Submitted by TamtheHam t3_10ifw0e in springfieldMO
Really just wanting some interesting experiences without having to drive too far. (More than 3 hours one way) Maybe lesser known spots? I like hiking, art, food, and unique shops, I'm open to new stuff though.
Eureka Springs AR is a really unique town to visit. Lots to explore if you’ve never been and it’s only about an hour away.
Crystal Bridges is worth the drive. As a bonus, stay at 21c hotel. On the way home, drive back through Eureka Springs.
Hiking Hemmed In Hollow, Whittaker Point or the Needles Eye on the Buffalo is always a rewarding outdoor experience.
Ha ha Tonka is worth a visit.
Check out Red Oak II. It’s about an hour away and I feel like a lot of people around here don’t know about it. Pretty cool little town put together by artist Lowell Davis. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/mo-redoakii/
If you are wanting closer, Busiek south of Ozark on 65 has lots of trails that are good for hiking. During the early summer the creek is great too just as a place to hang out near water.
I also agree with Northwest Arkansas! If you like hiking and food this is the perfect spot for you. Bentonville/Rogers area has lots of neat shops, food, and trails.
get into the local music scene. hardcore, rap, indie, hip hop, folk, country, dad rock. it’s everywhere all the time. it will change your life
Where do you go to hear about it, the only thing I ever see promoted in any way is the Mixtapes
On The Scene does a pretty good job of keeping a local live act schedule. They are on Facebook.
follow the outland on instagram there are all sorts of shows there. from there you will find the other accounts to follow
See the spook light south of joplin
Is that still a thing? I haven't heard about that since the 80's.
It is still a thing - but the folks that own land there aren’t as friendly about people parking on the road as they used to be
It was still a thing at least back in 2007-8. My friends and I drove out around 2008ish, didn't see anything.
Ruth & Paul Henning Conservation Area
Best spot around Branson. You can park at the lot by Roark creek and avoid the tourists.
Are there that many hiking tourists? 😂
There's a bit, yeah. It's just a better spot because the top lot and trail segment has a lot of traffic and people who can barely manage being outdoors.
There are several cool spots near Joplin - wildcat glades - grand falls -walter woods… all great places and could be combined for a long day trip
Neosho has the bicentennial nature area which used to be part of crowder. My grandfather actually grew up on that land and when I was little we would go walking there - 30 years ago you could still see the foundations of some homes.
Neosho also has a pretty cool fish hatchery and hiking at Morse Park
Just don’t visit Roaring River State Park near Cassville. Seriously. Nothing to see there. Move on…
Never been there or heard of it but googling it, it looked pretty cool. What’s wrong there?
Nothing actually. I’m joking to keep people away from my fave place. C’mon down. The hatchery alone makes it worth the trip.
Eureka springs is a fun little town
I like driving Route 66 in either direction
The national battle fields are worth a trip too
Hit up the Ozark Trail near Winona, Mo! No one’s ever around. There’s a lot of great spots out there- Greer Spring, Big Spring, Rocky Falls, Current River. There’s a herd of wild horses out near Klepzig Mill. Always great to see. It’s about 2 1/2 hours but well worth it.
good recommendations. i love that area, but i wouldn’t say “no one’s ever around.” nearly every campground on the current and jacks fork is full during the summer, and i’ve never seen rocky falls without there being at least a handful of people climbing around (no matter the time of year). it’s nearly as full as johnson shut-ins during the warmer months.
Ah yeah, I meant out on the OT trails themselves. I’m usually out there this time of year to avoid the summer crowds you describe.
Buffalo National River, Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
Chitwood74 t1_j5e8njg wrote
The hiking in northern Arkansas is really nice. I use the All Trails app to pick out which trail I’m up for (distance, difficulty). JB Trading near Compton has some great campsites you can rent before a morning hike.