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Arkansas Attractions

Looking for some things to do in Arkansas? Every city in Arkansas has something to offer! Here are some can't miss destinations for you try.

Arkansas Botanical Gardens

Nothing is better than spending the day outside surrounded in the beauty of nature. Nature can't get any better than Arkansas and Arkansas can't get much more beautiful than these public botanical gardens.

Arkansas Scenic Byway 7

If quaint towns, beautiful mountains, outstretched lakes, friendly people, history and never ending forest sounds good to you, you should spend a day exploring Arkansas Scenic Highway 7.

Arkansas State Parks

Arkansas has about 50 state and national parks. That's why we're called the Natural State. With all these parks, it's almost impossible to visit every one. Each one offers something special. These are, in my opinion, the can't miss parks in Arkansas.

Bentonville - Wal-Mart Visitor's Center

If you're a fan of Sam Walton or Wal-mart, take a trip to Bentonville to visit the Wal-Mart visitor's center. It's been described as "Disney World for Wal-Mart."
05 North Main Street
479-273-1329

Bismark - Degray Lake Resort Park

Visit Degray Lake State Park. Degray Lake is 13,000 acres complete with hiking, boating and even golf.

Brinkley - Louisiana Purchase State Park

The Louisiana Purchase State Park marks junction of Lee, Monroe and Phillips counties preserves the initial point from which all surveys of the property acquired through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 initiated. Today, it's a pleasant walking trail to a marker of that event.

Buffalo National Park - Float The Buffalo

This federally protected stream runs 150 miles. Fun for outdoors lovers or canoers of any level of expertise.
870-741-5443

Camping in Arkansas

Camping is one of the most enjoyable activities Arkansas families do in the summer but, you can go camping anytime you want to get away from the rush of city life. What can be more fun than camping?

Eureka Springs - Crescent Hotel

Have you always wanted to stay in a haunted house? Here's your chance! Crescent Hotel is legended to be haunted. If you don't believe in that sort of thing, it is still one of the nicest historic hotels in the state.
1-800-342-9766.

Eureka Springs - Gay Nineties Button and Doll Museum

A personal collection of dolls and button art on display.
US 62 E
479-253-9321.

Eureka Springs - Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Turpentine Creek shelters any big cat in need. Some of them have come from roadside zoos that have been closed. Some of them were kept as pets. Regardless, they all needed a place to go and it's hard to place a tiger or lion. That place is Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Eureka Springs Gardens

This garden has 33 acres of hardwood trees, select native plants and ever-changing flora. They have woodlands, meadows, hillsides and rock settings.
5.5 miles west of Eureka Springs, off Scenic Highway 62
479-253-9244.

Fort Smith - Hanging Judge Isaac Parker's Court

You've heard about "hanging judge" Isaac Parker, but did you know he held court in Arkansas? In 21 years on the bench, Judge Parker tried 13,490 cases, and one hundred and sixty men were sentenced to death by hanging. You can visit his court and gallows in Fort Smith.

Guy - Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary

Riddle's shelters any elephant in need no matter what species, sex or disposition. Most of the elephants at the farm are retired entertainers from circus elephants to elephants that small zoos could no longer support.

Helena - Blues Capital of Arkansas

Helena is the home of the King Biscuit Blues Fest every year. The Delta Cultural Center is in downtown Helena. It has some great exhibits on the history of the blues in Arkansas.

Hope - President Bill Clinton's Birthplace

The Hope visitor's center is housed in in the historic Missouri-Pacific Railroad depot. You can also visit Clinton's birthplace.

Hot Springs (near) - Lake Ouachita State Park

Lake Ouachita is known by fishermen as the premier destination for crappie, bream, bass, catfish and trout. It's a fun place for picnics, water skiing, swimming and other water sports. With over 40,000-acres, Lake Ouachita is even a good place for freshwater SCUBA diving.

Hot Springs - Bathhouses and Family Fun

Named a National Historic Landmark in 1987, The Row consists of eight bathhouses built around the turn of the century. The Fordyce serves as a visitor center and museum; the Buckstaff is the only working bathhouse on the Row.

Hot Springs - Garvan Woodland Gardens

Garvan Woodland Gardens is located just outside of Hot Springs. The gardens are a peaceful and serene location with plenty of benches to sit down and take them all in.

