
If you want to go there, Eureka Springs, AR is an odd but interesting tourist hotspot. They call it little Switzerland because of its weird mix of architecture with extremely steep hills. It also attracts lots of bohemian types. It is good for everything from ghost hunting to moped rides.
There are lots of deep caves that you can go into either on a tour or on your own in the general area. Branson, MO is the Bible Belt’s answer to Las Vegas. There are tons of famous and very good shows but turn your kitschy alarm off before you get within 20 miles of there because it will explode. Silver Dollar City is a fairly good amusement park in Southern Missouri. My Arkansas cousins were greatly disappointed when they went to Disneyland in California. They thought it was okay but certainly no Silver Dollar City.
The Ozarks are extremely fun, beautiful and greatly under-appreciated. They are inexpensive as well. The general idea is to stay at a place that offers access to great outdoor activities and mix and match with some of the other cultural attractions (people laugh at that but NW Arkansas also has one of the best art museums this side of the Louvre thanks to the Walton family).
As you go through Kansas City MO consider seeing the National World War I museum. It’s superb. While in town have lunch or dinner at a barbecue restaurant – Kansas City is famous for that.
Straight south a few hours in Bentonville AR is Crystal Bridges, a museum of American Art. Again, superb. I like museums but generally not art museums – except this one.
From there it’s not too far to Eureka Springs. While touristy and kitschy in some ways, it’s still a fun and interesting place. Just south of it is Turpentine Creek, a big cat refuge.
If time and interest remain, head to Branson MO, or maybe stay in Arkansas and spend a day canoeing the Buffalo River. It’s a National Scenic River offering a great chance to see Arkansas’ beauty close up.
I don’t know whether early October or late October is better in terms of leaf color. I just think of October as a wonderful camping month (not hot, no bugs, not too cold, pretty leaves).
It’s pretty nice still in October. Bring a jacket, but it won’t be snowing, nor even raining much, most likely.
Um, I guess it depends on what you enjoy. Northern Arkansas has some…interesting…old roads that are an experience in their own right. Southern Missouri has some weird little tourist traps, like guided tours of caves.
You’re pretty close to Harrison, and there’s the Scenic Highway 7 that’s just south of there. It’s so curvy the speed limit is like 35, IIRC. But it’s rather pretty–in October especially so! And there’s a pretty nice Cave out that way, too.
Silver Dollar City, which is between Omaha and Branson, is pretty cool, but you’d probably want to commit a whole day to that. Though you could head up to Branson and watch a show from someone you might remember. Or just head up to the Landing and take a stroll. Or, if you’ve never seen one, you could check out the Ripley’s Believe It or Not–though maybe that’s better for kids.
Another vote for Eureka Springs and caves. That’ll put you in the vicinity of Tablerock Lake, which is also lovely–you can rent a boat for a day. There is a resort called Holiday Island right there that I went to every summer of my childhood. Loved it. Just don’t let the cicadas getcha…