10 Best Things to Do in Arkansas

The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is a beautiful museum in Bentonville that offers a vast permanent collection. The museum’s exhibits focus on local art from the colonial period to the contemporary period, including works from artists like Thomas Eakins, Norman Rockwell, Jackson Pollock, and Winslow Homer. 

The Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has plenty of sculptures as well, both in its galleries and outdoor trails. The jewel of the museum is the Bachman-Wilson House, which was acquired by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Crater of Diamonds State Park in Arkansas is the world’s only diamond-bearing site that allows public access. Many valuable diamonds have been discovered in this area since 1906, including the Strawn-Wagner Diamond. 

One of the most popular activities in the geological park is hunting for the gemstones in the crater field. You can visit the Diamond Discovery Center to learn about diamond prospecting in the region. The Crater of Diamonds State Park has an onsite café, a gift shop, an interpretive center, a water park, hiking trails, and picnic areas.

The Buffalo National River is a popular spot for hiking and fishing in Arkansas. It starts in the Boston Mountains of the Ozarks, flowing through the Springfield Plateau into the White River. The surrounding area and Ozark National Forest are home to the state’s only elk herd. 

Numerous hiking trails lead to sandstone and limestone bluffs, sinkholes, caves, springs, and waterfalls. You can camp overnight near the water, as well as enjoy canoeing and fishing. Whitewater rafting is very popular in the upper section of the Buffalo National River.

The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is the presidential library of the 42nd US president, Bill Clinton. The 3-floor building holds the office of the Clinton Foundation and exhibits related to Clinton's life. 

Inside, you can view photographs, documents, and artifacts from his presidency. Check out artifacts and full-scale replicas of the Clinton-era Cabinet Room and Oval Office. Located in Little Rock, the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum is a short walk from the Arkansas River.

The Mount Magazine State Park is a 2,234-acre parkland within the Ozark National Forest. It has many geological wonders, including Mount Magazine (the highest peak in Arkansas), Signal Hill, and Mossback Ridge. 

Horseback riding, mountain biking, ATV riding, rappelling, backpacking, and rock climbing are popular activities in the Mount Magazine State Park. You can tackle numerous hiking trails that meander through forests, streams, peaks, and ridges. Hang gliding is available at the onsite lodge.

The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History is a regional history museum that focuses on the Arkansas Ozarks. It hosts programs and exhibits on the history of the Ozarks and Northwest Arkansas, along with a massive research library and an extensive collection of historic images. 

The exhibits are divided into Madison County, Newton County, Washington County, Carroll County, Boone County, and Benton County. You can see Native American artifacts, costumes, accessories, tools, advertising media, recreational items, and artwork, as well as archival materials like books and documents.

The Little Rock Central High School is the country's only high school that's designated as a National Historic Site. It focuses on the integration crisis in Little Rock, featuring many multimedia exhibits and artifacts on the civil rights movement. 

Nearby, you’ll find the Central High Commemorative Garden, which has trees and benches honoring the students. You can watch an interpretive film for more background on the integration crisis. The school’s façade is decorated with photographs of the school in more recent years and students of various backgrounds.

The Thorncrown Chapel is a local chapel in Eureka Springs that features the Prairie School of architecture that was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright. The gorgeous structure is made of diamond-shaped trusses and organic materials like Southern pine and flagstone. Skylights in the ceiling allow natural light in and create a feeling of an open-air chapel, though it’s enclosed and air-conditioned for events and ceremonies. Nondenominational church services are held in March through December, and the chapel is available to tour for free, except during weddings and events.

Dickson Street is a vibrant downtown area in Fayetteville, close to the University of Arkansas campus. Also known as the West Dickson Street Commercial Historic District, it's the city's epicenter for dining, shopping, and nightlife. 

Dickson Street is where you can check out the Walton Arts Center and celebrate Bikes Blues & BBQ – one of the largest charity motorcycle rallies in the world. You can spend hours exploring and checking out many unique offerings in this district.

The Hot Springs National Park is on Hot Springs Mountain, which is part of the Ouachita Mountain Range in western Arkansas. The pools within the 5,550-acre park are all-natural, with mineral-rich water flowing from the mountain's western slope. 

A prominent landmark in the park is Bathhouse Row, which has a series of bathhouses with Gilded Age architecture. You can check out the Museum of Contemporary Art and enjoy a soak at the Springs Hotel & Spa.