Arkansas Department of Parks & TourismWhat’s New
• Ozark Medieval Fortress: A genuine fortified castle built using the techniques and materials of the 13th century. Lead Hill.
• Queen Anne Mansion: Built in 1891, it portrays the finest American architecture, and decorative and cultural arts. The historic Kelley House located on the grounds is also open for tours. Eureka Springs.
• Rock ‘n’ Roll Highway 67: Emcompassing Jackson, Lawrence and Randolph Counties. Home to various nightclubs, theatres, and roadhouses in the 1950s and 60s. Signs en route point out the historical places where famous musicians of that period performed. Pocahontas/Newport.
Attractions
• River Market District: Entertainment district, museums, Central Arkansas Library, the Clinton Library, Heifer Village, Riverfront Park. Junction Bridge Pedestrian and Biking thoroughfare connects it to Downtown Argenta Historic District. Little Rock.
• Downtown Argenta Historic District: Art galleries, restaurants, bars, Verizon Arena, Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, Dickey-Stephens ballpark, North Shore River Walk and the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. Argenta.
• Clinton Presidential Library and Center: Containing the largest collection of presidential papers and artifacts in U.S. history. Little Rock.• Historic Washington State Park: Living history park recreating the early 1800s through the Civil War. Hope.
• USS Razorback: World War II submarine serves as the centrepiece of the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. North Little Rock.
• Mosaic Templars Cultural Center: Interprets and celebrates Arkansas’ African American culture and community from 1870 to present. Little Rock.
• Crater of Diamonds State Park: Over 70,000 diamonds discovered here since 1906. This field lies atop an ancient volcanic pipe. Said to be the only diamond producing site in the world that is open to the public; anyone can dig and keep their finds. Murfreesboro.
• Gangster Museum of America: Four galleries of photographic displays, audio-visual presentations and artifacts related to the 1920-to-40s era.
Events
• Arkansas Folk Festival (April), Mountain View.
• Annual Magnolia Blossom Festival & World Championship Steak Cook-Off, (mid-May), Magnolia.
• Riverfest (May), Little Rock.
• Purple Hull Pea Festival & World’s Championship Rotary Tiller Race (late June), Emerson.
• Annual Hope Watermelon Festival, (August), Hope.
• Arkansas State Fair (October), Little Rock.
• Arkansas Apple Festival (October), Lincoln.
• Arkansas Blues and Heritage Festival (October), Helena.
• Arkansas Trail of Holiday Lights (mid-November through December), statewide.
Places
• Mountain View: “Folk Music Capital of the World” preserves Ozark pioneer ways at the Ozark Folk Center State Park and through nightly music jamborees year-round.
• Hot Springs: Famed for its thermal waters, this city surrounding Hot Springs National Park, America’s oldest national preserve, has been named one of the top 10 “Best Small Art Towns in America.”
• Fort Smith/Van Buren: Discover life on the lawless frontier at Fort Smith National Historic Site and enjoy the refinement of the Victorian era in Van Buren.
• Eureka Springs: “America’s Victorian Village” is designated as one of the Top 10 Travel Destinations in America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Hidden Gems
• Arkansas Wine Country: Four wineries offer free tours, wine tastings and special events – Chateau Aux Arc; Mount Bethel Winery; Post Familie Winery; and Wiederkehr Wine Cellars. Altus.
• Altus Heritage House Museum: Traces the region’s coal mining. Altus.
Did You Know?
State Motto: The People Rule
State Flower: Apple Blossom
State Bird: Mockingbird
Fast Facts
Region: THE SOUTH
America’s Byways: Crowley’s Ridge Parkway, Great River Road, Talimena Scenic Drive
Connecting Flights Via: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Memphis, Minneapolis, St. Louis.
Sales Tools: Vacation Kit, Trip Planner, Group Tour Planner, Sample Theme Tours & Customized Itinerary Planning, FAM Tours, downloadable photo library.
Info: Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
1-800-NATURAL
www.arkansas.com