Crescent Hotel
Crescent Hotel

Your Arkansas Bucket List

Whether you’ve lived here all your life or you’re just starting to explore, there are some Arkansas experiences everyone should try at least once. Consider this an Arkansas bucket list, or at least a good place to start.

  1. Climb Pinnacle Mountain for panoramic views over the Arkansas River Valley at Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
  2. Float the Buffalo National River, America’s first national river, especially in spring when the dogwoods bloom. 
  3. Hike to Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas’ first state park.
  4. Walk or ride across the Big Dam Bridge in Little Rock, the longest pedestrian and bike bridge in North America built specifically for that purpose. 
  5. Stand along the rail at Oaklawn during the Arkansas Derby and feel the thundering excitement of world-class horse racing.
  6. Ride the Razorback Regional Greenway, a 40-mile paved trail system that connects Northwest Arkansas from Fayetteville to Bella Vista.
  7. Bike the Womble Trail near Mount Ida, one of the state’s top singletrack rides, or hit the trails in Bentonville, the Mountain Bike Capital of the World.
  8. Earn a stamp at all 52 of Arkansas’ State Parks with the passport program.
  9. See underground beauty at Blanchard Springs Caverns, one of the most spectacular cave systems in the country. 
  10. Go duck hunting in the Delta or just watch the sunrise from a blind on the Grand Prairie. 
  11. Fish for trout on the White River, one of the top trout streams in North America. Details on fishing here.
  12. Tour the Capitol rotunda in Little Rock and look up — it’s worth it. 
  13. Dig for diamonds (and keep what you find) at Crater of Diamonds State Park.
  14. Take a soak on Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park, where thermal water has drawn visitors for centuries.
  15. Drive the Pig Trail Scenic Byway in the Ozarks during fall for a blaze of color. 
  16. Catch live music under the stars in Mountain View, the folk music capital of the world. Ozark Folk Center State Park hosts shows all season long.
  17. Visit Garvan Woodland Gardens on Lake Hamilton when the tulips are blooming in spring.
  18. Take a scenic float down the Caddo, Cossatot, or Big Piney River, depending on your vibe — calm or whitewater. 
  19. Watch elk graze in Boxley Valley along Hwy 43 in the fall, especially near dawn or dusk.
  20. See the sunrise from Mount Nebo, especially in fall when fog drifts over the Arkansas River Valley. Mount Nebo State Park is a hidden gem.
  21. Attend the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, one of the nation’s best blues events.
  22. Spend a morning at the Fayetteville Farmers Market, one of the largest and most vibrant in the region. 
  23. Walk the boardwalk to the Louisiana Purchase monument, a hidden marker in a bald cypress swamp near Brinkley. 
  24. Watch the World Championship Cardboard Boat Races at Heber Springs' Greers Ferry Lake, then grab dinner at the Red Apple Inn.
  25. Hang out on Dickson Street in Fayetteville after a Razorback game, when the whole street buzzes with live music and good food. Plan your night.

  26. Stay overnight at the 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa in Eureka Springs, known as one of America's most haunted hotels. 

  27. Explore the trails at Devil's Den State Park, offering hiking, biking, and stunning Ozark scenery. 

  28. Visit Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, featuring world-class art in a natural setting. 

  29. Drive the Talimena Scenic Byway, a 54-mile route offering breathtaking views of the Ouachita Mountains. 

  30. Attend the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade in Hot Springs, a quirky and fun annual event.