30 Best Things To Do In Arkansas, USA

things to do in arkansas
Shamika
Shamika 
Updated
| 13 min read

The great state of Arkansas, USA, has been an incredible vacation destination for tons of tourists for a long time now. Filled with beautiful parks and forests, this state promises a great time to anyone who is interested in outdoorsy activities. However, at the same time, there is a hidden undercurrent of more urban attractions for tourists throughout the state, making it an ideal destination for even the most introverted travellers out there. From exploring beautiful museums and gardens that are a trip to the past themselves, to enjoying some delicious classic American fare, we bring you the best that Arkansas has to offer to its tourists. So keep scrolling and discover some of the most awesome things to do in Arkansas, USA!

1. Tour the remarkable Fort Smith National Historic Site

It's that time of the year! Heat advisories have been in effect the last two days in Fort Smith - with undoubtedly many...

Posted by Fort Smith National Historic Site on Wednesday, 10 July 2019

If you love learning about history but aren’t interested in spending a whole afternoon in a museum, then this site is the perfect outdoorsy historic place for you. Once a site to the American civil war, the premises here have since been converted into a beautiful garden area with the historic landmarks displayed very elegantly. Learn about the dark history of Native Americans and how they were abused by the government of the time, and the significance of the armed forces.

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Address: 301 Parker Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA

Website: Fort Smith National Historic Site

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

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2. Explore President William Jefferson Clinton's birthplace home

Posted by President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site on Wednesday, 17 April 2019

President William J. Clinton, or Bill Clinton as he is more commonly known, became the 42nd President of the United States and has a memorial in his birthplace where you can visit and learn about his and Hillary Clinton’s inspirational life journey. Check out the visitor’s centre that has interesting artefacts and exhibits displaying the president’s childhood home, and you can even hire your own private guide who will show you around the beautiful home.

President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site

Address: 117 S Hervey St, Hope, AR 71801, USA

Website: President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home

Opening hours: 9am - 4:30pm (daily)

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3. Marvel at the beauty of Garvan Woodland Gardens

Southern Inspiration Garden

Posted by Garvan Woodland Gardens on Thursday, 1 August 2019

Situated in the University of Arkansas, which is near the beautiful Ouachita Mountains, this garden is a popular must-visit landmark. Known for its beauty, especially in the summer months, this garden is truly a spectacle of romance in and of itself. If you are planning a proposal or simply wish to spend some quality time with your spouse, this is the ultimate place to be.

Garvan Woodland Gardens

Address: 550 Arkridge Rd, Hot Springs, AR 71913, USA

Website: Garvan Woodland Gardens

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

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4. Head to the Old State House Museum

Posted by Old State House Museum on Wednesday, 19 March 2014

Another lovely treat for the history buff in you is a visit to this historical site while in Arkansas. Once the capitol of the state, this building is unparallel in architecture and today, is a famous museum that hosts incredible artefacts of tremendous significance to American history. In addition, there is also a quaint souvenir shop where you can buy little souvenirs to take back home.

Old State House Museum

Address: 300 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA

Website: Old State House Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm

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5. Learn about animals at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Posted by Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge on Friday, 16 August 2019

If you are interested in exploring the rich flora and fauna in Arkansas, head on down to Turpentine Creek Refuge, where you will be greeted by one of the largest collection of cat species on display, from big cats like tigers and leopards to smaller ones like the wild cat. There are also bears and other interesting species, and once you are done, you can head over to the gift shop to get some cool animal-themed souvenirs!

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Address: 239 Turpentine Creek Ln, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, USA

Website: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

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6. Discover the wonderful Walmart Museum

Posted by The Walmart Museum on Friday, 11 January 2019

Built to honour the history and legacy of one of the biggest retail conglomerates in the world, The Walmart Museum offers a well-rounded and fun experience as it takes you through the history and significance of this huge corporation. There are tons of displays and artefacts that are sure to fascinate you, and you will also be shown a clip that highlights how Walmart grew to be such a huge giant in retail.

The Walmart Museum

Address: 105 N Main St, Bentonville, AR 72712, USA

Website: The Walmart Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 8am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 8am - 10pm; Sun: 12pm - 9pm

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7. Admire the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

? CB Insight ? Crystal Bridges takes its name from Crystal Spring—a natural spring on the museum’s wooded site that...

