2024's 8 Most Beautiful Small Towns In Arkansas
There may be nothing more riveting and exciting than exploring rolling hills, scenic riversides, and fascinating commercial stops within the lovely southern state of Arkansas! It is host to dozens of gratifying commercial locales and natural or historical landmarks, like the Victorian-esque vibes of Eureka Springs or the fairytale-like waterfalls around Bella Vista, that make it easy to fall in love with the state. These beautiful towns are the best options for anyone needing a special itinerary this year full of the prettiest places to visit!
Van Buren
Known as one of the oldest cities in the state and originally called Phillips Landing, Van Buren is a charming town that brings out the best of its landmarks. At the Drennen-Scott Historic Site, history lovers can check out various estate relics and family upbringing from the days of the American Revolutionary War. Lee Creek Park is a natural segue with its beautiful Arkansas River pleasures and Lee Creek scenery, which is quite refreshing and has the best quiet kayaking areas!
The King Opera House is one of the best spots in town for catching historical and entertainment-driven performances within a quaint Victorian atmosphere. At the Van Buren Visitors Center, tourists can enjoy a fun-filled train ride that takes them through the Ozark Mountains and includes amazing wildlife sights and the friendliest conductor conversations; it will even be hosting Fall Festivals alongside the Old Town Merchants Association during October and November 2024! For thrilling amusement, travelers can arrange for an escape room adventure at the Great Escape Mystery Rooms locale, where visitors can take on daring challenges and enjoy downtown vibrance simultaneously. For hungry stomachs, Frank's Italian Restaurant is a classy diner with the best Mediterranean coastline-inspired dishes around!
Batesville
Labeled the "Christmas Capitol of Arkansas" by locals, Batesville is a must-visit for its wholesome and architectural stops! The Old Independence Regional Museum is a historic 1930s sandstone landmark with Gothic Revival architecture and some comprehensive exhibits related to the town's first settlers. Maxfield Park is an easygoing stop for tourists who want to enjoy beautiful bayou sights and family-friendly jogs around local art monuments! Lyon College offers a mix of both academic and natural scenery as a private liberal arts college that has its roots in Presbyterian foundations and will also be hosting a welcoming Scottish Festival in October 2024!
Autry's White River Furniture & Decor is a hidden gem in town for the best home decor and 1980s furniture finds that take shoppers back to the older days of downtown living. Casual shoppers may also enjoy Carlee's Hallmark Shop, a niche greeting card store featuring the most unique gift wraps and seasonal trinkets! Those seeking some shiny jewelry to take home can check out Jonathan's Fine Jewelry and Thompson's Jewelry Store for quality gemstone rings and classy necklaces. The River & Sandbar is a frequented diner for heartwarming cocktails and the best chicken cuisine in Batesville.
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs is a pretty town in Arkansas with nicknames like "Little Switzerland of America," "Eureka," and even "The Stairstep Town!" It has a lot to offer tourists this year, such as the Eureka Springs Historical Museum, a photographic landmark with Victorian Renaissance foundations and supposed healing waters. Atop Magnetic Mountain, one will find an enchanting view of the Christ of the Ozarks, a 65-foot monument that blesses newcomers and locals alike with its inspirational beauty! Quigley's Castle is an oddly scenic museum with colorful flowerbeds and stone structures around a luxury garden estate.
Another influential landmark is the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, a historic northeastern stop with parish architectural splendors and friendly solitude areas for visitors to relax in nearby meadows. For the best train ride in town, The Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway offers narration tours to newcomers who want to live out the 1920s and see calming creeks and forestry! Wildlife enthusiasts can enjoy Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge's 459-acre sanctuary for feline amusement and the most fascinating cats around! For down-to-earth culinary finds, one can visit The Rockin' Pig for delicious hamburgers and craft beer varieties with live music events like "Bike Nights" coming mid-August 2024!
Jasper
Sometimes referred to as the "Elk Capital of Arkansas," Jasper is a great destination with some of the best natural landscapes. The Jasper SkyTram offers the best scenic views of town through its aerial tramway options and creates a meaningful mountain summit experience for newcomers! For hikers, Indian Creek Trail is a must for beautiful mossy waterfalls and tranquil bluffs that are worth the trip. At Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, visitors can enjoy rock climbing activities and fun lodging or camping expeditions alongside friendly locals; it is also going to be hosting a competitive rock-climbing competition and music festival in late September 2024!
The Koen Interpretive Trail has 800 acres of research heritage and vibrant flower assortments all along family-oriented walkways. At the Bradley House Museum, travelers can discover some interesting typewriter relics and Victorian-era history related to small businesses and original family founders from World War II days. For jewelry shopping, tourists will always be welcomed by owners at Spring Street Arts, home to numerous types of shiny pendants and handmade silks. Cliff House Inn is an underrated diner with pasta and seafood delights and is also quite the spot for scenic overlooks of the Arkansas Grand Canyon!
