The Lodge at Mount Magazine State Park
The Lodge at Mount Magazine State Park

Urban and Outdoor Girlfriend Getaways in Arkansas

There’s nothing like a girlfriend getaway. The conversation. The laughs. The relaxation.

The best girl trips in Arkansas can involve drinks, food, shopping, spas, and live music or the freedom of a hiking trail, soothing river, and starry sky seen from a cabin deck.

Here are some ideas for city fun or nature settings, whichever your tribe of women prefer. Of course, you can always create a trip that contains a combination of both.

Downtown Eureka Springs

Urban Escapes

Eureka Springs

Lodging runs the gamut from historic hotels and motels to cabins and treehouses. This town is full of unique spas, so plan for a full day of pampering. Walk the streets of the historic downtown for clothing, gift shops and restaurants galore. Victorian architecture is as delightful as the Ozark Mountain scenery. Fine art galleries can be found throughout the town. Other fun includes Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge (consider the Zulu tent lodging), the Great Passion Play, Blue Spring Heritage Center, and plenty of city parks with hiking and mountain biking trails. Beaver Lake and the White River are other options.

Fayetteville

Stay downtown in the entertainment district or in a hotel near the interstate. Uber is just an app tap away so you can enjoy the Fayetteville nightlife. Check out the square, Block Street, and Dickson Street for great boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, karaoke, and bars. Live music venues include the iconic George’s Majestic Lounge, Kingfish, JJ’s, and Smoke & Barrel. Midtown and Uptown Fayetteville have plenty of dining and shopping options too.

Roark Bluff in the Buffalo National River

Outdoors Adventures

Buffalo National River

Designated by Congress as America’s first national river more than 40 years ago, the Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas provides a beautiful space for floating, fishing, hiking, wildlife watching and photography. It’s truly one of the most scenic places in The Natural State. Along its 135 miles, there are numerous campsites, cabins and resorts available. You can stay on mountaintops and enjoy hot tubs with a view, in pastoral settings, or near the water’s edge. Towns like Jasper offer cute shops and great dining.

Mount Magazine State Park

There’s no roughing it at The Lodge at Mount Magazine, where you get a room with a view, indoor heated swimming pool, restaurant, hiking and biking paths and wine country to enjoy. Mount Magazine is the state’s highest peak at 2,753 feet. Set on the mountain’s south bluff, the lodge and cabins with deck hot tubs offer breathtaking views of the Petit Jean River Valley and distant Blue Mountain Lake. Don’t underestimate the small town shopping opportunities available at the base of the mountain in towns like Booneville and Paris. You’ll find antiques and small boutiques, and even the parent company store of the Warren’s shoe chain. Plus, the wineries near the base of the mountain offer tours and tasting rooms.