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Ozarks Must-See Attractions
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Arkansas Air Museum - Airplane enthusiasts will enjoy
the Arkansas Air Museum, which is home to vintage aircraft,
including pre-World War II racing planes in flying condition,
aeronautical memorabilia, and a gift shop housed in a historic
hangar at Fayetteville抯 Drake Field. Scenic U.S. 71
S. 479-521-4947.
Blanchard Springs Caverns - Ranked among the most
beautiful underground discoveries of the 20th century, this
limestone cavern is located deep in the Ozark National Forest,
15 miles north of Mountain View. It is the only developed cave
system operated by the U.S. Forest Service and is open
throughout the year. Lighted walkways lead to stunning
formations and massive rooms, one as large as six football
fields. The "Wild Cave Tours" have proved to be extremely
popular with the more adventuresome.
Nearby, Blanchard Springs Recreational Use Area provides scenic
campgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails, a massive natural
spring and a trout lake.
Off Ark. 14 near Mountain View. 870-757-2211.
Buffalo National River - The nation抯 first federally
protected stream (1972), the scenic Buffalo National River flows
roughly 150 miles and offers boaters premier whitewater floating
in the Arkansas Ozarks. The river is flanked by soaring
limestone bluffs, beautiful vistas and wilderness areas. It
includes nearly 95,000 acres of public land along its corridor,
where hiking trails lead to geologic marvels - springs, caves,
waterfalls, natural bridges and box-like canyons. Fishing, rock
climbing and wildlife watching (especially of the state抯 elk
herd) are major draws too. The landscape is popular with
photographers, who like to capture pictures of historic
homesteads, fall foliage, high vistas and other nature scenes.
Numerous outfitters (for canoeing, rafting, horseback riding and
fishing) service the river, and there are several campgrounds,
cabins, motels and other lodging options nearby. Buffalo Point
off Ark. 14 and Tyler Bend off U.S. 65 are developed use
areas. 870-439-2502.
Eureka Springs Historic District - 揂merica抯 Victorian
Village,� preserves turn-of-the-century architecture with fine
dining, shopping, antiquing, spas, historic hotels, art
galleries and museums. Winding mountain streets and natural
springs provide the scenic setting for this quaint town that has
been heavily influenced by its artist community. It's packed
with attractions such as gardens, caves, an exotic wildlife
ranch, a doll museum, live music and magic shows, and dinner
train excursion rides. It was named one of America抯 Dozen
Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic
Preservation. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, the entire
downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places. Eureka
Springs Historical Museum at 95 S. Main St. 479-253-9417.
Greers Ferry Lake - Nestled in the hardwood forests and
foothills between Clinton and Heber Springs, Greers Ferry is the
third largest lake in Arkansas抯 Ozark Mountains (31,500 surface
acres). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir has served as
a national model for environmental cleanliness. Commercial and
public use campgrounds, first-class lodging, resorts and
championship golf courses are trademarks. The Little Red River
emerges icy-cold from Greers Ferry Dam and provides excellent
trout fishing waters for miles downstream. The current
world-record brown trout (40 pounds, four ounces) was landed on
the Little Red in 1992. Resorts and outfitters are available.
Providing more than 31,000 acres of crystal-clear water for
fishing, water sports, boating and camping, Greers Ferry Lake is
a national model for environmental cleanliness. Between Clinton
and Heber Springs. 501-362-2416.
Mammoth Spring State Park - One of the great natural
wonders of mid-America, Mammoth Spring flows at an average
hourly rate of some nine million gallons of 58-degree water. The
flow creates a 10-acre lake and then becomes Spring River, a
popular year-round canoe and fishing stream. The park, located
at the big spring, includes a restored 1886 Frisco Depot with
engaging exhibits and a 揷rew� of workmen and waiting passengers
from the early 1900s. Other features include walking trails,
picnic sites, playgrounds, early hydroelectric power plant and
an official Arkansas Welcome Center. U.S. 63 near Mammoth
Spring. 870-625-7364.
Ozark Folk Center State Park - Mountain View is the
home of the only park in America devoted to the preservation of
Southern mountain folkways and music. The Ozark Folk Center
State Park is a 搇iving museum� of traditional pioneer skills,
such as furniture making, quilting, blacksmithing, tintype
photography, woodcarving and 15 other craft demonstrations.
