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A spring weekend in the Ozarks is an experience like no other. And the small town of Mountain View deep in the Ozarks Mountains is no exception! This tucked-away community of 2,911 (according to the 2020 Census) is hidden in the curvy roads next to the Sylamore and White Rivers. The views are spectacular, the outings are memorable, and the food is delicious!
We took a weekend trip for a friend's wedding in April of 2022. Ross had some wedding duties to tend to so I had the perfect opportunity to explore Mountain View as a tourist.
I started out the weekend by staying at my first ever bed and breakfast, Ozark Country Inn Bed and Breakfast. This is run by the sweetest retired couple. They were both there to greet us and welcome us to the property and show us to our room.
Our room had a queen-size bed that was super comfortable, a private bathroom, and
came with complete access to a community fridge, coffee, tea, cokes, and a few snacks.
Once we unpacked our things we took off to a local restaurant for dinner. We ate at Wing Shack, which is a local burger joint. The layout of this restaurant is so easy to navigate and be well taken care of. You order at the front, grab your drinks and take a seat. A waitress or waiter brings out your order once it's ready. Drinks are self serve and the burgers are phenomenal! Ross and I both had one. I couldn't even finish mine.
After dinner, we grabbed a few snacks from Walmart and hung out at the bed and breakfast. The porch of this historic home built in 1906 was out of a southerner's dream. The wildflower garden, southern home decor, and sweet sound of windchimes took us both to a simpler time of life. Once the sun had set, we took a stroll downtown. The bed and breakfast is only a 200-yard walk away!
Downtown Mountain View is a unique experience. Bluegrass music fills the air and retired couples meander around and find benches to sit and listen to their favorite songs. The downtown shops are open a bit later so you can also find yourself a cool drink and warm snack to fill up your belly.
The bed that evening was comfy and I woke up to the smell of bacon frying in the kitchen.
Breakfast was served at 8 am sharp! I woke up a bit earlier and grabbed a fresh cup of coffee while I enjoyed the morning songbirds on the porch. I wandered my way inside with the other 8 people who had stayed the previous night and enjoyed a hot breakfast with all local foods. The bacon was from Petit Jean Meats, the pancakes were made from batter put together in Arkansas, the pears were picked from the tree in the backyard, the pecans were freshly cracked from the backyard and the syrup was from a farm near Moutain View. It was one of the best breakfasts I've ever had! I talked with an older couple from Hot Springs Village who shared their adventures around the United States. I shared the most special places in Arkansas they had to visit. And we all bonded over the virgin cocktail mix of orange and cranberry juice. (You should really try it!)
After breakfast, I packed up my things and began to explore the town. My first stop was at a local coffee shop called Moonshot Coffee. The fresh espresso was so yummy and gave me the energy I needed to roam Walmart to collect my lunch.
The rest of the morning I spent meandering the grounds of the Ozark Folk Center State Park. This is the most unique Arkansas State Park I have ever visited. I shopped in the visitor center and bought a cookbook or two, and paid my way to see inside the village. The village consisted of small shops and exhibits about the historical Ozark culture of the Ozark Mountain Region. I spent HOURS walking around and talking to artists, historical reenactors, candle makers, herbalists, and musicians. I left with a few bars of soap for us to use and memories that will last a lifetime.
After a quick lunch in the parking lot, I made my way up to Gravity Brew Works in Big Flat, AR. The drive was about 30 minutes from Mountain View and took me through open forests in the Ozark National Forest. This brewery has a nice outdoor seating area that included a covered pavilion, picnic tables, and open green space. I enjoyed a flight of beers that the brewer's hand-picked for me based on my favorite beers from other breweries in the state. It was beautiful! The sun was shining, the wind was blowing, and I had the afternoon to sip and enjoy.
That evening we attended our friend's wedding. (Congrats to Nash and Mary!) They got married at Shelton's Big Flat Getaway in Big Flat, Arkansas. The view from their ceremony was of a valley that had so many mountains you couldn't even count them all. The best part of any wedding is the food and this one was no exception. They had the best BBQ. My personal favorite was the ranch potato salad. You just can't beat it.
That evening, we stayed in a cabin nearby in Harriet, Arkansas with our friends Dru and Michelle! This was a great cabin (Airbnb). It was an easy drive from the wedding venue. The back porch ended up being the hangout spot. We stayed up far too late and woke up bright and early the next morning to eat at one of my all-time favorite breakfast stops... Ferguson's!
Ferguson's is near Gilbert, Arkansas. This restaurant is known for its cinnamon rolls that are the size of a large human's head. They are huge! The meal is completely homemade complete with drop biscuits. I had their french toast. The warm maple syrup just completed the weekend on the highest note.
After breakfast, Ross and I took the scenic route back to the home place in the Delta. On our drive home, we reflected on the weekend and all of the fun adventures we had together and apart. And we concluded that we definitely need to take another weekend trip to Mountain View soon.
Who's ready for your next weekend trip?!
Want all of the perks of a weekend trip with none of the stress of planning? Book Following the Fernweh to plan your Arkansas adventure for you! Contact us at followthefernweh@gmail.com for inquiry!
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