Travelin' Central Arkansas: Events Taking Place During January

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Kerry Kraus, travel writer
Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism

Note to the Print and Broadcast Media:

In order to better serve your needs and to keep you from getting extremely long documents from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, we have decided to break down our Travelin’ Arkansas release into regions organized by date. This way you will be able to look only at the areas you are interested in covering. The territories covered in Travelin' Arkansas adhere to the six geographical regions found in the Arkansas Tour Guide. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions: communications@arkansas.com or 501-682-7606.

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Join the Arkansas Department of Heritage for a free Sandwiching in History Tour of Trinity Hospital on Jan. 8 in Little Rock. What makes this structure so fascinating is that Trinity was among the first health maintenance organizations in the United States when it opened in 1924. The hospital was a prepayment organization based on a private group practice. A description in the July 1924 issue Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society described the facility patient rooms as having “telephones, electric fans, iced water jugs, dimmer lamps, and doors that close slowly and noiselessly.” The building, which also featured a courtyard and fountain overlooked by a balcony and sun parlor, is located at 20th and Main streets in Little Rock. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. Designed by Max Mayer, the building today is owned by The Arc of Arkansas which provides housing and independent living for developmentally disabled adults. For more information call 501-324-9880.

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Bundle up, grab your binoculars, and head to Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Little Rock for Eagle Watch Lake Tours on Jan. 9 and 10. Park interpreters lead the boat tours on Lake Maumelle to search for bald eagles. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with tours tentatively scheduled for 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for ages 6-12. Children under age 6 are free.
The following weekend, Jan. 16 and 17, brings Eagle Event 2010 to Pinnacle. Birds of prey are featured in the programs, plus there will be eagle watching opportunities including lake tours. Most of the events are free but there is a fee for the lake tours. Seating is limited; reservations are required.

Contact the park for a finalized schedule and to make reservations by e-mailing pinnaclemountain@arkansas.com or phoning 501-262-5806. Pinnacle Mountain State Park is located at 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road off Ark. 300 in west Little Rock.

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If there’s an engagement or wedding in your near future, make plans to attend the 13th annual Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Bridal Show on Jan. 17. The largest such show in the state is held at the Statehouse Convention Center in downtown Little Rock. Hours are 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Over 200 vendors of all things bridal, from photographers, invitation companies, cakes and florists to reception sites, honeymoon destinations and real estate agencies, gather in a single location for one-stop planning. Merchants also give away door prizes during the afternoon. A 4 p.m. runway fashion show features the latest in attire for all members of the wedding party. Advance admission is $5 per person, or $7 at the door. Visit www.arkansasonline.com/bridalshow for more information and to purchase advance tickets.

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Nature’s cold blooded creatures are the focus of programs Jan. 20 to 23 at the Arkansas Museum of Discovery. Museum educators give presentations featuring fascinating facts and demonstrations using the museum’s resident vertebrates. Organizers claim the sessions can even help people overcome their fear of snakes. The programs are on-going throughout the day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Special arrangements are available for schools with group rates available. To schedule a group, contact Beth Nelsen by e-mailing bnelsen@amod.org or phoning 501-396-7061. The facility’s admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children and senior citizens. The museum is located at 500 President Clinton Ave., Suite 150 in Little Rock’s River Market District.

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Learn the ancient art of Navajo sand painting on Jan. 23 at Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park in Scott. Like many Native American arts, sand painting was practiced as a religious ceremony. Participants will gain knowledge of the craft by creating their own works with materials provided by the park. Reservations and advance deposit are required. The fee for the workshop is $10. Call 501-961-9442 for more information and to make reservations. Toltec is located at 490 Toltec Mounds Road off U.S. 165.

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Submitted by the Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism
One Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201, 501-682-7606
E-mail: info@arkansas.com

May be used without permission. Credit line is appreciated:
"Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism"

As of November 2022, Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park has been renamed Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park. For more information, click here.