Hot Springs - Magic Springs / Crystal Falls

Magic Springs is Arkansas' theme park. They boast several roller coasters including the Arkansas Twister, a log ride and a few kiddie rides. Included in admission is Crystal Falls water park which features water rides.

Hot Springs - Oaklawn Horse Races

One of the top Thoroughbred race tracks in the country. Live races held during the first of the year. Simulcasting of races during summer and fall.

Inexpensive Day Trips

The average car gets at least 300 miles per tank. That's 150 miles to and from the location.

Mena - Queen Wilhelmina

Queen Wilhelmina is located in one of the most scenic parts of the state. Even the drive up is breathtaking. So much so, that a lodge was built in this location in 1897 for passengers of the railway that went through the area. It became known as the "Castle in the Sky," but was named after Holland's Queen Wilhelmina.

Morrilton - Petit Jean

Petit Jean Mountain is one of the best camping and hiking spots in Arkansas. It is a part of the Arkansas State Parks system.

Mountain View - Blanchard Springs Caverns

Blanchard Springs caverns are a popular destination because they are only a few hours from Little Rock and beautiful. It's a relaxing way to spend a day, but prepare for a nice walk and cool temps. 870-757-2211

Mountain View - Ozark Mountain Folk Center

Ozark Mountain Folk Center, Mountain View, music, history, Arkansas, crafts, quaint, legacy, living history, museum, crafts, Southern, square dancing, jigs, theater, craft village

Murfreesboro - Crater of Diamonds State Park

The world's only diamond site where anyone can prospect for diamonds. You keep any gems you find. Campsites, picnic sites, gift shop and exhibits.

Newport - Jacksonsport State Park & "Portfest"

Learn more about Jacksonsport State Park, the home of Portfest, on the White River in Arkansas.

North Little Rock's Old Mill

Photographs of North Little Rock's Old Mill. Although it really isn't that old, it was featured in Gone with the Wind and delights Arkansans year round.

Paragould - Crowley's Ridge State Park

Crowley's Ridge state park is a historic park with log cabins and a famous ridge.

Paris - Cowie Wine Cellars

This winery offers tours and tasting as well as a museum featuring scenes depicting the history of wine making.
Arkansas Highway 22
479-963-3990.

Paris - Mount Magazine

One of the newest state parks, Mount Magazine is 2,753 feet tall. Offers a great view, hiking trails and picnicking.
Scenic Highway 309
479-963-8502.

Photos of Arkansas

You have to see Arkansas to believe it. Check out these photographs of various Arkansas sites, festivals and attractions.

Ponca, Boxley Valley - Arkansas Elk Viewing

The best place to see Elk is Boxley Valley, around the Buffalo national river. Get GPS coordinates and information on seeing them.

Roland - Pinnacle Mountain State Park

Rising more than a thousand feet above the Arkansas River Valley, Pinnacle Mountain is the most visible central Arkansas landmark. Find out more about this little gem Little Rock's backyard.

Russellville - Lake Dardanelle State Park

Lake Dardanelle State Park offers lots of great opportunities for fishing, hunting and camping.

Scott - Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park

The Toltec Mounds are the remains of a large ceremonial and governmental complex inhabited from A.D. 600 to 1050. Find out more about this interesting park.

Top 10 Off-Beat Roadside Attractions

Want to find some odd and interesting road side attractions in Arkansas? These are my favorite 10 wacky, odd and out of this world roadside attractions in Arkansas.

Trumpeter Swans at Lake Magness

Photographs of the swans at Lake Magness, in Heber Springs Arkansas.

Visit the Elk in Boxley Valley, Ponca and Jasper, Arkansas

Arkansas has a few herds of elk and they that are commonly seen in Jasper and Boxley Valley. Find out where to go and when to see them.

West Fork - Devil's Den State Park

The park features cabins, camping, horseback rider and hiking trials. This is a very popular vacation spot in Arkansas.
11222 W. Ark. 72
1-800-983-2684.

Wickes - Cossatot River State Park

Cossatot River is known as the best whitewater float in mid-America. At the falls, the river drops 33 feet within a third of a mile. During peak whitewater season (late winter to early spring), the river has class 3-5 whitewater.

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