Attractions and Activities in Northwest Arkansas

Ozark Mountains, Arkansas History and a Spanish Treasure Cave

Aug 29, 2008

From the quiet beauty of the Ozarks and Beaver Lake in Eureka Springs to the Arkansas Air Museum in Fayetteville, Northwest Arkansas has lots of things to do.

Filled with mountains, lakes, rivers, and caves, Northwest Arkansas has some of the most spectacular natural scenic beauty in the country. State parks and federally protected lands are in abundance and the area is the location of the headwaters of the Buffalo National River, the only designated National River in America.

Also within theses rolling hills are the cities and towns of Northwest Arkansas that reflect the history and heritage of the people. Native Americans once used these lands as hunting grounds. Today’s visitors can search for Spanish treasure, buy stone ground flour or enjoy a Broadway musical in a state of the art theater. From art museums to zoos, Northwest Arkansas has many fun things to do. Here are a few of them.

Bentonville, Arkansas

Crystal Bridges at the Massey, Massey Building, 125 West Central Avenue, (479) 418-5700 – temporary home of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art houses a collection of American art from the Colonial period to the present
Old Spanish Treasure Cave, west of Bentonville at 14290 North Hwy 59, Gravette, AR (479) 787-6508 – pan for gemstones and take a one hour guided cave tour with tales of hidden treasure
Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, 504 Memorial Drive, Bella Vista, Arkansas, (479) 855-6598 – glass and steel chapel in the woods designed by world renowned architect E. Fay Jones

Rogers, Arkansas

Rogers Historical Museum, 322 South Second Street, (479) 621-1154 – exhibits of local history and guided tours of 1895 Hawkins House
War Eagle Mill, 11045 War Eagle Road (about 14 miles east or Rogers off Arkansas Highway 12), (479) 789-5345 – working water-powered grist mill with restaurant and gift shop and location of the annual War Eagle Crafts Fair
Daisy Airgun Museum, 202 West Walnut, (479) 986-6873 – non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and displaying vintage airguns and other collectibles of the Daisy corporation

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Belle of the Ozarks Beaver Lake Cruises, 354 County Road 146, (800) 552-3803 – scenic boat tour includes Beaver Dam, Ozark Cliff Dweller’s burial ground and, in winter, bald eagle nesting areas
Blue Spring Heritage Center, (479) 253-9244 – historic natural spring, gardens and nature trails, includes a bluff shelter and site of an old mill
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, (479) 253-5841 – refuge park for lions, tigers, bears and other animals, includes a gift shop and picnic area

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Arkansas Air Museum, 4290 South School, next to Drake Field, (479) 521-4947 – artifacts and aircraft from the 1920s to the 1940s
Walton Arts Center, 495 West Dickson Street, (479) 443-9216 – major arts venue for plays, concerts, exhibitions and classes
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, 118 West Johnson Avenue, Springdale, Arkansas, (479) – 750-8165 – outstanding regional museum housing artifacts of the history and everyday life in the Ozarks

For more information on things to do in Arkansas, and specifically Northwest Arkansas, contact the Northwest Arkansas Tourism Association at 1-888-398-3444.

The copyright of the article Attractions and Activities in Northwest Arkansas in Arkansas Travel is owned by Pamela Watson. Permission to republish Attractions and Activities in Northwest Arkansas in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.