Arkansas Vacations Travel Guide

General Information

Baby Equipment Rentals - companies in Arkansas that rent baby gear and equipment including car seats, strollers, cribs and more

Family Resorts in Arkansas - resorts, hotels and other family friendly lodging

Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism - official Arkansas travel site with information on things to do, places to stay, maps, calendar of events and more.

Hot Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau - Hot Springs guide with things to do, local accommodations, dining, shopping, calendar of events, deals & packages, and more.

Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau - From helpful telephone numbers to current weather information, fast & easy facts concerning Little Rock and easy to follow maps on how to get around; you will find it all here.

Rogers Convention & Visitors Bureau - things to do, where to stay, dining and more.

Zoos

Little Rock Zoo
1 Jonesboro Dr
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Phone: (501) 666-2406.
The Little Rock Zoo has long been one of Arkansas' great treasures. It began modestly in 1926, with just two animals - an abandoned timber wolf and a circus-trained brown bear. Today, the Zoo has grown to include almost 600 animals representing 170 species - some of them on the endangered list.  To get to the zoo, if you are coming from Interstate 30 or Interstate 430 you would take Interstate 630, through downtown Little Rock, and then take the Fair Park Blvd North Exit #4.

National Parks

Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Phone: (501) 624-3383 ext. 640
The entire "Bathhouse Row" area is a National Historic Landmark District that contains the grandest collection of bathhouses of its kind in North America. By protecting the 47 hot springs and their watershed, the National Park Service continues to provide visitors with historic leisure activities such as hiking, picnicking, scenic drives, horseback riding and camping.  Hot Springs National Park is in downtown Hot Springs; click here for detailed information.

Pea Ridge National Military Park
Pea Ridge, Arkansas
Phone: (501) 451-8122
Pea Ridge National Military Park is a 4,300 acre Civil War Battlefield that preserves the site of the March 1862 battle that saved Missouri for the Union.  The drive through the battlefield and its ten stops are designed to provide information relative to battle action.  The hiking trail is a pleasurable day hike. This trail takes the hiker into the more natural areas of the park, and is not designed to give significance to the battle. The horse trail is a rugged ride into the back country. It too is designed for recreation and lacks historical markings. The park is an excellent place for viewing wildlife, especially white tailed deer and wild turkey. The park has a picnic area near the visitor center.  Click here for more details and directions.

Museums

Arkansas Air Museum
South School Avenue and US Hwy 71
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Phone:  (501) 521-4947
From world-famous racing planes of the 1920s and 1930s to an early airliner, the planes at the museum are maintained in flying condition.  Static displays range from the golden age of aviation to the jet age, including Vietnam-era Army helicopters and a Navy carrier fighter.

Aerospace Education Center
3301 East Roosevelt Road
Little Rock, Arkansas 72206
(At the Little Rock National Airport)
Aerospace exhibits and IMAX theater.

Arkansas Museum of Discovery
500 President Clinton Ave.
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: (800) 880-6475
The Museum of Discovery is a collecting institution, which holds artifacts that are relevant to Life/Earth Science and Anthropological/Historical objects. The Museum contains approximately 14,000 artifacts.  Click here for map.

Children's Museum of Arkansas
Union Station ,1400 W. Markham #200
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone (501) 374-6655
The unique interactive exhibits at the Children's Museum of Arkansas are specifically designed to get all the senses involved and challenge the mind. They quickly bring the imagination out to play and have a very interesting side-effect -- enhanced self-esteem.  From infants to toddlers to teens, the Children's Museum has challenging and fun programs and activities.

Daisy Airgun Museum
114 South 1st Street
Rogers, Arkansas
Phone: (501) 986-6873
Daisy Manufacturing Company has been in Rogers, Arkansas since 1958. Now you can walk through the amazing history of this company at the Rogers Daisy Airgun Museum in Historic Downtown Rogers, Arkansas.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

Magic Springs and Crystal Falls
Magic Springs & Crystal Falls
1701 Highway 70 E
Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901
Located in the scenic foothills of the Ouachita Mountains in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, Magic Springs & Crystal Falls is sure to be a hit with the entire family. Enjoy it all – the green forests and blue lakes of a national park, the excitement of a theme park and water park, and the sites and charm of historic Hot Springs.  Roller coasters, kiddies rides, water rides; rides for everyone in the family.  Click here for directions.

Family Activities

If you know of a family activity in Arkansas, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Phone: (501) 624-3383 ext. 640
The entire "Bathhouse Row" area is a National Historic Landmark District that contains the grandest collection of bathhouses of its kind in North America. By protecting the 47 hot springs and their watershed, the National Park Service continues to provide visitors with historic leisure activities such as hiking, picnicking, scenic drives, horseback riding and camping.  Hot Springs National Park is in downtown Hot Springs; click here for detailed information.

Bull Shoals Lake - Fishing, swimming, camping, tubing trips and other water sports.  There are nineteen parks around the lake for public use and enjoyment. They have camping and picnic facilities with grills. The lake runs west to Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake in Missouri. U.S. 65 on the Missouri State Line.

Beaver Lake - Fishing, swimming, nature walks into nearby caves, picnicking and other water sports.  Off US. Route 62.

Blue Mountain Lake - Near Mt. Magazine. Fishing, swimming, camping, boating and picnicking.  Off State Route 10 50 miles East of Fort Smith.

Greers Lake - Campsites, fishing, boating, nature walks and other water sports in almost crystal clear water. Located about 75 miles north of Little Rock off U.S. 65 at Greers Ferry.

Table Rock Lake - Fishing, swimming, boating, and camping.  Located in the Mark Twain National Forest primarily between Eagle Rock and Branson; 45 miles south of Springfield off U.S. 65.

Norfork Lake - Caves, golf courses, camping, boating and other water sports including water skiing, skin diving, windsurfing, and swimming. The surrounding hills offer such recreations as hiking, hunting, and sightseeing.  Can be accessed from Arkansas 101 and U.S. 62 at Henderson.

Lake Ouachita -Diving, swimming, camping, boating and other water sports.  Located in the Ouachita Mountains near the resort spa of Hot Springs.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

Zoos, Museums and National Parks listed above.

Norfork Lake - Winter Stripper and big bass fishing, eagle watching, golf courses, boating and relaxing. The surrounding hills offer such recreations as hiking, hunting, and sightseeing. Can be accessed from Arkansas 101 and U.S. 62 at Henderson.

If you know of a fun winter family vacation spot in Arkansas, let us know and we will add it here.

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to Arkansas, let us know and we will add it here.

Travel Specials & Vacation Packages