Top Things to do in Arkansas
Top Hotels in Arkansas
- 1. Best Western Winners Circle
- 2. Best Western Inn Of The Ozarks
- 3. Graduate Fayetteville
- 4. Capital Hotel
- 5. 1905 Basin Park Hotel
- 6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Little Rock - Bryant
- 7. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hot Springs
- 8. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Bentonville South - Rogers, AR
- 9. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham West Memphis
- 10. The Waters Hot Springs, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Arkansas That You Shouldn't Miss
Living up to its billing as “The Natural State”, the state is a nature wonderland with three national forests, nearly 9,000 miles of pristine streams and rivers, awe-inspiring settings in the Ozark and Quachita mountains and sparkling lakes.
The menu of vacation experiences is an exciting one. For great golf, spas, horse racing and the Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs is the place to go. Outdoor enthusiasts love the Ozark Mountains where activities like canoeing, rafting, kayaking, fishing, hiking and rock climbing are popular. The mountain village of Eureka Springs, with its streets lined with Victorian homes, is brimming with boutiques, antique shops and art galleries. Wine enthusiasts love the Arkansas Wine Country, encompassing the towns of Paris, Ozark and Altus, where German style wines are produced. From its ancient mountains to the Delta flatlands leveled by the Mississippi River, the state has a diverse topography with numerous scenic drives. Try the Pig Trail, Ozark Highlands and Sylamore scenic byways in the Ozark National Forest designated by the U.S. Forest Service. Golfers love the state because greens fees are extremely affordable for great courses. A few excellent public access courses are Sage Meadows in Jonesboro, Stonebridge Meadows in Fayetteville and the Mountain Ranch Course in Fairfield Bay.
Restaurants in Arkansas
1. Bull Shoals Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
Largest of the big lakes of the White River, popular for many recreational activities.
Reviewed By jefflX7328SA - Ottawa, United States
We had an awesome time on Bull Shoals Lake thanks to Tucker Hollow Marina!! As we were spending a week in Branson, we decided to take the kids tubing for a day. Tucker Hollow and Bull Shoals were recommended to us and we’re so glad that we went there rather than the over crowded Table ???????????????? Lake. We were the only boat on the lake and had a blast.
2. Blanchard Springs Recreation Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 319 reviews
Reviewed By shurst27
Hidden gem! Interesting and beautiful. Staff does a great job organizing and conducting the cave tour. Our granddaughter was amazed seeing a real cave as well as the waterfall right down the road. It was a gorgeous fall day for exploring all the surroundings in Blanchard Springs and Mountain View.
3. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,431 reviews
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art welcomes all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature.
Reviewed By LisaB157 - La Jolla, United States
We made the trek to Bentonville specifically to visit Crystal Bridges and were not disappointed. It is truly spectacular and is surrounded by trails through the forest, with sculptures beautifully interspersed. Since it was spring, we were treated to nature’s offering of dogwood trees in bloom and assorted other flowers. The museum itself is an architectural marvel designed by Moshe Safdie and is the brainchild of Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, bestowed as a gift to her community. She built the museum to expose the people of the region to art, many of whom would never have the opportunity to visit an art museum. Admission is free. The collection spans the history of American art and has a good array of pieces of well-known artists including some outstanding contemporary pieces by Do-Ho Suh, Buckminster Fuller, James Turrell, and Dale Chihuily. In addition to the permanent collection which is still growing, they have frequent special exhibits. Also, on site is a reconstructed Frank Lloyd house and it’s worth it to pre-reserve a tour. We had an excellent guide named Pat; though she told us it was her third tour of the day, we would never have guessed. Although we didn’t have time to rides bikes through the area, this appeared to be a great activity on the plentiful trails.
4. Baum Stadium
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 104 reviews
Reviewed By Dreamer67808084552 - Memphis, United States
This stadium is better than many minor league parks. There are regular crowds of 8K+ fans calling the hogs. It is a family friendly place but watch out for the outfield where the fans harass the opposing teams outfielders. It is very entertaining to listen. This stadium is fan-based and fans are engaged in play from beginning to end of game. Plus the University of Arkansas baseball team is always ranked in the top!
