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
Top 10 Free Things to do in Arkansas, United States
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. Lake Ouachita
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 509 reviews
The largest lake in Arkansas covers 48,300 acres.
Reviewed By heidilore1976 - Prattsville, United States
This lake makes Lake Hamilton look downright silly. Crystal clear water, great beaches, and quartz all over! Highly recommended..
2. Buffalo National River Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 285 reviews
Scenic park along the Buffalo River.
Reviewed By raybyerley - Mandeville, United States
We took several hikes throughout the park over three to four days, some more strenuous thsn others. One day we started by Steel Creek boat launch went up the Buffalo river trail for about 4 miles and back along the old river trail ( a few pictures from that hike are attached, one looking diwn at the Steel creek launch and parking area). ~8 miles total that day. Another day we started at Compton trailhead, made a big loop on Sneeds creek trail by Henderson house then on the old river trail to Hemmed-in Hallow and back up a fairly difficult trail from California point to where we parked. This is a beautiful place and with leaves ???? changing color in mid-October even more so.
3. Petit Jean State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 703 reviews
The beauty of Petit Jean Mountain and the surrounding area led to the formation of a state park system in Arkansas in 1923.
Reviewed By laurief244 - Hamburg, United States
We spent the weekend at Petit Jean State Park and will definitely return! We stayed in a duplex cabin with a full kitchen and fireplace. Wish we’d brought more firewood, however you could purchase a small bundle for $5. Cabin 12 A is located at the back of the property and overlooks a beautiful waterfall. It also has a screened porch, swing and a deck with a grill. We hiked to Cedar Creek falls and got some gorgeous photos. Remember to take water with you. The Mather Lodge restaurant serves good food with friendly service. You can also call ahead to pick up your food. This was a great last minute trip with very friendly service.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Hawksbill Crag
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 207 reviews
Reviewed By DebV20 - Dallas, United States
The early morning fog created an eerie setting for our 6 mile drive along the gravel road to the trailhead. The fog coupled with the fallen autumn leaves and exposed tree branches, begged us to pull over and briefly enjoy our surroundings before continuing on with our bumpy ascent. By the time we began our hike, the fog had subsided and made way for a perfect day to be outdoors. The changing colors of the leaves created some stunning views along the moderately rated trail. We knew when we had reached the unique view of Whitaker Point and it did not disappoint. As we sat and enjoyed the outlook before us, it was easy to see why this crag was one of the most photograped and recognizable features in Arkansas.
7. Craighead Forest Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By AdrianRRodgers - Jonesboro, United States
I've seen this park get more and more amazing over the last 25 years. A fantastic lake, more bike trails and walking lanes. Great play areas and really nice rest rooms.
8. 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!
9. Jennifer's Antiques
10. 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.
