14 Cool Things You Didn’t Know About Arkansas
Discover some of The Natural State’s unique, quirky offerings.
Think you have Arkansas all figured out? Think again! This state is full of cool, hidden gems that are just waiting to be uncovered – literally. From hunting for diamonds and crystals to cave dining and mountain biking, you are sure to love all The Natural State’s unique and quirky amenities. Here are 14 cool things you didn’t know about Arkansas.
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1. Search for diamonds in Arkansas.
Keep your eyes peeled for white, brown and yellow diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. It’s the only diamond mine in the world where people can go, pay a small entrance fee and keep anything they find on a finders-keepers basis. This mine was discovered over a century ago and made a state park in 1972. On average two diamonds are found here daily, so why not go and try your luck?
2. Hunt for quartz crystals in Arkansas.
If scoring a quartz crystal is more your thing, head to Mount Ida – aka the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World, where you are guaranteed to find crystals at one of the dig-your-own mines. Of course, if you’d rather not spend a lot of time searching, you can purchase locally found crystals from a variety of area shops.
3. View the Milky Way at Buffalo National River in Arkansas.
Buffalo National River is one of less than 100 International Dark Sky Parks in the world. Thanks to the park’s efforts to maintain a low artificial light footprint, visitors can sprawl beneath the stars and view the brilliant night sky in greater breadth and vibrancy than other locales where light pollution is higher.
4. Visit “Little Switzerland of America” in Arkansas.
Nestled in the northwest part of the state is Eureka Springs, which is nicknamed the “Little Switzerland of America” for the hilly terrain and architecture that are reminiscent of the alpine landscapes in Switzerland. This small, quirky community in the Ozarks offers an interesting juxtaposition of architecture, art and music. With winding roads and not a streetlight to be found, it’s worth making the trip.
5. Drive or ride the Arkansas Dragon Tail.
Hop on your motorcycle or jump in your vehicle and head to Arkansas Dragon Tail, a thrilling stretch of road on Highway 123 that contains over 100 switchbacks. Endlessly curvy and oh, so swervy, this challenging, exhilarating, yet gorgeously scenic ride is not for the faint of heart. Weave through Ozark National Forest, tour along Buffalo National River or stop by Historic Harrison Square.
6. Dine in a cave in Arkansas.
Grotto Wood Fired Grill in Eureka Springs has a natural spring, and its back wall is an exposed cave. The food rocks (pardon the pun) – think filet mignon, smoked duck and grilled portobello. Plus, the atmosphere is unbeatable, and the service is fantastic. It’s a one-of-a-kind dining experience that you won’t want to miss.
7. Chase waterfalls in Arkansas.
Arkansas is home to over 200 named waterfalls, many of which are in the Ozarks and the southwest corner of the state. The Hemmed-in-Hollow waterfall is a whopping 200-feet tall, making it the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians. Arkansas waterfalls are best viewed during late winter/early spring and during the summer.
8. Learn about the original Lone Ranger in Arkansas.
Did you know the TV show “The Lone Ranger” was based on a real person? Recent historic discovery points to Arkansas native Bass Reeves, a former slave who escaped during the Civil War, became an expert tracker and was later appointed deputy U.S. marshal. The similarities between “The Lone Ranger” and Reeves are striking – both were physically imposing, rode beautiful stallions and were masters of disguise. Over the course of his career, Reeves arrested 3,000 criminals and made a name for himself as a beloved Black folk hero. You can visit a statue of him in Fort Smith near the U.S. Marshals Museum.
9. Explore Scott Family Amazeum in Arkansas.
A spectacular place that celebrates and encourages creativity and learning, the Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive children’s museum that the whole family will love. In fact, it’s possible one day isn’t enough time to soak in all that this 50,000-square-foot facility has to offer. Check out 3M Tinkering Hub, the Walmart Market and Hershey’s Lab.
10. Enjoy Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas.
Immerse yourself in gorgeous art at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville – for free. Built by Alice Walton, daughter of Walmart founder Sam Walton, this museum holds one of the single best collections of American art in the nation. The stunning building, which is nestled in a natural ravine in the Ozarks, was designed by world-famous architect Moshe Safdie.
11. Visit the boyhood home of Johnny Cash in Arkansas.
Before making it big as a country music star, Johnny Cash started his life with very humble beginnings. Raised in Northeast Arkansas, about an hour outside of Memphis, Cash’s family farmed cotton. The home where he and his family lived is open for tours in Historic Dyess Colony, an Arkansas State University Heritage Site.
12. Explore a different state park in Arkansas every week of the year.
That’s right, Arkansas has 52 state parks scattered across the state – plus three national forests. It also boasts 13 major lakes, three mountain ranges and 17.2 million acres of forests. There are beautiful places to explore at every turn, whether you’re biking, hiking, four-wheeling or simply exploring. Arkansas truly lives up to its name as The Natural State.
13. Go mountain biking in Arkansas.
Mountain biking is big business in Arkansas, thanks to its beautiful scenery and many miles of trails. Bentonville claims to be the Mountain Biking Capital of the World, with almost 70 miles of trails that seamlessly connect to the greater 400-mile trail system in the northwest part of the state. For those who prefer road biking, the approximately 40-mile Razorback Greenway connects multiple attractions.
14. Camp out at an animal rescue in Arkansas.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs is a place that many circus animals go to retire. This nonprofit has been rescuing animals, including lions, tigers, bobcats and bears, for over three decades. Visitors can see these majestic creatures during the day, then spend the night in a tree house bungalow, glamping tent or safari suite.
This article was sponsored by Arkansas Tourism.