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Mirror Lake at Blanchard Springs Cavern Recreational Area in Mountain View, Arkansas

5 Family Friendly Things To Do In Mountain View

June 24, 2024

For the past two years, I have been going to an acupuncturist on a regular basis. My mom and I get up early one morning every week to make the trip to Mountain View. We were familiar with the area, what there was to do, and where to shop based on past experiences in the area and driving through it on our other travels. But being in Mountain View every week has made diligently seek out things to do and experience the town in a whole new way.

So far, we have explored a waterfall, state park, national park, folk village, festivals, crossed a swinging bridge, unique shops, shopped at the farmers market, and eaten at various restaurants around town. Even after two years of learning about the town, there is always something new to learn, a place to experience, a shop to visit, and/or a place to eat. We love that Mountain View has so much to offer and have enjoyed getting to know so many locals. We are always asking them questions about the area, learning about their holiday season, and more just so we can learn more about this uniquely charming folkway town.

Mountain View

Established in the 1870s, Mountain View is known as being the “Folk Music Capital of the World.” This small town embodies a unity of fellowship, support, and charm. Located in the Ozarks, this town focuses on tourism and offers a vast array of unique festivals, shops, amazing food, and hospitality at its best.

Mountain View’s Chamber of Commerce describes the town as being an immersive experience. With attractions like zip lining, a state park, hiking, waterfall, cave, swinging bridge, and more, I would agree that Mountain View is more than just a small town nestled in the Ozarks. Afterall, the area offers a plethora of Bed and Breakfasts, cabins, and other rentals for a reason.

This town is full of traditional trades, such as dulcimer creators, blacksmiths, and more. Featured on the Arkansas PBS show Urban Forge: Ozark Artistry are Mountain View locals who are keeping the skill of metalsmithing alive in their normal lives. While in town, tourists can visit the blacksmith shop and dulcimer shop to see these artists at work and purchase their own treasures.

Attractions in Mountain View

When you visit Mountain View, you are definitely going to want to experience hospitality at its finest by staying in one of their Bed and Breakfast’s! Located around the town square, you will have plenty of shopping and eateries within a short walking distance. Mountain View is centered and focused around its town square, so you will be right in the middle of everything while feeling like you have escaped to a different time.

Ozark Folk Center State Park

So, this state park is probably the most unique in the state. One of Arkansas’s five lodge parks, they are dedicated to preserving the crafts and culture of the Ozarks. The park has hiking trails, a craft village on site, a restaurant on site, concerts in the Craft Village, and shares the parking lot with a ziplining business. The Ozark Highlands Radio is a syndicated program on the stories and music of the Ozarks that is recorded at the park.

If you have an Arkansas State Park passport, do not forget to get a stamp while visiting!

Stone Drive-In Theater

If you like to watch movies on the big screen, then you will love the Stone Drive-In Theater! They are licensed to play big titles and they do it in the biggest way. All you need is a vehicle, radio to play the movie’s audio, and your sweetheart. Just drive on in, settle down, and snuggle up to popcorn in the middle of a field. Now, if that is not old-fashioned romance, I am not sure what is!

Stone County Museum

As a lover of museums, I always like to promote them to everyone I can. I find museums very intriguing, educational, and entertaining. At one museum, I got to fly a simulation airplane!

The Stone County Arkansas Historical Society manages the museum in an effort to preserve the history of its county. They are one of many museums across the state that have a barn quilt on display. So, if you are driving the Quilt Trail, be sure to stop by Stone County Museum for your next quilt block.

Housed in a 1928 school building, the museum’s building is listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places. Renovations are being made in hopes of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

If you want to visit the museum, be sure to call before you go. They are typically open April through October, when Mountain View is at its best. Sometimes during their open season, their volunteers may be unable to open the museum. So, just give them a call ahead of time. Make sure to allow time to explore the museum, as you can expect to spend at least an hour browsing their exhibits.

