Your senses will be thrilled and fulfilled and your spirit revived as you explore Arkansas’s abundant thermal spring waters & spa treatments, traditional folk music & culture, live performances, Wild West history, caverns & mountains, unspoiled lakes, rivers, forests, scenic byways, a Victorian village, a Presidential Library, Civil Rights history, urban adventures, soft adventures in nature, river boat cruises, historic rail rides, art galleries, real down-home food & Southern hospitality. And, that’s just for starters! 

The Natural State is small enough to get around quite quickly, and large enough to have a wide diversity of terrain.  Each geographic area features characteristics distinctive to its region.

Featuring some the most scenic rivers and majestic lakes in America, the Ozarks are a heavily eroded plateau carved out by hundreds of streams over thousands of years.  Along with exploring the mountains, forests, rivers and lakes, activities include touring historic and artistic museums and shopping for one-of-a-kind treasures by local artisans.

Roll on down the Arkansas River Valley to take in some Old West Charm and history of Fort Smith and surrounding areas.  From the region’s scenic views, to be enjoyed from coach or train or balcony, to tasting and tours in Arkansas’s wine country, and on up to a brand new lodge on top of The Natural State’s highest peak, the region is a must-see for visitors.

The Ouachitas offer another mountaintop lodge at Queen Wilhelmina State Park.  Treasure-seekers can tour “America’s First Resort” and Bill Clinton’s boyhood home of Hot Springs, a city nestled right in a National Park.  Hot Springs is home to renowned traditional bath and spa experiences, world class thoroughbred racing, and “Arkansas’s Botanical Gardens,” Garvan Woodland Gardens.  Another kind of treasure seeker can dig for diamonds at the only diamond mine in the world operating on a finders-keepers basis, Crater of Diamonds State Park. 

The sun shines through the majestic trees to make the Timberlands region sparkle, and the Southern charm and beauty of the Old South complete the allure. Cities here are known for their historic, colorful murals, Civil War battle sites, terrific museums, and restored, bustling historic buildings and downtown squares, like Old Washington State Park and El Dorado’s downtown square.  In Texarkana, you can stand in two states while straddling their border.

The Delta is as diverse as its towns and sites:  Crowley’s Ridge Parkway and the Great River Road, the state’s two National Scenic Byways, run down the region and through destinations of preserved history, authentic Delta blues music and delightful local traditional cuisine.  You’ll also find greyhound racing here, one of Ernest Hemingway’s writing studios, Native American sites and lively theaters and art centers.

Central Arkansas is Arkansas’s political and cultural capital and provides a sample of all that makes The Natural State a wonderful place to visit: big-city entertainment with small-town ease.  The nation’s twelfth presidential library, the Clinton Center, is located right down the street from downtown Little Rock’s River Market district, full of eateries, shopping, hotels and entertainment.  Just a trolley-ride over the river is North Little Rock, home to more restaurants, shopping, hotels, entertainment venues, and a marine park with a WWII submarine, riverboat cruises and helicopter rides. 

For more information on Arkansas, call 1-800-NATURAL or visit www.arkansas.com.   Arkansas is proud and delighted to partner with four of our neighbors to showcase the Southern Treasures Region through TAP.