Includes Branson, Springfield & Northwest Arkansas

Th e Ozarks region has become the destination of choice for music lovers seeking bluegrass or classical, devoted foodies looking for down-home rib shacks or 5-star cuisine, culture mavens searching out the gems of Branson, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to glide along lazy rivers snaking among rolling hills. This in-depth, native’s-eye view of the varied region that sprawls from Missouri to Arkansas flavors discriminating information with anecdotes and historical facts.

Ron W. Marr grew up in the Ozarks and lives there still. He is a columnist, editor, and the founder of Trout Wrapper magazine.

"The Ozarks is a vast region that covers part of two states: Missouri and Arkansas. But nowadays it seems most people associate it with just one town, wildly popular Branson, Mo., considered by many to be the Nashville of the Ozarks. As this guidebook makes clear, though, there is so much more to this area. You'll find all kinds of things here: antique shops, bluegrass music (of course), caves (an estimated 5,500 in the Missouri Ozarks, 2,000 in the Arkansas Ozarks), Civil War battlefields, museums, wineries and even the Wal-Mart Visitor's Center (the international headquarters is here). In addition to the lengthy Branson chapter (almost 50 pages alone), the guide also covers Route 66 country, the Lake of the Ozarks and the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. It features detailed descriptions, too, of where to stay and eat. Author Marr sums up the area best when he writes, 'The Ozarks are a real place, but in a sense they are also a state of mind.' He then encourages visitors to adopt 'our Hillbilly Zen attitude of `you either is ... or you ain't.'" —Chicago Tribune