Siloam Springs
Siloam Springs is a well-known natural paradise with exciting splendors for travelers! The Siloam Springs Kayak Park is a typical stop for those who love kayaking and scenic photography around gorgeous rapids and fishing routes. Gypsy Camp & Canoe is a quality river float locale that offers the natural beauty of the northwest as a treat for tourists who crave upstream sights! Dog-friendly hikers and visitors alike can enjoy Tails & Trails Dog Park, a hotspot for welcoming trails and cute canine-oriented agility courses!
The Siloam Springs Museum is a historical segue with Ozark cultural heritage and 18th-century history related to the town's origins of healing waters, and is also hosting kid-friendly "Needle Felting" events during November of 2024! John Brown University is an academic mainstay in town for anyone who loves seeing campus beauty and Christian faith intertwine for educational success. At Pour Jons, famed coffee blends and beautiful downtown scenery within a historic site make for a splendid itinerary. Creekside Taproom is every tourist's best option for Jamaican jerk cuisine and local Arkansan brews that make one feel at home! For those who still desire home-country cooking, Cathy's Corner offers one-of-a-kind pancakes and savory biscuit meals.
Mountain View
Mountain View is the "Folk Music Capital of the World," and is one of the coolest places to visit for beautiful landmarks and entertaining locales! Nature lovers may revel in outdoor waterfalls and scenic Sycamore Creek around Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, a distinct landmark full of vibrant waterfalls and Ozark woodlands perfect for travelers who want to catch rainbow trout around Mirror Lake! Jack's White River Fishing Resort has natural fishing comfort and even includes a vast open space to take in the Ozarks and White River banks from a distance!
At the Stone Drive-In Theatre, romantic visitors can take part in classic film screenings and heartwarming conversations with the owners while enjoying the outback beauty of Mountain View. The Jimmy Driftwood Music Barn is a historic locale with bluegrass and gospel activities for residents and tourists who love musical itineraries! The Arkansas Craft School is a small yet prominent studio where newcomers of all ages can learn about the best creative artworks and take part in seasonal programs, such as "Metal Claymaking" and "Pumpkin Carving" in September and October 2024! Spah Grill is the ultimate stop for tasty hashbrown meals and bacon cheeseburgers.
El Dorado
El Dorado is known to the locals as "Arkansas' Original Boomtown" and is an awesome destination full of beauty! The South Arkansas Arboretum is a botanical garden full of lush streams and waterfalls perfect for first-time travelers who love natural sights and exotic flowers. At the Oil Heritage Park, visitors can check out beautiful bronze sculptures and plaques devoted to the town's oil history. The Newton House offers 18th-century historical knowledge with Southern period antiques that are reflective of the pre-Civil War days, and is also going to be part of a special "horror hayride" event with a candle-lit guided tour in late October 2024!
Golfers at the Mystic Creek Golf Club can take part in friendly golf lessons, grilled steak meals, and the panoramic beauty of southern Arkansas. Tourists who visit the Pottery House will likely enjoy a mixture of painting amusement and pottery creations. Shoppers may find easy comfort at Mina Rea's Antiques & Embroidery, a pleasant stop for memorable antique gifts and custom fabrics! For passionate hobbyists, Gabe's Cave Comics, Cards, & Collectibles prides itself on superhero conversations and trendy entertainment. As for those needing something to eat, Fayrays offers phenomenal meatloaf dishes and mouthwatering crab!
Bella Vista
Bella Vista, which is Spanish for "beautiful view," holds up to its name as a worthy contender for scenic landscapes. The 2.2-mile Tanyard Creek Nature Trail is a perfect stop for easy trekking routes, elegant creeks, and a magical waterfall bridge! Blowing Springs Park is another getaway idea for those who love mountain biking around Blowing Springs Cave and rock-shelf beauty. Bella Vista Country Club is a classic stop for golfing pros who love to take part in sports activities on rolling terrains close to Little Sugar Creek greenery.
The historical Veterans Wall of Honor is a recognizable stop for honoring those who served or have passed during the Revolutionary War and also has a pretty fountain display! For a unique culinary tour, Ozark Culinary Tours offers breathtaking views of northwestern Arkansas and includes appealing mocktail stops with scenic viewpoints of the best plazas. For true architectural splendor, one can check out Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, known for its famous wedding events and alluring chapel scenery; it even has more welcoming events scheduled for the remainder of 2024! For dining, Lakepoint Restaurant is a fine dining locale with beautiful sunsets and the most appetizing lo mein meals!
These gorgeous small towns in the "Natural State" are no stranger to scenery and tourism appeal. The ability to provide such enjoyment without sacrificing any importance of vibrance and history or natural wonders makes Arkansas a quality destination. Having this list in hand means that no tourist will ever feel secluded from everything there is to offer in these towns this year!
