road trip

I grew up in Springfield, Missouri and since it’s within driving distance from Austin, we make the long haul about once a year. For this visit, however, I decided to make it into a road trip adventure that I think every family would enjoy, especially the “glamping.”

Here’s a step-by-step guide to a super fun, unique (albeit some may call hillbilly – but in the most endearing way), family-friendly vacation. Even if you can’t fit it in this summer, put it on your “to-do” list for next year!

Day 1: Drive from Austin to Hot Springs, Arkansas (470 miles, without stops about 7 hours…but this is a road trip, there were stops!)

  • Stop 1: Sulphur Springs, Texas – visit (and if you’re daring, maybe use) the one-way glass public bathroom on the square on College St.
  • Stop 2: Texarkana, 500 Wood St., Texarkana, AR – be in two states at one time! Stand with one foot in Texas and the other in Arkansas.
  • Stop 3: Yurt lodging at Catherine’s Landing (we stayed 2 nights). It costs $125 per night for a deluxe yurt (king-sized bed, bunk beds, table, refrigerator, air conditioning, deck, grill and fire pit). We stayed in yurt #7, which we thought was the most secluded. Beautiful location with trails, disc golf, gym, lake, pool, biking. I even enjoyed a trail run. 
  • Dinner: Phenomenal NY-style pizza at DeLuca’s – but you need to call and reserve your dough!
  • Optional activity: Crater of Diamonds where you can dig for real diamonds (website says one diamond is found a day). We opted against this due to the heat. I’ve been told it’s hard to find anything. It opens 8 am, recommended to wear old clothes and shoes, bring shovels, buckets and strainers (or rent there).
In two states at one time!

Day 2: Explore Hot Springs

  • Morning spent at Catherine’s Landing biking and relaxing.
  • Escape Hot Springs puzzle room – so great for all ages with nicely timed hints. We barely escaped the “Bathhouse & Gambler” room!
  • Bailey’s Dairy Treat – Bill Clinton rumored to have worked there as a teen; 510 Park Ave.
  • Visit the Arlington Hotel – grand and historic, and across the street from the natural pools of the very hot springs; 239 Central Ave.
  • Grilled hot dogs and made s’mores using the fire pit outside our yurt.
  • Optional activity: Magic Springs and Crystal Falls Water Park. I’ve heard it is a lot of fun. Due to limited time, we opted to stay in town.
  • Optional activity: Visit a bath house. Buckstaff offers a 30-minutes whirlpool mineral bath, 501-623-2308 (minimum age is 10).
Yurt living is easy (our yurt is in background).

Day 3: Drive from Hot Springs to Eureka Springs (200 miles, about 4 hours, very scenic drive)

  • Breakfast at the Pancake House in Hot Springs (not the nicest service, but a good country breakfast)
  • Lodging in Bam Bam’s Bungalow at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge – the proximity to the tigers and lions is phenomenal! The “tent” we stayed in was air conditioned with a queen-sized bed and bunk beds, a table and refrigerator (stocked with free snacks). Bathroom was nearby with shower. Cost was $165 for four people. I cannot rave enough about this sanctuary! 
  • Great walking tour with extensive education about the lives of the rescued cats (and bears).
  • Witness feeding time – purely “savage”(!) but such an experience.
  • A visit with the animals at dusk.
  • We heard the lions roaring and purring all night…our own safari adventure. 
  • Dinner at Rockin’ Pig Saloon – appears to be a biker bar, but super friendly with fantastic food!
Our bungalow is only feet away from tigers and lions…and bears, oh my!

Day 4: Drive from Eureka Springs to Branson, MO (50 miles)

  • Great breakfast at The Filling Station (in Eureka Springs).
  • Short drive to Branson through winding, scenic roads.
  • Stayed at a price-conscious hotel, Branson Towers (reserved online for $100). Kids were disappointed there weren’t any “towers” as the hotel name implied (but happy there was a bathroom in our room for the first time in days and an indoor pool). Note: Big Cedar Lodge is a great resort right outside of Branson. I didn’t chose it due to our budget, but it would be a wonderful place to spend a few days.
  • Ate at Outback (local, not the chain) known for their alligator tail.
  • Saw Rick Thomas, an illusionist show at the Andy William’s Moonlight Theater (cheesy but fun). Get discounted, reliable and easy ticket sales here. 

Day 5: Silver Dollar City! Best amusement park in the world, set in the late-1800s. Great rides (roller coasters, adventure rides, wet rides), lots of shade, shows, see craftswomen and men in action, handmade crafts. $5 off coupons available online.

Day 6: Drive from Branson to Springfield, MO (30 miles)

  • Stay at Hotel Vandivort for a 4 star experience in my hometown (close to the birthplace of Route 66 and the famous Wild Bill Hickok gun duel on the square). It’s a modern hotel with great views of downtown. 
  • Family fun options include: The Discovery Center, Founder’s Park, Jordan Valley Park, the Mediacom ice skating arena, the original Bass Pro Shops (with a renovated wildlife museum opening in the fall) and Hammon’s Field, home of the Springfield Cardinals.
  • Mamas – if you want an empowering and fun full body workout, check out The Studio.

Day 7: Drive from Springfield, MO to Austin, TX (600 miles)

  • As our friend Willie sings, “On the Road Again,” take a deep breath, and go for it! Oklahoma has never looked so…flat. But, you’ll have a lot to reminisce about on the drive home to Austin.

Congratulations, you have officially experienced the beautiful Ozarks and have taken a piece of it back with you!

Brittany Jedrzejewski
Brittany’s two children (now a teen and a tween!), have gifted her with the most beautiful name (and role) in the world. Their journey together inspires her to pursue her passion of writing, a powerful catalyst that brings mothers together in sisterhood. As the Preemptive Love Coalition says, “When we live like we all belong to each other, we answer much of the longing in the world.” Brittany is grateful for a work-life balance in digital marketing @gemalto and as a brand architect working with female entrepreneurs who are making the world a better place for their clients. She’s also an outdoor lover, reader, memory maker, runner, joke teller, ambassador for the poor. Looking to publish The Virtual Village. She has a great Brad Pitt story and uses Instagram @brittfarjed to tell her story.

2 COMMENTS

  1. This is perfect! I have been thinking about a “hillbilly” road trip for years and just couldn’t find the time to research. Maybe this will be our summer 🙂

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