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
9 Art Museums 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. Museum of Native American History
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 960 reviews
The Museum of Native American History invites you to "Walk Through America's Past," where we will give you a glimpse into what life was like for America's first inhabitants. The museum is divided into five different time periods that will guide you through the constantly changing lives of the Native Americans, as seen through their artifacts. Our displays feature relics that date from over 14,000 years old to historic times. Come visit our museum and enjoy seeing some of the finest treasures ever created by early craftsmen. Schools and groups are welcomed, call to make reservations. Handicap Accessible
Reviewed By 77117
What a great collection of arrowheads, tools and pottery. Well arranged and well documented. An hour is plenty to go through the museum, but well worth your time!
2. Blue Bridge Center for the Delta Arts
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
The Blue Bridge Center for the Delta Arts is a art gallery contained in the Newport Business Resource Center. Art classes are offered through a partnership with Unity Health Harris Medical Center. Art sold at the gallery benefits the annual Delta Art Festival. Over 100 pieces of art on display for sale.
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. Arkansas Arts Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 149 reviews
The Arkansas Arts Center is an art museum and active center for the visual and performing arts. Featuring a world-class international collection of art, live theatre productions, art classes, lectures, films, family programs, shopping and dining, the Arkansas Arts Center offers something for everyone. Visit today and find your inspiration!
Reviewed By TallTexWally
The Arkansas Arts Center is located in MacArthur Park, just south of 9th Street, where the Little Rock Arsenal was located during the Civil War. The birthplace of General Douglas MacArthur, which is now the Arkansas Military Museum, is adjacent to the Art Museum. There is plenty of parking outside the building. Admission is free, but there is a box for contributions. When I visited they had a special exhibit for Delta artists in one section of the museum. You just have to register at the front desk to gain admission to the Delta exhibit. Works of art, mainly paintings, but some sculptures, from artists from Arkansas and surrounding states were on display. Many of the artists were born in other states, but have moved to Arkansas. All the works were interesting, and showed a sense of style and sophistication. Other parts of the museum housed the permanent collection. One section was devoted to French Impressionists. There was another gallery devoted to the works of young artists. The museum is larger inside than you would think at first, and it takes time to wander from one room to the next. Arkansas is not a large state, compared to others, but this collection of art, for a small state, is worth a visit. I should also like to mention that the new Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, AR is also a very fine art museum, and should be visited, although it is quite a distance from Little Rock.
5. 21c Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Reviewed By IndySig - Indianapolis, United States
We didn't stay here but we strolled around and enjoyed the art installations. They have many items that are quite fascinating, an interesting film and a great car covered in pennies and nickels out front. It is certainly worth a visit.
6. The Fine Arts Center of Hot Springs
7. Fort Smith Regional Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Fort Smith Regional Art Museum (RAM) Mission Statement: To foster art appreciation in the community through diverse exhibitions, educational programming, dynamic events, and cultural partnerships. RAM (Regional Art Museum) originated in 1948 under the Arkansas Association of University Women. In 1951 the Associated Artists of Fort Smith evolved and began exhibiting art and holding classes in various locations throughout Fort Smith. In 1960 an old Victorian home was purchased, and in 1968 the Fort Smith Art Center was incorporated. The Art Center offered a valuable service for local and regional artists by offering valuable space for its artists for five decades. The January 2013 opening of the museum located at 1601 Rogers Avenue in the heart of Fort Smith marks a major turning point for this organization. The new Fort Smith Regional Art Museum offers greatly expanded programming and exhibitions. Arvest Bank made the expansion possible by donating the 16,000 square foot building to RAM in January 2009, following a $211 million dollar buyout of Superior Federal Bank in 2003. The stunning transformation from bank to museum was completed by Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects who were tasked with the job of repurposing an abandoned mid-century building into a 16,000 square foot state-of-the-art museum. The existing terrazzo floor was maintained in the lobby and the monumental staircase was also left untouched. The beautiful two-story Carrara marble support column was also left completely intact and is visible from the lobby In addition to ongoing exhibitions the museum offers classes for children and adults, lectures, opening receptions, galas, and artist-led workshops. The museum offers facility rentals and a specialty gift shop featuring one-of-a-kind items created by local and regional artists. The new state-of-the-art Museum meets national standards and presents an exciting opportunity for cultural growth in the region. RAM is climate-controlled and fully equipped to facilitate nationally and internationally recognized traveling exhibitions.
Reviewed By fotobug
We spent a couple of hours there on a cold, wet weekday afternoon. Aside from staff we were the only ones there! Pandemic precautions were good - hand sanitizer and masks available; markings on the floor to show distancing. There were 2 exhibits that week: an "invitational" where the artists, with a variety of media, reacted to the year of pandemic and then a nature photography exhibit upstairs. Both were very well done: the artwork itself as well as the display. There is no charge for admission and the receptionist was very friendly and helpful. It's not a large facility but well-kept and an enjoyable visit.
8. Bradbury Art Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3 reviews
Bradbury Art Museum features changing exhibitions of contemporary art in all media and programs that promote the understanding of art and its significance to society. BAM is admission free and open to the public.
9. Searcy Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
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