Have you ever found yourself on vacation but feeling overwhelmed with all the choices? You want to have a good time but you simultaneously cannot stand the idea of hitting up another tourist trap?

After 2 years in the Ozarks, that’s exactly where we are at! Here are 5 ways to make any vacation a whole lot more interesting. And, if you’re in (or headed to) the Ozarks, I’ve included my personal recommendations for each!

Here are our Ozarks Family Vacation tips for spicing up your next trip.

1. Participate in a Local Scavenger Hunt

Get out and explore a historic downtown area on foot. You’ll get so much more out of the experience than fighting for parking spots and spending most of your time zooming by eclectic shops instead of actually taking the time to go in.

Try: A Family-Friendly Scavenger Hunt in Bentonville, Arkansas

2. Try a Local Food Tour

Eat like a local by grabbing a list of top 10 local food joints and heading out for a snack-size portion of the best eats on the menu at each location. In the Southern US…make sure you find a great BBQ place, chicken and waffles, and something with the full range of spice.

Try: Top 10 Places to Eat in Bentonville, Arkansas

3. Find a Local Festival

This one is a little more difficult to do on the fly, but if you are planning in advance, check the local fairs and festivals and try to match your dates up. One thing I have been perpetually disappointed in down here is the quality of community and county fairs. I guess I am just accustomed to a little more oomph and a lot more nostalgia.

Try: Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival at Beaver Lake

4. Try Something New

Even if you’re not the traditional outdoorsy type, I highly recommend signing up for an outdoor adventure with a local outfitter. Sure, that’s the type of stuff we like to do so it’s an easy yes for me…but it’s also, hands-down, the best way to have a new experience.

Try: Guided Horseback Trail Rides at Flint Creek Stables

5. Tour Famous Historical Sites

Literally make a day of exploring local history. Down here, there is no shortage of options. You can drive the mother road (Historic Route 66), tour civil war battlefields, and hike portions of the Trail of Tears.

Try: Pea Ridge Civil War Battlefield

Planning a vacation or a weekend getaway to a new area can be a bit challenging. The problem is…you don’t know what you don’t know. I generally find that it takes 2 or 3 trips to an area to begin to scratch the surface on what I would really like to do.

Ozarks Family Vacation Tips from a Local in Bentonville, Arkansas

When it comes to the Bentonville area, the city has a hipster vibe. If you enjoy mountain biking and craft brews, there will be no shortage of things to do and see. They even have a few bike-up bars so that you can combine the two.

Generally speaking, it’s a fairly safe city. I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable hitting the town as a solo traveler. But there’s one thing you’ll notice right away…there’s a real shortage of drinking holes that serve reasonably priced beverages.

I mean, if you enjoy $22 margaritas with about 2 sips in the cup, you’ll find those places…but good old dive bars are not a thing here. Benton county was historically a dry county so aside from a few trendy food and beverage establishments, there isn’t really anywhere to go out and have a good time.

Instead of going out to the bar, dip your toes into the sport of mountain biking. Try something new and rent a mountain bike (yes, they are different from normal bicycles) to discover what the hype is all about and get in touch with Bentonville culture!

Check out: Mountain Biking Beginner’s Guide

First Time Guide: How to Rent Bike in Bentonville