Arkansas might not be on most people’s bucket lists, but it is full of wonderful sites to see! From natural beauty to outdoor recreation to historic and cultural sites, there’s something for everyone in the state. Here are our 7 favorites!
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Hot Springs National Park
If you love history and relaxation, you definitely should have Hot Springs National Park on your Arkansas itinerary! First, check out Bathhouse Row. Dating from 1892 to 1923, eight historical boathouses were built for guests to enjoy the relaxing natural hot springs in the area. Today you can go back in time by touring the bathhouses, learning about their history, and even enjoying a bath or spa treatment.
Active travelers will enjoy the hiking trails in the park suitable for different skill levels. If you prefer not to hike, you can enjoy scenic drives that offer great views of the stunning landscapes. There’s also opportunities for boating and fishing in the area. For a great view of the entire area, take a ride up to the top of Hot Springs Mountain Tower.
The park has camping options available, or you can stay nearby. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only place in the world where you can dig for diamonds and keep anything you find. So it’s possible a few hours of labor could pay for your entire trip to Arkansas! It’s not likely, but 35,000 diamonds have been found. The most notable was a 40+ carat stone, the largest diamond ever found in the U.S.!
You can bring your own mining tools or rent them on-site. Stop by the park’s visitor center to learn more about diamonds and how to search for them. After you find your jewels (or need a break), take advantage of the park’s hiking trails or picnic areas. In the summer, cool off at the Diamond Springs Water Park featuring water slides, cascades, jets, and more!
The park has camping options available, or you can stay nearby. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
President Clinton Sites
No matter what your political leanings are, learning more about how a poor kid from Arkansas became President the United States is inspiring. So spend a little time during your Arkansas sojourn visiting President Clinton sites.
The first site to visit is William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum located in Little Rock. The library includes archival collections and research facilities which might not sound that exciting. But most will enjoy the museum featuring replicas of White House rooms, photos, videos, interactive exhibits, and artifacts from the Clinton presidency.
Go all the way back to the beginning of President Clinton’s life by visiting the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site in Hope. You can take a 25 minute guided tour of the home and see exhibits about Clinton’s life in the Visitor Center.
Finally, you can visit the Clinton House Museum where President Clinton and First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Rodman Clinton lived in Fayetteville during the early years of their marriage. They married in the living room in 1975, and there’s a replica of Hillary’s wedding dress on display. The house also contains exhibits with artifacts from the Clinton’s early years in politics.
There are several great places to stay nearby (Little Rock, Hope, Fayetteville). There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area (Little Rock, Hope, Fayetteville).
Walmart Museum
Arkansas is the birthplace of Walmart, the retailer that has changed all of our lives. The Walmart Museum features exhibits from the store’s history. Highlights are a humorous returned items display and the office of founder and CEO Sam Walton exactly as it was when he passed away in 1992. The complex also contains the Walton’s 5&10 store, Walton’s original variety store that inspired today’s big box stores. Perhaps most compelling is the Spark Café where you can enjoy a scoop of blue and yellow ice cream specially made for the museum.
There are several great places to stay nearby. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Castles in Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a charming place to visit. Known for it’s Victorian architecture, the city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You will enjoy exploring the town’s shops, art galleries, and beautiful buildings. While you are there, make sure to check out the various castles in the area:
- Castle Rogue’s Manor – a 15,000 square foot structure built in 1985 with 13 bedrooms, guard towers, and a great hall. You can experience fine dining and lodging on site, as well as take a guided tour.
- Magical Castle Treehouses – designed to emulate a 16th century castle, this hotel features a variety of themes such as hobbit caves, treehouses, grottos, and cottages.
- Quigley’s Castle – known as the “Ozarks Strangest Dwelling,” this unusual house features 28 large windows that showcase the towering flowering plants and trees growing indoors. Visitors to the house can also enjoy garden with over 400 types of flowers.
- Stonehaven Castle – you and 12 of your friends and family can rent this castle on 52 wooded acres on airbnb!
If you decide not to stay in one of the castle hotels, here are other great places to stay nearby. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Rush Historic District
The Rush Historic District is part of the National Park Service and is a ghost town located in northern Arkansas. Rush was a mining town established in 1885 after zinc was discovered in Rush Mountain. An oversupply of zinc in the marketplace after World War I led to the decline of the town by 1931.
Visitors to the town can take advantage of several trails established by the National Park Service. The Morning Star Mine Loop Trail is 0.3 mile taking you by wooden houses and the general store, smelter, livery stable, and mill. The Rush Mountain Trail is a 3.4 mile loop trail that takes you by the abandoned mines. You can’t enter the mines, but you can peer inside through the metal bars covering the entrance.
While visiting Rush, you can also take advantage of Buffalo River National Park. This is America’s first “national river” established in 1972 to preserve the river and defeat a proposal to add two hydroelectric dams. While visiting, you can hike, ride horses, fish, and paddle down the river.
You can camp at Buffalo River National Park. There are several other great places to stay nearby. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
Ozark National Forest
Ozark National Forest is located on 1.2 million acres in northern and central Arkansas. It features three of Arkansas’ tallest mountains and five wilderness areas. Visitors can explore scenic trails, swimming holes, waterfalls, springs, and caves.
Key sites include the following:
- Alume Cove Natural Bridge Geologic Area – a 20 foot wide natural stone bridge spanning 130 feet.
- Pedestal Rocks Scenic Area – featuring the 1.7 mile Kings Bluff Loop trail leading to the tallest waterfall in the Ozarks and a 2.2 mile Pedestal Rocks Loop trail featuring unique rock formations.
- Lake Weddington Recreation Area – listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the lake has six historic cabins, a lodge, bathhouse, and boat ramp, and offers camping facilities, fishing, boating, and swimming.
- Ozark Highlands Trail – for the truly industrious, this 270 mile trail traverses the most scenic parts of the forest.
The forest can also be seen on several of Arkansas State Scenic Byways, including the Scenic 7 Byway, Pig Trail Scenic Byway, and Sylamore Scenic Byway.
You can camp or rent cabins in the forest. There are several great places to stay nearby. There are also several other fun things to see and do while in the area.
What’s on your Arkansas trip itinerary?
These are just 7 of the sensational sites to see in Arkansas. But the state is full of many more incredible destinations that are worth exploring. Tell us below where you plan to visit!
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