Embark on a delightful adventure in Arkansas, where you can dig for diamonds, explore a million-dollar treehouse, visit a national park, and discover historic mills.
Explore a $1 million treehouse at Garvan Woodland Gardens.
Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs is a beautiful 210-acre botanical garden with nature trails, a butterfly garden, waterfalls, thousands of plants, and the famous Bob and Sunny Evans Tree House at home in the Evans Children’s Adventure Garden. This $1 million treehouse is an architectural masterpiece in the forest of the gardens. With four levels, representing the parts of a tree, the treehouse offers birds-eye views of the forest canopy.
2. Tour a submarine.
Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum (AIMM), in North Little Rock, is an unexpected museum in a land-locked state. Located on North Little Rock Riverfront Park along the shore of the Arkansas River, the museum collection features USS Razorback (SS 394), a WWII submarine, and USS Hoga (YT 146), a WWII tugboat. The USS Razorback is "the longest serving combat front-line submarine existing in the world today." Visitors climb the ladder into the space for guided tours where they see the equipment, tour the kitchen and sleeping quarters, and even "take the helm."
3. Find and keep diamonds.
One of the most unique experiences in Arkansas is hunting for real diamonds in their original volcanic source at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. Visitors explore the site digging and hunting the 37-acre field, which is the surface of a volcanic crater and home to gemstones including diamonds. The "Finders Keepers" rule applies at this park. Visitors may keep any rock or mineral they find as a souvenir. Diamonds come in white, brown, and yellow. Additionally, you may find amethyst, garnet, quartz, jasper, and agate gems. The park visitor's center offers an education on diamonds and how to find them and interpretive programs are offered as well. Guests may bring shovels, pans, and equipment, or rent tools from the park. They do not permit battery-operated or motor-driven mining tools. Thousands of visitors have taken home souvenir diamonds from their explorations (our family was not among them), including the 40.23-carat Uncle Sam, the largest diamond ever unearthed in the U.S. In addition to digging for diamonds, guests may camp, hike, and picnic at the state park.
4. Visit the Old Mill featured in Gone With the Wind.
The Old Mill in Little Rock, Arkansas, is famous as one of the last remaining places shown in the classic film, Gone With the Wind. This mill is a historic recreation of a 19th-century grist mill. The entire park is postcard-worthy. Guided tours are available with reservations, but regular visits to the park are free and open to the public from 8 am - sunset. The Old Mill is in T.R. Pugh Memorial Park at 3800 Lakeshore Dr, North Little Rock, Arkansas. The entire park is picturesque and ideal for a stroll, photos, and picnics.
5. Explore a National Park.
Hot Springs National Park is often when people list National Parks. Begin with a tour of Bathhouse Row, where you can learn the history of the thermal springs that made Hot Springs an international destination. The nine historic bathhouses feature unique architecture and tell a unique history. The high temperature of the spring water kills most harmful bacteria and has become famous for its healing properties. At the park, visitors may take a soak in the waters at two of the bathhouses, drink the water from one of seven fountains, or enjoy a hike through the forest where you can see the springs. We recommend spending a day exploring this truly unique National Park.
6. Experience a world-class art museum both during the day and at night.
Crystal Bridges Art Museum in Bentonville has earned a reputation for its amazing architecture, world-class collection of art, beautiful setting among 120 acres of Ozark forests, and fabulous events. Annually, they host lit outdoor events throughout autumn and winter where visitors explore ethereal sites and sounds in the woods. The Forest Light Experience draws thousands of visitors from around the world every year for this truly unique artistic experience
7. Dine in an old grist mill.
War Eagle Mill in Rogers, Arkansas, is a favorite stop for tourists. Visitors are invited to tour the mill and learn how it still operates today grinding organic grains into flour and cornmeal. Demonstrations are offered at 11 am and 1 pm daily. The mill is also home to a gift shop and restaurant.
Bonus: Hike behind a waterfall.
Arkansas has many beautiful state parks, conservation areas, and hiking trails. Tanyard Creek Trail in Bella Vista, Arkansas is one of our favorites for a short hike. This easy 2-mile hike leads to a beautiful waterfall and is nice for all ages and abilities.
Start planning your Arkansas getaway:
We have your Guide to one-of-a-kind stay in Arkansas where you can sleep in a cave, a castle, a treehouse, or a charming cabin.
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