If vacation plans this spring or summer call for you to stay in the state, here are some places you might have not visited before. According to the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, there are more than 81 sites in Arkansas to put on your “must see” list. Its site, Arkansas.com, divides the list into four different regions.
The complete list can be read at arkansas.com/things-to-do/attractions/mustsee/
Northwest
- Blanchard Springs Caverns is ranked among “the most beautiful underground discoveries of the 20th century” and is the only developed cave system operated by the Forest Service.
Attend Mass at St. Mary Church, Mountain View, Sun. 10:30 a.m.
- Buffalo National River is the country’s first national river and flows roughly 150 miles in the Arkansas Ozarks. Opportunities are available for canoeing, rafting, horseback riding and fishing.
Attend Mass at Mary Mother of God Church, Harrison, Sat. 5 p.m. or Sun. 8:30 a.m. Or attend Mass at St. Andrew Church, Yellville, Sun. 11 a.m.
- Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is known as a premier art institution with a permanent collection of American art from colonial era to modern day and touring collections from national art institutions.
Attend St. Stephen Church, Bentonville, Sat. 5 p.m. and Sun. 7:45 a.m., 10 a.m. or 5 p.m.
- The entire town of Eureka Springs is full of turn-of-the-century architecture and has lots of places to dine, stop and visit art galleries and museums. It has been named one of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
- Thorncrown Chapel extensively uses glass and wood beams, making nature an integral part of the structure. The chapel was chosen in 2001 as one of the Top 10 Designs of the 20th Century by the American Institute of Architects.
Attend Mass at St. Elizabeth Church, Sat. 4 p.m. (parish center) or Sun. 8:30 a.m. (church)
- Greers Ferry Lake, between Clinton and Heber Springs, is the third largest lake in Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains. Visitors love to visit for the trout fishing, camping and playing golf.
Attend Mass at St. Albert Church, Heber Springs, Sun. 11 a.m. Or attend Mass at St. Jude Church, Clinton, Sun. 11 a.m.
- Ozark Folk Center State Park is the U.S. park devoted to the preservation of Southern mountain folkways and music. It showcases furniture making, quilting, blacksmithing, tintype photography, woodcarving and other crafts.
Attend Mass at St. Mary Church, Mountain View, Sun. 10:30 a.m.
- War Eagle Crafts Fair hosts one of the largest crafts fairs in the country every October. This year it will be Oct. 13-16.
Attend Mass at St. Vincent de Paul, Rogers, Sat. 5 p.m. or Sun. 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Southwest
- Crater of Diamonds State Park is the world’s only site where anyone can dig for diamonds, for a small fee, and keep what they find. North America’s largest diamond (40.23 carats) was discovered there. You can camp and hike in the area too. Children will love the Diamond Springs Water Park.
Attend Mass at St. Martin, Nashville, Sun. 9 a.m.
- DeGray Lake Resort State Park is the state’s only resort state park. In addition to water-skiing, sailing and jet-skiing, you can find golf courses, riding stable, hiking trails and campground.
Attend Mass at St. Mary Church, Arkadelphia, Sun. 11 a.m.
- City of Hot Springs National Park is known as “The American Spa.” Thermal baths and massages are available at several locations.
- Magic Springs/Crystals Falls is a combination theme and water park. During the summer well-known entertainers have concerts there.
- Garvan Woodland Gardens, on the shores of Lake Hamilton, is a 210-acre botanical garden with waterfalls, stone bridges and native and Asian plantings.
Attend Mass at St. Mary Church Sat. 4 p.m. and Sun. 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Or attend Mass at St. John Church Sat. 5 p.m. and Sun. 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
- President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site is where President Clinton lived his first four years with his maternal grandparents. Period furnishings make the home look like it did when the Clinton family lived there. The Watermelon Festival nearby will be held Aug. 11-13.
Attend Mass at Our Lady of Good Hope Church, Hope, Sun. 9 a.m.
Central
- Arkansas Arts Center has an internationally recognized collection of drawings with works dating from the Renaissance to the present.
- Clinton Presidential Center and Park is located on the banks of the Arkansas River in the River Market District. It contains the largest collection of presidential papers and artifacts in U.S. history.
- Heifer Village has interactive exhibits and educational programming to introduce visitors to Heifer International’s work of providing livestock and training to families worldwide.
- Historic Arkansas Museum is known as the “state’s oldest neighborhood” where medicine came from the herb garden and the newspaper was printed on a hand-operated press. Four original Little Rock dwellings are located on the grounds.
- Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site is still a public high school, but it is also a U.S. Civil Rights landmark.
All of these locations are in or near downtown Little Rock. Attend Mass at St. Edward Church Sat. 4 p.m. and Sun. 9 a.m. or the Cathedral of St. Andrew Sat. 4:30 p.m. and Sun. 8:30 a.m., 12:05 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. For a complete listing of Little Rock parishes, visit dolr.org/parishes.
Delta
- Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center in Piggott is the restored home and barn-studio where Ernest Hemingway penned portions of “A Farewell to Arms” and other works.
Attend Mass at St. Joseph Church, Corning, Sat. 4 p.m.
- Parkin Archeological State Park is where a Native American village was located from 1000 to 1550.
Attend Mass at St. Peter Church, Wynne, Sun. 9 a.m.
- Delta Cultural Center is located in a restored depot and storefront in Helena and tells the story of the region’s role in blues and gospel music and the Civil War battle at Helena.
Attend Mass at St. Mary Church Sun. 11 a.m.
- Lakeport Plantation is the last remaining antebellum plantation home on the Mississippi River in Arkansas. Visitors can see artifacts found during restoration and original items donated back to the house.
Attend Mass at Our Lady of the Lake Church, Lake Village, Sat. 5 p.m. and Sun. 9 a.m.
