Date: February 27, 2026 |
The days are getting longer, and that can only mean one thing—the countdown is on for summer vacations! Don’t have a destination determined yet? Pick an itinerary from the following pages to guide your summer adventure.
Photos by Rett Peek, Bailey Dougan, and William J. Hillard
Northwest Arkansas
When was your last trip to the northwest corner of the state? No matter how long it’s been, we can almost guarantee you’ll find something new to explore on your next trip.
On the southern end of the region, Fayetteville makes a great starting point. Stay at The Stonebreaker Hotel or Moxy Fayetteville for modern amenities that don’t skimp on service or style. The historic Fayetteville Square is a must—especially when the farmers market is bustling with produce purveyors and cut flowers—as is a detour down Dickson Street to see where the college set spends Saturday nights. Dickson Street Bookshop is a favorite for those who love getting lost in a maze of used tomes. Right next door, Walton Arts Center is the hub for all things performing arts (mark your calendars for Moulin Rouge! The Musical July 8-12), and their newly renovated Friends Lounge, an upscale VIP space, is worth checking out.
Farther north, Bentonville continues to expand with exciting new offerings to accommodate a growing population. The city’s beloved Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is growing, too, with a years-long expansion slated to open June 6. What does this mean for visitors? A new café called Quartz & Honey, more opportunities for learning, an outdoor playscape dubbed the Ozark Discovery Canopy, and, of course, additional gallery space for permanent and temporary exhibitions. To make Bentonville your home base for a stay, book a room at The Compton, which opened in December. Be sure to snag a table at one of the dining spots becoming synonymous with the city, like Tusk & Trotter, Preacher’s Son, or Townie, the new burger eatery from the folks behind Oven & Tap and Superfine Sweets Shoppe.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Fayetteville and Bentonville bookend the I-49 corridor that’s a convenient route between Johnson, Springdale, and Rogers, and each has its own character and attractions. If you’re a cyclist, skip the interstate altogether and utilize The Razorback Greenway, a 40-mile cycling trail that extends the north-to-south expanse of this region and then some.
Photo by Lawrence Knox
Photo by Lawrence Knox
Photo by Lawrence Knox
Photo by Lawrence Knox
The Ozarks
While Northwest Arkansas is technically part of the mountainous region known as “the Ozarks,” the rest of this geographical section of the state feels largely untouched by modern development—perfect for those looking to disconnect from the hurried pace of everyday life.
For a taste of mountain magic, visit Eureka Springs, a quirky, creative town filled with art galleries and Victorian architecture. Book a stay at The Original Treehouse Cottages where you’ll wake up with a lofty view of leafy treetops outside your window while still enjoying the close proximity of favorite eateries like Local Flavor Cafe, Mud Street Cafe, and Grotto Wood Fired Grill and Wine Cave.
For fishermen, there’s no getaway quite like Gaston’s White River Resort. Located on some of the most prized waters for trout fishing in the world, Gaston’s has accommodations for every size group, boat rentals, guided fishing trips, and a full-service restaurant that elevates the stay into an unforgettable experience.
Of course, no summer is complete without a trip to the Buffalo River, a 153-mile stretch of water managed by the National Park Service that’s a popular destination for paddling, hiking, and camping. Make Buffalo River Outfitters your go-to resource for all things river-related when booking your trip. From rentals for cabins to canoes and kayaks—and even shuttle services, guidance on water levels, and ideas for areas to explore—Buffalo River Outfitters makes it easy to get the most out of your Ozarks adventure.
Photo by William J. Hillard
Little Rock
There’s no shortage of things to do in the Capital City. Visit Central Arkansas Library System’s Main Library, reopened in fall 2025, to see how the landmark has been reenvisioned while paying homage to its history. Downstairs, a revamped and expanded area for children allows the imagination to run wild, while the rooftop terrace gives sweeping views of downtown.
Two blocks away, Museum of Discovery is Little Rock’s STEM museum and activity center, offering hands-on learning experiences for all ages with exhibits about electricity, geology, animals, weather, and more. It also offers educational week-long summer camps based around subjects like coding and chemistry for grade-school children.
For an art-filled afternoon, head to South Main Street, known to locals as SoMa. Here, you’ll find some of the area’s best dining and shops, including antiquing favorites The Punch Bowl, South Main Creative, and Sweet Home clement.
As you travel west from downtown, the Heights and Hillcrest neighborhoods offer more local flavor. Grab a coffee and pastry from Boulevard Bread Co. before hitting up the shops along Kavanaugh Boulevard. We recommend Rock Town River Outfitters for a kayak or standup paddleboard rental in the Arkansas River, and those craving more time outdoors can hike Pinnacle Mountain, a rite of passage for Little Rock visitors. Don’t forget to treat yourself after the climb with ice cream from the Loblolly Ice Cream Outpost at the Pinnacle Mountain Visitors Center on your way out.
Photo by Bailey Dougan
The Diamond Lakes
Comprised of five lakes on the western side of the state, the Diamond Lakes region is another popular getaway for those who love the outdoors. Lake Ouachita, the state’s largest lake, is known for its undeveloped and scenic shoreline, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding Ouachita Mountains. With rooms, condos, and houses to rent as well as an on-site spa and restaurant, Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa is a perfect setting for groups who crave an escape while enjoying all the activities the lake has to offer. Boating, scuba diving, and underwater spear fishing are just a few of the possibilities with Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa.