Posted by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art on Wednesday, 10 July 2019

Sponsored by Walmart, this beautiful museum is another must-visit destination in North Arkansas for any historically oriented traveller. If you are lucky, you might even catch one of the special events hosted here. Otherwise, just take your time strolling through the museum’s artefacts and art galleries and marvelling at the amazing architecture of the building.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Address: 600 Museum Way, Bentonville, AR 72712, USA

Website: Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Opening hours: Mon: 11am - 6pm; Wed - Fri: 11am - 9pm; Sat - Sun: 10am - 6pm (closed on Tue)

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8. Explore The Old Mill

Posted by The Old Mill at T.R. Pugh Memorial Park on Friday, 17 November 2017

This singular and interesting attraction is the highlight of a trip to Arkansas, and you will surely take home unforgettable memories. Straight out of a fairytale, the Old Mill is a facsimile of an old-school water-powered mill and is a striking building that makes for amazing photogenic shots. If you love watching classic movies, you will surely recognise this building from Gone With The Wind. If you are planning a photoshoot of any kind, why not pick this special spot to make your mark? Situated in the midst of a picturesque setting that looks like a painting, your pictures are sure to come out as unique and beautiful as they can.

The Old Mill

Address: 3800 Lakeshore Dr, North Little Rock, AR 72116, USA

Website: The Old Mill

Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)

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9. Hike the Hot Springs Mountain Tower

Posted by Hot Springs Mountain Tower on Thursday, 30 May 2019

Situated in the Hot Springs area, this beautiful tower is a picturesque location with a vibrant and deep historical significance. The surrounding area is perfect for a wedding photoshoot or just a good picture for Instagram. This tower has a gift and souvenir shop where you can buy little memorabilia to take home, as well as a small cafe where you can enjoy a warm beverage. The highlight of this place, however, is the incredible view you can see from the top of the tower.

Hot Springs Mountain Tower

Address: 401 Hot Springs Mountain Dr, Hot Springs, AR 71901, USA

Website: Hot Springs Mountain Tower

Opening hours: 9am - 8pm (daily)

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10. Catch a show at TheatreSquared

Posted by TheatreSquared on Tuesday, 23 July 2019

The theatre is a testament to one of the longest standing entertainment services, that have been around from before there was literature. Pay homage to this amazing art form by checking out TheatreSquared, an establishment that hosts 320 plays annually, and has been widely recognised for its efforts all over America. The establishment includes two intimate settings for guests where you can enjoy the performances up close.

TheatreSquared

Address: 477 W Spring St, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA

Website: TheatreSquared

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11. Tour the Clinton House Museum

Rudyard Kipling said, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” That's what we do at...

Posted by Clinton House Museum on Tuesday, 27 November 2018

This beautiful museum is originally the home of Bill and Hillary Clinton, from when they got married and has been opened to the public with an interesting range of exhibits on display. The exhibits range from Bill Clinton’s memorabilia from his early career to special artefacts from their marriage. This is a great opportunity to delve deeper into the lives of this power couple.

Clinton House Museum

Address: 930 W Clinton Dr, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA

Website: Clinton House Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 10am - 5pm; Thu - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed on Wed)

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12. Visit the historic Thorncrown Chapel

things to do in arkansas | visit the historic thorncrown chapel
Source: instagram

Combing the modern with the historical, this gorgeous church is a testament to the epitome of architectural wonders. Built entirely of glass and native flagstone, it is minimalistic and ornate at the same time, and it truly will blow your mind. Like all churches, entry is free and you can even host weddings and special religious ceremonies here.

Thorncrown Chapel

Address: 12968 US-62, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, USA

Website: Thorncrown Chapel

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 9am - 5pm; Fri - Mon: 9am - 5:30pm

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13. Enjoy with kids at Magic Springs Water and Theme Park

Going up! Have you been on the Arkansas Twister this season? It's not too late! #MagicSprings

Posted by Magic Springs Theme and Water Park on Wednesday, 7 August 2019

One of the highlights of everyone’s childhoods has to be a trip to an amusement park or a water park. There are few things that immediately make you think of unparalleled fun, after all. So if you have little ones along with you on your vacation to Arkansas, why not give them the time of their lives at this theme park? You need to pay a one-time all-inclusive fee, in order to have unlimited fun!

