Arkansas, The Natural State

Arkansas is nicknamed the Natural State, and they certainly have earned it. We drove for hours and saw mountains and trees with a spattering of houses. 

Arkansas’ diversity of wild places ranges from the peaks of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains to the state’s bayous and wetlands. About 56% of the state is forested and contains an estimated 12 billion trees. The forests of Arkansas include three national forests: the Ozark Natural Forest, the St. Francis National Forest, and the Ouachita National Forest. These three national forests cover over 2.9 million acres. Great trout fishing and hiking opportunities abound. 

Eureka Springs and surrounds 

A Victorian secret hidden amid the rolling Ozark mountains, Eureka Springs is cradled between two mountains of lush, hardwood forests. It's not your average tourist town; it's a unique experience for those who want to slow things down. There is no other downtown like Eureka Springs! Shop, dine, play and stay, all in one great location. With over fifty unique shops and galleries, Eureka Springs is a shopper's paradise. Foodies will enjoy everything from fine dining to quick lunches. Walking tours, kid-friendly shops and more offer fun for the whole family. For the older crowd, Eureka Springs is home to over twenty bars and clubs. There are a number of historic downtown hotels or B&Bs, that makes the downtown very walkable. We stayed at the Basin Park Hotel which was particularly fun. Each day they have planned and unique activities for the guests. The most memorable was visiting a secret Speakeasy inside the hotel for music and a wine tasting.  A great place to eat is Amigos Mexican Restaurant, very authentic with some tasty margaritas. We used Eureka Springs as a base to explore the surrounding towns and sites. Just a few minutes away is Thorncrown Chapel. 

The Chapel rises forty-eight feet into the trees, a cathedral of glass and timber reaching toward the Arkansas sky. With 425 windows and more than 6,000 square feet of glass, light does not merely enter this sacred space — it dwells there. Resting upon over 100 tons of native stone, the chapel seems less constructed than discovered, as if it grew from the forest floor itself. Since 1980, more than nine million pilgrims have stepped into this woodland sanctuary. Designed by renowned architect E. Fay Jones, Thorncrown has received the highest honors of the American Institute of Architects, including the Design of the Year Award and the distinguished 25 Year Award, and was named among the greatest architectural achievements of the twentieth century. When we first thought of going there, it was just a maybe for me; but I'm so glad we visited. Truely special. 

Just an hour away is Bentonville. Home to Walmart, it has a vibrant revitalized downtown that is also very walkable with a town square. One of Travel+ Leisure's 50 Best Place to Travel in 2026, Bentonville is a hub for arts, culinary, and outdoor experiences. 

The Mountain Biking Capital of the World, Bentonville focuses on progressive trail design for every rider, from beginner-friendly loops to heart-pounding technical challenges. Look no further than Coler Mountain Bike Preserve to see how Bentonville makes outdoor recreation special. Just five minutes from downtown, this 300-acre park includes a 20-mile, multi-use trail system, paved greenway, campground, firefly sanctuary and a cafe tucked in the woods. Nowhere else can you find an extensive network of nearly 70 miles of trails running throughout the city, seamlessly connected to another 400 miles across the Ozarks region.

Beyond the trails, Bentonville’s food scene holds its own on a national stage. Multiple chefs have earned James Beard semifinalist nominations year after year — an achievement more typical of culinary capitals than a city of 65,000. Internationally recognized chefs Vincent Lim (the Wolf of Wok Street) and Catherine Zhang, chose to open their restaurant, Wu Zhao, here. We ate at the Tusk and Trotter, sat outside and loved it. What really got us to Bentonville was one our favorite home repair shows, Fixer to Fabulous on HDTV. Dave and Jenny Marrs are wonderful, and we had to go see their farm. Just as the show depicts. 

Hot Springs

We only spend a day in Hot Springs, but it was special and deserves more time. Had maybe one of the best hamburgers ever for lunch at the Superior Bathhouse Brewery. Sitting outside under the umbrellas with a view of the old Veterans Hospital was really something else. We stayed at the Harbor Mountain Resort and Spa as a home base, only 30 minutes away from Hot Springs. I would highly recommend it, great lake views and wonderful staff. 

Hot Springs is a resort city in the middle of the state. The city is located in the Ouachita Mountains among the U.S. Interior Highlands and is set among several natural hot springs for which the city is named. The center of Hot Springs is the oldest federal reserve in the United States, today preserved as Hot Springs National Park. The hot spring water has been popularly believed for centuries to possess healing properties and was a subject of legend among several Native American tribes. Following federal protection in 1832, the city developed into a successful Spa town. It is famous for Bathhouse Row, a collection of magnificent, elaborate and architecturally stunning houses.    

We visited Arkansas in the early spring and was beautiful, various colors of green, chilly nights and warm days. The weather was just perfect. I understand that fall colors are the some of the best in the country and a must see. By pure coincidence we saw Diners, Drive Ins and Dives which featured a farm to table restaurant in Little Rock, the Root Cafe, known for their homemade brats and sauerkraut. Couldn't resist and they were great. Go enjoy Arkansas.