Welcome to the Travel in the United States Series. This series will explore family friendly vacation options in each of the 50 states (and as a bonus, I will include our Nation’s capital, The District of Columbia). An index to all the 50 States posts can be found here.
Arkansas Travel
Arkansas was the 25th state admitted into the United States on June 15, 1836. The pronunciation of the state name was made official since two U.S. Senators from Arkansas had differing opinions on how it should be said. One Senator wanted to pronounce the name ‘AR – Kanas’, while another Senator favored the pronunciation we have today. I guess we know who won! Arkansas is divided into seven regions: Ozarks, River Valley, Central, Delta, Ouachitas and Timberlands.
Arkansas offers some unique places to visit, among the highlights are:
Bathhouse Row
Located in Hot Springs, Arkansas, this row of eight bathhouses were once owned by the National Park Service and were constructed between the years of 1892 and 1923. Only Buckstaff Bath House is still operational. They offer a variety of services included massages and baths. You can take a tour of the Fordyce Bathhouse which operated from 1915 until is closing due to declining business in 1962.
Clinton Presidential Library
The Clinton Center is located on the banks of the Arkansas River in Little Rock, the capital of Arkansas. Here you can see authentic replicas of the Oval Office and the Cabinet Room. Plus, there is an exact copy of the Resolute desk that was used by Presidents John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. There are interactive exhibits and the library contains the largest collection of presidential papers and artifacts in US History. Check the website for events and new exhibits.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
Murfreesboro is the home of the Crater of Diamonds State Park. This park is the only place in the world where the public can dig for diamonds and you get to keep what you find. You may find which, brown or yellow diamonds as well as other rocks and minerals including lamproite, amethyst, banded agate, jasper, peridot, garnet, quartz, calcite, barite, and hematite. Nearby is the Ka-Do-Ha Gemstone Adventure where you can look for gemstones and find fossils, shark teeth, crystals and arrowheads. Both of these attractions are great family adventures!
Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Passport Program
If you are a history buff, why not get in on the Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial Passport Program. There are 23 different sites throughout Arkansas where you can get your passport stamped. Once you have all 23 stamps, send in the back cover to receive an official Arkansas Civil War Sesquicentennial coin or patch. You can also pick up the passport book at any of the locations.
Ozark Mountains
For an outdoor adventure, be sure to visit the Ozark Mountains. Participate in world-class fishing, recreational boating, canoeing and swimming as well as hiking. Crisscrossed with various rivers and lakes, this area is great for family fun!
Dinner and Riverboat Cruises
A riverboat cruise is definitely an enjoyable adventure for the whole family! Three different riverboat cruises operated in Arkansas. The Bell of the Ozarks offers an eco-tour of Beaver Lake in Eureka Springs. This 75-minute tour includes such sights as an ancient Native American burial ground, 200-acre game preserve and picturesque shorelines.
The Belle of Hot Springs cruises on the waters of Hot Springs’ Lake Hamilton. Take a day tour with views of the lake and the Ouachita Mountains or a night cruise that offers dinner and dancing. The lunch family riverboat cruises are popular for families. They also offer a sightseeing cruise and an ice cream social cruise.
The Belle of the Bay, located in north central Arkansas Ozarks, offers various cruises including dinner, scenic, sunset and special event. The cruises take place on the 40,000 acre Greers Ferry Lake.
Looks like there’s a nice mix of things to do for all ages. Will have to add this on our travel bucket list!
I really didn’t have Arkansas on my travel list until I wrote this post. Now, it is definitely a place I want to visit.
My grandparents used to have a home in Hot Springs, so I can remember plenty of childhood visits! I would love to go back as an adult!
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Hot Springs sounds like such a cool place. Hopefully I will get there soon.
Oh my goodness! There is so much to do there in Arkansas! I want to go to the diamond park and the bath houses!
I know right? I never thought about Arkansas as a great vacation spot until I researched this post – so much to do!
I never realized how much there was to do in AK! As soon as my kids are older we are planning a cross country trip and this will have to be added to our list.
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I definitely want to do a cross country trip as well. Unfortunately, it would probably take me a year since there is so much I want to see!
Oh wow there is so much fun stuff to do in Arkansas.
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This is a great series! Who knew Arkansas was so fun??
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We went to Eureka Springs for our honeymoon and over to Pea Ridge. It is beautiful down there. I’d love to see it in the Fall.
The diamond park would be a lot of fun for me and the kids!
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My son really wants to go the diamond park too!
One of my favorite places is Spadra Marina in Clarksville.
Just looked it up – beautiful place!
you should add the muesum that has the wax figures there across the baths
Thanks Desiree for letting me know. I will add it shortly!
It’s not that far from us {I’m in TN} but I’ve never been to Arkansas. I’ve always wanted to visit the Hot Springs!
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I have always wanted to visit the Ozark Mountains. They are just so gorgeous!
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The pictures I have seen are gorgeous! I would love to rent a cabin and laze about by the lake.
My grandsons would love Crater of Diamonds State Park! So many great places to visit!
The park is definitely on my list of places to visit. We would have so much fun there as a family.
I am really wanting to visit the Presidential Library!!!
Me too! I have never visited any of the Presidential Libraries and they seem so interesting.
There are also caverns that you can tour and a folk center that has folk art displays as well as music festivals. Not to mention canoeing and lots of places for fishing and other outdoor activites.
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