Bentonville
A small town with a world-class free art museum.
Points of interest
- Crystal Bridges
- Mountain bike trails
- Downtown square
State guide
Things to do in Arkansas
The Ozark Mountains and the Buffalo National River, the bathhouses of Hot Springs National Park, the free Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville, Little Rock's history and digging for real diamonds.
1972
First national river in the USA
The Natural State
Arkansas calls itself the Natural State, and much of it is forested hills, clear rivers and lakes. In the north, the Ozark Mountains have bluffs, waterfalls, caves and the Buffalo National River, which in 1972 became the first national river in the USA, with no dams along its course.
In the north-west, Bentonville, home of Walmart, has become an unexpected destination. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, set in a forest ravine, is one of the best art museums in the country, and it is free. The area is also a mountain biking hub with hundreds of kilometres of trails. Nearby, Fayetteville is a lively university town, and Eureka Springs is a quirky Victorian hill town.
Hot Springs National Park protects historic bathhouses where you can still soak in the thermal water. In Little Rock, the capital, Central High School is where nine Black students, the Little Rock Nine, integrated the school in 1957, and the Clinton Presidential Center sits on the river. At Crater of Diamonds State Park, you can search for diamonds and keep what you find. Give Arkansas four or five days, by car. Spring and autumn are best.
Where to base yourself
Bentonville for art and biking, Hot Springs for the bathhouses, and Little Rock for history.
Hot Springs
A historic spa town inside a national park.
Points of interest
- Bathhouse Row
- Hot Springs Mountain
- Lake Ouachita
Little Rock
The capital, rich in civil rights history.
Points of interest
- Central High School
- Clinton Presidential Center
- River Market
Regions of Arkansas
The Ozarks in the north, Bentonville and Fayetteville in the north-west, Little Rock in the centre and Hot Springs in the Ouachita Mountains.
North-west Arkansas
Art, biking, college townBentonville, Fayetteville and Eureka Springs.
Ozark Mountains
Rivers, bluffs, waterfallsThe Buffalo National River and Ozark forests.
Little Rock
Capital, historyThe capital on the Arkansas River.
Hot Springs and the Ouachitas
Bathhouses, lakesThe spa town and mountain lakes.
Things to do
Things to do in Arkansas
In Bentonville, spend half a day at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and walk its forest trails, and ride the mountain bike trails around town. Explore Fayetteville and the steep streets and Victorian buildings of Eureka Springs.
Canoe or kayak the Buffalo National River, hike to Hawksbill Crag (Whitaker Point), one of the most photographed spots in the state, and see the elk around Boxley Valley.
In Hot Springs, walk Bathhouse Row and soak at the Buckstaff or Quapaw bathhouses, then hike the trails above town. In Little Rock, visit the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site and the Clinton Presidential Center, and walk the Big Dam Bridge. Dig for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is free, apart from some special exhibitions, and its trails are free. Hot Springs National Park has no entry fee, and you can fill a bottle with hot spring water from public fountains.
The Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site is free, and so are the Buffalo National River's trails and the Big Dam Bridge.
The bathhouses and Crater of Diamonds charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Arkansas food is Southern comfort food: fried catfish, barbecue, fried pickles, which were popularised here, and cheese dip, which Little Rock claims as its own. Chocolate gravy on biscuits is a breakfast tradition.
Bentonville and Fayetteville have a growing restaurant scene, and Little Rock has good barbecue and Southern restaurants.
Some counties are dry. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Nightlife
Going out
Fayetteville's Dickson Street is the liveliest nightlife strip, with bars and live music. Little Rock has bars in the River Market district and SoMa, and Bentonville has bars around its square.
Eureka Springs has quirky bars and live music.
Many Arkansas counties are dry, so check before planning a night out in small towns.
Getting around
Getting around
Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas National Airport, near Bentonville, are the main airports. Amtrak's Texas Eagle stops in Little Rock, mostly at night.
A car is essential. Roads in the Ozarks are winding and slow, and some trailheads are on gravel roads.
Arkansas is on Central Time.
Costs
What Arkansas costs
Arkansas is one of the cheapest states to travel in, with low prices for food, fuel and accommodation.
Sales tax is 6.5 per cent statewide, plus local taxes, often reaching 9 per cent or more. Tip 18 to 22 per cent in restaurants.
Many of the best sights, including Crystal Bridges and Hot Springs National Park, are free.
Safety
Safety and scams
Arkansas is generally safe; take normal city care at night in Little Rock.
In the Ozarks, stay back from bluff edges, and check river levels before paddling, as the Buffalo can flood quickly after rain. Check for ticks after hiking.
Spring brings severe storms and tornadoes, and summers are hot and humid. In an emergency, call 911.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Autumn colour, festivals and river season.
Late October
Autumn colour
The Ozarks
The forests turn red and gold.
September
Bikes, Blues and BBQ
Fayetteville
A big motorcycle rally and barbecue festival.
March to June
Paddling season
Buffalo National River
The best water levels for canoeing.
When to go
March to May and October to November are the best times. Spring is best for paddling the Buffalo, and late October brings autumn colour to the Ozarks. Summers are hot and humid.
Jan
Mild
Feb
Cool
Mar
Paddling season
Apr
Spring, waterfalls
May
Warm
Jun
Hot
Jul
Very hot
Aug
Very hot
Sep
Warm
Oct
Autumn colour
Nov
Cool
Dec
Mild
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs for Little Rock, rounded. The Ozarks are cooler.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Arkansas prices.
Treat these as a guide. Car hire and canoe rental cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Arkansas questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Crystal Bridges free?
Yes, general admission is free. Some special exhibitions charge.
Can you bathe in the hot springs?
Yes, at the Buckstaff and Quapaw bathhouses on Bathhouse Row.
Can you keep diamonds at Crater of Diamonds?
Yes. Visitors keep whatever they find.
When is the best time to canoe the Buffalo River?
Spring, from March to June, when water levels are best.
Do I need a car in Arkansas?
Yes. Public transport is very limited.
When is the best time to visit Arkansas?
Spring and autumn.
Are there dry counties in Arkansas?
Yes, many counties do not allow alcohol sales.
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