Things to do in Arkansas
-
William J Clinton Presidential Center
The William J Clinton Presidential Center houses the largest archival collection in presidential history, including 80 million pages of documents and two million photographs. Peruse the full-scale replica of the Oval Office, the exhibits on all stages of Clinton's life or the gifts from visiting dignitaries (such as Lance Armstrong's yellow jersey). The entire complex is built to environmentally friendly 'green' standards.
reviewed
-
Ouachita National Forest
The wild, pretty Ouachita National Forest is studded with lakes and draws hunters, fisherfolk, mountain bikers and boaters. The small roads through the mountains unfailingly bring hidden nooks and wonderful views. The Ouachita boasts two designated National Forest Scenic Byways: Arkansas Scenic Highway 7 and Talimena Scenic Byway navigating mountain ranges from Arkansas into Oklahoma.
reviewed
-
Delta Cultural Center
Year-round, blues fans and history buffs should visit the Delta Cultural Center, which is in two buildings: the Train Depot and the Visitor Center. The museum displays all manner of blues memorabilia such as Albert King's and Sister Rosetta Tharpe's guitars, and John Lee Hooker's signed handkerchief.
reviewed
-
Crater of Diamonds State Park
If you're wanting to test your luck and diamond-spotting skills, head to Crater of Diamonds State Park, where you can scour the diamond field in which three- to 40-carat diamonds have been found, and where valuable diamonds continue to be found today.
reviewed
-
Petit Jean State Park
The excellently maintained trails of Petit Jean State Park, west of Morrilton, wind past a lush 95ft waterfall, romantic grottoes, expansive vistas, and dense forests. There's a rustic stone lodge, reasonable cabins (per night $75), and campgrounds.
reviewed
-
Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park is a tiny preserve, has thermal waters in and around that spout a million gallons of 143°F (62°C) water daily from 47 natural springs, and attract modern-day pilgrims that bathe in or sip its waters.
reviewed
-
Homer's
Businessmen smoking stogies rub elbows with hunters in overalls and Air Force officers on break in this country-cooking venue famous for the under-the-table deals hatched under its roof. The chicken and dumplings and veggie plate are to die for.
reviewed
-
Hope Visitor Center & Museum
Clinton buffs might stop at Hope, where the ex-Pres spent his first seven years, but there's not much to see other than the spiffy Hope Visitor Center & Museum, in the old depot, and his boyhood home.
reviewed
-
Gangster Museum
See the intriguing underbelly of Hot Springs' history at the Gangster Museum, which explains the sin-filled glory days of Hot Springs when this small town in the middle of nowhere turned into a pinpoint of lavish wealth.
reviewed
-
Big Dam Bridge
You can't miss the Big Dam Bridge, which is the largest bridge built specifically for pedestrians and cyclists in the United States; it connects 15 miles of multi-use trails in Little Rock and North Little Rock.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Wiederkehr Wine Cellars
Wiederkehr Wine Cellars, one of the most notable vinery for tasting, which has an attached restaurant where the servers were described by one tourist as 'depressed grandmothers stuffed into lederhosen.'
reviewed
-
Hot Springs Mountain Tower
On the top of Hot Springs Mountain, the 216ft Hot Springs Mountain Tower has spectacular views of the surrounding mountains covered with dogwood, hickory, oak and pine - lovely in the spring and fall.
reviewed
-
Museum
On Bathhouse Row in the 1915 Fordyce bathhouse, the museum have exhibits about the park's history first as a Native American free-trade zone, and later as a turn-of-the-19th-century European spa.
reviewed
-
Wild Bill's
Wild Bill's in Yellville in Ponca arrange canoes or rafting trips (from $40 per person), tubes ($5), hiking tours, fishing trips and horseback rides. For weekend trips, reserve in advance.
reviewed
-
Buffalo Outdoor Center
Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca arrange canoes or rafting trips (from $40 per person), tubes ($5), hiking tours, fishing trips and horseback rides. For weekend trips, reserve in advance.
reviewed
-
Kelt's
Kelt's might be the better bet, with its full line of rich beers, and spoken menu of, among other things, home-cooked rib-eye steaks. It's a self-declared 'guilt-free zone.'
reviewed
-
Buckstaff Bathhouse
Note that spa service Hot Springs style is not usually a 'foofy' experience. No-nonsense Southern men and women whip you through the baths, treatments, and massages, just as in the 1930s.
reviewed
-
Old State House Museum
The Old State House Museum, the state capitol from 1836 to 1911, now holds impressively restored legislative chambers and displays on Arkansas history and culture.
reviewed
-
River Market District
The best stroll is in the River Market district, an area of shops, galleries, restaurants and pubs on W Markham St and President Clinton Ave along the riverbank.
reviewed
-
McClard's
Southwest of the center, Bill Clinton's favorite boyhood BBQ joint dishes up succulent ribs, slow-cooked beans and creamy slaw. This could be some of the South's best BBQ.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Madea's Home Cooking
It's the real deal. This tiny, bare-bones luncheonette serves delectable home-cooked chitterlings, purple-hull peas, and fried chicken, among other regional favorites.
reviewed
-
Ottenheimer Market Hall
Trawl the stalls for some good-value breakfast or lunch - you'll find everything from fresh fruits and pastries, to sushi, burgers and BBQ.
reviewed
-
Acadia
Acadia's multilevel, twinkle-lighted patio is a fabulous place to enjoy fancy-shmancy Southern dishes like smoked Gouda mac 'n' cheese.
reviewed
-
Chainwheel
Chainwheel is the best bike shop in town and can rent higher-end road or mountain bikes, depending on availability.
reviewed
-
River Trail Rentals
Rent a bike (or tandem) from River Trail Rentals - outside opening hours you can call for a reservation.
reviewed