5. Anthony Chapel
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 551 reviews
The Anthony Chapel Complex is a part of Garvan Woodland Gardens, the 210 acre botanical garden of the University of Arkansas located on Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Visitors may park near the lovely glass chapel in the woods and take a short walkway to the Chapel. The Chapel is open during normal business hours, UNLESS it is rented for a private wedding or event. Visitors are not allowed in the Chapel when it is rented for a private event. The Chapel is currently a free area of Garvan Woodland Gardens. Visitors to the Gardens enter at the Welcome Center and pay admission.
Reviewed By charlieb692 - Roseville, United States
Located in the woods by Garvan Woodland Gardens, the Anthony Chapel is an amazing structure of glass and wood. One of several scattered around the country, it's clear glass walls and soaring ceiling make it seem much larger.
6. Beaver Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 690 reviews
Popular lake for swimming.
Reviewed By Y3955RVjackw - Tulsa, United States
Starkey Campground one of the best and prettiest places I have ever stayed.Its aCOE campground on Beaver Lake crystal clear water Deer all over The couple at the gate are the most friendly people I have ever meet Stayed 2 weeks will come again
7. Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 477 reviews
Opened in 1977, the Pinnacle Mountain State Park serves as a center for education, recreation and preservation.
Reviewed By 782rickw - Little Rock, United States
Pinnacle Mountain State Park is a delightful natural oasis 30 mins from Little Rock. The main part of the park has a large flat area where people congregate for all kinds of activities from Frisbee to volleyball to soccer. There is a playground for the wee-ones and restrooms for all. At the same area there is access to the Little Maumelle river for canoes/kayaks. One of the main draws to the whole park is hiking Pinnacle Mountain. One access is from this main parking lot. There is another area to access the hiking trail on the other side the mountain. The east side is the harder side. Both are well marked until the near top. Then you get into large rocks and boulders with the east side being steeper. There is also a trail around the entire called the Base Trail. You can hike up one side, down the other and around the base for about a 3 mile hike. I would rate the trails up the mountain moderate to hard. I see families with small children especially on the west trail but I would not recommend that. The views from the top are stupendous. There is much more in this wonderful park! a Fishing lake which is stocked, mountain bike trails, a visitor center and a delightful short hike that is disabled access to an overlook of the Arkansas River. There is an abundance of huge cypress trees with their "elbows" along the river. Yes, Arkansas is hot and we have lots of bugs, snakes, etc so go in the fall, winter, or spring. Get off your couch, put on some bug spray and enjoy this Natural State Wonder!
8. Thorncrown Chapel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,477 reviews
This chapel won an architecture award in 1980.
Reviewed By shelbakramer - Hewitt, United States
Sitting in the Thorncrown chapel with my son on Sunday morning surrounded by the beauty of the foliage and enjoying the incomparable beauty of the architectural experience of the glass and steel structure listening to the sound of gently falling rain and rustling leaves. Such a soul soothing experience.
9. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,188 reviews
This National Park Service site encompasses the campus, but Central High is still an active high school. Visitors should park and begin their visit at the National Park Visitor Center, located diagonally across from the campus, at 2120 W. Daisy Gatson Bates Drive. Visitor entrance into the school is via free Ranger-led tours reserved in advance to guarantee participation. Interpreting the Civil Rights Movement with an emphasis on school integration, this National Historic Site focuses on the 1957 desegregation crisis that resulted when Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus ordered National Guard troops to prevent the first African American students, the "Little Rock Nine," from entering formerly all white Little Rock Central High School, leading to federal intervention by order of President Dwight Eisenhower.
Reviewed By YourHighnessK
This was the highlight of our trip with high school aged Girl Scouts. It is a beautiful high school with reflecting pond in front, and the Visitor Center contains a wealth of information about the integral role that the Little Rock Nine played in the Civil Rights movement after Brown v. Board. My scouts are about the same age as the Little Rock Nine were during that time. Seeing the school and the visitor center was an important lesson for the younger generation and a poignant reminder for the older generations. We definitely recommend for all ages and would visit again if in this area.
10. Bathhouse Row
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,311 reviews
A collection of historic bathhouses where people flocked in the early 20th century for therapeutic hot springs baths.
Reviewed By 448lucindas - Lafe, United States
In less than a mile, Bathhouse Row offers volumes of history, learning, and benches to to sit a bit and soak in the archival past. Magnolia Trees offer shade for a gentle stroll in and and out of Entertainment, Museums, eclectic eateries plus unique shops, galleries, parks, hiking trails, Hotels, Famous landmarks. and Yes, Ahh, the SPAS.
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