Peace Pole

The Peace Pole is a memorial located in an often not-so-easy-to-find place. Just off Main Street going west, AmVets Post #7 hosts the pole. It was designed and created to reflect the Ozark region. You will find the phrase “May Peace Prevail on Earth” inscribed on the stone pole in several languages. The North is in Cherokee, West is in Wolof, South is in modern English, and East is the Irish-Gaelic tongue. This phrase was meant to reflect the early inhabitants of Stone County and the Ozark region.

City Park

So, the first time I visited Mountain View’s city park, I just needed a place to stop with my dog. I was very impressed and have since gone back. They have a nice ADA walking trail, disc golf course, sports courts, and other things to do at this park. Definitely not the kind of park that I am used to! The city park is even in walking distance of the square and local Bed and Breakfasts. It is the perfect place to take a walk, get some fresh air, and enjoy time with the family.

Mountain View is the perfect place to vacation or retreat to for relaxation and adventure. The town is quiet and quaint. Bed and Breakfasts are bountiful and provide true Southern hospitality. You will not run out of things to do during your stay. And if you do happen to get bored, visit one of the area attractions – Turkey Creek Schoolhouse, Swinging Bridge, Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail, Blanchard Springs Cavern.

In The Area Attractions

Turkey Creek Schoolhouse

Located about 12 miles south of Mountain View is Turkey Creek Schoolhouse. Unfortunately, this is strictly a roadside attraction, as it resides on private property.

Swinging Bridge

About 6 miles north of Mountain View is a town called Allison. Located at Angler’s Resort is a historical swinging bridge that you walk or drive across.

Mountain Biking

If you are really adventurous, you might enjoy one of Mountain View’s mountain bike trails. There are three of different lengths – White River Bluff is 1.3 miles, Scrappy Mountain is 3.8 miles, and Bad Branch is 5.6 miles.

Blanchard Springs Cavern

A little over 12 miles north of Mountain View is Blanchard Springs Cavern and Recreation Area. During the open season, you can enjoy a pleasantly cool tour through the cave. Located at the Recreation Area is Old Mill and Mirror Lake, which provides fishing and a year-round waterfall over the dam.

What is your favorite thing to do in Mountain View?

Spring River Dam at Mammoth Spring State Park in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas

5+ Family Friendly Things To Do In Mammoth Spring

June 14, 2024

My parents got a divorce when I was a little girl. While it was a good thing for my parents, it was not something that was easy to handle – even in adulthood. My brother and I might have gotten two Christmas’s, but the “fun” of being a part of two households ended there and I dreaded Christmas time.

My dad’s entire life has been spent in Mammoth Spring. So, after the divorce, he stayed in the area and my mom moved away. Mammoth Spring has always been what I consider to be a small town with its own culture. Everyone knows each other because no one moved off after high school graduation, so gossip runs rampant (among the locals and only about the locals). Main Street was a traditional dying downtown that was in desperate need of restoration. And the worst part of my childhood in Mammoth was spending every single weekend on the Spring River. I literally hated the river, being in my swimsuit, and forced to “swim” or “play” in the river. All my childhood memories of the place were painted grey because of the divorce situation.

As an adult, though, things are very different. I only got to experience the environment that my dad created, which was not the best. So, I saw all the rough spots of the area and barely any of its good, attractive qualities. One of the only good spots we got to enjoy as kids was Mammoth Spring State Park, which was a gold mine for us kids! Now, I love going back to Mammoth just to enjoy how wonderful of a place it is to visit!

The Town of Mammoth Spring

Located on the border of Thayer, Missouri, Mammoth Spring is a very unique town. It offers an abundance of shopping, dining, and recreational activities for everyone in the family. Named after one of the world’s largest springs, Mammoth Spring (the spring) is known for its trout fishing.

Founded in 1883, a strategy to grow the town was created. So, the town was promoted to Memphis investors as a site for manufacturing operations, which would create industry, money, and new residents. During this time, Napoleon Hill, a Memphis millionaire, built an upscale resort hotel in Mammoth Spring. His hotel, The Nettleton, is said to have rivaled any hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It operated from 1899 to 1932, when the hotel was sadly destroyed by a fire and never rebuilt.

