Arkansas is the kind of place where natural beauty and quiet creativity live side by side. One moment I was standing beneath a canopy of trees, the next I was face to face with a painting I’d only seen in books. There’s something grounded here—something that invites you to slow down, look closer, and breathe a little deeper. Somewhere along the way I caught myself thinking, "I didn’t expect to fall for Arkansas—but here I am."
Best Things to Do in Arkansas
For Art Lovers: Admiring five centuries of American art at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art felt like a place that doesn’t just show you art—it surrounds you with it. Tucked into the forest in Bentonville, the museum blends wood, water, and glass in a way that makes every step feel like part of a sculpture. I wandered through galleries filled with works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Norman Rockwell, and Kehinde Wiley, pausing every few minutes to soak it in. Somewhere near the Frank Lloyd Wright Usonian house, I stopped and thought, "This is what it means to be in a living museum."
Outside, the sculpture trails pulled me along creeks and quiet woods, where unexpected art waited around the bend. I walked slowly, letting the landscape change me just as much as the galleries had. It felt like Arkansas was showing me what it looks like when art and earth work together.
Afterward, I headed to The Hive at 21c Museum Hotel. I ordered the Arkansas heirloom tomato salad and a crispy catfish entrée with Delta grind grits and collard greens. The flavors were local and elevated—like the museum itself. And dining surrounded by rotating art exhibits? It felt like the day just kept unfolding.
Where I Stayed: I stayed at the 21c Museum Hotel Bentonville, just a short walk from the museum. Part contemporary hotel, part gallery, it kept the conversation going long after I left Crystal Bridges. My room overlooked the town square, and that night, I fell asleep feeling inspired.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art At a Glance
- Location: 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712
- Vibe: Innovative, serene, inspiring
- Highlights: American masterworks, forest trails, Frank Lloyd Wright house
- Best Time to Visit: Weekdays or early mornings for a quiet museum walk
- Cost: Free general admission; special exhibits may require a ticket
- Hours: Closed Tuesdays; open other days 11am–6pm (later on Wednesdays and Fridays)
- Tip: Don’t skip the outdoor trails—they’re an essential part of the experience
For Garden Lovers: Letting go among the trees at Garvan Woodland Gardens
The air changed as I stepped into Garvan Woodland Gardens, just outside of Hot Springs. The sounds softened, the light filtered through layers of green, and suddenly, the rest of the world felt very far away. I followed winding stone paths past waterfalls, blooming hydrangeas, and glassy ponds. It was quiet, but not empty—birds flitted above, the leaves whispered, and I felt something in me unclench. I remember standing in the Anthony Chapel, sunlight pouring through its timber beams, thinking, "This is what peace sounds like."
I wandered through the Children’s Garden just because I could, admired the koi dancing through the ponds, and sat for a while under the shade of a maple tree. The gardens didn’t rush me. They seemed to say, take your time—there’s beauty everywhere.
After my visit, I drove back into town and stopped at Café 1217, a local gem with colorful walls and a fresh seasonal menu. I ordered their lemon chicken with roasted vegetables and a slice of strawberry cake that might’ve been the best thing I ate all trip. Every bite felt like something my body had been asking for without words.
Where I Stayed: I booked a room at the Lookout Point Lakeside Inn, tucked beside Lake Hamilton. My balcony faced the water, and that evening I watched the sky turn gold while sipping a cup of tea. The quiet continued there, and I was grateful for it.
Garvan Woodland Gardens At a Glance
- Location: 550 Arkridge Rd, Hot Springs, AR 71913
- Vibe: Restorative, lush, reflective
- Highlights: Anthony Chapel, koi pond, Children’s Adventure Garden
- Best Time to Visit: Spring for blooms, fall for color, early mornings for stillness
- Cost: ~$15 adults; discounts for seniors and children
- Hours: Open daily, 10am–6pm (seasonal variations)
- Tip: Wear good shoes—some of the most beautiful spots are a few steps off the path
For Families: Meeting big hearts and big cats at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
There’s something powerful about looking a tiger in the eye—and realizing it’s not behind glass, but living in wide, open space with a second chance. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge near Eureka Springs is a sanctuary, not a zoo. You feel that right away. These animals—rescued from neglect, abuse, and roadside cages—now roam large enclosures with real grass under their paws and sky overhead. I walked the tour trail in quiet respect, and somewhere near a lounging lioness, I thought, "This is what redemption looks like."
The refuge is home to tigers, lions, bears, cougars, and leopards, each with a name and a story. Volunteers shared these with care, and it changed the way I saw every pawprint in the dust. Some animals rested, some roared, and all of them reminded me what it means to protect something just because it deserves protection.
After the visit, I headed into Eureka Springs and found Local Flavor Café, perched on a hill with a view of the winding downtown. I ordered their grilled trout with almond brown butter and garlic mashed potatoes, and finished with a warm blackberry cobbler. It was the kind of meal that brings you back down to earth after your heart’s been stirred.
