Arkansas, nicknamed the Natural State, is known for the great outdoors, something that calls to all families who love adventure. Tucker the tykes out on a trail or with a trip to the zoo, explore history at the state's military sites, or take par... see more »
Arkansas, nicknamed the Natural State, is known for the great outdoors, something that calls to all families who love adventure. Tucker the tykes out on a trail or with a trip to the zoo, explore history at the state's military sites, or take part in art at a cultural center.
Wear kids out in Mother Nature. Bike or walk across the Big Dam Bridge, the longest pedestrian-only bridge in the U.S., or trek along the 15-mile trail system called the Arkansas River Trail. Entertain your kids with beautiful scenery when you take a ride on the Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway running from Louisiana to the Missouri State Line. Kids can press their faces against the glass of a window and watch the beauty of the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains zip by. Cedar Fall Trails shows off one of Arkansas’s tallest and most stunning waterfalls. Animal fans will want to check out the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and watch big cats roam free. The is also sure to excite. It houses an abandoned timber wolf, a circus-trained brown bear, and over 725 other animals worth seeing. You can also touch a few animals at Heifer Ranch, including a water buffalo, camels, pigs, and goats.
Quite a bit of history happened in Arkansas, including several battles fought during the Civil War. The Pea Ridge National Military Park is by far the best preserved battlefield in Arkansas and offers a 7-mile, self-guided tour with ten stops illustrating the battle between the Blue and the Gray. For a real treat for the eyes, check out the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. See the resting place of the USS Razorback, a 311-foot submarine, and imagine life as a sailor. This sub was present in Tokyo Bay at the signing of the peace treaty that ended WWII. Kids will love learning and engaging with history at these sites.
Explore culture and art in Arkansas when you hit the spectacular Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, an art institution dedicated to American art and artists. Create a personal piece when you and the kids enter the museum's art-making classroom. The Ozark Folk Center is pretty unique, offering the history of Bluegrass and Folk music. Dance along with the little ones as you listen to this traditional American music. You can also let your children throw a pottery bowl, forge iron, make a quilt, or try other old-time arts and craft activities. Be sure to visit Eureka Springs, a funky and stylish town located in the Ozark Mountains that offers canoeing, festivals, and fun food for the whole family.
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