Eureka Springs Arkansas

When it comes to natural preserves no state is more focused than Arkansas with fifty-one state parks and numerous outdoor activities for travelers to choose from. Arkansas features a wide variety of lowlands and highlands along with two major mountain ranges, the Ozarks and the Quachitas. There are several good museums and cultural experiences in Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas.

The central point of Little Rock is the Central High Museum and Visitors Center which showcases the history of the endeavor to stop racial segregation in public schools. The River Market downtown is an excellent place to go if you want to eat at an excellent restaurant, find entertainment or just walk around and do some shopping. For the family travelers there is the Museum and Discovery and the Children’s Museum. For the outdoor individuals there is Burns Park which is one of the largest city parts in the United States. Another excellent option for families is Gator Park which features go-karts, mini golf and other family activities.

There is a variety of accommodation options in Arkansas from large luxury resorts to lodges to motels to small rustic inns. You can get a complete listing of all available accommodations at http://www.arkansas.com. However, if you are looking for a good historic hotel consider the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa in Eureka Springs or the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock.

If culture is your thing then you should visit the Arkansas Art Center in Little Rock which has the largest cultural institution in the state and has exhibits located in seven different galleries. Also included is the Arkansas Museum of Art and the Arkansas Children’s Theater.

For the movie buffs there is the Old Grist Mill in Little Rock. It is a full authentic reproduction of a grist mill powered by water. The actual building was built in 1933 but is designed to look like it was built in the eighteen hundreds. It is currently the only building still standing that was used in the film Gone With the Wind.

For a truly unique experience you should visit the Crater of Diamonds State Park. Not only is this a public diamond mine but the company also lets visitors prospect for their own diamonds. If you happen to find a diamond while you are there then you get to keep it. There are even exhibits that will show you the history of diamonds in Arkansas. This is a truly unique experience that you can’t get anywhere outside of Arkansas. So if you like to visit unique attractions while traveling this is a must stop for you. No matter what your preferences you will find something to good when you are visiting Arkansas.

Arkansas has adopted the Natural State slogan because of its rolling mountains, scenic lakes and rushing rivers, but it also has a number of historic sites. Many of its most popular attractions are in the northwest quadrant, so this article starts in Little Rock and travels clockwise through this portion of the state, outlining a 5-8 day itinerary, which can easily be combined with a trip to nearby Branson.

Little Rock

Even though the Clintons now live in New York City, they have brought activity and attention to the area. The Clinton Presidential Library and Park, recently opened to the public, sits at the lip of the Arkansas River.

Central High School is a reminder of our divided past. Nine African-American students were escorted by military forces in 1957 into the school, finally testing the Supreme Court decision requiring classroom integration.

The Old State House Museum houses a museum of state history and is known as the site of President Clintons election night celebrations in 1992 and 1996. The Old Mill, across the Arkansas River in North Little Rock, is famous for being the site of the opening scene in Gone With the Wind.

Fort Smith

Judge Isaac C. Parker made the Fort Smith National Historic Site in his 21-year stint as the Hanging Judge. Two recreated walk-in jail sites and the remains of two military posts offer glimpses into the areas dangerous frontier foundations. The gallows, recreated for modern visitation, was capable of hanging more than six men at a time.

The Boston Mountain Scenic Loop near Fayetteville is a terrific introduction to the fantastic vistas of the Ozark Mountains. Take a scenic ride on the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad over three high trestles and through the highest pass between the Rockies and Appalachians aboard vintage passenger cars.

Fayetteville/Rogers/Lowell

In Fayetteville tours and attractions are available for every season. Withrow Springs State Park along War Eagle Creek offers a plethora of outdoor activities for the active bunch, and natural hot water springs for those wanting a relaxing dip.

Travel north to the Rogers-Lowell area. War Eagle Cavern, Beaver Lake, and the Ozarks themselves are three spectacular reasons that Arkansas is known as the Natural State. The cavern features a rim stone dam, underground stream, stalactites and stalagmites, as well as a gift shop. Beaver Lakes 28,000 acres offer every water activity imaginable, including scuba diving.

Eureka Springs

This village nestled in the Ozarks became popular in the late 1800s because the healing powers of its natural springs led to the development of spa resorts. Today the area is packed with antique and craft shops and boutiques, set in Victorian architecture along narrow, winding streets. The Great Passion Play here is the nations most attended outdoor drama.

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