There are certain places in Arkansas that are either too beautiful to describe or so unique that they must be experienced by the individual instead of being heard about through word of mouth. These locations across the Natural State should be seen by not only all of the residents but tourists and anyone who finds themselves fortunate enough to be in Arkansas for a while! From the scenic to the strange, here are 10 places in Arkansas you have to see.

  1. Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs

Facebook/Garvan Woodland Gardens Garvan Woodland Gardens can be found near Hot Springs National Park and features picturesque waterfalls and idyllic landscapes. A number of rare and unique flowers, trees, and shrubbery can be enjoyed by nature lovers as well, a Japanese garden full of peonies, Japanese maples, and rock gardens that make this location quite a fairy-tale setting! To learn more, visit the Garvan Woodland Gardens website.

  1. Mulberry Mountain, Ozark

Flickr/Tyler Mulberry Mountain can be found in the Ozark National Forest along the Pig Trail, also known as Arkansas Highway 23. Not only is the mountain an awesome getaway with lodging and cabins available, but the mountain has also become home to the Backwoods Music Festival, a multi-day music and art festival held every spring/summer. To learn more, visit the Mulberry Mountain website.

  1. Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, Russellville

Wikipedia Whether you find yourself traveling through either the Ozark National Forest or the St. Francis National Forest, you’ll find that both have their own qualities unique to either forest. Combined, the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest covers nearly 400 miles of hiking trails - there’s a huge amount of exploring out there to do and over 20 campgrounds throughout the forest where outdoor lovers can enjoy the best of America’s natural sights. This is a great destination for a road trip in Arkansas. To learn more, visit the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest webpage.

  1. Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, Bella Vista

Wikipedia Located in lovely Bella Vista, the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel leaves quite an impression with its unique architecture and quiet, meditative atmosphere where visitors can marvel in peace at the chapel’s beautiful surroundings. To learn more, visit the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel webpage.

  1. King Biscuit Blues Festival, Helena

Flickr/David Capes A music-filled, multi-day festival that takes place every October in Helena, the King Biscuit Blues Festival has been going strong since 1986 with a variety of musical acts that span multiple genres. To learn more, visit the King Biscuit Blues Festival Facebook page.

  1. Ozark Folk Center, Mountain View

Facebook/Ozark Folk Center Known as a living history state park, the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View (also known as the folk music capital of the world) focuses all efforts to preserve the heritage and culture of the Ozark Mountains. If you want to hear the sound of Arkansas at its folkiest and even get a true feel of what the history of the Natural State is really like, a trip to the Ozark Folk Center has to be taken! To learn more, visit the Ozark Folk Center webpage.

  1. Thorncrown Chapel, Eureka Springs

Wikipedia A trip to Eureka Springs is incomplete without seeing Thorncrown Chapel, one of the most uniquely designed wonders of architecture and incredible attractions in Arkansas . A hot spot for photographers for over three decades, Thorncrown Chapel is also a popular destination for weddings and daily worship. To learn more, visit the Thorncrown Chapel website.

  1. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville

Wikipedia Bentonville has been made infinitely more interesting and intriguing since the Crystal Bridges Museum opened in November 2011! With free admission to the public, the museum is both a representative of the beauty of the Natural State as well as its diversity with its one-of-a-kind exhibits. To learn more, visit the Crystal Bridges website.

  1. Buffalo National River, Ponca

Wikipedia The breathtaking beauty of America’s first designated National River should be experienced up close and personal, preferably on a weekend camping trip! To learn more, visit the Buffalo National River webpage.

  1. Christ of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs

Wikipedia It’s a very monumental moment to stand before one of the tallest monuments in the United States! Located in Eureka Springs, Christ of the Ozarks remains a popular spot to visit even if some do criticize the modernist style of the statue! Christ of the Ozarks has even been famous enough to be featured in two films, 1988’s ‘Pass the Ammo’ and 2005’s ‘Elizabethtown’. To learn more, visit the Christ of the Ozarks webpage.

Those who have truly “been here”, so to speak, can surely tell you about these 10 places in Arkansas you have to see. If you haven’t seen these wonderful destinations around the Natural State, you must make plans to do so! Where else around the state is a must-go, in your opinion? Leave a comment about other places around Arkansas that have to be seen rather than described!

Facebook/Garvan Woodland Gardens

Garvan Woodland Gardens can be found near Hot Springs National Park and features picturesque waterfalls and idyllic landscapes. A number of rare and unique flowers, trees, and shrubbery can be enjoyed by nature lovers as well, a Japanese garden full of peonies, Japanese maples, and rock gardens that make this location quite a fairy-tale setting! To learn more, visit the Garvan Woodland Gardens website.

Flickr/Tyler

Mulberry Mountain can be found in the Ozark National Forest along the Pig Trail, also known as Arkansas Highway 23. Not only is the mountain an awesome getaway with lodging and cabins available, but the mountain has also become home to the Backwoods Music Festival, a multi-day music and art festival held every spring/summer. To learn more, visit the Mulberry Mountain website.

Wikipedia

Whether you find yourself traveling through either the Ozark National Forest or the St. Francis National Forest, you’ll find that both have their own qualities unique to either forest. Combined, the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest covers nearly 400 miles of hiking trails - there’s a huge amount of exploring out there to do and over 20 campgrounds throughout the forest where outdoor lovers can enjoy the best of America’s natural sights. This is a great destination for a road trip in Arkansas. To learn more, visit the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest webpage.

Located in lovely Bella Vista, the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel leaves quite an impression with its unique architecture and quiet, meditative atmosphere where visitors can marvel in peace at the chapel’s beautiful surroundings. To learn more, visit the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel webpage.

