Road Trip Highlights: Unexpected Gems in the Ozarks and Great Plains

Much to our surprise, our loosely planned road trip turned into a smooth-sailing Point A to Point B experience. Brian and I had our doubts, especially as we’d been brainstorming activities for each day the evening before. These last-second arrangements were unintentional, of course, resulting from both unexpected news and travel. We had our sights set on a weekend full of road trip research before we left home, but life happens!

And so, we Googled on the fly, zeroing in on what caught our eye along the way. Honestly, we would have benefitted from more prep time, but it wasn’t in the cards. Between the hurried pace of a last-minute trip impacted by blizzard delays and weeklong sleep deprivation, we managed as best we could. It was the kind of trip that unfolded exactly as it needed to, encouraging us to move slower and be more selective with our plans.

Favorite Road Trip Finds

During our West Coast getaway in 2022, we drove 3,000 miles and stayed at eight different locations over the course of two weeks. This trip exemplified our love for the open road and exploring on our own terms. I’d been anticipating our next long road trip adventure ever since. There’s a spirited freedom that comes from being in the driver’s seat, propelled by the ease of independent travel and the excitement of curated routes. I love being able to venture off on our own, visiting what resonates with us and discovering new corners we haven’t yet explored.

As we forged ahead with loose plans, our 10-day journey led us to lots of memories, delightful local interactions, and unexpected gems. Here were some of our favorite stops along the way:

Arkansas

Quapaw Baths Public Thermal Pools

Hot Springs, Arkansas, has been a longtime destination for those in search of healing and relaxation. Native Americans considered the area neutral ground, allowing members from different tribes to gather and heal in the “Valley of the Vapors.” It would eventually become a bustling health spa city in the mid-19th century.

Known for its thermal waters, bathhouses, and outdoor activities, Brian and I couldn’t wait to experience it for ourselves. The legacy alone made Quapaw Baths feel like a natural stop for us. It reminded me so much of our experience at Ojo Caliente in New Mexico, where Brian and I once spent an afternoon soaking in mineral-rich pools as the desert sun slipped into darkness.

Superior Bathhouse Brewery

Housed in what was once a traditional bathhouse, Superior Bathhouse Brewery is the only brewery located within a U.S. National Park. Even more interestingly, it’s the only one in the world that uses thermal spring water in its brewing process! Naturally, we had to try it.

Brian and I kicked things off with their “Beer Bath,” a full lineup of 18 tasters that let us sample everything on tap. We liked all of them! A few stood out immediately, like the Cream Ale with hints of vanilla and honey, the subtly spicy Jalapeño Ale, and the refreshing Honey Basil Blonde.

For dinner, we shared gochujang wings and a hearty double-patty burger topped with bacon jam and pepperjack with a side of sweet potato waffle fries. Man, oh man, it was a stellar meal and an ultra-satisfying way to close out our first full day of our road trip. Sadly, we have no photos of our food, since we immediately devoured it!

We highly recommend popping into this local gem. Even if you’re not a drinker, you’ll surely appreciate their delicious food and non-alcoholic beverages, including their house-made root beer made from thermal spring water and sweetened with local honey.

Kansas

Strataca: Kansas Underground Salt Museum

Neither one of us knew much about Strataca before our visit, which made the entire experience feel a bit like childhood wonder. The museum sits 650 feet below the surface within an active salt mine, operated by Hutchinson Salt Company. It began operations in 1923 as the Carey Salt Company after tapping into one of the world’s largest rock salt deposits. This salt deposit, created 275 million years ago from ancient seabed layers, stretches beneath Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Salt Blast Pass

With our Salt Blast Pass, we enjoyed a 2.5-hour self-guided tour, which included a 15-minute train ride and a 30-minute Dark Ride. The narrated train ride takes visitors into parts of the raw mine that exists as it did 50 years ago. The Dark Ride, on the other hand, offers more in-depth narration of the structure, mining history, and geological formations.

Visitors can get off the tram at a single designated stop to choose a piece of souvenir salt. At one point, the tour even included a total darkness experience, something I personally loved! In fact, as we sat in the pitch-black darkness, I mentioned to Brian that we should rewatch The Descent again. Let’s just say he wasn’t as inspired as I was.

The interactive exhibits, train ride, and tram tour taught us a lot about the mines’ history and geology. It was pretty neat to learn that the salt mined today is largely used for winter road safety all over the country.

Strataca offered fascinating insights into this salty slice of earth below the surface. We explored the operations of Hutchinson Salt Company, learned about a miner’s workday, and saw how this natural resource continues to impact our lives today.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Allen House

I couldn’t believe our luck when I found a Frank Lloyd Wright home minutes from our stay. Originally, I had hoped to visit the Price Tower in Oklahoma, Wright’s only skyscraper. However, in true last-minute fashion, I learned it sold last year and was no longer open to the public! Womp womp.

This disappointment led me to quickly check for other nearby Wright homes open for tours. Enter the Allen House, Wright’s final prairie-style design. Brian and I managed to snag two of the last tour slots available. We joined a 90-minute docent-led standard tour. While we would have loved the grand tour for the garden house addition and interior photography, we were just happy to be there!

From the moment we stepped into the foyer (or welcoming room), I was completely in awe. The continuation of exterior brick, the geometric harmony, and the seamless integration of indoor-outdoor elements echoed the defining artistry and spirit of Wright’s architectural style. Beautiful.

Our guide Nancy shared the home’s history and brought it to life with stories of its design and preservation. She highlighted intricate details, including the home’s original art glass and repetition of geometric intention. I especially appreciated the smartly concealed radiators, which were tucked behind wooden screens and bookshelves.

