The Natural State has unending native beauty, from the lush, rolling hills of the Ozarks to the bluffs and forests of the Ouachitas and southern Arkansas. Where the state truly shines is when natural treasures are enhanced by cultural heritage.
In every corner of Arkansas, it’s easy to find irresistible attractions that blend outdoor beauty with history, from the fun, festive atmosphere along the Arkansas River in Little Rock to Hot Springs’ elegant bathhouses and the soulful music of the Delta in Helena.
History also runs deep in Fort Smith and Mountain View, while natural wonders take the main stage at Mount Magazine. Arkansas Parks and Tourism carefully curates details for hundreds of other attractions, so planners can request the perfect venue for any event.
River Market District and Clinton Presidential Library, Little Rock
One of Little Rock’s most popular districts is located downtown along President Clinton Avenue, within easy walking of hotels and museums. The River Market district is a bright, bustling magnet for locals and visitors alike, featuring art galleries, shops, restaurants, clubs and the Farmers’ Market.
“The River Market has an incredible selection of bars and clubs,” says John Mayner, vice president of the Little Rock CVB. He adds that the restaurant scene is incredibly diverse and vibrant, including Cache, one of the newest restaurants in the district, which features creations by Chef Payne Harding, including twists on Southern favorites.
There’s also Market Hall, a large indoor bazaar of international cuisine and retail food items. Dine on specialties from Italy, Mexico, Japan, Thailand, Greece, India and more after working up an appetite with a morning of shopping.
Further up the street is the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, with an on-site museum, research library, re-creation of the Oval Office and changing exhibits on art and American culture. Wrapping up in February will be the Coca-Cola exhibit, and past shows include exhibits on the work of Dale Chihuly, Charles M. Schulz, Oscar de la Renta and more. The facility offers more than 20,000 square feet for group events in a variety of venues, including the Great Hall, which overlooks downtown Little Rock.
Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs
There are many charms to the bustling city of Hot Springs, but the top draw is still the hot springs from which the area received its name. Hot Springs National Park is located downtown, and the famed Bathhouse Row still offers relaxing spa experiences.
Soak in the soothing waters at Buckstaff Bathhouse, enjoy a contemporary spa experience at Quapaw Baths and Spa, or learn the history of the natural flowing springs at Fordyce Bathhouse. Visitors can also sip waters of a different kind in the new Superior Brewery, located in the old Superior Bathhouse.
“You can walk down Central Avenue and have bathhouses on one side and shopping on the other,” says Steve Arrison, CEO for the Hot Springs CVB. “There’s plenty to occupy groups, which is why the city entertains 3 million people every year.”
Planners can arrange tours of the park, from hikes along the hills to a history tour of Bathhouse Row itself. Hot Springs has a fascinating history, full of politics, gangsters and drama, but it’s also important to remember that the springs were there first; before it was discovered by white explorers, the area drew Native Americans. Once the region became part of the U.S. through the Louisiana Purchase, Hot Springs was the first national park to be created, beating even the venerable Yellowstone National Park by decades.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville
Art and natural beauty come together at Crystal Bridges, located in the northwest corner of the state. The museum itself was designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, and it opened in 2011 to worldwide acclaim; it was the only American site listed on Travel + Leisure’s Hottest Travel Destinations in 2012.
The permanent collection focuses on five centuries of American art, from the earliest works of colonial times to edgy contemporary pieces. Exhibitions have included masterworks from the Hudson River School, as well as the works of Andy Warhol and Norman Rockwell. Future exhibitions will include collections of Native American art and a show dedicated to photography and the American road trip.
In addition to the collection and changing exhibitions, the museum is surrounded by 120 acres of trails and grounds for groups to explore, including a sculpture trail. Groups can arrange for private tours of the museum, have lunch on-site and walk the trails afterward.
PageBreak
Downtown Historical District, Eureka Springs
Another town made famous by its waters is Eureka Springs, located just an hour from Bentonville. Eureka Springs became a spa town in the 1870s, and stories of healing by drinking from the cool-water springs made the fast-growing community a must-see for health-seekers and adventurers alike.
