8 Incredible Vacation Spots In Arkansas

Everyone wants something different in a vacation destination, whether it be tasting different styles of food, watching live music, going on outdoor excursions, or exploring culturally vibrant downtowns. The southern US state of Arkansas has all of that and more, known as the "Natural State." It is nestled among the Ozark mountain range and hosts diverse landscapes with plenty of mountains, plus countless bodies of water offering incredible water sports, hiking, and camping opportunities. It is truly a nature lover's dream! Locals living in the charming small towns surrounding the popular landmarks are boundlessly hospitable, keeping the state on your respite list year after year.

Hot Springs

A vacation spot that goes beyond written history, Hot Springs was a medicinal place for Indigenous tribes thousands of years ago. Even President Andrew Jackson understood the hot springs' significance and designated the place, which would become the town, a federally protected area so that the naturally mineral-rich springs stayed intact for visitors in all decades to come. Hot Springs also became known for a lot of Wild West-type activities, which can be expanded on at the Gangster Museum of America. The infamous Al Capone even considered the city one of his safe havens, and you can see his wax figure and more at Josephine Tussaud's Wax Museum. Between these two properties, you can get an overview of the town's unique history.

Plus, if Al Capone and Frank Costello could vacation in Hot Springs, you can certainly relax there too. On Bathhouse Row, enjoy a soak at the more traditional 1912 Buckstaff Bathhouse, or alternatively, the more renovated Quapaw Baths and Spa offers massages, wax treatments, even a blowout bar and salon. You can eat like the gangsters too, at The Ohio Club, Arkansas' oldest bar in use since 1905, has persisted in providing entertainment and food for the town for over a century.

Eureka Springs

For a vacation spot with spooky undertones, a well-preserved Victorian-era town such as Eureka Springs is a good bet. One destination there is the historic Crescent Hotel, which was built in 1886 as a resort and was originally extremely successful in that purpose, but then, morbidly, it later served as a "cancer hospital" in the 1930s. Unfortunately, the owner, Norman Baker, was not in fact a healer but a fraud, and an unknown number of patients died under his care as he advertised ineffective and experimental procedures, many of which were just a money scheme, not intended to help anyone. Baker was arrested in 1940, and the hotel was revived from this dark period, but many say it is haunted by the spirits of those lost patients. The Crescent is not even the only haunted hotel in town; the Basin Park Hotel was built on land formerly home to a boarding house decimated in a fire, and is now said to be a paranormal hotspot.

For a less creepy attraction, visit the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for big cats, bears, and other animals rescued from the exotic animal trade. While this is more of a safari experience than a zoo, as the animals roam freely on the property rather than being caged, it is a primarily educational adventure where you can take in the beauty of nature, which might not be typically seen in the Midwest. For relaxation, the last remaining bath house in the town is at the Palace Hotel, a 1901 spa which still offers warmed mineral springs soaks, massages, and unique eucalyptus steam treatments, during which you are placed in a wooden barrel.

Petit Jean State Park

This state park was the first ever in Arkansas, named for the ancient Petit Jean Mountain, and over the years has continued to evolve into a great family-friendly vacation destination with hiking, fishing, and camping abound. The park boasts plenty of places to stay within its boundaries, home to the Mather Lodge, a historic establishment providing two dozen rooms for park tourists since 1935. The lodge has been recently renovated and also has a restaurant, a swimming pool, and wifi available.

If your family prefers a bit more rustic stay when visiting the woods, there are also over 20 cabins you can rent in the park, as well as campsites and even a few yurts. The park has fun attractions such as The Museum of Automobiles, a display of antique and rare vehicles, Barnyard Friends and Stables, and a petting zoo that also offers horseback riding.

Just behind the lodge, a trail called the Cedar Falls Trail follows Cedar Creek into the Canyon of the same name and ends up at an impressive 95-foot waterfall, Cedar Falls, one of the tallest in the state. While well worth its breathtaking conclusion, that trail is more suited for older explorers on a two-mile round trip. If you want to take your little kids along on a hike, the Rock House Cave Trail is a great option. The latter is only a quarter mile long and brings you to a collection of rock art created by Indigenous people at least five centuries ago.

For more scenic views, hop in your car and take Red Bluff Drive up and down Petit Jean Mountain. Stop at the various overlooks to witness insane views you will never forget. From these vantage points, you will be able to see state landmarks such as Mount Nebo, Cedar Creek Canyon, the Petit Jean River, and Mount Magazine.

Mount Magazine State Park

Mount Magazine, which is the highest elevation point in the state at over 2,700 feet, is the namesake of its State Park, an unforgettable vacation spot if you and your family enjoy getaways in nature. The park offers hiking and mountain biking trails, ATV paths, swimming holes, scenic overlooks, and rarely found hang gliding launch spots.

