Arkansas Originals

Parthenon
Luxury lodging built inside an Ozark cave; Great Hall can host a wedding, dance, or reunion; secluded upper level sitting room, game room and on-site heliport; fully furnished kitchen; some rooms with Jacuzzi tubs. The cave was “constructed” in 1984 by John Hays, founder of Celestial Seasonings Tea Company, as a preparation for what he believed was looming on the horizon – a holocaust. 

Little Rock
The longest pedestrian/bicycle bridge built specifically for pedestrians and bicyclists and the second longest in the United States, the over $9 million project connects 14 miles of trails on the Little Rock and North Little Rock sides of the Arkansas River. It is 14-feet wide, rises nearly seven stories above the river. Named by the Society of American Travel Writers as one of the "Top 10 Bridge Travel Sites" in the U.S. and Canada in 2012.

Eureka Springs
Seven-story statue of Christ overlooks the Ozarks and Eureka Springs; lighted for night viewing; can be seen for miles; created by Emmett Sullivan, one of the sculptors of Mount Rushmore

Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro, Arkansas is home to the world’s only diamond-bearing site open to public, where you can prospect in the dirt for and keep gems you find. Diamond Discovery Center provides people with a helpful introduction to diamond searching, equipment rentals, exhibit gallery. Diamond Springs Water Park is another great attraction at the park and makes a perfect place to cool off. The park also offers camping, picnic sites, trails, a wildlife observation blind and a cool gift shop. Make plans to visit this exciting place to enjoy the outdoors, learn about geology and search the soil for valuable minerals.

Paragould
Located on Crowley's Ridge, an unusual land formation that is one of only two of its type in the world.  The ridge, comprised of wind-blown loess, is the only elevation is the otherwise flat lands of the eastern Arkansas Delta. Native log and stone cabins and group lodging facility with kitchen/dining hall constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the1930s; campsites, snack bar, picnic area, trails, pavilions, baseball field, fishing lake, swimming lake; boat, kayak and pedal boat rentals; interpretive programs.

Des Arc
Wide variety of menu items including seafood; all-you-can-eat buffet featuring catfish, crawfish, ribs, chicken, seafood; open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights only; first Sunday of the month for lunch; housed in a riverboat-designed building

Benton
The only known structure in the world to use bauxite aluminum ore as a building material. It was built in 1896 for Dr. Dewel Gann, Sr.; now houses memorabilia, photographs, original office furniture and artifacts; exhibits include Niloak pottery, originally developed in Benton; Quapaw and Caddo Indian artifacts, an area devoted to the aluminum era of Saline County, the Civil War, World War I and World War II.

Lavaca
Earl Harris, Sr., was local farmer and beer distributor who loved Budweiser so much, he painted one of his silos to look like a giant can circa 1975-1976. According to the label, it holds 8,734,902 fluid ounces of brew, enough to fill eight swimming pools; located on private property southwest of town, on the southeast corner of Hwys. 22 and 96; roadside attraction.

Oark
Oldest continuous-operation store in Arkansas, established in 1890. The building has the original floors, walls, and ceiling. Inventory includes groceries, convenience items, picnic and camping supplies; hunting and fishing licenses; game check station. The Cafe features home cooking; open daily serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Eureka Springs
Three authentic historic railroad cabooses that have been restored and converted to luxury lodging; reproduction depot also available. Cabooses have kitchenettes, showers, living area, queen beds, private drives, outdoor hot tubs on large decks, patio furniture, grills, hammocks. Depot has full kitchen, living room, dining area, fireplace, Jacuzzi, and hot tub on the deck. Can accommodate 10 people total.

Redfield
Possibly the most recognizable "unique" dining facility in Arkansas, this roadside oddity was built in 1966, inspired by a giant orange restaurant in Fresno, CA circa 1950s. The menu features hamburgers, hot dogs, chili dogs, salad bar and dinner specials.

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Harrison
Features whole wheat ground on a 100-year-old gristmill that is used to make handcrafted American hearth breads and crusty European breads. Breakfast features French toast and pastries; lunch includes hot and cold sandwiches, focaccia pizzas, homemade soups and salads; dinner menu is expanded to include pasta. Ozark Mountain Smokehouse meats and cheeses used, Gourmet coffee, tea and espresso drinks available.

Little Rock
Rare even when it was built, this priceless antiquity is now even rarer in that it is the only one still in existence in the world. The Over the Jumps, also called the Arkansas Carousel, has been fully restored and is at the Little Rock Zoo. It was constructed in 1924 as a traveling carousel by the Herschell-Spillman Engineering Corporation of North Tonawanda, NY. Very few were constructed to begin with and, even though they were extremely popular with the public, the undulating track carousels had mechanical problems and often spent as much time being repaired as operating. Officials with the Herschell Carrousel (sic) Factory Museum in North Tonawanda, New York, believe less than 10 of the “over-the-jumps” rides were constructed with the Arkansas Carousel being the only one left.

Ravenden
The town mascot is a 12-ft. tall Raven statue made of cement stucco, coated with flame-retardant paint, flanked by an American and Arkansas flag;  The base of the statue has this inscription. "The raven was the first bird sent from the ark in search of land,"  and "the raven has the reputation for divine  or magical powers." -

Fayetteville
Of all the colleges and universities in America, the University of Arkansas is the only one that has a Razorback as its mascot. The athletic teams were originally called the Cardinals. After a hard-fought victory over LSU in 1909, Coach Hugo Bezdek said the team played "like a wild band of Razorback hogs." The students loved it and the rest is history. The "hog call" is the only such cheer in the U.S. as well. Several statues are found around campus, including one in The Commons tailgating area.  One  of fighting hogs dedicated in honor of longtime coach and athletic director Frank Broyles is located on the plaza outside the Broyles center at the north end of Razorback Stadium. 

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Fayetteville
Started by the Class of 1906, Senior Walk contains the names of graduates, beginning with the first class in 1876; the original class is inscribed at the foot of Old Main steps. It is a unique tradition among American colleges and universities, covering over five miles of paved walks throughout the campus. Originally stamped by hand, the names are now etched by a machine known as the Senior Sand Hog, invented in 1986 by University Physical Plant employees. Over 140,000 graduates are now listed. The tradition is as unique as the Hog Call, as there is nothing like it at any other college in the world.

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Wiederkehr Village
Swiss-German and other European cuisine served by candlelight.  Located in the original wine cellar which was hand-dug by Johann Andreas Wiederkehr in 1880 which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; menu includes Swiss Cheese Fondue, Italian pasta dishes, Matterhorn Schnitzel, chicken, lobster, fish, and steaks; desserts include apple strudel, Black Forest cherry cake, caramel custard, ice cream, and cheesecake.