Since the town borders Missouri, they get a lot of traffic from travelers. While it is hard to miss the Arkansas Welcome Center and Mammoth Spring State Park, it is easy to miss the great things to do in town if you do not plan a day or weekend trip to stay and play. Listed below are some of Mammoth Spring’s most notable and family friendly reactional activities that are worth experiencing. While visiting these places and exploring Mammoth Spring, do not forget to go into town and enjoy their local dining options, shop the antique stores and boutiques, and take amazing family pictures (or selfies) in this nature-filled town.

Arkansas Welcome Center

Located at Mammoth Spring State Park, the Welcome Center is a great place to stop for brochures and information on places all over the state of Arkansas! They have a little gift shop inside if you need to pick something up on your visit. If you have your Arkansas Historic Preservation Program passport, you can get it stamped at the Welcome Center.

After browsing the Welcome Center, do not forget to take your journey outside to Mammoth Spring State Park.

Mammoth Spring State Park

Mammoth Spring is a National Natural Landmark, as it is the world’s 10th largest spring. The spring has nine million gallons of water that flow every hour. Mammoth Spring State Park consists of a 10-acre lake, remnants of a mill and hydroelectric plant, 1886 Frisco train depot and museum, walking trail, playground, picnic area, baseball field, Civil War cannon, Arkansas Welcome Center, and gift shop.

The 1886 Frisco Depot Museum is the oldest railroad station in the state and open to the public. Inside the museum, you’ll be transported back to the early 1900s, where custom-sculpted lifelike figures portray train passengers, crew, and depot crew. Located next to the museum is a Frisco caboose that is also open for tours.

Both the Mammoth Spring Dam and Lake and the Kansas City, Fort Scott, and Memphis Railroad Depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Not only can you get a stamp for your State Park passport but also your Arkansas Historic Preservation Program passport at the Welcome Center.

Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery

Established in 1903, Mammoth Spring NFS is one of the oldest National Fish Hatcheries in the country. They raise aquatic species for both conservation and recreation purposes. The Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery was built in this location due to the availability of the cool flowing water from Mammoth Spring. The hatchery offers an Aquatic Conservation Center and Aquarium for visitors to enjoy. Regular outreach events are offered for educational purposes.

The Spring River

If you are an outdoorsy person, then you will love Spring River! Since the river is fed by Mammoth Spring, it is a popular destination year-round due to its dependability. You can float, canoe, and/or kayak on the cold river that attracts people every year to camp, fish, swim, and play. There are several campgrounds and outfitters on the river that provide put-in/out service and transportation back to your vehicle. Stay the weekend and camp on the campgrounds, make new friends, party or keep your trip family friendly. In the right places, the river can offer swimming. But get proper guidance and information before getting out on the water, because Spring River has strong currents and can cause serious accidents if not careful.

Walnut Valley Farms

Walnut Valley Farms provides a unique farm experience to everyone who visits. They are a small family farm that specializes in pastured lamb. The family revitalized a 100-year-old farm that now hosts Spring Lamb Days and Christmas on the Farm, where you can hold baby lambs, get your picture taken with them, and shop local vendors. The farm is also available as a venue for events. Be sure to contact them if you want to learn more about sheep farming!

Jim Hinkle/Spring River State Fish Hatchery

The Jim Hinkle State Fish Hatchery produces more than 1 million rainbow trout every year. The trout are distributed in the Spring River, Blanchard Spring, Bull Shoals and Greers Ferry tailwaters, South Arkansas trout waters, and the Family and Community Fishing Program’s seasonal trout ponds. They are open for tours and host a kids fishing derby every year.

Have you ever visited Mammoth Spring or camped on the Spring River? Tell us about your trip!

