The Missouri Ozarks: Land, Lore and Living Traditions

Tour Dates: April 21-26, 2027
Tour Arrival: Wednesday, April 21, 2027 – Arrive at Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF)
Tour Departure: Monday, April 26, 2027 – Drive to Bentonville, Arkansas, arriving by 3 p.m. local time for Global Week
Cities/Towns Visited: Springfield and Branson

**This tour may involve outdoor adventures and high energy activities.

Go beyond the expected and discover the wilder side of the Missouri Ozarks, a region where rugged landscapes and generations of tradition have created a culture all its own. This journey through Springfield and Branson explores the connection between the Ozarks landscape and the people who have called it home for generations.

Explore caves, forests and waterways, step inside museums and historic places that bring the region’s stories to life, and meet the people carrying Ozarks traditions forward through craftsmanship, music, food and folklore. Hands-on experiences and outdoor adventures reveal how the same landscape that shaped daily life here for generations has evolved into a destination for exploration and adventure today.

More than a trip through the Ozarks, this is an opportunity to understand the people, places and living traditions that continue to shape the region’s identity. Journalists will come away with stories rooted in nature, heritage and authentic connections, along with a deeper understanding of a part of Missouri that rewards those willing to venture beyond the expected.

Destination Highlights:

Springfield – “Gateway to the Missouri Ozarks”
The journey begins with two nights in Springfield, offering an introduction to the landscapes, stories and traditions of the Missouri Ozarks. The city serves as a gateway to a region shaped by its natural surroundings and generations of Ozarks culture.

Branson – “Traditions of the Ozarks”
Three nights in Branson provide time to explore another side of the Missouri Ozarks. The experience connects outdoor adventure with the craftsmanship, music, food and folklore that have helped define the region and continue to keep its traditions alive.

Outdoor Adventure

The landscape is an essential part of the Ozarks story. Caves, forests and waterways provide opportunities to get outdoors and experience firsthand the natural environment that has influenced life in the region for generations.

Caves & Forests: Explore the rugged natural features that distinguish the Missouri Ozarks and discover how the landscape has shaped both the region’s history and its modern identity.

Waterways: Experience another defining element of the Ozarks through its waterways, connecting outdoor recreation with the natural resources that have long influenced communities throughout the region.

Hands-On Adventure: This tour may include outdoor adventures and high-energy activities, giving journalists opportunities to experience the Ozarks rather than simply observe them.

Arts and Culture

Ozarks culture is rooted in traditions passed from one generation to the next:

Craftsmanship: Meet people carrying regional traditions forward through hands-on skills and craftsmanship, revealing how Ozarks heritage continues to evolve.

Music & Folklore: Explore the music, stories and folklore that contribute to the Ozarks’ distinctive identity and connect today’s communities with generations past.

Museums & Historic Places: Step inside places that preserve and interpret the region’s history, providing context for the people, landscapes and traditions encountered throughout the journey.

Food: Discover how local food traditions contribute to the broader story of Ozarks culture and offer another way to connect with the people who call the region home.

Story Ideas

The Missouri Ozarks: The South’s Wild Side
Discover a different side of the American South in the Missouri Ozarks, where dramatic landscapes, spring-fed rivers and caves meet generations-old mountain traditions, distinctive music and food, and small-town character.

  1. Beyond the Expected: Discovering the Wilder Side of the Missouri Ozarks
    Explore the caves, forests and waterways that have shaped the region and now provide a backdrop for outdoor adventure.
  2. Living Traditions: Meet the People Keeping Ozarks Culture Alive
    Follow a journey built around participation, from outdoor adventures to encounters with regional craftspeople, musicians and other tradition bearers carrying the culture of the Missouri Ozarks into a new generation.
  3. The Sound and Stories of Missouri
    Dive into the music, geography and folklore that give this upland-southern region a distinct cultural identity.
  4. Springfield to Branson: A Journey Through the Missouri Ozarks
    Connect Springfield and Branson through a broader exploration of the natural landscapes, historic places and living traditions that tell the region’s story.

Limited spots are available, and these Global Week Press Trips are offered first-come, first-serve. Don’t delay – contact your recruiter today to begin your exploration of Missouri, the Show-Me State.