The home features more than 30 pieces of original Wright-designed furniture. It also displays items donated by the great grandchildren of the original homeowners, Henry and Elsie Allen. The Allen House is a beautifully preserved property that feels more like stepping into a piece of art than touring a home. With this home, Brian and I have now visited five of Wright’s designs. Each one continues to inspire us and deepen our appreciation for his work.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Our visit to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve didn’t go quite the way we had imagined, but it still left an impression. Just a day earlier, we were basking in a sun-soaked day with nearly 80°F temperatures, only to be met with freezing rain and lows in the 30s! It wasn’t exactly the most ideal hiking conditions, but we made the most of it. We were determined to experience the prairie in whatever way we could!

Brian and I set out for a short hike, taking in the vast openness of the prairie set against the stormy backdrop of gusty winds and moody clouds. The land stretched before us in what seemed like endless rolling hills.

We spotted a couple of bison far below in the valley, but the real highlight was the pure solitude. With no one else (silly enough to be) on the trail, we felt like we were on our own little adventure. Disappointingly, intense lightning forced us to cut things short, and so we swiftly sought shelter in the visitor center.

The park rangers immediately greeted us and asked, “How far did you guys get?” They spotted us heading out and chuckled as the freezing rain pelted us. We shared a laugh about our misadventure and the total 180 from the day before. They were so friendly! Brian and I took a spin through the center, watched a short, informative video, and read up on the local wildlife before reluctantly making our way back to the car.

It wasn’t the kind of hiking we had hoped for, especially considering the preserve has over 40 miles of hiking trails. However, it was still an experience that gave us a peaceful and beautiful glimpse into a landscape we were grateful to explore, even briefly.

Oklahoma

Amelia’s Wood-Fired Cuisine

Fine dining isn’t usually something we go for, even less so while we’re on the road. But Amelia’s Wood-Fired Cuisine caught my eye, as it is a qualified restaurant within the Chase Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables program. Our credit card membership grants us a $300 dining credit, issued in two $150 amounts every six months.

It’s not often we find ourselves in Tulsa, Oklahoma, so we decided to treat ourselves to something outside the ordinary. Thanks to our dining credit, a good portion of the cost was covered. Brian and I both selected Amelia’s five-course winter tasting menu. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared, offering a range of flavors and textures that kept us wanting more each time.

From the citrus-forward sea bass crudo to the hearty, wood-grilled filet mignon, each course was strong on its own yet flowed seamlessly from dish to dish. We enjoyed the richness and depth of the milk-braised rabbit pappardelle, which truly was a luscious, warm hug on the palate (and in our bellies)! The flourless chocolate torte wrapped up our meal with just the right amount of sweet indulgence, though Brian had to finish mine. A bit too rich for me!

As expected, the portions were more refined than filling (read: we left hungry). All in all, we appreciated the quality and care behind each plate. The restaurant itself was cozy and unpretentious, and the service was warm enough without being overbearing. True to form, Brian and I reserved an early bird time and slipped out just as the space began to fill.

Greenwood Rising and the Legacy of Black Wall Street

Our visit to Greenwood Rising was one of the most impactful moments of our entire trip. Located in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District, this history center tells the story of Black Wall Street. Once known for its thriving community of Black entrepreneurs and families in the early 1900s, this community was tragically destroyed during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Through interactive exhibits and powerful storytelling, the center honors the legacy of Black Wall Street, walking visitors through the rise, destruction, and ongoing legacy of the area.

It’s an incredibly somber experience that honestly reflects the pain and devastation caused by hate and ignorance. Brian and I had some prior knowledge from a documentary we watched years ago, so we were grateful for the opportunity to visit the district before leaving Tulsa.

Missouri

Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area

By the time we arrived in Branson, we were definitely slowing down. Our energy was running low from minimal sleep and being on the move. I had been looking forward to exploring some of Missouri’s caves. The state is famously nicknamed the ‘Cave State’ due to its more than 7,500 recorded caves, several of which offer guided tours. As I blearily researched caves around us, I found that most tours were still closed for the season and wouldn’t be open until April.

I’ll admit I was a little bummed. As I mentioned, I love a good cave experience… So a return trip is most definitely in order. Still, Brian and I decided to pivot to something a bit more accessible. Not more than 15 minutes from our accommodations, we found a few hikes nearby. We made our way to a trail within the Lake Forest Wilderness Area, a wooded 140-acre park in the Ozarks.

Featuring 5.3 miles of hiking trails, a waterfall, and caves, this nearby spot felt like a low-key adventure to get us moving without totally exhausting ourselves. Brian and I followed the Lakeside Bluff Trail, making our way through wooded pathways, open meadows, and cliffside edges.

It led us to a steep series of 338 hand-laid stone steps that brought us to Old Soldier’s Cave and a small waterfall. While the hike itself wasn’t particularly long, the descent (and eventual climb back up) gave us just enough of a challenge to break a sweat without pushing too far. We may not have explored all of the trails within the park, but this quick evening stroll offered a great introduction to the surrounding landscape and scenic highlights.

A Trip Worth Repeating

Not everything needs to be planned to feel worthwhile. Brian and I didn’t hit every stop we originally had in mind, and we certainly didn’t plan for everything we experienced. But that’s life, right? It’s a mix of intention and adaptability, paired with a little faith that things will work out just fine. Were we tired before we even started our trip? You bet.

But instead of letting that low energy take over, we chose to work with it. The spirit of the road trip was still very much present, from the possibilities of the open road to the small-town charm and the freedom to wander. We were honest about what we could realistically take on and what could wait for another time. Instead of rushing from place to place, we enjoyed what we could, when we could.

We might not have experienced all the must-see highlights, but it was enough. More so, it was meaningful. And from these experiences, we learned that there is still so much we’d like to see and do within this region; it’s a trip we’d happily take again.

What’s one unexpected gem or place you visited that left you wanting to come back for more?