Make the Most of a Midweek Escape

Why wait for the weekend when there are all kinds of adventures happening every day in Arkansas? Beat the crowds, go at your own pace and make the most of Arkansas’ most striking destinations with a mid-week getaway.

The Ozarks

Make a scenic fall escape to the Ozarks to add some color to your week. Take a drive along the famous Pig Trail Scenic Byway, stop in small communities along the way or explore the galleries, shops and historic charm of Eureka Springs. Here, you can take a step back in time with historic sites and stays like the Peabody House Historic Inn.

A midweek trip also gives you more time to enjoy the region at your own pace. Spend an afternoon exploring Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art or the Walmart Museum at the site of the original Walton’s 5-10 in Bentonville – both museums are free!

Ozark Folk Center State Park is also a can’t-miss in this region of the state. Stroll through the craft village to browse handmade goods from local artists, or attend a class or workshop to try your hand at making something yourself. Catch a folk or bluegrass show at the famed Ozark Highlands Theater, then enjoy a meal at the Skillet Restaurant before turning in at one of the park’s cabins.

River Valley

The Arkansas River winds between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains to form the River Valley, a region of the state filled with scenic views, quaint communities and several state parks. Take a drive down the portion of Scenic Byway 7 that cuts through the River Valley, stopping in Russellville to explore and grab a bite to eat (Old South Restaurant and Stoby’s Restaurant are local favorites) before heading into the mountains.

Settle into a cozy cabin or lodge room at Mount Magazine State Park, home to the highest point in Arkansas at 2,753 feet. From here, there are so many ways to enjoy the park. Stop by the visitor center to ask park interpreters for brochures on the park’s wildflowers, birds, butterflies and trails. Benefield Loop Trails and Will Apple’s Road Trail are both classified as “easy” hiking routes with scenic views of the River Valley below. Be sure to stop by Skycrest Restaurant at The Lodge for dinner with a view.

The Ouachitas

The Ouachitas invite you to slow down for a leisurely mid-week getaway. Head to Hot Springs to stroll historic Bathhouse Row, and even stop in Quapaw Baths & Spa or Buckstaff Bathhouse to enjoy a relaxing soak in the famous thermal waters. There’s no shortage of good eats in downtown Hot Springs, either – stop at the famed Ohio Club to dine where gangsters once did, or try beer brewed with thermal spring water at Superior Bathhouse Brewery.

Venture outside of the city to drive through the Ouachita Mountains and take in the views. Check in to one of the cabins at Lake Ouachita State Park or Lake Catherine State Park, or a lodge room at DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Try an easy, scenic hike or stroll to an overlook at any of these parks, or just relax in your room and take in the lakeside views. Lake Ouachita is Arkansas’ largest lake at 40,000 acres, with hundreds of miles of undeveloped shoreline to hike, watch for wildlife or enjoy a famous Lake Ouachita sunset. Lake Catherine offers an easy combination of relaxation and adventure, with lakeside cabins, waterfall hikes and guided horseback rides. And DeGray Lake was made for relaxation – cast a line on the water, go on a guided lake cruise, play a few rounds at the 18-hole championship golf course or relax in a lodge room with a view. 

The Delta

Connect with Arkansas’ rich cultural heritage and distinctive communities on an escape to the Delta. The Delta Cultural Center in Helena gives you a deep look at the region’s history and culture, and a mid-week visit allows you to take your time and experience the stories, flavors, songs and communities that make the Delta special. Take a stroll down a portion of the Delta Heritage Trail to watch the wildlife, and you’ll pass through a few culturally significant historical markers along the way. While you’re here, immerse yourself in a bygone era of Delta history at the Edwardian Inn bed and breakfast.

Head to Stuttgart, the Duck and Rice Capital of the World, to get a glimpse at the Arkansas Grand Prairie and the ways it’s shaped this region of the state. Visit the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie to learn about the deep agricultural history of the Delta, or do some shopping at Mack’s Prairie Wings or Sugartown Mercantile to grab something to remember your trip.

Capital

In and around Little Rock, you can fill a midweek getaway in the Capital region with culture, history, delicious dining and outdoor recreation. Spend the day exploring one of the city’s many museums, like the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, the Clinton Presidential Center or the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. Stop by the SoMa neighborhood for a taste of the local restaurant scene, from Italian bites at Raduno to Honduran and Latin American flavors at El Sur Street Food Co., and make sure to stop for a scoop at Loblolly Creamery for dessert.

When you’re ready to get outside, head west of the city to Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Try the gentle half-mile Kingfisher Trail for a quick and easy hike, or take in the views from the scenic overlook near the park’s visitor center. After you’re finished exploring for the day, turn in at the historic Capital Hotel in the heart of downtown Little Rock.

The Timberlands

Find a quiet escape in The Timberlands, the forests, rivers, lakes and communities of southwest Arkansas. Spend a day exploring Millwood State Park, where you can spot hundreds of species of birds, or take in the prairie views from Grandview Prairie Conservation Area. 

History buffs will find plenty to enjoy here. Walk through a replica oil boom town in Smackover’s Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, see where the Bowie knife was first forged at Historic Washington State Park, or tour the boyhood home of President Bill Clinton in Hope. You can even stay the night in Historic Washington’s Jailhouse Bed and Breakfast, the town’s real jailhouse that’s been renovated to include modern amenities.