15 Best Things To Do In Arkansas For Your Bucket List

If you are looking for the best things to do in Arkansas, then you have come to the right place!

As a kid, my family traveled a lot in Arkansas, so it holds a special place in my heart when it comes to travel! Arkansas deserves its place on the best of lists! There are so many travel destinations in the United States so we know it’s hard to pick a lesser-known state but you will not regret it!

Straddling the Midwest and the South, this smaller state has unique experiences that are hard to find anywhere else! Known as the Natural State, there are plenty of outdoor activities to do in Arkansas! From camping to hiking, mountain biking and fishing, this state has it all! If you are not outdoorsy, the busy cities and historical sites will keep you entertained!

From personal experience to information from friends, we have you covered when you are looking for what to do in AR!

15 Best Things To Do In Arkansas For Your Bucket List

Garvan Woodland Gardens

One of our favorite places to visit in Arkansas is the botanical gardens of the University of AR, Garvan Woodland Gardens. Like most botanical gardens, their mission is to preserve and enhance the Ouachita environment and provide a place of learning, research, and serenity. The staff at Garvan works to develop and sustain gardens while partnering with and serving the communities of which the garden is a part of.

Some notable points of interest are the Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Learning Center, the Stone Lantern, the Garden of the Pine Wind, the Perry Wildflower Overlook, the Camellia Trail, and so much more. Spending a morning walking the beautiful Garvan Woodland Gardens is such a treasured memory for me and one of my favorite Arkansas activities both as a kid and now as an adult!

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is one of my favorite free things to do in Arkansas! Nestled within 120 acres of stunning Ozark nature, Crystal Bridges highlights American art through exhibitions and stunning architecture.

The art collection includes American masterworks and lesser-known exceptional pieces from the colonial era to now. Some of the architects that have contributed to Crystal Bridges are Moshe Safdie, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Marlon Blackwell. There is a rotating schedule of exhibitions, so be sure to check their website for more information! We recommend doing on of their drop in or audio tours to really capitalize on the experience!

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is one of the cool places to go in Arkansas that we always try to see whenever we are in the area! Also on property is one of our favorite things to do in Arkansas at night! The North Forest Lights exhibition is something you have to see to believe!

Hot Springs National Park

Whenever my partner and I make it back, one of our favorite things to do in Arkansas for couples is a trip to Hot Springs National Park. I am not a big hiker, but if I can get a little hike, with a big payoff, that is my sweet spot! We love Hot Springs National Park because the natural beauty is matched by the historical bathhouses. This is a great summer expedition!

For the hikers, there are 26 miles of trails throughout the park where you can find beautiful views, amazing forest scenery, and really feel like you are far away from any city. There are no soaking opportunities outdoors, but Bathhouse Row has two available facilities that offer visitors the chance to fully submerge in the thermal water. A soak in a historic bathhouse is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Arkansas!

Blanchard Springs Caverns

Blanchard Springs Caverns is one of the best things to do in Arkansas with kids! Located in Stone County near Mountain View, Blanchard Springs Caverns are a living cave with formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowstones are still developing. Your guide will tell you all about it, but the formations are made from the minerals left behind by dripping water.

The caverns are well lit with handrails and paved trails for more comfortable walking. In a less developed cave, you can climb over the rocks and even slide down red clay! Blanchard Springs Caverns is a must-see in Arkansas!

Little Rock Central High School

One of the most important attractions in Arkansas is the Little Rock Central High School. This location is the epicenter of confrontation that ignited a catalyst for change after the Brown v. Board of Education ruling stated separate was not equal and public schools needed to be integrated. This was a fundamental test for Americans to move toward progress.

Take a tour through the grounds and learn the rich, but troubling history. Stand on the steps those brave students climbed to attend classes. Little Rock Central High School is one of the most enriching free things to do in Arkansas!

Clinton Presidential Center

Bill Clinton is the only president from Arkansas so a trip to the Clinton Presidential Center should be on your Arkansas bucket list! Continuing his commitment to advancing opportunity for everyone, the center offers interactive exhibitions for a permanent stay, temporary exhibitions, and educational and cultural programs.

One of the permanent exhibitions is an exact replica of the Oval Office! Before you leave, make sure you check out the Clinton Presidential Library. After a visit to the Clinton Presidential Center, you will have no questions as to why this is one of the more popular Arkansas things to do!

The Wal-Mart Museum

A visit to the Wal-Mart Museum is one of the more off the wall things to do in Arkansas! Located in Bentonville, this free museum has something for everyone! The entry area is made to look like an old dime store and you can purchase old time candy and other vintage items!

