The Užupis district is sometimes compared to Montmartre in Paris or Christiania in Copenhagen. It is a self-declared republic of artists. The district has its own president, constitution (displayed on the wall on Paupio Street), anthem, military, day of celebration (April Fool's Day) and a guardian (the bronze angel). Užupis stands for creativity and uniqueness.

In the Céramique district, you still feel the industrial past, even though you’re standing in the newest and most modern part of the city. It’s the kind of place where you look up and keep looking, to take in the impressive architecture, even as the ground around you buzzes with culture and activity. Céramique arose in the early 1990s on the site of ‘Société Céramique,’ a ceramics factory that operated from 1850 to 1985, best known for its tableware. When the factory was offered for sale to the municipality in the late 1980s, the idea to redevelop the area as a quality residential and commercial district quickly emerged, and Government Architect Jo Coenen was engaged to develop a master plan. One of his fundamental premises was to bring something of a Mediterranean feel to this part of the city. To achieve this, he brought in luminary architects from southern Europe for the design of the various residential and business complexes. The result is a total package of architectural high point after high point, like Mario Botta’s ‘La Fortezza,’ Alvaro Siza’s ‘Tower of Siza,’ and perhaps the crowning glory, Aldo Rossi’s Bonnefanten Museum. But despite all the forward-looking architecture, the connection to the past remains, in the street names, remnants of older buildings and tableware that turn up unexpectedly, and the exhibitions in the Bonnefanten Museum and Centre Céramique. Each and every one is a golden thread of history interwoven into the fabric of today.

Nestled amidst the Ozark Mountains is Table Rock Lake, a Mecca for aquatic enthusiasts and fishermen. Swimming, wakeboarding, skiing, tubing, racing, and diving can all be done in the lake, while hikers will find the endless trails and wildlife alluring. Underneath Table Rock is the massive Missouri cave system—which is also open for exploration. Fishermen will be interested to know the record largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and other fish that reside at the lake. And all of Branson’s attractions lie just beyond the hills.

Lake Taneycomo is accessed by way of Downtown Branson, south of Highway 76 in Hollister. The lake is clear and coldwater, restocked each year with around 750,000 rainbow and brown trout. There are full-service marinas, outfitters, resorts, campgrounds, and RV parks on Lake Taneycomo, making it a great vacation destination.