8 Picturesque Towns in Arkansas for a Weekend Retreat in 2024
With its winding rivers, national forests, and gushing waterfalls, it's no wonder Arkansas is nicknamed The Natural State. With about 41% of the population living in rural areas, the state’s small towns are far from boring. Folk music, art, farmers markets, and quirky festivals keep these small communities vibrant and full of life. In 2024, their small size makes them perfect for a quick weekend escape, ideal for anyone looking for an exciting yet relaxed getaway in nature.
Calico Rock
Calico Rock sits directly along Arkansas’s White River. It was originally a 19th-century steamboat landing that boomed in 1902 when it became a railroad town. However, nearby towns grew faster than Calico Rock, and today, it is a calm town with a population of just around 1,500. Calico Rock’s Ghost Town is perhaps one of the most interesting areas in town, featuring over 20 abandoned buildings, including a cafe, barber shop, lumber yard, tavern, and more.
The Calico Rock Museum also offers a great opportunity to explore the area's history, with exhibits covering Native American culture and the town’s story up until 1967. Sitting adjacent to the Ozarks National Forest, hikers have quick access to many trails, passing through streams and mountains. Right along the White River, the Calico Riverview Inn, dating back to 1923, has nine quaint rooms to choose from, several of which have views looking out to the river and mountains.
Russellville
Situated along the Arkansas River, Russellville offers easy access to a number of outdoor recreational activities, including the gorgeous Ozark National Forest and picturesque Lake Dardanelle. The Ozark National Forest spans a total of 1.2 million acres and is the perfect place for visitors to go hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing, or even horseback riding. Also nearby, Lake Dardanelle is a state park and 34,300-acre reservoir, popular for fishing, swimming, and hiking along its trail and boardwalk, and also has five aquariums in the visitor center that the kids will love seeing.
The Russellville Train Depot is a significant historic landmark in town, dating back to the early 20th century and today hosting a variety of community events, including a Fall Chili Cookoff, Downtown Art Walk, and “Taste of the Valley” food and drink tasting party. Those looking for a comfortable place to stay can lodge in the Clarion Inn, a modern-style hotel centrally located, near Arkansas Tech University.
Heber Springs
Heber Springs is surrounded by creeks, waterfalls, rivers, and mountains, making it an ideal escape for outdoor enthusiasts. Collins Creek is a fisher’s paradise, abundant in Brook and rainbow trout. Hikers must take a short hike through Cornelius Falls, which showcases several waterfalls along the trail. December is a wonderful time to visit Heber Springs when its annual Holiday Trail of Lights event takes place.
In addition to the town lighting its historic courthouse, it hosts a festival with a parade, food vendors, as well as an appearance from Santa for the kids. Red Apple Inn Country Club and Resort is a favorite among tourists, offering a charming boutique inn experience alongside an 18-hole golf course that Golf Digest has rated as one of the most scenic in the country.
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs has attracted visitors from all over with its abundance of hot springs. Although there are over 60 hot springs to visit, some of the most notable include Calif Spring, Basin Spring, Crescent Spring, and Grotto Spring. Another reason for Eureka Spring’s popularity with tourists is its historic downtown, home to many Victorian-style buildings, making for a perfect Sunday afternoon stroll.
Also popular in town is Myrtie Mae’s Cafe, offering homestyle, southern dishes. About a ten-minute drive from downtown, visitors can reach Thorncrown Chapel, a 48-foot tall, impressive chapel, featuring 425 windows, that has won numerous architectural awards. Looking for a cozy place to stay over the weekend? Bridgeford House Bed and Breakfast has quaint suites and a penthouse, complemented by a homemade, hearty breakfast in the inn’s dining room in the morning.
Van Buren
Van Buren, home to around 24,000 people, strikes the perfect balance between historic charm and quirky character, with its preserved architecture and lively events and festivals. Downtown, visitors can stroll the Victorian main street, stopping in its many antique shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Visiting historic landmarks like the Crawford County Courthouse and Crawford County Bank Building is a great way to glimpse into the town’s past, while the beautifully preserved King Opera House, open since 1891, showcases Victorian style.
In September, the town comes alive with Junk Fest, a popular event featuring repurposed antiques, vintage clothing, and unique jewelry. Just across the river, the historic Beland Mansion welcomes visitors with its six beautifully decorated guest suites, providing a cozy stay that truly feels like home.
Mountain View
Despite its lively folk music scene, nearby natural landmarks, and vibrant annual festivals, many tourists are surprised to learn that Mountain View is home to fewer than 3,000 residents. Nearby, Blanchard Springs Caverns showcase incredible formations, with multiple trails for visitors to explore on guided tours. The Blanchard Springs Recreation Area has many outdoor areas to enjoy as well, including a paved trail that leads to a gushing waterfall, and the North Sylamore Creek for visitors to swim in. Ozark Folk Center State Park features a craft village with over 20 local artisans and plenty of musicians playing traditional folk instruments like the banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and autoharp.
Every spring, visitors from all over the country flock to Mountain View to appreciate its Folk Festival, taking place in the historic downtown with an artisan market, live music, and numerous food vendors. The Inn at Mountain View is a great way to wrap up a cultural stay, featuring a house dating back to 1886 and an included country-style breakfast each morning for its guests.
Batesville
Batesville, situated along the White River, is the oldest city in Arkansas. Today, it has a population of just over 11,000. Riverside Park is a nice place to spend a fall morning, lying along the river and the most visited park in the county. Batesville also has a nice calendar of annual events throughout the year, including a Pumpkin Patch in October, a Lights Display close to Christmas, and a fireworks show in Riverside Park for the 4th of July.
Hungry visitors can also enjoy a nice diversity of locally owned restaurants and bakeries, including Bruno’s Pizzeria, Crumbs Up Bakery, and Bigger Burger Better BBQ. Regarding lodging, the Royal Inn Boutique Hotel is housed in a building on Mainstreet downtown dating back to 1897, with a cozy and vintage atmosphere.
Paris
Though it shares a name with the famous French capital, Paris, Arkansas has little in common. This small town of about 3,000 residents rests at the base of Mount Magazine, surrounded by lush, green landscapes. Mount Magazine has the highest summit in Arkansas, at 2,753 feet, and offers panoramic views of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests below. The Lodge at Mount Magazine is a wonderful accommodation to stay in for those who enjoy feeling surrounded by nature while still enjoying comfortable amenities, such as a heated pool, game room, fitness room, and restaurant.
In town, visitors can check out the Paris Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday in Eiffel Tower Park. Paris’s downtown is an important pillar of the town as well, featuring a robust historic district with numerous buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, and many antique shops, restaurants, and boutiques to explore. During the holiday season, the Trail of Holiday Lights is also worth checking out.
While Little Rock and Fayetteville may steal the spotlight, visitors miss out by overlooking Arkansas's smaller towns, especially these eight cultural and natural gems. Whether you are climbing the state's highest summit near Paris, relaxing on the green at Red Apple Inn Country Club, or enjoying traditional folk music and crafts in Mountain View, these towns offer an authentic taste of the beloved Natural State. In 2024, even a weekend getaway will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world!
