The Ozark Folk Center is a state park aimed at educating visitors about the rich cultural legacy of the region. Meet with blacksmiths and basket weavers, take a seat in the 1,000-seat auditorium to listen to concerts by local celebrities and explore the center’s heritage herb garden to learn about the indigenous plants and traditional cuisine of the Ozarks. Two on-site restaurants serve traditional Southern dishes while lodges in the park allow visitors to stay the weekend surrounded by the mountain terrain.
Begin your trip to the Ozark Folk Center by exploring the craft village. Speak with storeowners, who wear traditional attire, to hear about the customs and crafts of the region. Stop by the blacksmith to learn how metal items have been made in the Ozarks for centuries. Basket weavers, knife makers and potters can all be found within the craft village.
Take in some live music from local musicians in the craft village music pavilion. Daily concerts feature various styles of local folk music, including string bands and bluegrass groups. Visit in the evening to take in larger shows with multiple acts in the Ozark Folk Center auditorium. Each April since 1963, the center has hosted the famous Ozarks Folk Festival, an event during which you can see world-famous groups over a single weekend.
Taste the flavors of the mountains by dining at one of the two restaurants in the park. Visit the Smoke House for barbecued and smoked meats in a casual environment or take a seat at the Skillet Restaurant for Southern food. Gaze through the wide window panels of the restaurant to watch native animals in their natural habitat.
The Ozark Folk Center is located just outside the town of Mountain View, 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of Little Rock. The center has a season that operates from late March until late November and is closed Sundays and Mondays during these times. Accommodation is available year-round in cabins in the park. A fee applies to visit the craft center and auditorium.