My husband grew up in Eureka Springs, AR. His father was the manager of an old lumber company where all of the gingerbread trim for the Victorian homes was cut. By the time he became manager in the ‘60’s production had stopped, but all of the belts and equipment were still in the shop.
Eureka Springs was a popular health resort in the 1890’s and at that time was the second largest city in AR. The town is built on a the side of hills so you are either walking uphill or down. A very unique place to visit.
Avoid the Ducks in Branson. Just sayin'. In fact, avoid Branson altogether.
If you like art, the Crystal River Art Museum in Bentonville is worth a stop. See where all that Walmart money is going.
Bella Vista is beautiful.
If you're starting in Kansas City leave a day or two to see the town. National World War I Museum, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Negro Leagues Baseball Museum are all worth a stop. The National Airline History Museum is kind of neat - that's at Wheeler Airport. And of course there's pan-fried chicken and barbecue.
Big Brutus, a giant excavator that is no longer in operation is worth stopping for the opportunity to go crawl around inside the thing.
West Mineral Kansas just outside of Joplin
https://www.bigbrutus.org/visitor_center.html
It’s BBQ in Harrison AR has the best pulled-pork sandwich in the entire region. It’s worth the drive.
Must agree, Thorncrown Chapel is a must see. Eureka Springs also.
https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/devils-den-state-park Been here, it’s very nice if you like hiking and nature.
Dickson Street Bookstore in Fayetteville
Whatever you do, don’t transport Ginseng across those state lines.
Jeff Sessions will have to wake up and put you in jail if you do.
Once you cross the border into Arkansas you won’t need your shoes and there will not be any indoor plumbing.
Just south of Joplin and north of Neosho is Hatfield’s Meats. Best smoked meats for a thousand miles. Bring a big cooler. You can’t go wrong with anything, but I’m partial to the bacon, beef sticks, and the whole smoked chickens. Everything’s good, though.
Thorne Crown Chapel while modest in size is magnificent if not too crowded. Three others have recommended it. I took an architect friend of mine from Mexico there and he was overcome with emotion and had to sit down. It was morning light breaking through after a shower. Designed by Fay Jones whom the School of Architecture at Arkansas is named after. If you understand what it took to create it in its setting it is awesome.
Fred’s Hickory Inn in NW Arkansas is a good stop.
If you have little kids try Silver Dollar City.
For a trip back to the 1890s stay at the Cresent Inn in Eureka Springs. Old but interesting. I was there the night Nixon preformed the Saturday Night Massacre.
There is a fly fishing store between Lebanon and Bennett Springs that is famous and like Fibber McGee’s closet. I would pay to just bring a stool and sit in it. Reading’s Fly is the name. Weavers is also interesting.
If writing and history is your bag go to the home and museum where Laura Engels Wilder wrote her books in Mansfield, MO. My wife has been twice in the last eight years and would go every year if we had the time.
You just missed the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout which is a giant high speed boat race weekend. Amateurs and pros. Big and little.
Look up Big Cedar Lodge. It is owned by the guy that founded Bass Pro Shops. It is very unique. It is south of Branson.
Remember in your planning and what looks like a short distance may take more time on winding Ozark roads.
Super safe in NWA. Stay away from Mexican chicken fights and dog fights and you’ll be fine. Drunk driving from local college your biggest threat. Great food up there. If you get past Conway into Central Arkansas, have body armor and spare magazines.
I’ll add one vote for Crystal Bridges Art Museum in Bentonville. It’s free but an admission fee is charged for traveling exhibits. Check their calendar and, if it is in your travel schedule, the “cultural” evenings with dinner may look pricey but it’s an outstanding experience. If you stop in Springfield, next to the Bass Pro Shop is Wonders of Wildlife which has a fantastic aquarium...it’s big, big, big and takes about three hours to see it all; freshwater and saltwater sea life plus alligators, sharks, endless varieties of fish.
We haven’t been there, but if you are so inclined, the Steamboat Arabia Museum in Kansas City should be worthwhile.
Go 680 miles west on I-70 to Fairplay, CO. The scenery is a lot better. Be prepared for some wheezing at 11,000 feet, however.
LOCK AND LOAD, STAY OUT OF W. MEMPHIS, AR.
I highly recommend Turpentine Creek, Eureka Springs, AR. They have dedicated their lives to rescuing and saving the big cats, who live in beautiful large enclosures. They have lodges for overnight stays, and you can hear the big cats at night. A delightful experience you will never forget.
https://www.turpentinecreek.org/
I’ve never been there, but the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, has been pointed out to me as a worthy place to visit for anyone going into north-west Arkansas. The museum was found by Sam Walton’s daughter, Alice Walton. It was founded in 2011, so it’s fairly new.
There is a Frank Lloyd-Wright Pavilion on the museum’s grounds and a restaurant called “Eleven.”
You can read more about it before making the effort (I wouldn’t want to steer the OP wrong on a place I’ve never visited) on Wikipedia and at their website. Search for: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art