Arkansas holidays
Sandwiched between the Midwest and the Deep South, this underrated state is a nature lover’s dream, home to forests, mountains, rivers and caves. Most holidays to Arkansas are focused on its rugged beauty and outdoor attractions. But the state’s cultural landscape shines just as brightly, from its Indigenous tribes and musical heritage to rich traditions that blend history and folklore.
Top destinations in Arkansas
Hot Springs
Hike or bike through forested hills, explore the charms of the historic downtown, then soothe yourself in some of America’s most prized thermal waters.
Little Rock
More than just a state capital or a stop on the way to the Ozarks, Little Rock is rich with Civil Rights history, funky neighbourhoods and outdoor activities of all kinds.
Fayetteville
This college town makes a charming city break with its farm-to-table restaurants, live music bars and historic main square. Visit in the autumn to see it sparkle with golden foliage.
Arkansas: fast facts
Language
English
Currency
United States dollar ($)
Time zone
Little Rock - UTC−6 (CST) and UTC−5 (CDT)
High season
March – May; September – November
Low season
June – August; December - February
Arkansas holiday highlights
Ozark hikes
Forming a dense blanket of forest across northern Arkansas, the Ozarks are a hiker’s playground with trails to suit every pace. Serious trekkers can tackle the 351-kilometre Ozark Highlands Trail from Lake Fort Smith State Park to the Buffalo National River. For an easier route, try the scenic Lost Valley Trail, which passes through plenty of caves and waterfalls.
Native American history
Arkansas’ land, history and culture are deeply rooted in multiple Native American tribes, including the Quapaw, Cherokee, Osage and Caddo. Learn more about the state’s Indigenous communities at the Museum of Native American History in Bentonville. And visit Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park, once a ceremonial ground for Native Americans between AD 650 and 1050.
Healing waters
One of the best things to do in Arkansas is to enjoy the state’s natural springs. For a soak you’ll never forget, head to the town of Hot Springs and Hot Springs National Park with their spas and resorts. Or visit lively Eureka Springs, whose founding and boom as a 19th-century resort town was a result of its ‘healing waters’.
Things to do in Arkansas
Top attractions
They don’t call it the ‘Natural State’ for nothing. Arkansas’ rivers and the Ozark Mountains are its top draws, along with Hot Springs National Park, whose thermal waters have been healing people for thousands of years. And Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art pairs world-class artists (think Whistler, O’Keeffe, Warhol) with a network of hiking trails.
Beaches
Though landlocked, Arkansas offers beaches and watering holes around its lakes and rivers. Sun seekers, sailors and scuba divers enjoy Lake Ouachita’s clear waters and sandy shores. And Bull Shoals Lake is known for its excellent bass fishing. If you’re after a day of relaxation with the family, try Lake Charles for its sandy beach, playground and guided kayaking tours.
Nature
From the Ouachita and Ozark Mountains to the Buffalo National River and Hot Springs National Park, the ‘Natural State’ lives up to its name. Hunt for gems in Crater of Diamonds State Park, and tour the Blanchard Springs Caverns, with its impressive crystalline formations. For some of the best views of the Ozark National Forest, hike up to the Whitaker Point outcrop.
Cuisine
Restaurants in Arkansas serve everything from heaping plates of Southern favourites to international cuisine. Start your day with ‘biscuits’ (scones) and chocolate gravy, then sit down to a dinner of fried catfish, fried chicken or pulled pork barbecue. Craving dessert? Try a slice of layered ‘possum pie’, made with cream cheese, chocolate custard, whipped cream and a pecan shortbread crust.
Culture and museums
Two of the best art museums in Arkansas are Little Rock’s Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts and Bentonville’s Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. If you’re a history buff, head to the Gangster Museum of America in Hot Springs, which explores the town’s history during Prohibition and beyond. Love music? Visit the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home museums in Dyess Colony.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Arkansas cities like Little Rock is a lively mix of rooftop bars, craft breweries and local music joints with Southern charm. Sports bars and student hangouts in college towns like Fayetteville buzz with youthful energy, especially on game days. If you want to cheer on the hometown Razorbacks American football team, learn the local chant, ‘Woooo, Pig, Sooie!’
Find the best time to visit Arkansas
Weather in Arkansas through the year
March – May: Spring brings mild, comfortable temperatures and flowering daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. But be aware that tornado season peaks in April and May.
June – August: Summer in the South is hot and humid, but it is great for splashing around in Arkansas’ cool lakes and rivers. Start your hike early in the morning before things get too hot.
September – November: Autumn is the best time to visit Arkansas. Food festivals are in full swing, and the changing leaves put on a brilliant display of colour.
December – February: Winters are mild, and it rarely snows. Expect cooler temps in the northern hills compared to down south.
Events in Arkansas
World Cheese Dip Competition (June): Arkansas claims to be the birthplace of cheese dip, and this annual contest in Little Rock lets you be the judge. Chefs and home cooks show off their best take on the state’s signature gooey savoury snack.
Bikes, Blues and BBQ (October): The sound of roaring Harley-Davidson engines and the smell of smoked meat fill the streets of Fayetteville and Rogers during this four-day motorcycle rally.
Arkansas State Fair (October): Over 10 days, more than half a million visitors come to Little Rock for carnival rides, livestock shows, music and fried food, making it the best-attended event in Arkansas.
Know before you go
Getting around Arkansas
Public transport
Buses: Intercity bus service is scarce, but Greyhound and Jefferson Lines connect Little Rock with cities like Fayetteville and Fort Smith. To reach the state’s most scenic spots, you’re probably better off hiring a car.
Trains: Rail service is limited in Arkansas. The exception is Amtrak’s Texas Eagle line, which crosses the state with stops in Walnut Ridge, Little Rock, Malvern, Arkadelphia, Hope and Texarkana. It’s not the fastest way to get around, and with only one departure daily, it’s not the most flexible. But it can be pretty.
Boats: Arkansas’ last public ferry takes passengers and cars across a section of Bull Shoals Lake — all for free. It’s handy if you’re driving to Branson, Missouri, shaving about 80 kilometres off the trip.
Domestic flights
The state’s main airport is Clinton National Airport, located in Little Rock. Northwest Arkansas National Airport serves Bentonville and Fayetteville, but there are no non-stop flights between the two airports.
Driving and car hire
Hiring a car is the most convenient way to get around Arkansas. You can cut across the state in about five hours on highways, but the view is better if you take rural roads. Phone service can be patchy, so be sure to download maps offline.
FAQs about Arkansas holidays
More holiday inspiration
How to get cheaper hotels: Five hacks to save big
Do I need a visa travelling from the United Kingdom?
