Mountain View (Arkansas)

Mountain View is in the Ozarks region of Arkansas. Its location in the scenic Ozark Mountains of North Central Arkansas makes it a worthwhile destination and many visitors return time & time again. Being known as the "Folk Music Capital of the World" is likely Mountain View's biggest claim to fame, but many have discovered the numerous outdoor activities in the area and the close proximity to the Ozark Folk Center, the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, and Blanchard Springs Caverns. == Get in == All of the roads leading into Mountain View are Arkansas state highways - specifically, Arkansas 5, 9, 14, 66, and 87. You will need an Arkansas highway map to plan your journey. Be aware that most of the roads leading in curve and twist due to the geology of the region. If you need to fly to get to Mountain View, your best bet may be Little Rock. From there, take Interstate 40 to Conway, then US 65 to Clinton, and finally Arkansas 9 to Mountain View. == Get around == Mountain View is a small town with little or no transportation issues. A car is probably the best way to get around, but you can also tour the town by bicycle or on foot. == See == Mountain View centers around a lively Court Square which features a majestic limestone Courthouse and the same cut stone on buildings clustered around the square. Music rings from every corner of the downtown courtsquare as visitors stroll between impromptu gatherings of musicians. Banjos, dulcimers, guitars, fiddles and other acoustic instruments play the tunes of century old folk songs just about every night of the week during the season. Those who come to listen are invited to bring their lawn chairs and wander from group to group listening to the offerings of traditional hill music, folk music and the occasional bluegrass or gospel group. Radiating out in all directions from the Courtsquare are scenic drives which lead to awesome caverns, crystal clear streams, rivers teeming with fish, world class mountain bike trails and some of the prettiest hillsides you've ever seen. Yet, Mountain View has most everything a person needs to carry on daily life, including a top notch hospital, a fine school system, numerous banks, grocery stores and a variety of locally owned shops of all sorts. == Do == Mountain View is nestled into the hills and valleys of the beautiful Arkansas Ozark Mountains. Touched by the White River and several year-round creeks and springs, the area around Mountain View offers breathtaking scenery and a variety of outdoor activities especially suited to families with kids. Come catch a trout, camp, take a hike, mountain bike, ride a horse, drive a boat, explore a cave, or float a canoe through the natural beauty of this scenic area in north central Arkansas. You will even find one of the few remaining drive-in movie theaters in the state that still shows first run movies. Everywhere you go, the area rings with the sound of Mountain, Folk and Bluegrass music. Musicians gather nightly during the season to play on the Historic Courthouse Square, along with offering a variety of music theaters and "pickin' barns". Celebrate April in the Ozarks at the Arkansas Folk Festival and savor beautiful fall color in October during the BeanFest & Championship Outhouse Races. Enjoy spending the day at the Ozark Folk Center, which is dedicated to the preservation of the music and crafts of this culture. == Buy == Visit Mountain View and you might take home a mountain dulcimer, a hand forged iron fireplace tool, or hand-thrown pottery. Shops housed in picturesque limestone buildings brim with antiques, music instruments, collectables of all types and arts & crafts hand crafted in Arkansas. Our shopkeepers are known for their friendly manner and can help direct you towards fun activities throughout Stone County. Crafts are an integral part of life in Mountain View, as they were the pioneer skills of yesterday. Pottery, basketry, broommaking, weaving, quilting, blacksmithing, and candlery were necessary skills in a culture that was isolated and self-sufficient at one time. Today, beautiful arts & crafts made by local artisans are found in gift & antique shops located throughout the area. The Arkansas Craft Guild is a craft cooperative supporting traditional craft skills in north central Arkansas and maintains a gallery in Mountain View. A perfect opportunity to tour area artists studios and watch them creating their art is during the "Off the Beaten Path" Studio Tour, the 3rd weekend in September. == Eat == Discovering new favorite dining spots is one of the great joys of traveling the Ozarks. Enjoy the down-home tastes of fried catfish, savory barbeque, and succulent steaks. Don't miss old fashioned beans & cornbread and homemade pies. One is apt to see folks gathered at outdoor dining tables on the Courtsquare enjoying a sandwich, salad or cone of ice cream, while listening to area musicians play the old time tunes. == Drink == Mountain View and Stone County are "dry" counties, so those who plan a trip to the area and enjoy having a glass of wine or a beer in the evening must plan accordingly. == Sleep == After a day of exploring the beautiful Arkansas Ozarks, a traveler needs to rest and recharge for the many activities available in the Mountain View area. Whether you prefer a bed & breakfast, cabin or cottage, guest house, motel, resort or RV park; Mountain View has it all. A variety of accommodations can be found in town near the action on the Courtsquare, close to shops, restaurants and music. Or hang your hat at one of the on the many resorts, motels or cabins on the scenic White River or Sylamore Creek. You will be right in the heart of world class trout fishing, challenging mountain bike trails and hiking & horseback trails for the entire family. Best Western Fiddlers Inn, 601 Sylamore Avenue, ☏ +1 870 269-2828, fax: +1 870 269-2570. == Go next == Mountain View is the gateway to Blanchard Springs Caverns, known popularly in a Life magazine article as "the cave find of the century". There are two main ranger-guided tours. Mountain View and the surrounding Stone County area offers a relaxed lifestyle, mild climate, plentiful outdoor opportunities, and a moderate cost of living. No wonder that so many come for a visit and stay for a lifetime!