Things to Do in Arkansas

The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art celebrates the American spirit in a setting that harmoniously blends art and nature. Designed by internationally acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie, the museum’s architecture features galleries, meeting spaces, and a glass-enclosed hall centered around two serene ponds.

The museum’s collection spans five centuries of American art, including major works by Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol, and James Turrell. Set on 120 wooded acres in the Ozarks, Crystal Bridges offers over 3.5 miles of nature trails for a truly immersive experience. Programming includes lectures, performances, and continuing education for all ages.

Highlights:

• Architectural design by Moshe Safdie
• Works by Rockwell, Warhol, Turrell, and more
• 3.5 miles of forested trails
• Family-friendly programming and events
• On-site dining and gift shop

Address: 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: 479-418-5700
Crystal Bridges Video

A 48-foot-high wooden chapel featuring 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass, Rush Thorncrown Chapel is a stunning architectural marvel nestled in a serene woodland setting.

Tour groups are treated to a brief presentation about the chapel’s history and construction before exploring the structure and its natural surroundings. Available for ceremonies, the chapel is especially known for its exceptional acoustics, making it an unforgettable venue for weddings and musical performances.

Highlights:

• Iconic glass-and-wood design by architect E. Fay Jones
• Over 6,000 sq ft of glass and 425 windows
• Guided presentations for visitors
• Available for wedding ceremonies and events
• World-renowned acoustics and natural surroundings

Address: 12968 Hwy 62 West, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Phone: 479-253-7401

Functioning as the botanical gardens for the University of Arkansas, Garvan Woodland Gardens offers visitors the chance to explore the unique flora and fauna of the Ouachita Mountains in southwest Arkansas. Spanning 4.5 miles of wooded shoreline, the gardens serve to preserve the region’s natural environment while supporting education, research, and cultural enrichment.

Covering 210 acres, guests can enjoy a self-guided tour or, for groups of 10 or more, a docent-guided experience. Reservations are required for groups of 20+ and must be made at least two weeks in advance. A minimum of 2.5 hours is recommended to fully enjoy the gardens.

Highlights:

• Botanical gardens of the University of Arkansas
• 210 acres of native plants, trails, and scenic shoreline
• Self-guided and docent-guided tours available
• Group reservations required two weeks in advance
• Educational and cultural programming throughout the year

Address: Garvan Woodland Gardens, 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71913
Phone: 501-262-9300
Garvan Woodland Gardens Video, Facebook

Recommended Activities for Families

The Museum of Native American History tells the story of America’s First Peoples through thousands of years of history. Exhibits are organized into key time periods—Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, Pre-Historic, and Columbian—showcasing the rich legacy of Native American cultures.

Highlights:

• Artifacts spanning 14,000 years of history
• Permanent collection with cultural and daily life items
• Interactive and educational exhibits for all ages
• Six historical periods from Paleo to Columbian
• Insight into pre-Columbian civilizations in North America

Address: Museum of Native American History, 202 SW 'O' Street, Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: 479-273-2456

Nestled in the Ozarks, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge spans 459 acres and provides a safe, natural home for a variety of rescued animals including tigers, lions, ligers, leopards, cougars, servals, bobcats, bears, and several other species. Dedicated to rescue, rehabilitation, and education, TCWR offers immersive and educational visitor experiences.

Highlights:

• Home to big cats, bears, and other rescued wildlife
• Guided walking tours led by trained interns
• Educational Keeper Talks on weekends
• Mission-focused on wildlife rescue and advocacy
• Natural, sanctuary-style enclosures for the animals

Address: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
Phone: 479-253-5841
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Unique Attractions

Replete with marble, stained glass, and Gilded Age grandeur, visitors can revel in the opulence that made the Fordyce Bathhouse the most luxurious and acclaimed bathhouse in Hot Springs. In operation from 1915 to 1962, the Fordyce reopened in 1989 as the visitor center for Hot Springs National Park.

Highlights:

• Original early 20th-century bathhouse architecture
• Self-guided tours through restored rooms and facilities
• Short film detailing the bathhouse's historical role
• Historic elevator and unique basement bowling alley
• Bookstore with history-focused selections

Address: Fordyce Bathhouse, 369 Central Avenue, Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone: 501-620-6715

Little Rock Central High School was the site of a defining moment in the desegregation of American public schools. In 1957, nine African-American students—later known as the Little Rock Nine—bravely enrolled at this all-white high school, facing intense hostility and national controversy during what became known as the Little Rock Crisis.

Highlights:

• Site of the 1957 Little Rock Crisis
• Guided 1-hour historical tours by appointment
• Educational focus on civil rights and desegregation
• Powerful storytelling and historical interpretation
• Part of the U.S. National Park Service

Address: Little Rock Central High School, 2120 W Daisy L Gatson Bates Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 501-374-1957
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Completed in 1933, The Old Mill is a replica of an 1880s hydro-powered grist mill, located in T.R. Pugh Memorial Park. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this iconic site was famously featured in the opening scenes of the classic film Gone with the Wind.

Highlights:

• Replica of an 1880s grist mill
• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• Featured in Gone with the Wind
• Sculptural work by artist Dionicio Rodriguez
• Guided tours for groups by reservation

Address: The Old Mill, 3800 Lakeshore Dr., North Little Rock, AR 72116
Phone: 501-758-1424

Fort Smith National Historic Site tells the story of life on the frontier, covering the fort’s history from its founding in 1817 through 1896, when its judicial jurisdiction ended. Exhibits explore the experiences of soldiers, lawmen, outlaws, and the Cherokee people during the Trail of Tears, offering a multifaceted perspective on a pivotal chapter in American history.

Highlights:

• Historic buildings and gallows from the frontier era
• Exhibits on lawmen, outlaws, and Native American history
• Trail of Tears perspectives and educational programming
• Ranger-led tours of buildings and grounds
• Junior Ranger program for kids

Address: Fort Smith National Historic Site, 301 Parker Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Phone: 479-783-3961
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TheatreSquared is Northwest Arkansas’s only professional theater company, entertaining approximately 40,000 guests annually with over 220 performances throughout the year. Located in a 175-seat venue at Walton Arts Center’s Nadine Baum Studios, the theater provides an intimate, high-quality live performance experience.

Highlights:

• Northwest Arkansas’s only year-round professional theater
• More than 220 annual performances in a 175-seat venue
• Student-focused arts learning programs
• World premiere plays and new script development
• Home of the Arkansas New Play Festival

Address: TheatreSquared, 477 W Spring St, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: 479-445-6333