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ARKANSAS

Rustic travellers will feel right at home in The Natural State, which declared the fiddle as its state instrument in honour of the folk tradition that is still alive and well today. It’s little wonder that Ernest Hemingway and Johnny Cash once made Arkansas home, with limitless inspirational landscapes from the great Ozark mountains to crystal clear streams.

OUTDOORS IN ARKANSAS

From dramatic vistas from rugged mountaintops to underground treasures, including hot springs and gemstones, the outdoors in Arkansas promises unexpected discoveries. It’s a land of sunsets and sunrises, natural phenomena and myriad wildlife - all this to an ethereal soundtrack of jazz, blues and folk.

TOP OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES

01: HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK

01: HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK

You could easily spend a whole day at Hot Springs National Park, bathing in the bathhouse or mountain biking the Northwood Trails - it’s certainly worth it for the sunsets seen from the Mountain Tower. Take a mid-afternoon hike and look out for interesting wildlife such as deer, turkey and beaver.

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02: LAKE OUACHITA

02: LAKE OUACHITA

Pack a hearty lunch for an invigorating trek round the perimeter of Arkansas’ largest lake, Lake Ouachita. There is an outlook deck at the tip of the peninsula on the Caddo Bend Trail that is the perfect spot for watching the sunset. Look out for the pretty wildflowers that cloak the forest floor along the trail.

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03: PETIT JEAN STATE PARK

03: PETIT JEAN STATE PARK

Arakansas’ first ever state park, Petit Jean State Park, is a wonderful example of nature’s intriguing design from the 95-foot Cedar Falls to the rock shelters and narrow passageways of Bear Cave. Stout’s Point on Petit Jean Mountain is a peaceful place to watch the sun rise over the breathtaking Arkansas River below.

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04: PINNACLE MOUNTAIN

04: PINNACLE MOUNTAIN

Sitting just outside the state capital of Little Rock, Pinnacle Mountain stands tall and protective of the geographical diversity that lies below. A hike to the summit is a must, but the park also has an array of water adventures to be had on the Big and Little Maumelle Rivers as well as mountain biking trails.

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05: BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER

05: BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER

Established in 1972, Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. Once you arrive, prepare to journey from running rapids to quiet pools while surrounded by massive bluffs as you cruise through the Ozark Mountains down to the White River.

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KEY CITIES IN ARKANSAS

LITTLE ROCK

Little Rock, Arkansas sits on the banks of the Arkansas River in Pulaski County, located in the center of the state. And with a population of nearly 200,000 people, it's the largest city in Arkansas and definitely the place to find a good time at a great value. The hub of Little Rock is the bustling River Market District featuring restaurants, shops, bars, nightlife, museums and hotels as well as the area's main library.

FAYETTEVILLE

Fayetteville is the entertainment capital of Northwest Arkansas, as well as the perfect destination to experience all the region has to offer. With countless attractions and things to do year round for all travelers — couples, families, friends or just yourself — as well as a friendly, inclusive culture that values and supports free spirits, Fayetteville is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.

ROGERS

Rogers may be one of the fastest-growing places in the nation, but the heart and soul of small-town America is alive and well here. You’ll discover museums, art galleries, shopping and dining amid architectural treasures and brick-lined streets in the historic downtown, all just a stone’s throw from fishing, water sports, hiking, camping, boating and breathtaking vistas of nearby Beaver Lake nestled high in the Ozark Mountains. Rogers’ culinary scene blends in homegrown cuisine ranging from hidden local hangouts, to great ethnic fare, to custom-made pastries and fresh-brewed cappuccinos.

EUREKA SPRINGS

Secluded and peaceful with winding mountainside streets, Eureka Springs has flair like no other town. In fact, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Eureka Springs as one of its "Dozen Distinctive Destinations." The streets of this north Arkansas town are lined with extraordinary Victorian homes hugging cliff sides, and its entire downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places.

FORT SMITH

In Fort Smith, "the New South Meets the Old West” when visitors explore Fort Smith National Historic Site and other windows into the past such as the Fort Smith Museum of History or a ride on a vintage Pullman Railcar through the Ozark foothills. The National U.S. Marshals Museum will soon open on the very spot where much of its most dangerous law enforcement history took place. Elvis fans can also visit Fort Chaffee's Barbershop and see where he received his famous Army buzz cut, "the haircut heard 'round the world." Miss Laura's Visitors Center – once a famous Western bordello and now on the National Register of Historic Places – is the perfect place to begin your visit.

Little Rock

Fayetteville

Rogers

Eureka Springs

Fort Smith

KEY CITIES IN ARKANSAS

Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas sits on the banks of the Arkansas River in Pulaski County, located in the center of the state. And with a population of nearly 200,000 people, it's the largest city in Arkansas and definitely the place to find a good time at a great value. The hub of Little Rock is the bustling River Market District featuring restaurants, shops, bars, nightlife, museums and hotels as well as the area's main library.

Fayetteville

Fayetteville is the entertainment capital of Northwest Arkansas, as well as the perfect destination to experience all the region has to offer. With countless attractions and things to do year round for all travelers — couples, families, friends or just yourself — as well as a friendly, inclusive culture that values and supports free spirits, Fayetteville is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.