Magic Springs Water and Theme Park

Address: 1701 E Grand Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901, USA

Website: Magic Springs Water and Theme Park

Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 11am - 6pm (closed from Mon - Fri)

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14. Drop by Fordyce Bathhouse

Posted by Rhonda Sykes Wolfe on Saturday, 24 August 2019

Built in early 1915, this lovely bathhouse brings a bit of the past into your travels. Currently refurbished as a museum open to the public, Fordyce Bathhouse is another unique attraction to visit in Arkansas. With lovely stained glass ceilings overlooking tens of thousands of square feet bath area, where people would come to relax and cure their aches and diseases. Finally, there is a gift shop where you can buy little souvenirs for yourself or a friend.

Fordyce Bathhouse

Address: 101 Reserve St, Hot Springs, AR 71901, USA

Website: Fordyce Bathhouse

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

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15. Explore the Museum of Native American History

Posted by Museum Of Native American History on Thursday, 22 August 2019

It would be remiss to visit Arkansas and miss out on Native American history on a tour of museums around the place. This huge museum holds over 14000 years of the history of the Americas and is laid out in order of the time period for your convenience. This museum, like a lot of them, hosts a ton of events and workshops for the public to raise awareness about different cultural aspects of Native American history.

Museum of Native American History

Address: Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560, USA

Website: Museum of Native American History

Opening hours: 10am - 5:30pm (daily)

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16. Visit the William J Clinton Library and Museum

One of our more popular exhibits is the Foreign Head of State gifts. Accepting gifts is an important part of diplomacy,...

Posted by William J. Clinton Presidential Library on Thursday, 11 July 2019

Bill Clinton has been one of the most influential presidents that served the United States, and one of the most popular American politicians around the world. In honour of this his life, this library and museum were built to hold a range of exhibits and displays that teach you about his and Hillary Rodham Clinton’s lives over the decades. From unique home decor elements that have been used in their house, to special memorabilia and utensils that they used every day, you can truly get a sense of how this power couple lived out their lives together. Their journeys are both individually and together, inspirational.

William J Clinton Library and Museum

Address: 1200 President Clinton Ave, Little Rock, AR 72201, USA

Website: William J Clinton Library and Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm

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17. Tour the Arkansas Governor's Mansion

Posted by Arkansas Governors Mansion on Thursday, 19 March 2015

The Governor’s Mansion in Arkansas is home to the current governor and is a beautiful and opulent mansion provided to the state’s first family. For this reason, the interior of the mansion is not open to the general public, unless you have a special appointment. However, you can still take a stroll around the area and click pictures of the picturesque scenery, and just enjoy the peaceful neighbourhood.

Arkansas Governor's Mansion

Address: 1800 Center St, Little Rock, AR 72206, USA

Website: Arkansas Governor’s Mansion

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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18. Admire the beauty of South Arkansas Arboretum

Posted by South Arkansas Arboretum on Monday, 25 March 2019

Arboretums have been around for centuries, and for good reason too. They are a wonderful place to spend some peaceful time amongst nature, without having to get away from the city. The South Arkansas Arboretum features a wide variety of beautiful and exotic plants from both local and national species. You can come here for a nice drive or just to take a walk between the greenery.

South Arkansas Arboretum

Address: 1506 Mt Holly Rd, El Dorado, AR 71730, USA

Website: South Arkansas Arboretum

Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)

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19. Go on a shopping spree at Northwest Arkansas Mall

Posted by Northwest Arkansas Mall on Thursday, 14 January 2016

Malls are a classic American staple when it comes to fun experiences. Check out what a true American mall day should be like at the Northwestern Arkansas mall, where you can do everything your heart desires, from shopping till you drop to going bowling to eating a variety of dishes at the food court. With a wide variety of stores, you will never run out of more shopping to do! Buy some unique souvenirs to take home to your family and friends, purchase some jewellery for the special person in your life or just treat yourself to an indoor day at the mall and buy yourself a little treat. After all, vacations are for indulging your heart’s desires!

Northwest Arkansas Mall

Address: 4201 N Shiloh Dr, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA

Website: Northwest Arkansas Mall

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 6pm

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20. Explore the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center

Posted by Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum & Educational Center on Friday, 18 May 2018

The Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center was built to honour Earnest Hemingway and the Pfeiffer family, and it is truly a work of art in and of itself. Standing in the midst of a lush green meadow sprinkled with trees and bushes, this lovely old-timey building holds exhibits and artefacts from Hemingway’s life, and the tour guides here will educate you about the history of this great American novelist. You would be excited to know that Hemingway finished his world-famous book, A Farewell To Arms, right here in this building!

Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center

Address: 1021 W Cherry St, Piggott, AR 72454, USA

Website: Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 3pm; Sat: 1pm - 3pm (closed on Sun)

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21. Soak in the freshness of nature at Compton Gardens

Posted by Compton Gardens & Conference Center on Thursday, 15 August 2019

Step in the midst of nature, without leaving the city at all, with greenery surrounding you for as far as the eye can see. This huge sprawling garden takes up a whopping 6.5 acres (2.6 hectares) of land and is definitely worth a visit. With cobblestone paths surrounded by trees and bushes on either side and flowering plants to soothe your eyes, this is a beautiful little corner of the city to escape into for a while. Bring along a book and just settle in with a cosy blanket. You can also host a special event in this beautiful garden such as an intimate proposal, a full-fledged wedding, a private event, or just have a lowkey family picnic, the choice is yours.

Compton Gardens

Address: 312 N Main St, Bentonville, AR 72712, USA

Website: Compton Gardens

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

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22. See vintage aircrafts at Arkansas Air and Military Museum

For #WarbirdWednesday today, we wanted to hear from you to see if your favorite warbirds are rotary winged or fixed winged?

Posted by Arkansas Air and Military Museum on Wednesday, 21 August 2019

The American armed forces have been a pioneer in defence establishments around the world. With the Arkansas Air Museum, you can get a glimpse into the historical achievements and exhibits, as well as check out some of the most influential fighter planes that have been used by the air force in the past. If you wish to, you can opt for a tour guide who will take you through military technology and explain how it advanced throughout both the world wars and in later years too. This is truly a fascinating and unique museum, and you are sure to learn a lot from this tour.

Arkansas Air and Military Museum

Address: 4290 S School Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA

Website: Arkansas Air and Military Museum

Opening hours: Sun - Fri: 11am - 4:30pm; Sat: 10am - 4:30pm

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23. Pay a visit to Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum

Posted by Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum on Wednesday, 19 June 2019

Now while it is quite unlikely that you’d see a celebrity walking through the streets of Arkansas, you could get your Hollywood fix by heading to this wax museum, that hosts a ton of incredibly realistic wax figures of the most popular celebrities out there. In addition to movie actors, you can also see some fictional characters as well as the Royal Family! To top it off, there is a live VR show that is really thrilling, so don’t miss that.

Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum

Address: 250 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901, USA

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 9am - 11pm; Sun: 9am - 8pm

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24. Bring your family to the Hampson Museum

Visited the Hampson Museum State Park in Wilson, AR this afternoon. Very interesting and they have done a great job creating a great educational and entertaining experience.

Posted by Bruce Poleet on Wednesday, 7 August 2019

Located in Wilson, Arkansas, this is one more unique and extraordinary museum that once used to be a well-fortified village located in the then Mississippi County. The artefacts located here, therefore, range from that time and are truly interesting and bound to fascinate you. In addition to this museum, there is also a virtual museum experience and a picnic spot on the premises. So bring along a blanket and some snacks, and you can enjoy a nice morning picnic right on the premises. The best part is that entry is completely free.

Hampson Museum

Address: 33 Park St, Wilson, AR 72395, USA

Website: Hampson Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 8am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)

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25. Explore the creepy remnants of Dogpatch USA

Posted by Dogpatch USA on Monday, 12 August 2019

In a true Arkansas style, the old hillbilly theme park of Dogpatch USA was shut in 1993, only to be replaced by growing vine and peeling paint. For some reason, however, this still seems to be frequented by visitors and tourists, a quick Google search shows that people are still curious about this abandoned park, and it still has an active Facebook account! Perhaps attracted to the creepy vibes this place gives, some people have even decided to go primitive camping here. So if you are one of those adventurous spirits, head on down to Dogpatch and take a walk through this dilapidated spooky site. Perhaps you might come back with a ghost story of your own!

