Top things to do

This family-owned and -operated music store is a cornerstone of the Mountain View roots-music scene, and has a fantastic stock of mandolins, banjos, fiddles and more. You'll often find musicians jamming on the front…

The spectacular Blanchard Springs Caverns, 15 miles northwest of Mountain View, were carved by an underground river and rival those at Carlsbad. It's another little-known, mind-blowing spot in Arkansas. Three Forest…

We can think of few more appropriate places for this three-day celebration of bluegrass music, which goes off at the Ozark Folk Center. You need to buy tickets in advance.

In April, the entire town of Mountain View becomes a main stage for the musical folkways of the Ozarks during the Arkansas Folk Festival.

The Tommy's Famous Pizza and BBQ is run by the friendliest bunch of backwoods hippies you could hope to meet. The barbecue pizza marries Tommy's stated specialties indulgently. The affable owner, a former rocker fro…

The town's top cultural attraction, just north of Mountain View, hosts ongoing craft demonstrations, a traditional herb garden, and nightly live music that brings in an avid crowd. Beyond those shows, the center mai…

If you've never heard a dulcimer, they sound like the stringed instrumental version of birdsong on a spring morning. This shop (or 'shoppe') provides some beauties, in terms of both form and their sound.

This country-fried cafe serves up some truly tasty diner food done with flair; think spinach-stuffed pork loin and fresh-grilled rainbow trout caught in local rivers. Cash only.

This standby serves up American style eats – plate lunches and dinners that are of the meat-and-three variety. The food is just alright, but it's right on the square where most outdoor performances happen, which is …