Visiting Central & Southern Arkansas

Add some natural charm to your visit to the Natural State and visit Central and Southern Arkansas. Communities outside the state capital of Little Rock, from North Little Rock and Benton to Pine Bluff and Hot Springs offer small town hospitality with convenient access to the big city. Visit Benton’s historic Courthouse for events like the Annual Old Fashioned Day, or North Little Rock’s Dickey-Stephens Park for the Annual Family Fun Fest. Relax at America’s first resort, Hot Springs, and enjoy the rich heritage and world-class spas. Sportsmen, grab your fishing poles for a trip to Pine Bluff – the “Bass Capital of the World”

Further south along Interstate 30 Arkansas Travelers pass Arkadelphia, a convenient stop over point, with easy access to Hot Springs and Crater of Diamonds State Park. An education focused community; Arkadelphia is home to Henderson State University, home of the 2010 Gulf South Conference co-champion Reddie football team. Ouachita Baptist University also makes Arkadelphia home.

Hope, less than 50 miles south of Arkadelphia, is the birthplace of US President Bill Clinton, now honored at the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site. Travel past Hope 25 miles to Texarkana on the Texas state line where the claim is you get the best of both Arkansas and Texas.

Benton, just 30 miles southwest of Little Rock is literally the heart of Arkansas, sitting at the state’s geographical center. The county seat of Saline County, Benton hosts the 2011 Saline County Fair September 6th through 10th. Join the Benton community for the evening parade kicking off events and head straight for mid-way carnival rides, street dance and exhibits at the Saline County Fairgrounds. Animal lovers, be sure to catch the Saline County Kennel Club Dog Show at the Fairgrounds October 29th and 30th.

About an hour west of Little Rock, travelers flock to Hot Springs, America’s first resort – Hot Springs National Park was the first federally protected area in the country. Nestled in the Diamond Lakes Region of the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs offers year round outdoor activity and adventure. Play a relaxing round of golf at Lakeview Golf Club on Lake Catherine, Magic Hills is great for a quick 9-hole game, or Belvedere Golf Club, one of the 10 courses in Arkansas. Cast your line at Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton or DeGray Lake for Hot Springs striped bass, walleye or bream.

Of course a soak in the historic and world-famous hot mineral waters of Hot Springs is a must. Check out Fordyce Bathhouse at Hot Springs National Park. Now a museum and visitors center, visitors see the former splendor of the best bathhouse in Hot Springs. Pick a private bathing area or thermal pool at the Quapaw Baths on Bathhouse Row, or enjoy a traditional individual tub experience at Buckstaff Bath House, also on Bathhouse Row and the only remaining bath house within the boundaries of Hot Springs National Park.

Central & Southern Arkansas Hotel Map