Similar to Petit Jean, this state park also has a lodge for guests to stay in, called The Lodge at Mount Magazine, which comes complete with a swimming pool, game room, and other amenities. There are at least 60 guest rooms there, and the building is situated on the mountain's south bluff to ensure amazing views of Blue Mountain Lake as well as much of Petit Jean River Valley. The lodge's restaurant, the Skycrest, is a great vantage point from which to see all of this while admiring the views.

The park is also renowned for being the perfect place for rock climbing. Since the elevation is so high at Mount Magazine, climbers can follow many routes of various difficulties, with the highest route peaking at 80 feet up. It is also easy to participate in these climbs, as all sorts of sport climbing types are allowed, and all you have to do is register at the visitor center. The visitor center is really more like a museum, with geology and history exhibits on display.

Bentonville

This town is perfect for a vacation because it has a unique entertainment form for everyone. For example, Walmart was born in Bentonville, and the town has The Walmart Museum dedicated to the legacy of the department store chain. The city has also been called the "Mountain Biking Capital of the World" for its plethora of great trails to explore. There is also a great downtown area with at least one event taking place at all times, including the Bentonville Farmer's Market, First Fridays, which are huge family-friendly block parties, and the Bentonville Art Market, all of which are held monthly right downtown in Bentonville Square.

If you want to stay in the center of the action, there is a concentration of more than ten hotels right downtown on Walton Boulevard. Regardless of where you stay here, one attraction cannot be missed: the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. They offer free admission, American art exhibits, both modern and classic, a restaurant, and over 100 acres to explore with built-in walking trails. The museum also has an extension and sister museum, called the Momentary, designed to focus on contemporary art and current displays of visual and performance art, including live music, all for free admission as well.

Mountain View

Mountain View is known for being a hub for folk music and has been home to the Arkansas Folk Festival, an annual celebration of folk music and Ozark region culture for the last 60 years. It is worth booking a trip there just to attend this festival, but Mountain View can also be a destination all on its own, any time of year. In the same vein, the Ozark Folk Center State Park is there, offering regularly scheduled live music, a craft village, and a heritage herb garden. These facilities are great for fun and education for the entire family. Blanchard Springs Caverns are also an awesome sight. It is a beautiful limestone cave system offering a kid-friendly discovery trail.

For lodging right there in the park, the cabins at Dry Creek are a great option. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay in town and drive to your excursions, there is the Inn at Mountain View or the Cedar Street Lodge. In town, novelty and gift shopping can be done at the Arkansas Craft Guild and Gallery or the OK Trading Post, the latter of which also offers guided horseback riding services.

Murfreesboro

Known for its Crater of Diamonds State Park, Murfreesboro is a mining town that has become a popular vacation spot for the abundance of activities available there. This state park is a unique attraction because there is a volcanic crater there, where the public can dig for their own gemstones and keep whatever they find, including real diamonds. The visitor center at the park can provide equipment and instruction on how to safely and effectively mine with your whole family, including kids. The park also has other activities like campsites, hiking trails, and a gift shop.

Other popular things to do in Murfreesboro include boating, fishing, and swimming on Lake Greeson. Stay downtown at the Queen of Diamonds Inn, a local Victorian-style hotel, or one of the many available vacation rentals or cabins. Several restaurants and shops are downtown, including a southern-style cafe, The Feed Bin, and an exciting variety store, Caddo Antiques.

Fayetteville

The last vacation stop is less of a town and more of a big city, with an abundance of entertainment and a thriving downtown area. Fayetteville Square, a lovely cultivated public garden filled with flowers and seating, is at the center of the action and surrounded by plenty of shops, cafes, and bars. It is also the location of several town activities, including musical shows and block parties, such as the Sundays on the Square Festivals.

If you like beer, the Fayetteville Ale Trail also begins downtown, with several listed stops located near the square, including West Mountain Brewing Company and Crisis Brewing. The Ale Trail, a guide to trying 21 different Arkansas breweries, is accompanied by a passport, which can be picked up downtown as well. The passport becomes your map and log to keep track of the breweries you sample as you follow along the stops.

While driving along the Ale Trail, you should stop at Terra Studios, which offers an interesting and fresh artistic experience. Rather than an art gallery, this art park stretches over six acres and includes displays, interactive installations, and educational projects for kids. It is both unique and inspirational, and gives back to the community in various ways as well. Another must-see location just outside the city of Fayetteville is Devil's Den State Park, home to the beautiful Lake Devil, which is surrounded by a massive rock dam. Also, the park has huge networks of sandstone crevice caves, which are unique to the area.

There are plenty of reasons to vacation in Arkansas outside of the big cities like Little Rock. Whether you want to hike, camp, hang glide, soak in a medicinal hot spring, hunt for ghosts, or even dig for diamonds, it is really all here. You have state parks, wild attractions, rich history, visual and musical artistic experiences, and small towns ready to welcome you in and show you around. Arkansas is perfect for families with children or singles who are ready to indulge in me time. It is a state that should not be missed on your map.