Dogpatch USA

Address: Dogpatch, Arkansas 72601, USA

Website: Dogpatch USA

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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26. Get dazzled by Maxwell Blade’s Odditorium and Curiosities Museum

Posted by Kirsten Stapleton on Tuesday, 25 June 2019

With over 300 items on display that are sure to confuse, baffle and bamboozle you, this funky museum is a must-visit on your trip to Arkansas. Like one reviewer mentioned, it is like checking out the attic of your weird uncle who worked in a circus. Weird taxidermied animals, unsettling masks and creepy voodoo figurines are just some of the strange exhibits you can check out here. So you if you are interested in the spooky, then head on over to this museum and you are sure to not regret it.

Maxwell Blade’s Odditorium and Curiosities Museum

Address: 817 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR 71901, USA

Website: Maxwell Blade’s Odditorium and Curiosities Museum

Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)

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27. Head to Quigley's Castle

Still green in August and more rainfall today. It’s a great year for gardens.

Posted by Quigley's Castle on Friday, 16 August 2019

Deep in the heart of Arkansas lies this amazing castle in which stays the granddaughter of Elise Quigley. The home is so breathtakingly beautiful that you are sure to lose track of time just exploring the premises. Built completely from an artist’s point of view, you can see that the owners are truly in love with the place and have maintained it very lovingly. So if you love folk art and are tired of the typical tourist destinations, head on to this lovely castle, that look like it’s right out of a fairytale.

Quigley's Castle

Address: 274 Quigley Castle Rd, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, USA

Website: Quigley’s Castle

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm; Fri - Sat: 8:30am - 4:30pm (closed on Thu & Sun)

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28. Admire the gorgeous Castle Rogue's Manor

Castle Tours Available Contact us today to schedule your tour! http://ed.gr/0d4b #eurekasprings #castle #castletours #weddingvenue #meetingvenue

Posted by Castle Rogue's Manor 479 981 6816 on Monday, 5 August 2019

Another gorgeous castle to explore when in Arkansas is Castle Rogue’s Manor, which looks like an old-timey Asian or Arabic styled accommodation, with tall minarets and wooden interiors. You will definitely find the outside area very charming, and be fascinated with the limestone mountains upon which this castle stands. So if you are interested in the tour, definitely stop by and check out the guided tour so you don’t miss anything about this place. In addition, if you are planning a wedding or a pre-wedding photoshoot, or even a bachelor or bachelorette party, this location is extremely picturesque and beautiful.

Castle Rogue's Manor

Address: 2272 State Hwy 187, Beaver, AR 72613, USA

Website: Castle Rogue’s Manor

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 8pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

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29. Enjoy an afternoon at Popeye Park


Popeye has been a known and loved cartoon icon since our childhood days. Everyone recognises this spinach-eating sailor who had to keep rescuing his lady love Olive from the various problems she would somehow find herself in. The Popeye statue lies in Popeye park, made of stone and frequented quite commonly by tourists every time they are in Arkansas. You can take a selfie with this large statue, and also check out the mural of the adorable town of Alma next to it. So head over to Popeye Park for a lovely afternoon with your favourite cartoon.

Popeye Park

Address: 801 Fayetteville Ave, Alma, AR 72921

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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30. Get spooked at the Rush Historic District

things to do in arkansas | get spooked at the rush historic district
Source: instagram

Similar to Dogpatch, Arkansas has another creepy old town that remains abandoned, but still frequented by people looking for their haunted house fix as adults. Rush is an old mining town that has seen better days, but today it is popular as a ghost town that people dare each other to spend a night in. However, this adventure is not for the faint of hearts! There have been sightings of ghosts in this town, or perhaps it’s just a made-up rumour. To find out, head on to Rush Historic District and you can uncover the truth for yourself! While the mines are barred off to the public, you can still explore the old houses and buildings that remain.

Rush Historic District

Address: Yellville, AR 72687, USA

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

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Explore the land blessed by mother nature

things to do in arkansas | explore the land blessed by mother nature
Source: GoodFreePhotos

Whether it’s shopping or star gazing, trekking or dining, Arkansas promises an incredible vacation from start to end. Being a popular vacation destination might have its disadvantages, such as crowds and prices, but there is, after all, a reason why it is so popular every year. So make the most of your next vacation time by booking your tickets to this beautiful state, and immersing yourself in a unique itinerary prepared from this very list!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Being a military kid, Shamika has lived and travelled all over India, and her nomadic childhood has fueled an immense hunger and fascination for new cultures and languages (she's a polyglot!)...Read more

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