Tools

1. The Spa City – The thermal waters that Hot Springs has long been known for established the city as America’s first resort, but there’s more than just bathhouses and spas here. Test your luck or just admire the horses at Oaklawn Racing & Gaming, go boating on one of three lakes, look for treasures in the numerous antique stores, shop for art at galleries – you could fill a week with all there is to do.
One-Way Travel Time | 1 hour

2. Natural State Golf Trail – Arkansas’ beautiful landscapes lend themselves to challenging and breathtaking golf courses. You’ll find some of the state’s best on this network of links. Greystone Country Club in Cabot consists of two 18-hole courses, one of which has hosted several pro events. With an island green, Zoysia fairways and hazards on most holes, it’s easy to see why the pair ranked seventh and 13th among the state’s best public courses.
One-Way Travel Time | 30 minutes

3. The Toltec Mounds – One of the Mississippi River Valley’s largest and most impressive archeological sites, these three American Indian mounds are the remains of a ceremonial and governmental complex inhabited between A.D. 600 and 1150. The National Historic Landmark has exhibits with artifacts from the site, a theater and park interpreters who lead guided tours. Self-guided tours can also be arranged.
One-Way Travel Time | 20 minutes

4. Wine Country – About a half dozen wineries near where the Arkansas River meanders between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountain ranges offer tastings, tours and events. Wine-making actually began there in the 1880s, making Arkansas the South’s oldest wine producing state. Two European families started it all after noting the region’s similarities in climate and soil with that of Switzerland and Germany’s wine-making regions.
One-Way Travel Time | 2 hours

5. The Big Piney Creek – Whether you’re a novice paddler or an experienced whitewater rafter, this Ozark Mountain stream is a fitting destination, depending on the put-in point and season. The scenery’s hard to beat, and there are plenty of places to stop off and play. Starting near Dover, you’ll encounter a few rapids between long, calm stretches for a leisurely ride. The Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism can point you toward outfitters.
One-Way Travel Time | 1 hour, 30 minutes