Van Buren Circuit Court is the circuit court of Carter County in the Thirty-Seventh Judicial Circuit of the Missouri Circuit court system. Hearings for city ordinance and traffic violations in the cities of Van Buren (US 60 and US 60 Bypass), Ellsinore (US 60, SR A and SR V) and Grandin (SR 21) are held in the municipal part of the Associate division of this court.

Big Spring, located South of the city, is believed to be the largest single-outlet spring in the United States and in the world. While you are here you might want to visit the Cave Spring park and Current River Cavern. This site is a decorated cave with a wide variety of natural cave formations and a stream flows through the tour passage beneath the boardwalk. After heavy rains a small waterfall can be seen flowing from a side passage. The cavern uses remote controlled, battery powered LED lights for lighting so that cave life remains undisturbed. The Van Buren Youth and Community center is equipped with a fitness center and hosts free skating for all area students every Wednesday.