Flickr/David Capes

A music-filled, multi-day festival that takes place every October in Helena, the King Biscuit Blues Festival has been going strong since 1986 with a variety of musical acts that span multiple genres. To learn more, visit the King Biscuit Blues Festival Facebook page.

Facebook/Ozark Folk Center

Known as a living history state park, the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View (also known as the folk music capital of the world) focuses all efforts to preserve the heritage and culture of the Ozark Mountains. If you want to hear the sound of Arkansas at its folkiest and even get a true feel of what the history of the Natural State is really like, a trip to the Ozark Folk Center has to be taken! To learn more, visit the Ozark Folk Center webpage.

A trip to Eureka Springs is incomplete without seeing Thorncrown Chapel, one of the most uniquely designed wonders of architecture and incredible attractions in Arkansas . A hot spot for photographers for over three decades, Thorncrown Chapel is also a popular destination for weddings and daily worship. To learn more, visit the Thorncrown Chapel website.

Bentonville has been made infinitely more interesting and intriguing since the Crystal Bridges Museum opened in November 2011! With free admission to the public, the museum is both a representative of the beauty of the Natural State as well as its diversity with its one-of-a-kind exhibits. To learn more, visit the Crystal Bridges website.

The breathtaking beauty of America’s first designated National River should be experienced up close and personal, preferably on a weekend camping trip! To learn more, visit the Buffalo National River webpage.

It’s a very monumental moment to stand before one of the tallest monuments in the United States! Located in Eureka Springs, Christ of the Ozarks remains a popular spot to visit even if some do criticize the modernist style of the statue! Christ of the Ozarks has even been famous enough to be featured in two films, 1988’s ‘Pass the Ammo’ and 2005’s ‘Elizabethtown’. To learn more, visit the Christ of the Ozarks webpage.

If you love history, here are some must-visit historical landmarks around Arkansas. 

 

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Address: 550 Arkridge Rd, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71913, USAAddress: 4117 Mulberry Mountain Loop, Ozark, AR 72949, USAAddress: 605 W Main St, Russellville, AR 72801, USAAddress: 504 Memorial Dr, Bella Vista, AR 72714, USAAddress: Helena, Helena-West Helena, AR 72342, USAAddress: 1032 Park Ave, Mountain View, AR 72560, USAAddress: 12968 US-62, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, USAAddress: 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712, USAAddress: Ponca, AR 72742, USAAddress: 937 Passion Play Rd, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Places In Arkansas You Have To See April 15, 2021 Melissa M Are there any road trips in Arkansas I should take? We have put together a few quite unique road trips you may want to check out. Our Fairytale Road Trip will lead you to eight magical places from a garden to a lake to a treehouse in Arkansas. Follow along for a storybook-style adventure. Another fantastic road trip is the Waterfalls Road Trip with just four hours of driving time. This is an easy one to do as a day trip and you’ll see the most enchanting waterfalls along the way. What are some of the best things to do in Arkansas? Heading out into nature is always a good thing to do in a state with the nickname, ‘The Natural State.’ If you head to Eureka Springs, you will get to experience both gorgeous nature and the conveniences of a small city. It’s the perfect place to take a day trip and spend some time exploring. Arkansas is a state that’s also known for its hot springs, so head to the aptly named Hot Springs National Park to hike to some of these healing pools of water.  What are some of the top attractions in Arkansas? Aside from the places mentioned above, additional attractions include the Crater of Diamonds State Park, William J. Clinton Library and Museum, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Petit Jean State Park, and the Arkansas State Capitol, just to name a few. All of these attractions are worth a visit.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Places In Arkansas You Have To See

April 15, 2021

Melissa M

Are there any road trips in Arkansas I should take? We have put together a few quite unique road trips you may want to check out. Our Fairytale Road Trip will lead you to eight magical places from a garden to a lake to a treehouse in Arkansas. Follow along for a storybook-style adventure. Another fantastic road trip is the Waterfalls Road Trip with just four hours of driving time. This is an easy one to do as a day trip and you’ll see the most enchanting waterfalls along the way. What are some of the best things to do in Arkansas? Heading out into nature is always a good thing to do in a state with the nickname, ‘The Natural State.’ If you head to Eureka Springs, you will get to experience both gorgeous nature and the conveniences of a small city. It’s the perfect place to take a day trip and spend some time exploring. Arkansas is a state that’s also known for its hot springs, so head to the aptly named Hot Springs National Park to hike to some of these healing pools of water.  What are some of the top attractions in Arkansas? Aside from the places mentioned above, additional attractions include the Crater of Diamonds State Park, William J. Clinton Library and Museum, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Petit Jean State Park, and the Arkansas State Capitol, just to name a few. All of these attractions are worth a visit.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

We have put together a few quite unique road trips you may want to check out. Our Fairytale Road Trip will lead you to eight magical places from a garden to a lake to a treehouse in Arkansas. Follow along for a storybook-style adventure. Another fantastic road trip is the Waterfalls Road Trip with just four hours of driving time. This is an easy one to do as a day trip and you’ll see the most enchanting waterfalls along the way.

What are some of the best things to do in Arkansas?

Heading out into nature is always a good thing to do in a state with the nickname, ‘The Natural State.’ If you head to Eureka Springs, you will get to experience both gorgeous nature and the conveniences of a small city. It’s the perfect place to take a day trip and spend some time exploring. Arkansas is a state that’s also known for its hot springs, so head to the aptly named Hot Springs National Park to hike to some of these healing pools of water. 

What are some of the top attractions in Arkansas?

Aside from the places mentioned above, additional attractions include the Crater of Diamonds State Park, William J. Clinton Library and Museum, Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Petit Jean State Park, and the Arkansas State Capitol, just to name a few. All of these attractions are worth a visit.