Ozark Folk Center State Park/Winthrop Rockefeller Center Culinary Tour

Get back to the basics of life -- and cooking -- in Mountain View and Morrilton.

Day 1

Mountain View is home to Ozark Folk Center State Park, America's only facility that works at preserving the Ozark heritage and presenting it in an entertaining way. Here you can enjoy herbs, gardens, music, and crafts. The town is known as the “Folk Music Capital of the World,” and has a thriving arts community. You can also explore the underground wonders of Blanchard Springs caverns.

Arrive at the Ozark Folk Center. Tour the herb garden, where you can purchase heirloom plants. There is also a village to explore and see demonstrations such as blacksmithing, and basket making. Browse the pioneer village gift shop where you can order country food gift baskets, hard to find books, and southern music. Sample country cooking at the Skillet Restaurant. Catch a music show, where you can tap your toes to traditional American mountain music. The center also offers lodge rooms. Or spend the evening on the downtown square.

From Mountain View, take Ark. 9 to Ark. 16 to U.S. 65. Follow 65 to I-40. Take the Morrilton exit, and follow Ark. 9 to Ark. 154, where you can follow the signs to WRI.

Day 2

From Mountain View, take Ark. 9 to Ark. 16 to U.S. 65. Follow 65 to I-40. Take the Morrilton exit, and follow Ark. 9 to Ark. 154, where you can follow the signs to WRI.

The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute in the central part of The Natural State entertains and educates with food in a classroom designed specifically for culinary arts. The Saturday Chef’s Series is a one-day, hands-on class for recreational cooks. Chef-On-Call is a special session of the one-day class that can be scheduled for organized groups. The classes at the Institute are very popular, as is this facility for its amenities and proximity to Petit Jean State Park.

• Arrive at WRI, grab an apron, and start cooking if you’ve signed up for one of the special chef classes.
• OR, tour the Heritage Farmstead. This demonstration garden serves as an example of a self-sufficient farm, and includes orchards and a heritage garden of indigenous plants. You can also tour the museum, browse the gift shop, or walk one of the trails.
• Head home if you must. But if possible we strongly suggest you enjoy dinner at the Institute’s River Rock Grille, and then relax at the private club (free membership) before heading to your cozy lodge room.