Welcome to Arkansas

On twisting back roads and in charming small-town squares, you’ll find the heart of Arkansas. Fiddlers play their tunes at community gatherings and time-honored, homespun recipes grace the tables of cozy restaurants. In resort towns, visitors discover wide-open nature in lakes where the big fish bite and boating opportunities abound. The state forms a majestic bridge between the Deep South and the Midwest.

State Flower: Apple Blossom. Getty Images

Rock-Solid Towns

Little Rock, the state capital and Arkansas’ largest city, is located at the heart of the state. A revitalized area along the Arkansas River connects several historic sites, family-friendly attractions, green spaces and recreational trails, including the nation’s longest pedestrian bridge. Another wonderful place to explore on foot is the town of Hot Springs, just an hour southwest of Little Rock. Hot Springs National Park preserves the fascinating history of the grand Bathhouse Row, which sprang up along the town’s namesake mineral water springs in the 1800s. In the northwest, the town of Bentonville boasts retail history at the Walmart Museum.

Arkansas Dept. of Parks & Tourism

Shining Like a Diamond

With a nickname like the Natural State, one can expect to find plenty of beauty in Arkansas, with some of the best spots found in the 52 state parks scattered within its borders. You’ll hit the trifecta with a visit to Mount Magazine, Mount Nebo and Petit Jean State Parks. Each offers unforgettable views from some of Arkansas’ highest points. In Central Arkansas, Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only spot in the world where visitors can dig for diamonds. Unearth gems in the 37 acres of exposed surface.