Concerts, performed in a 1,000-seat theater, feature songs and
instruments from America抯 past. The park also offers a
restaurant, lodge, library, conference center, visitor center
and gift shop. Off Ark. 5-9-14, Mountain View. 870-269-3851.
Pea Ridge National Military Park - The site of one of
the largest Civil War battles west of the Mississippi River, Pea
Ridge marks the successful culmination of the Union's effort to
secure control of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and
protect the arsenal at St. Louis, which made easier the supply
of General Grant's Vicksburg campaign. The park encompasses
4,300 acres and includes a seven-mile, self-guided tour with 10
stops featuring wayside exhibits, including Elkhorn Tavern. It
also has a visitors center, museum and bookstore. U.S. 62 in
Pea Ridge 479-451-8122.
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park - The 1862
Battle of Prairie Grove was the last time two armies of almost
equal strength faced each other for supremacy in northwest
Arkansas. When the Confederate Army withdrew, it was clear
Missouri and northwest Arkansas would remain in Federal hands.
Today, historic homes are located on the 500-acre Prairie Grove
Battlefield State Park, which has a self-guided walking tour and
driving tour. The park's visitors center has a gift shop, museum
and bookstore. Pavilions, a picnic area and a playground are
also at the park. On U.S. 62 in Prairie Grove 479-846-2990.
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History - Dedicated to the
study, interpretation and preservation of the rich history of
the Arkansas Ozark Mountains, the museum offers lectures, films,
classes, tours and frequently changing exhibits of interest to
adults and children. Beautiful park-like grounds showcase six
historical buildings. 118 West Johnson Avenue,
Springdale 479-750-8165.
The Great Passion Play - This two-hour outdoor drama
presents the miracles, trials, crucifixion, resurrection, and
ascension of Jesus Christ on a stage that is almost as large as
two football fields. State-of-the-art sound, lighting and
special effects make this an unforgettable experience in a
4,100-seat amphitheater. About 250 actors make up the cast and
camels, donkeys, horses, pigeons, sheep, and goats are used
during some scenes. It features original music composed by Phil
Perkins and performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra of
London. It runs from late April through October.
The beautiful grounds also include the seven-story-high Christ
of the Ozarks statue; the Sacred Arts Center, with more than
1,000 exhibits; the Bible Museum; the New Holy Land with
re-creations of Biblical sites including Moses� Tabernacle in
theWilderness; the Smith Memorial Chapel; a 10-foot section of
the Berlin Wall; and gift shops. Sepcial events are offered
throughout the year. 935 Passion Play Road in Eureka
Springs 800-882-7529.
Thorncrown Chapel - Designed by Arkansas native E.
Fay Jones, a nationally honored and recognized architect, the
chapel soars skyward from an Ozark woodland. Extensive use of
glass and wood beams makes nature an integral part of the
structure. The chapel was chosen in 2001 as one of the Top 10
Designs of the 20th Century by The American Institute of
Architecture. It has also won the institute's Design of the
Year for 1981 and Design of the Decade for the 1980s.
Non-denominational services are offered. Off U.S. 62 West,
Eureka Springs 479- 253-7401.
Wal-Mart Visitors Center - The origin and growth of
the nation's largest corporation is encapsulated at this
Bentonville museum housed in the building that gave birth to the
retail giant. In 1962, Sam Walton opened his first discount
store in Rogers at 8th and Walnut streets and had 25 employees.
Today, Wal-Mart is the world's largest company with more than
$220 billion in annual sales and more than 1.3 million
employees. 105 North Main, Bentonville 479-273-1329.
War Eagle Crafts Fairs - Each spring and fall, War
Eagle hosts one of the largest crafts fairs in the country. Arts
and crafts exhibitors from Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas
and beyond come to display and sell their wares. Customers come
from all over the U.S.
Blanche Elliott and a group of fellow weavers founded the
original War Eagle Fair over 50 years ago as a means to preserve
and display the skills and traditions of Ozark craftspeople. As
the fair grew, more and more people made their way to the event
at Mrs. Elliott抯 home, historic War Eagle Mills Farm near
Springdale. Over the years, the rural site has attracted all
sorts of national attention including coverage from The New
York Times and Southern Living. Today, numerous fairs
take place adjacent to the original fair and across Northwest
Arkansas, both in May and in October. Located at historic War
Eagle Mills Farm near Hindsville 479-789-5398.
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