Where I Stayed: I checked in at the Crescent Hotel, known as one of the most historic—and haunted—spots in the state. My room had mountain views, and the wraparound porch was perfect for sipping coffee and letting the day settle. Ghosts or not, it felt like a good place to rest.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge At a Glance
- Location: 239 Turpentine Creek Ln, Eureka Springs, AR 72632
- Vibe: Heartfelt, wild, meaningful
- Highlights: Big cat habitats, guided tours, behind-the-scenes stories
- Best Time to Visit: Morning or late afternoon when animals are more active
- Cost: ~$25 adults; guided tours included with admission
- Hours: Daily, 9am–5pm
- Tip: Bring a zoom lens or binoculars—you’ll want a closer look at those quiet moments
For Spa Fans: Soaking up the past at Fordyce Bathhouse
The Fordyce Bathhouse wasn’t just a historic building—it was a deep inhale into the glamorous (and sometimes strange) world of 20th-century health and luxury. Walking through Hot Springs National Park, I stepped inside the Fordyce and immediately felt the hush of marble corridors and stained glass ceilings. The sound of my footsteps bounced through tiled massage rooms and steam chambers once filled with hopeful visitors.
Each room revealed layers of a bygone era—music piped through old fitness halls, hydrotherapy machines that looked part art, part science fiction. I paused in the grand men's changing area and thought, "This wasn’t just about healing; it was about being seen." Even without the thermal waters running, the place still radiated indulgence and discipline.
After the tour, I walked down Central Avenue to Superior Bathhouse Brewery, the first brewery in a U.S. national park and the only one using thermal spring water in its beers. I ordered a pretzel with beer cheese and a flight of their in-house brews. The space, once a bathhouse itself, felt alive with laughter and clinking glasses—echoes of the past with a pint in hand.
Where I Stayed: I checked into the Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, just steps from Bathhouse Row. The vintage grandeur of the lobby and views over the park made it easy to imagine the heyday of spa culture, even as I sank into modern comfort.
Fordyce Bathhouse At a Glance
- Location: 369 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901
- Vibe: Historical, immersive, elegant
- Highlights: Original spa equipment, stained glass ceilings, museum tours
- Best Time to Visit: Mornings to avoid the afternoon foot traffic
- Cost: Free admission
- Hours: Daily 9am–5pm
- Tip: Pair your visit with a spa treatment at a modern bathhouse nearby for the full experience
For Photographers: Finding tranquility at The Old Mill in North Little Rock
The Old Mill looked like something straight out of a fairytale. Technically it was—built in 1933 and featured in the opening scene of *Gone with the Wind*, the site is a cinematic illusion. But when I arrived, it felt less like Hollywood and more like stepping into a quiet, moss-draped secret. Stone bridges arched over calm water, and the gentle rush of the faux mill wheel became the soundtrack to my thoughts.
Kids fed ducks nearby. Couples took selfies. I wandered slowly, camera forgotten, and thought, "Places like this are reminders to slow down and just be." It wasn’t big, and it didn’t need to be. Every corner was a photograph waiting to happen—weathered wood, lily-covered ponds, and carved stone benches begging for a journal and pen.
I drove just a few minutes to Red Door in Little Rock afterward, where I had the shrimp and grits with a glass of sweet tea. The Southern comfort and quiet elegance of the dish felt like an extension of the mill—humble, beautiful, and soul-warming.
Where I Stayed: I stayed downtown at the Capital Hotel, which blended Southern charm with understated luxury. The lobby’s welcoming feel matched the mood The Old Mill had left me with: calm, content, and a little more in tune with the world.
The Old Mill At a Glance
- Location: 3800 Lakeshore Dr, North Little Rock, AR 72116
- Vibe: Tranquil, picturesque, romantic
- Highlights: Historic mill, stone bridges, lush gardens
- Best Time to Visit: Early mornings or golden hour for photos
- Cost: Free
- Hours: Dawn to dusk, daily
- Tip: Bring a picnic or a book—the serenity here is best when lingered over
For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Walking through layers of history at Fort Smith National Historic Site
When I arrived at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, I expected history. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d feel it. From gallows to courtroom to frontier jail cells, each step carried weight. The fort sits at the edge of the Arkansas River, and as I looked out across the borderland, I thought, "So many crossroads happened right here."
The museum inside the barracks was haunting and fascinating—stories of U.S. Marshals, outlaws, and Judge Isaac Parker’s infamous “Hanging Judge” legacy echoed through the chambers. Outside, the reconstructed gallows stood quiet but not silent. I stood there longer than I thought I would, just listening to the wind.
Lunch afterward was at The Vault, a cozy local favorite downtown. I had a fried green tomato BLT with hand-cut fries. The modern comfort food was just what I needed after the emotional depth of the fort—simple, Southern, and grounding.
Where I Stayed: I stayed at the Hampton Inn Fort Smith, a short drive away. It was clean, quiet, and had a warm breakfast that made hitting the road the next morning a little easier.
Fort Smith National Historic Site At a Glance
- Location: 301 Parker Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901
- Vibe: Reflective, educational, powerful
- Highlights: Old jail and courtroom, gallows, Arkansas River views
- Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall for walking the grounds comfortably
- Cost: $10 adults; children under 16 free
- Hours: Daily 9am–5pm
- Tip: Give yourself time for the museum exhibits—they’re packed with nuance and context
Conclusion
From bathhouses steeped in history to hidden fairytale mills and forts echoing with stories of justice and survival, each stop brought me closer to the state’s layered soul. It’s not just about what you see—it’s about how these places make you feel. And in Arkansas, I felt connected, curious, and quietly moved.
Jump to a Spot...
- • For Art Lovers: Admiring five centuries of American art at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- • For Garden Lovers: Letting go among the trees at Garvan Woodland Gardens
- • For Families: Meeting big hearts and big cats at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
- • For Spa Fans: Soaking up the past at Fordyce Bathhouse
- • For Photographers: Finding tranquility at The Old Mill in North Little Rock
- • For Outdoor Enthusiasts: Walking through layers of history at Fort Smith National Historic Site