7 Stress-Free Arkansas Towns For A Weekend Retreat

Arkansas offers visitors a wide mix of attractions, often in wildly beautiful natural environments. That is why it is known as the Natural State: the state's diverse charms have attracted visitors and longer-term settlers long before achieving statehood in 1836. Sitting west of the Mississippi River, Arkansas's state motto translates from its original Latin as "The People Rule," which indicates its true, democratic spirit. For a memorable weekend away, small towns like the ones below offer a break from the hustle of Arkansas's cities like the capital, Little Rock, and other larger places.

Arkadelphia

Arkadelphia, in Arkansas's southwest, is ideal for a slower-paced weekend break. The town is home to a pair of universities: Ouachita Baptist and Henderson State. The schools sit close to one another at the town's northeast edge, not far from the Ouachita River. Both campuses lend themselves to a relaxing walk or two. For an arts-filled weekend, creative gatherings like the art sales of the Caddo River Art Guild give the chance to see, or even take home, the colorful expressions of local artists.

Active types love the Iron Mountain Trail System, which has two dozen miles of pathways for an adrenaline-pumping ride in the local outdoors. And to get a workout along with some history, the DeSoto Bluff Trail offers clifftop views that overlook the Ouachita. The trail's placards and explanatory signs point out interesting details of Native American legacies in the area. Places to stay include the Captain Henderson House, an upscale bed-and-breakfast, or the motel-style Pioneer Inn, both downtown.

Bella Vista

Along the state line with Missouri, the northeastern town of Bella Vista blends natural attractions with a quaint, suburban feel. The town contains numerous large lakes within its limits, including Lake Ann, Lake Windsor, and Loch Lomond (like its namesake body of water in Scotland). These areas ensure a haven of rest and fun for boaters, swimmers, and those who just want some fresh air in nature. Bella Vista is also a popular Arkansas retirement destination, according to the town website. Popular senior-style recreation here includes links at the Scotsdale Golf Course and the Bella Vista Country Club, both in town.

Culture-minded visitors can head to the Bella Vista Historical Museum, which outlines local history, Native American influence, and the town's proud history as an Arkansas vacation spot. For a unique architectural experience, the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel soars in glass and steel, its modern design striking a lovely contrast with the surrounding forest. Given its vacation tradition, Bella Vista has many places to stay, while the standout Cedar Lodge Arkansas Resort overlooks Loch Lomond.

Camden

Camden, in south-central Arkansas, offers picture-perfect views beside the Ouachita River. Nicknamed the "Queen City of the Ouachita" from its steamboat-era boom days, the town sprang up in the economic surge involving river commerce. Other histories make their presence felt here: the Camden Post Office, erected in 1895, now hosts a popular local dining spot, called the Postmasters Grill. The Camden Country Inn provides budget accommodations about 1.5 miles south of the restaurant.

Camden's Washington Street Historic District brings in historic architecture enthusiasts from everywhere. From Queen Anne to Colonial Revival, Camden's most prosperous citizens built these places after making fortunes in the oil and cotton industries. The McCollum-Chidester House, finished in 1847 (and during the Civil War, an aid station for the Union Army), is today the home of the Ouachita County Historical Society.

Eureka Springs

As one of America's first spa destinations, Eureka Springs, in northwest Arkansas, is used to welcoming out-of-town guests looking to de-stress. Established in 1879, the town boomed on the basis of its nearby mineral springs. Today, Eureka Springs's entire historic downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). For a moment outside, head to Lake Leatherwood City Park, which features its namesake, 100-acre body of water.

Before or after a spa visit, Eureka Springs is a culture-lover's dream. Examples of the town's bygone spa and leisure sites include the Basin Park Hotel, running since 1905, and the Palace Hotel & Bath House. The latter is the last example of the town's original bathhouses still standing.

Mountain Home

Mountain Home in north-central Arkansas is ideal for a true weekend getaway. Set in the picturesque Ozark Mountains, the town runs long on outdoor options. Camping and fishing enthusiasts flock to nearby Bull Shoals State Park, which is known for its trout fishing.

Golf fans tend to enjoy the Big Creek Golf & Country Club, which has manicured fairways and pleasant food options, too. And for a cold one and an all-American square meal, Rapp's Barren Brewery serves local brews, burgers, and other classics. Cooyons, also in town, offers Cajun food staples more often found in Louisiana. Mountain Home has a number of mid-range accommodations, like Mountain Home Inn.

Texarkana

Like its name suggests, Texarkana brings together Arkansas and Texas, in Arkansas's southwest corner. Official sources explain that the unusual name refers to a trio of states: Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Like other two-state cities, Texarkana has some singular ways of doing things. For example, its State Line Post Office and Federal Building is said to be the only US post office that straddles a state line. In other public services, the local Amtrak station sits (barely) on Texarkana's Arkansas side.

Visitors love Texarkana for its culture. The Arkansas Municipal Auditorium, an events space, was once part of the Louisiana Hayride Circuit, on which touring musicians played shows and eventually developed the rock 'n' roll style of music. The building also enjoys a spot on the NRHP. These days, travelers come to Texarkana for the Four States Fair and Rodeo, held each spring. The Hampton Inn Texarkana Arkansas sits off Highway 30, making it an accessible choice for weekenders and other travelers.

Van Buren

Van Buren, just across the state line with Oklahoma, counts welcoming visitors to its list of local traditions. The town is a favorite among antiques collectors, who come to the Van Buren Downtown Historic District for shopping and relaxation. Van Buren's diverse, historic architecture is an attraction of its own: the town has a lovely collection of Victorian homes. In addition, the King Opera House, erected in 1891, thrills fans of opera, stage shows, and the performing arts.

History-minded tourists will discover that Van Buren's past included transportation and commerce by stagecoach. When these vehicles made it to the Arkansas River, at Van Buren's western edge, flatboat operators ferried them across. The Comfort Inn and Suites Van Buren is an affordable hotel option, among the many chains present in town.

Small Towns Show Arkansas At Its Best

Towns like these show how Arkansas has long attracted curious travelers to its scenic offerings. Arkadelphia holds out college-town trappings and the chance to see and buy art for one's own home. Bella Vista promises a quiet weekend and some stunning architecture, built in harmony with the surrounding forest. Eureka Springs helped write the book on spa weekends — a tradition it carries on proudly. Meanwhile, multicultural small towns from Texarkana to Van Buren suggest the mix of diverse peoples and communities that helped make Arkansas the place it is today. For a scenic, stimulating weekend, Arkansas's options like these should provide some exciting travel inspiration.