In Hot Springs, The Nest Properties offers five options for accommodations on and near Lake Hamilton, a recreational lake that has been a popular site for waterside resorts, restaurants, and residences for almost a century now. For those craving time on the water, The Lake House and The Cottage offer the convenience of being right on the shoreline, while all five properties are within an easy drive to downtown Hot Springs, where attractions abound.
Also in Hot Springs is Oaklawn, the historic horse-racing track that now boasts an upscale hotel, world-class restaurants, casino, and luxury spa. Be sure to check the calendar for Oaklawn Event Center’s upcoming performances, which includes comedians and musical artists from all over the country.
Just a few miles north of downtown Hot Springs, In The Trees offers 15 cabins and treehouses for those who want to feel like they’re away from it all. Wake up to views of the Ouachita Mountains while enjoying the comforts of these fully stocked accommodations—including a hot tub, heated bathroom floors, and a vinyl record player.
For those looking to totally disconnect and unwind, A Quiet Place Mountain Escape on the western edge of Ouachita National Forest is a getaway like no other. Book one of three luxury A-frames outside of Mena and enjoy an outdoor shower, infrared sauna, and wood-burning cedar hot tub that will make you never want to leave your cabin.
Photo by Bailey Dougan
South Arkansas
If South Arkansas is your destination, there’s no better place to start than El Dorado. Downtown El Dorado is a bustling square of shops, dining, and events all season, thanks in large part to Main Street El Dorado, the nonprofit organization dedicated to helping downtown businesses thrive. Plan your trip around an event at the South Arkansas Arts Center, South Arkansas Symphony, or Murphy Arts District, which plays host to concerts on the open-air amphitheater as well as inside at the more intimate Mad House 101.
South Arkansas is also a mecca of food festivals, with something for everyone no matter the month you’re traveling. Check out the World Championship Steak Cook-Off in Magnolia in May, the Bradley County Tomato Festival in Warren in June, and the Hope Watermelon Festival in Hope in August for family-friendly fun that involves the whole community.
If you’re looking to add some stamps to your Arkansas State Parks Passport, South Arkansas has quite a few. The South Arkansas Arboretum, conveniently located within El Dorado, is a 12-acre wooded park featuring plants and trees native to the state, all easily explored by foot or by bike. Just north toward Smackover is the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, which lends historical context and educational resources about the 1920s oil boom that led to prosperity for the region. Civil War buffs will enjoy a stop at Poison Springs Battleground State Park in Camden or Marks’ Mills Battleground State Park in Fordyce, both of which serve as educational points about the war.
Photo by Bailey Dougan
The Delta
Spanning the entire length of the eastern edge of the state, the Delta is one of Arkansas’s largest regions—meaning there are countless ways to explore this culture-rich area. In the Upper Delta, Wilson is a quaint yet steadily growing town worth seeing in person. Dubbed “America’s Village,” attractions such as the down-home Wilson Café, elevated and comfortable Louis Hotel, and constant rotation of holiday events make it a perfect getaway for two or the whole family.
In Stuttgart, the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie has educational exhibits all about the region, including agriculture, duck hunting, and special seasonal offerings. Book a room at the recently opened Church House Lodge, an inn operating in the old First Presbyterian Church, a 100-year-old property with easy proximity to downtown Stuttgart and the shops and restaurants found there. For a truly unforgettable dining experience, drive about an hour south to Taylor’s Steakhouse, an essential on every Arkansas foodie’s must-visit list known for its dry-aged steak.
Thanks to its fertile landscape, opportunities to spend time outdoors in the Delta abound. Cyclists will enjoy Delta Heritage Trail State Park, a “rail-to-trail” corridor through Phillips and Desha counties that follows the path of the former Union Pacific Railroad. With almost 70 miles complete, those hitting the trail will catch a unique glimpse of the Lower Delta from Arkansas City to Lexa (just north of Helena-West Helena). Located in Pine Bluff Regional Park, The Governor Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center is a beautiful indoor-outdoor facility. View the indoor exhibits featuring Delta wildlife and history or explore the many trails, wildflower areas, and native plants on the center’s 130 acres.
Photo by Mandy Jayne
Just Over the State Line
If you’re ready to explore beyond the Arkansas border, there’s so much to see within a day’s drive. Extend your Delta trip across the Mississippi River and into The Magnolia State, traveling south on U.S. 49 until you reach Clarksdale, often regarded as the “Birthplace of the Blues.” Visit the Delta Blues Museum, which traces the history and significance of the blues in Mississippi, and grab a seat at the bar next door at Ground Zero, the blues club founded by actor Morgan Freeman, where you can tap your feet to whatever artist is taking the stage that night.
From there, 30 miles south in Merigold, Mississippi, is the home of McCartys Pottery, the ceramics studio known for pieces thrown from Mississippi mud and popular throughout the region. Explore the studio’s gallery and gardens, then head to the Gallery Restaurant just a few blocks away for a bite to eat.
End your Mississippi Delta tour with a stay at The Alluvian Hotel. Book a treatment (or several) at the Alluvian Spa, a 7,000-square-foot luxury spa offering massages, therapeutic baths, facials, and nail care. And don’t forget to cross the street for an experience like no other at Viking Cooking School, a destination for hands-on cooking classes for those with culinary backgrounds of all levels—no experience required.
Photo by Mandy Jayne
Travel Resources
Planning a trip farther from home? Look to one of these local travel agents to help take care of every last detail.
Fisher & Stout
Led by Courtney Gardner, Fisher & Stout works with everyone from solo travelers to groups planning national and international travel. fisherandstout.com
Real World Travel
Owners Melissa and Joel Parrish help travelers book unforgettable luxury trips to destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. travelrealworld.com
