Visiting Mississippi River Delta

It’s time for a road trip through eastern Arkansas’s Delta region, motoring down the Great River Road. In a car or on an Arkansas motorcycle ride, pass the lands carved and enriched by the mighty Mississippi River. A national scenic byway, Arkansas’s Great River Road traverses 362 miles of the Delta from Blytheville in the northeast, through Marion and West Memphis, to McGehee on south to the Arkansas Louisiana state line. Adventure through Crowley’s Ridge State Park and the St Francis National Forest, enjoying prime Arkansas fishing at Lake Frierson and Lake Poinsett. Enjoy the amazing natural sites and resources of the Arkansas Delta region.

North of West Memphis about 60 miles, Mississippi County, Arkansas’s largest city, Blytheville welcomes travelers to the northeast of the state. A growing commercial hub, Blytheville is home to Nucor – Yamato Steel Company plants and Arkansas International Airport in Blytheville is home to the headquarters of Aviation Repair Technologies. Also a community committed to education, Blythville’s Arkansas Northeastern College offers Mississippi County students the Great River Promise – making ANC scholarships available to all county high school students.

Join the Blytheville community in October for the 31^st Annual United Way of Greater Blytheville Chili Cook-Off. Saturday October 15^th, Main Street Blytheville fills with a full block of kid’s activities, arts and crafts tents and delicious chili. Grab a chili tasting cup and determine for yourself who wins the 2011 Chili Cook-off Championship. December is another great time to visit Blytheville. Enjoy the 2011 Lights of the Delta, December 1^st through the 27^th. Lights of the Delta features over 6 million lights covering the 40 acres of the former Ecker Air Force Base. With over 40 displays in motions this is a must see family drive for the holidays.

West Memphis, on the west bank of the Mississippi River sits along Interstate 40 with the DeSoto Bridge connecting West Memphis to Memphis. Located along the former Butterfield Overland Mail Route to Fort Smith and the Trail of Tears, West Memphis is now part of the Arkansas Heritage Trail System. Southland Park Gaming and Racing in West Memphis offers lots of entertainment in one spot. Drawing crowds for dog racing and Reel games, this is the place to be if you’re feeling lucky. Visit in October for the inaugural 2011 Mid-South Great Steak Cook-off. An ideal family event on the grounds of West Memphis’s Southland Park, join the fun October 15^th featuring rides, a car show and mouth-watering steaks all capped off with a concert by the Gin Blossoms.

Ten minutes north of West Memphis, the community of Marion is a convenient location for those looking for a Arkansas hotel outside the hustle and bustle of metro Memphis. A growing hub of the northeast Arkansas Delta region, Marion puts visitors close to the history, heritage and fun of nearby attractions.

Mississippi River Delta Hotel Map