Anything between here and Eureka Springs worth checking out?

Submitted by silentxem t3_11rgz88 in springfieldMO

Looking to round out a weekend trip to Eureka Springs with rest stops on the way/back or worth-it excursions to things just outside the town itself. It's been since I was a child since I visited, and I'm trying to make my partner's birthday weekend fun.

Active and engaging experiences are best, but knowing the weather this weekend will be a bit cooler, indoor stuff is also appreciated. Are there any cool museums or interactive exhibits? Good curio stores, places to rock hound, farmers markets, plant shops, cool architecture, cultural sites, etc. are all game. We're already looking at a winery, brewery, a cave, maybe horseback riding, hiking, and a ghost tour. I haven't a clue on food--he's a pretty meat and potatoes guy, but appreciates a well-cooked meal.

Thanks, y'all. Appreciate any input.

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mutantxproud t1_jc96waj wrote

I've lived in Springfield for 15 years and have been to ES dozens of times. All these comments recommending Branson attractions and I'm just over here wondering if I've been driving to ES wrong all these years because I've never taken 65 or gone through Branson there or back!

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silentxem OP t1_jc98022 wrote

Right? Lol, I guess I tend to avoid that bit of traffic as much as possible though. Got any suggestions off the beaten path?

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cktk9 t1_jc8jqfy wrote

Roaring River state park has a fish hatchery along with some neat things to look at. I remember going there and being able to actually pet the fish in their tanks there were so many of them.

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mr_try-hard t1_jc973vj wrote

There’s an awesome trail there that leads to one of the highest points in the park. Every time I visit, I’m sure to do that.

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PalPubPull t1_jcb14x3 wrote

We recently went to Bentonville and I wanted to take my wife there as she had never been. It was super cool, but about 5 minutes into our walk, we noticed police everywhere, and they were taping off sections and told us we had to go back towards our car.

I got home and looked at the news, and it turns out they were retrieving a divers body. Pretty sad story.

Would recommend for walking, would advise against diving.

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Mechanicallvlan t1_jc8jdwu wrote

I like to visit National Tiger Sanctuary about once per year. It's on the way, just off 65. I probably wouldn't go there myself when the weather is this cool, but they say the cats are more active in colder temps. Since it's only about 20 minutes south of Springfield, it's something that you could easily do another time. It's also a little pricey if you don't find some kind of ticket deal, and they do a lot of BOGO type offers if you want to wait for one. If you don't find a better available offer, I think they will give a small discount for being a local, if you ask for it.

I can't remember ever visiting Cosmic Cavern, but that's something that I'd probably want to do if I was in the area.

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Aur3l1an0 t1_jc8jobd wrote

Harrisonville has a decent little bakery but most of the best stuff around eureka isn't on the path between eureka and sgf

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silentxem OP t1_jc8nmcc wrote

Yeah, I was afraid of that. I'm happy to travel a little bit out of the way (we're staying two nights) for something really cool, even south or east of ES.

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Aur3l1an0 t1_jc8toff wrote

Whitaker / hawks bill is about 1.5 hrs south

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petlove499 t1_jc8ynem wrote

I love stopping at Pop’s Dari Dell in Reeds Spring! It’s a great step back in time (old drive in) and the food is delicious. Definitely get the onion rings if you’re an onion rings person.

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sullivan80 t1_jcazlr6 wrote

That place is great. Feels like the places that used to be common when I was a kid in the 80s.

RS is kind of an interesting town. There are some aspects that are pretty neat but then there is so much around there that is a next level trashy dump heap too.

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petlove499 t1_jcbchoj wrote

Totally, they are hard to come by these days. I’ve stopped at other before and the nostalgia factor is there but the food isn’t great, so I love that this place has both. RS is very interesting. I’ve always wanted to check out the flea markets on the main drag, but every time I go they’re closed.

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JellyfishMermaid t1_jc9werv wrote

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park in Lampe MO. You can ride horses, walk the trail or rent a bike. Cute waterfalls. Overall really nice.

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petlove499 t1_jcd9tbq wrote

And stop at Persimmon Hill Berry Farm for a thunder muffin!

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knittazforlyfe t1_jca6ltd wrote

There is a mind blowing museum in Golden Missouri tucked away between truck stops. It doesn't look like much on the outside but the inside is filled with hundreds of collections of people's collections that they donated. You will see things like antiques, civil war artifacts, items confiscated from prisons, ginormous crystals, metal lunchboxes, etc etc etc...

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xxotaruxx t1_jcb0jdm wrote

I second this. Def stop by the museum in golden. It’s pretty awesome the amount of things they have!

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silentxem OP t1_jcdp36v wrote

Is it the Pioneer Museum?

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knittazforlyfe t1_jcdpn6x wrote

Yes, that's it! I saw online it is temporarily closed...but when it opens it is worth a visit

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Always_0421 t1_jc8up10 wrote

Branson is between springfield and eureka springs.

They have everything there.

Jeep tours, Segway tours, helicopter tours, horseback riding, jet boats, escape rooms, all kinds of shows, caves, theme park, every kinda restaurant you can think of. (Cat Cafe, singing waiters, Lamberts in ozark) tiger sanctuary, a couple zoo type exhibits, an aquarium, museums of all kinds (wax museum, ripley believe it or not, titanic) indoor water parks, guided fishing tours, higj speed go carts, climbing gym, all kinds of unique retail shops and craft malls (dicks 5 and 10, the landing) Hiking trails.

People trash it for being "touristy", and it is, but with it comes all the unique niche attractions

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Opening_Put_1105 t1_jc8urxf wrote

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge near Eureka Springs is amazing. You can stay overnight in the refuge & hear the lions carol at night. I highly recommend it!

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Ganrokh t1_jca9op0 wrote

I've been here a few times but had no idea they let you stay overnight. Thanks for the tip!

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Neenee89 t1_jcakong wrote

Carmen's Tacos is a food truck in Eureka Springs they have a FB page and I would highly recommend. Ermilio's is excellent and would be great for a romantic dinner. Silly Chile, Sugar and Spite, and Scarletts are nice shops. Quigley Castle is worth checking out if it's open.

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UnknownHereO t1_jc8zezt wrote

Pops dari dell is cash or check only and worth it for the ice cream, it's an old school drive in window order place. Cosmic Caverns is also a great pit stop to check out.

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Low_Tourist t1_jcb2rpe wrote

There's a pottery place about 40 mins south of Eureka that's worth checking out. Sometimes you can catch them throwing pots. It's kinda dusty and dirty, but also a great chance to support local art.

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Punnchy t1_jcd83re wrote

If you want a kick ass Museum, go a little farther South and hit up Crystal Bridges in Bentonville

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silentxem OP t1_jcdnr24 wrote

Been there a handful of times, unfortunately not yet with this partner. We're going to make a special visit for that later so I can finally see the Frank Lloyd Wright house.

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