Potts Inn Museum in Pottsville, Arkansas

Potts Inn Museum: Best Preserved Antebellum Stagecoach Station

June 10, 2024

Potts Inn Museum is known for being one of the Butterfield-Overland mail route’s best-preserved stagecoach stations between Fort Smith and Memphis. Built in the 1850s, it is a perfect example of antebellum architecture.

Potts Inn

The story of the Inn began with a young bachelor named Kirkbride Potts. Traveling from his home in Pennsylvania with two families of slaves, he settled south of the Arkansas River. After meeting, falling in love, and marrying Pamelia Logan, they moved to Pope County. The Potts started with a two-story log cabin that served as a family home and business location. With their 11 children and all the travelers stopping at the home, the Potts needed a new home that would better serve their family and business.

To earn the money needed to build a new home, Mr. Potts tried mining for gold during the Gold Rush in the 1840s. His first visit to California proved useless mining, but profitable to sell beef to the miners. Initial construction of their new home began in 1850 and took 8 years to complete.

John Butterfield started the Butterfield Stagecoach Line when the government needed a standard way to transport mail from coast to coast. The line served both the public and mail system. Potts Station was the only stop in Arkansas, which caused the construction of extra barns on the property for the stagecoaches, their horses, and equipment. The Butterfield-Overland mail route was so important to the country that it is registered as a National Historic Trail.

Over the course of the family’s history, the Potts house served many purposes, such as a post office, inn, tavern, and many other businesses. It played a role in the Civil War and is vital to our mail, as it was part of the Butterfield-Overland mail route. Several books have been written showcasing how important Potts Inn has been to our country. The town of Pottsville was even named after the Potts family.

Potts Inn Museum

Potts Inn housed the original family until 1970 when it was sold to Pope County and became a museum. Original log cabins were later moved to this location to house personal collections. The bank and pharmacy buildings were added to the museum, as well. The Pope County Historical Foundation now manages the property and does an excellent job.

A part of the Museum is the Citizens Bank Building and the Teeter Medical Collection (my favorite). These locations are typically only open during Butterfield Day. Both structures are located across the street from Potts Inn.

Some of the original windowpanes are still in place and the molds used to make the chimney’s bricks are preserved. The Inn houses original furniture and household items, as well as period furnishings and furniture donations. As a result, the Inn is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Butterfield Day

Every year, Potts Inn Museum in Pottsville is host to Butterfield Day. A celebration of being a stop on the Butterfield-Overland mail route, this day is filled with excitement, interesting collections, more museums, Civil War reenactors, antique car show, and so many more fun things to do! On any other day, Potts Inn is a museum with original and period furnishings.

Upon hearing about Butterfield Day and all the things they planned for the event, my mom, dog, and me organized a road trip to experience it for ourselves. Our itinerary for the day included Potts Inn in the morning and a state park afterward. And we might have stayed at Potts Inn too long because it was such a good event!

Our time at the event started with a browse through and lovely conversations with the vendors set up on the property. We then took a walk around the property and admired the antique cars in the show. Making our way in and out of the log structures was a unique experience. Each cabin showcased a different collection of unique items. We saw the trends of attire since 1870, hat collection, Indian artifacts, and a doll collection of all the First Lady’s dressed in a replica of their inaugural gowns (my mom’s favorite). A one room pioneer log cabin and barn were also open for tours.

The event hosted a regularly scheduled Civil War Reenactment that included information on rifles used during that period and canon shootings. Scattered throughout the property were more reenactors that were quite lovely. Stationed inside the Potts Inn, they gave information on the Potts family and their home.

The entire experience was well worth the drive to Pottsville! Potts Inn Museum is a must visit for anyone interested in history. Butterfield Day is the best time to visit, though. As their annual celebration day, admission is free, both the Citizens Bank Building and Teeter Medical Collection are open, tours are given on the property, Civil War reenactments occur all day, vendors of all sorts are set up, and an antique car show takes place. For more information on Potts Inn Museum, please visit their website.