Rogers

Rogers may be one of the fastest-growing places in the nation, but the heart and soul of small-town America is alive and well here. You’ll discover museums, art galleries, shopping and dining amid architectural treasures and brick-lined streets in the historic downtown, all just a stone’s throw from fishing, water sports, hiking, camping, boating and breathtaking vistas of nearby Beaver Lake nestled high in the Ozark Mountains. Rogers’ culinary scene blends in homegrown cuisine ranging from hidden local hangouts, to great ethnic fare, to custom-made pastries and fresh-brewed cappuccinos.

Eureka Springs

Secluded and peaceful with winding mountainside streets, Eureka Springs has flair like no other town. In fact, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Eureka Springs as one of its "Dozen Distinctive Destinations." The streets of this north Arkansas town are lined with extraordinary Victorian homes hugging cliff sides, and its entire downtown area is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Fort Smith

In Fort Smith, "the New South Meets the Old West” when visitors explore Fort Smith National Historic Site and other windows into the past such as the Fort Smith Museum of History or a ride on a vintage Pullman Railcar through the Ozark foothills. The National U.S. Marshals Museum will soon open on the very spot where much of its most dangerous law enforcement history took place. Elvis fans can also visit Fort Chaffee's Barbershop and see where he received his famous Army buzz cut, "the haircut heard 'round the world." Miss Laura's Visitors Center – once a famous Western bordello and now on the National Register of Historic Places – is the perfect place to begin your visit.

OTHER EXPERIENCES IN ARKANSAS

Petit Jean State Park Cabins

If you are in search of a cozy home away from home during your stay at Petit Jean State Park, a park cabin is the natural choice. Most are within walking distance from Mather Lodge. Many are spaced along the bluff of Cedar Creek Canyon.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Crystal Bridges Museum of Modern Art houses a permanent collection of American art masterworks from the colonial era to modern day, and touring collections from national art institutions. Acclaimed collection includes such masterpieces as Charles Wilson Peale’s and Gilbert Stuart’s portraits of George Washington; Asher Brown Durand’s Kindred Spirits; and Norman Rockwell’s Rosie the Riveter.

Johnny Cash Boyhood Home

Ray Cash brought his family to Dyess in 1935 after President Franklin Roosevelt's administration carved an agricultural resettlement colony out of snake-infested swampland in Mississippi County. Dyess Colony was an unprecedented government social experiment as part of the New Deal to give nearly 500 down-on-their-luck farmers a chance for a new start in life. With no money down, the Cash family was given 20 acres of fertile bottomland and a five-room house in which to live. Now owned by Arkansas State University, the house has been restored, along with several of the historic federal buildings.

Bathhouse Row Hot Springs National Park

Named a National Historic Landmark in 1987, Bathhouse Row consists of eight bathhouses built between 1911 and 1923; the Fordyce serves as the ~National Park Visitor Centere and Museum of the Bathing Industry; the Buckstaff has operated continuously since 1912.

Blanchard Springs Caverns

Blanchard Springs Caverns is a Living Cave in that it is constantly changing and growing. Three guided tours of varying intensity are led by Forest Service Guides. Tour highlights include water-carved passages, an underground river, and the world's largest flowstone. Blanchard Springs also offers camping, fishing, and swimming areas as well as biking and hiking trails.

Petit Jean State Park Cabins

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Johnny Cash Boyhood Home

Bathhouse Row Hot Springs National Park

Blanchard Springs Caverns

OTHER EXPERIENCES IN ARKANSAS

Petit Jean State Park Cabins

If you are in search of a cozy home away from home during your stay at Petit Jean State Park, a park cabin is the natural choice. Most are within walking distance from Mather Lodge. Many are spaced along the bluff of Cedar Creek Canyon.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Crystal Bridges Museum of Modern Art houses a permanent collection of American art masterworks from the colonial era to modern day, and touring collections from national art institutions. Acclaimed collection includes such masterpieces as Charles Wilson Peale’s and Gilbert Stuart’s portraits of George Washington; Asher Brown Durand’s Kindred Spirits; and Norman Rockwell’s Rosie the Riveter.

Johnny Cash Boyhood Home

Ray Cash brought his family to Dyess in 1935 after President Franklin Roosevelt's administration carved an agricultural resettlement colony out of snake-infested swampland in Mississippi County. Dyess Colony was an unprecedented government social experiment as part of the New Deal to give nearly 500 down-on-their-luck farmers a chance for a new start in life. With no money down, the Cash family was given 20 acres of fertile bottomland and a five-room house in which to live. Now owned by Arkansas State University, the house has been restored, along with several of the historic federal buildings.

Bathhouse Row Hot Springs National Park

Named a National Historic Landmark in 1987, Bathhouse Row consists of eight bathhouses built between 1911 and 1923; the Fordyce serves as the ~National Park Visitor Centere and Museum of the Bathing Industry; the Buckstaff has operated continuously since 1912.

Blanchard Springs Caverns

Blanchard Springs Caverns is a Living Cave in that it is constantly changing and growing. Three guided tours of varying intensity are led by Forest Service Guides. Tour highlights include water-carved passages, an underground river, and the world's largest flowstone. Blanchard Springs also offers camping, fishing, and swimming areas as well as biking and hiking trails.