One of the country's most under-appreciated states, Arkansas is surprisingly gorgeous, well endowed with some of the most spectacular mountain, lake and river scenery. Sporty and outdoorsy types will find plenty to do, whether it's canoeing on the Buffalo National River, hiking or horseback riding on dirt trails in the Ouachita National Forest, or driving past breathtaking vistas or through wildflower meadows in the Ozark Mountains. Rich with history, Arkansas was the scene of a poignant moment in Civil Rights history when Little Rock's attempt to desegregate high schools in 1957 prompted protests, outrage and federal intervention; it is the birthplace of Wal-Mart, home state of former President Bill Clinton, and the first state to elect a female senator (Hattie Caraway in 1931). Little Rock, the center of the state's action, is a pleasant little city alongside the Arkansas River. It has several worthwhile museums, good restaurants, unique shops and riverside paths and parks.
Must See
- #1 Little Rock
- #2 Hot Springs
- #3 Buffalo River
- #4 Ozark Mountains
- #5 Ouachita National Forest
Skip It
- #1 Hope
- #2 Pine Bluff
- #3 West Memphis
- #4 Russellville