The Ozarks in northwest Arkansas are awesome and the place to visit is without a doubt Eureka Springs, and if you can get there, the Passion Play is a must see! It is incredible. And the shops in downtown Eureka Springs are delightful. It is a very artsy and charming Victorian style town nestled in the Ozarks and everything you will find there is quite unique and there is never a lack of wonderful food! And it is a photograpers paradise. I think on my first trip there I went through nearly 20 rolls of film.
Oh, and Tennessee is one of the prettiest states there is to drive through in my opinion, especially the eastern part around Chattanooga.
Here is a picture of one of the more famous houses in Eureka Springs done up in Christmas lights.