Today, the entire downtown district is on the National Register of Historic Places, where visitors walk past brightly colored Victorian homes and historic buildings of brick and limestone. Eureka Springs’ downtown curves around hills and narrow streets and is filled with boutique shops, restaurants, art galleries and clubs. Hundreds of artists live in and around the area, and the art scene has been recognized as one of the best in small towns across the nation.
There are three levels to the downtown business district: Spring, Center and Main. While Spring Street runs through the heart of town, Main Street is full of possibilities for groups as well, according to Jack Moyer, general manager of the 1905 Basin Park Hotel and 1886 Crescent Hotel, and chairman for the Eureka Springs Downtown Network.
“The Eureka Springs Main Street program is well known for coordinating interesting and engaging scavenger hunts that incorporate not only the unique shops but also historic sites,” he says.
There are sites visited by characters from the past, such as Belle Starr, the Dalton Gang and Carry Nation, who not only had a home in Eureka Springs, but also discovered a spring.
Fort Smith National Historic Site, Fort Smith
For nearly an entire century, Fort Smith shaped history along the Western frontier. Perhaps the most famous years were from 1872 to 1896, when “Hangin’” Judge Isaac Parker ruled court with an iron will. His courtroom, the dark Hell-on-the Border Jail and the well-used gallows are on display at the Fort Smith National Historic Site. Groups can sit in the courtroom, explore artifacts and even walk under the gallows or step inside the jail, which was often a criminal’s last home before Parker condemned him to death.
“The facility is shaped by a diverse cast of colorful characters—soldiers, Indians, outlaws and lawmen—and preserves nearly 80 years of turbulent and highly significant history on the Western frontier,” says Russ Jester, communications/event services manager for the Fort Smith CVB.
He adds that visitors can explore remnants of two frontier forts during the town’s early days, and also walk along a portion of the Trail of Tears. Even the area’s visitor center has a historic and colorful past: Miss Laura’s Visitor Center is the only former bordello listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and visitors can tour the building with a reenactor. Other historic destinations include the Frisco Railroad Depot and the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, where guests can hop onto a vintage electric trolley car.
Mount Magazine State Park, Paris
When it comes to amazing natural beauty, nothing shows off Arkansas’ assets like Mount Magazine State Park. The mountain itself is the state’s tallest peak, at 2,753 feet, and visitors can take in the incredible views of hills, valleys and bluffs from the comfort of the Lodge at Mount Magazine.
“Mount Magazine is a perfect location for a relaxing conference or retreat,” says Becky Bariola, superintendent for Mount Magazine State Park. “We have two interpreters on staff, and groups can set up programs with them.”
Eco-tourism and biodiversity are important themes at Mount Magazine, but there’s also plenty for adventure-seekers as well. The park also offers hiking trails, horseback trails and some of the most challenging, beautiful rock climbing adventures in the state. For folks who would rather ride, an ATV provider is located near the park for motorized explorations.
The Lodge is a popular getaway for groups, with 60 guest rooms, 13 cabins, a restaurant and a banquet hall plus two meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 260 guests total.
Ozark Folk Center State Park, Mountain View
Mountain View may not be in the middle of Arkansas, but this is where the state keeps its cultural heart. Located along the Southern portion of the Ozark Mountains, the Ozark Folk Center State Park keeps the music, crafts and food alive from generations past. Storytelling, quilting, bluegrass, American folk music and more are celebrated here, along with a Heritage Herb Garden and plenty of programming for groups.
There are craft workshops like no other, including demonstrations on making black powder pistols, jewelry casting, authentic doll-making, letterpress printing and soap-making at an apothecary shop. The park regularly hosts concerts and festivals as well.
The park is well-suited for groups, with a 60-room lodge, 150-seat auditorium, private and public dining, and a 1,000-seat theater.
Delta Cultural Center, Helena
The heritage of the blues and the Delta is celebrated at the Delta Cultural Center in Helena. Groups can learn about the impact of the mighty Mississippi River on Delta towns, or watch as the famed King Biscuit Time blues show is broadcast every day at 12:15 p.m. Several buildings comprise the Delta Blues Center, including the historic train depot, the visitors center, the outdoor Cherry Street Pavilion for live music, and more. Many of the buildings offer meeting or event space, and interpreters can be arranged for group events.
