Military History in Northwest Arkansas
Military History in Northwest Arkansas
History buffs, it’s time to flex your military knowledge. This two-day tour starts at Pea Ridge National Military Park and finishes at one of only two national cemeteries in the South where Confederate and Union soldiers were buried alongside one another. Chaffee Crossing Historic District in Fort Smith is a “walkable showcase of America’s military,” beginning with WWII. See where Elvis Presley got his first G.I. haircut, tour the Museum of Chaffee History and explore the River Valley Nature Center, all in Chaffee Crossing.
Tip: Click each day to see the full itinerary
Day 1 - Explore Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and the Arkansas Air and Military Museum
9:00 AM
Driving Cell Phone Tour – Pea Ridge National Military Park
15930 East, US-62, Garfield, AR 72732
10:30 AM
Drive to Fayetteville - 45 mins
11:15 AM
Lunch – Sassy's House BBQ & Grille
708 North College, Fayetteville, AR 72701
12:30 PM
Walking Tour – Arkansas Air and Military Museum
4290 South School Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 7270
1:30 PM
Drive to Prairie Grove - 20 mins
2:00 PM
Walking/Driving Tour – Prairie Grove State Park
506 East Douglas Street, Prairie Grove, AR 72753
4:30 PM
Drive to Fort Smith - 1 hr
5:30 PM
Check into Bed and Breakfast – Michael's Mansion
2900 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901
6:30 PM
Dinner & Drinks – Doe's Eat Place
N. 3rd & E Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901
8:30 PM
Return to Bed and Breakfast – Michael's Mansion
2900 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Day 2 - Tour the Chaffee Crossing Historic District
8:00 AM
Breakfast – Michael's Mansion
2900 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901
9:00 AM
Historic District – Chaffee Crossing Historic District
7313 Terry Street – Fort Smith, AR 72916
9:30 AM
History Museum – Fort Chaffee Barracks Museum
7313 Terry Street, Fort Smith, AR 72916
10:00 AM
History Museum – Museum of Chaffee History
7313 Terry St., Fort Smith, AR 72916
10:30 AM
History Museum – Vietnam Veterans Museum
7313 Terry St., Fort Smith, AR 72916
11:00 AM
Nature Center – River Valley Nature Center
8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, AR 72923
11:30 AM
Historic School – Maness School House
8801 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith, AR 72923
12:00 PM
Military Chapel – Enchanted Chapel
12001 Ward St., Fort Smith, AR 72916
12:30 PM
Lunch – River City Deli
7320 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903
2:00 PM
Soda Fountain – Prince Drug Store
1112 Towson Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901
3:00 PM
Historic Cemetery – Fort Smith National Cemetery
Garland at South 6th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72902
Let’s See Some Action!
If you plan your trip to Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park right, you can witness Arkansas’s largest Civil War reenactment held biannually on even-numbered years. The reenactment is held on the historic battlefield and includes medical and drill demonstrations from Union and Confederate Armies. The next demonstration is the first weekend of December 2020.