There are pieces of Wal-Mart’s history on display and plenty to learn about. There are lots of interactive activities for the whole family to enjoy! The museum can be covered in less than an hour or you can stretch it to a few! Afterwards, there are plenty of great restaurants closeby for a great date night or dinner with family! The Wal-Mart Museum is one of the best things to do in Arkansas!

Thorncrown Chapel

One of our favorite romantic things to do in Arkansas is a visit to Thorncrown Chapel. Built in 1980, this chapel has 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass. The wooden structure blends in perfectly with the surrounding woods.

The seven million visitors to Thorncrown have come for many different reasons. The chapel performs weddings, has won architectural awards, hosts Sunday services, and has a no admission drop in ten months out of the year! We love Thorncrown Chapel because it is beautiful. Plain and simple, you can spend house just sitting there amazed by nature and by this human-made structure.

Thorncrown Chapel is on our list for cool places to go in Arkansas!

Fort Smith National Historic Site

Across the board, one of the best activities in Arkansas for those that like history is a visit to Fort Smith National Historic Site. Spanning over a hundred years of American history, the artifacts at Fort Smith are unlike any other. Showing the soldiers’ perspective, those who journeyed the Trail for Tears, scandals, outlaws, lawmen, and everything in between.

At Fort Smith, you can tour old jails, trails, courtrooms, gallows, see Native American art and how they lived. Fort Smith National Historical site is one of the most educational things to do in Arkansas!

Magic Springs Theme and Waterpark

One of my go to fun places in Arkansas is Magic Springs Theme and Waterpark! This amusement park is well loved by locals! With the combination of an amusement park and water park as well as events throughout the year, Magic Springs is the place to be! There are rides for all ages and all adrenaline-seeking levels from family rides to roller coasters!

During the summer, I love that they do “dive in” movies where you can watch their movie from the wave pool. They also have weekly concerts that are included with your daily admission! Magic Springs has so many of the fun things to do in Arkansas!

Crater of Diamonds State Park

If you are looking for fun places in Arkansas, then Crater of Diamonds State Park is truly a unique spot! This is one of the only places in the world where the public can search for real diamonds in their original volcanic source. Visitors can explore thirty-seven acres for a variety of rocks, minerals, and gemstones – and any rock or mineral you find is yours to keep! You can bring your own hand-operated equipment or rent some!

This is one of those always a hit things to do in Arkansas with kids. Every kid I know is very interested in finding treasure! The visitor’s center has uncut diamonds on display and you can also learn about the history of the area. Crater of Diamonds State Park is a must!

Peppersauce Ghost Town

Peppersauce Ghost Town is one of the best things to do in Arkansas for adults! Located in Calico Rock, Peppersauce began as a trading post with a very transient population. Because of the high amount of taverns, this town attracted the more nefarious.

Although bustling for a time, by the 1960’s the town was abandoned. Now, many buildings are privately owned, but walking through the empty town is very eerie! We recommend picking up the brochure and doing the walking tour to get the full experience and learn more about the sordid history of Peppersauce! This is not one of the most popular Arkansas things to do, so you might be the only ones there…. or are you?

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a must-see in Arkansas! Working to end the exotic pets trade in the United States, they house tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars. TCWR has rescued over 500 animals from private owners, roadside zoos, and situations of abuse and neglect. The work they do here is so important!

Their general admission is an hour long tour on a tram that will take you around the complex. There is a self guided area where you can explore on your own before or after your tour. If you are looking for a more in depth experience, they have the Caravan Carnivore Tour. On this tour you will be driven around behind the scenes in an SUV where you can see where they prepare meals and a tour of their on-site hospital. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is one of the most unique places to visit in Arkansas!

Big Dam Bridge

Big Dam Bridge is one of the more commonly missed fun things to do in Arkansas. Spanning the Arkansas River and Murray Lock and Dam between Little Rock and North Little Roc, it is open only to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

What makes this bridge unique is that at one point, it was the longest pedestrian bridge. It is the longest in North America that has never been used by trains or automobiles! Walking the bridge will provide scenic views of Little Rock and the Arkansas River. Big Damn Bridge is free and dog friendly! This is one of the more unique things to do in Arkansas!

Ozark Folk Center State Park

If you are looking for an interesting souvenir, then Ozark Fold Center State Park is the place for you! Only open mid-April to late-October, the park offers visitors an opportunity to watch artisans work, to stroll through the Heritage Herb Garden, and to hear live Southern mountain music. There is no better way to experience Arkansas activities!

The coolest part is the Craft Village! There, over twenty working artisans demonstrate, create, and sell handmade items Tuesday through Saturday in season! You can watch them create leather goods, stained glass, soap, candles, spun yarn and so much more! Truly one of the most fun places in Arkansas!