From the big city culture and cuisine of Little Rock to the natural beauty and folk art of the Ozarks, with stops galore, it’s time to hit the road in the Natural State.
Road trip season is upon us and we can’t think of a better way to enjoy the open road than by driving from much of America’s heartland to Arkansas, offering endless opportunities to enjoy American history, culture, food and natural wonders. Here are some of the highlights of the ultimate road trip from the capital city of Little Rock to the wild beauty of the Ozark Mountains.
Culture and Dining in Little Rock
Little Rock is one of America’s affordable gems, a vibrant metropolis full of natural beauty, culture and great food. Visit the River Market District and enjoy classic Southern comfort food, distinctive regional dishes and imaginative culinary fusion from local chefs. History buffs will love spending time at the Clinton Presidential Center & Park, which is beautifully designed to limit environmental impact. Many visitors to Little Rock are surprised to find nature around every corner, and the Central Arkansas Nature Center and the wetlands at Clinton Presidential Park offer wildlife viewing and quiet time right in the middle of town. All well-traveled kids should check out the Museum of Discovery, with its hands-on learning activities for all ages.
The Delights of Eureka Springs
Visitors to Arkansas will enjoy a stop in Eureka Springs, a city that’s truly one of a kind. Here you’ll find classic Victorian homes along winding mountain lanes; the downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to award-winning restaurants and exceptional shopping, featuring unique local products in boutiques, art galleries, studios and craft shops. (Public artwork is also on display throughout the city, highlighting the community’s commitment to creativity.) But Eureka Springs’ charm doesn’t stop at the town: Located in the heart of the Ozarks, there are ample opportunities for fishing, hiking and mountain biking, and more. And those looking for a relaxing spa experience can find access to soothing springs at local hotels.
History and Art in Bentonville
Here in the foothills of the Ozarks, Bentonville may be best known as Walmart’s headquarters (you can even tour the original 1950 Walmart 5&10), but the relatively small community is much more tidy. Don’t miss the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which covers five centuries of American art from colonial times to the present. Art lovers will want to explore Bentonville further at the 21C Museum and Hotel, which combines more than 12,000 square feet of art galleries with an adjacent 100-plus room boutique hotel. Kids of all ages will enjoy an afternoon at the Scott Family Amazeum, where they’ll never hear the words “no touching”—it’s all about playing and learning. And you shouldn’t leave Bentonville without checking out one of the most significant collections of South American artifacts at the Museum of Native American History.
Folk Music and Crafts in the Ozarks
We love that music is everywhere in Mountain View, where locals gather with musicians to entertain the crowds—and each other—with traditional mountain music in the town square during the warm months (which here in Mountain View last from mid-April until after November). Founded in the 1870s, Mountain View has become a major center of traditional Ozarks culture and music. The epicenter of folk music and crafts here is the Ozark Folk Center, where you can see demonstrations of various crafts like pottery and blacksmithing, as well as traditional music—you can take lessons on a classic mountain instrument like the autoharp or dulcimer, and even learn to dance
Easy Outdoor Adventures in St. Francis National Forest
Quick: Where is the only national forest that covers the Mississippi coast? This is Arkansas’s St. Francis National Forest in the east-central part of the state. The hardwood forest covers more than 20,000 acres and is a wildlife watcher’s paradise. The woods teem with turkeys, rabbits, white-tailed deer and an abundance of waterfowl. Abundant wild catches include striped and largemouth bass and, of course, catfish. The St. Francis National Forest is a place of profit
