When your kids are home for the summer, it’s only a matter of time before they grow bored with hanging around the house all day. Add some adventure to your summer days by taking family trips around Arkansas. Each region of the state offers unique attractions that are sure to keep your family entertained and active.
Southwest Arkansas
Crater of Diamonds State Park
You just might strike it rich at the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro. Stop by the park visitor center and Diamond Discovery Center to learn why diamonds are present in Arkansas, how to search for diamonds and how to identify rough diamonds. If you don’t find any diamonds, dig up other rocks and minerals such as amethyst or quartz. Children and parents alike will enjoy this Arkansas treasure hunt.
Mid-America Science Museum
Visit the state’s first Smithsonian Affiliate and gain a new perspective on nature at the Mid-America Science Museum, located in Hot Springs. Start your visit at the more than forty-foot tall Bob Wheeler Science Skywalk, a tree-house pavilion and rope netting that stretches straight into the forest. When you’re done walking on air, crawl through tunnels at Underground Arkansas, the museum’s realistic indoor cave.
Northwest Arkansas
Buffalo National River
Teach your family teamwork—and get in a workout—by canoeing down the Buffalo River. The Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca offers canoeing along with kayaking, zip lining, hiking, swimming and camping. As America’s first national river, the Buffalo is not only a family-friendly destination, but also a historic landmark.
Central Arkansas
Two Rivers Park
Cross Little Rock’s 1,368 foot long Two Rivers Park Bridge to arrive at the Two Rivers Park. Once you arrive, sit down with a picnic, enjoy the scenery or start exploring – the park offers 550 acres of open fields and 450 acres of wooded wetlands, along with paved and dirt trails. Stick around after dark to see the LED fixtures on the bridge light up the Arkansas River.
Little Rock Zoo
Check out what’s new at the zoo by bringing your family to Little Rock. The zoo houses nearly 700 animals representing 200 plus species, many on the endangered list. After hanging with the monkeys and roaring with the lions, have a snack at Cafe Africa or ride the antique, one-of-a-kind Arkansas Carousel.
Northeast Arkansas
Little Red River
Catch some trout at the Little Red River in Heber Springs. The “little” river holds big fish, with the largest-ever being a 40 pound, 4 ounce brown trout caught in 1992. The fish held the world record for a brown trout up until 2009. Hire a guide to take your family fishing and help you find the hot spots on the river. You might even set a new world record.
Get your kids off the couch and into nature without going far from home. Arkansas has much to offer, so take advantage of the many inexpensive ways your family can have fun and start moving this summer. Find more tips on how to keep your kids active.