What to do in Arkansas with Kids

When I was heading for our weekend in Bentonville, Arkansas, I got a lot of questions asking “What’s there to do in Arkansas?” Well, I hope this list of over 60 Things to do in Arkansas with Kids helps answer that!

60+ Things to do in Arkansas with Kids

Arkansas is well known for it’s camping and hiking, but we wanted to explore what else a road trip to Arkansas would have to offer families travelling with kids.

Today we are sharing some of the best things to do all around Arkansas – be sure to leave your suggestions in the comments below if I left off something that you think is a must-do for fellow families visiting the Natural State.

I’ve listed these ideas by city, with smaller cities with worthwhile attractions listed at the bottom.

What to do in Bentonville, Arkansas

Engage with science at the Scott Family Amazeum Children’s Museum

Dig for arrowheads at Museum of Native American History

Take the bean to bar journey at the Markham & Fitz Chocolate Experience

Crystal Bridges Museum (check out our full review here)

Ice Cream Parlour at the Walmart Museum

Have a BBQ or picnic at Park Springs

Go swimming at Memorial Park, or ice skating at Lawrence Plaza

Step into History at The Peel Mansion Museum & Heritage Gardens

What to do in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Take in the view from Mount Seqouyah

Take the kids for a Drive-in Movie

Catch a Razorback Football Game

Browse the Saturday morning Farmer’s Markets

Shop & dine on Davis Street

Eat BBQ – you are in one of the Top 10 BBQ Cities in the US

Make a splash at Fantasy Lake Water Park

Zipquest is a zipline tour and nature adventure over Carver’s waterfalls and treetops

Have a picnic by the lake at Mazarick Park

Fasincate-U Children’s Museum is great for kids ages 1-12

What to do in Murfreesboro

Dig for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park

Discovery Centre at Murfee Spring is an interactive kids’ museum

Step into history at Oaklands Museum or Cannonsburgh Village

Or, for a different take on history that also looks at the experience of slaves, check out the Historic Sam Davis Home and Plantation

If you’re in the mood for an amusement park, hit up Go USA Fun Park

Check out fossils at Earth Experience – Middle Tennessee Museum of Natural History

 

Hot Springs

See the Merman at Alligator Farm

At Hot Springs National Park, you can actually go in a hot spring!

Garvan Woodland Gardens is kid-friendly with small waterfalls and gorgeous botanical displays

You can bring children to watch the horse races at Oaklawn Horse Races

Hot Springs Theme & Water Park looks amazing for kids and adults, too

The Mid-America Science Museum has over 100 hands-on exhibits – perfect for kids!

If the kids want to zipline, AdventureWorks is geared just for them

 

Little Rock

Climb Pinnacle Mountain or hike the trails at Arkansas Arboretum

Have a fairytale brunch at the Castle on Stagecoach

Or, have a train deliver your food at All Aboard

Take in a play at one of the city’s many theatres – or check out Ballet Arkansas or the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

Bike along the Big Dam Bridge 

Check out the 725 animals representing over 200 species animals at Little Rock Zoo

Absorb some culture at the Arkansas Arts Center

Willow Springs Water Park was one of the first water theme parks in the U.S. (built in 1928).

North Little Rock

Check out a minor league game at Dickey-Stephens Park, home of the Arkansas Travelers

Verizon Arena with the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Museum

Reenact scenes from Gone with the Wind at the T. R. Pugh Memorial Park (which is home to the Old Mill featured in the opening scenes)

Wild River Country outdoor water park

Hike the Arkansas River Trail

 

Springdale

Check out a ballgame at Arvest Ballpark

If you like pioneer villages, check out the Fitzgerald Station and Farmstead

The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History ranges from prehistoric to modern times

Take the Ozarks railway tour from Springdale to Winslow (or Van Buren)

Mountainview, Arkansas

Loco Ropes adventure park

Catch a drive-in movie at the Stone Drive-in

Blanchard Springs Cavern is a jaw-dropping cave system located in the Ozark–St. Francis National Forest (plus there is a pretty waterfall above-ground)

 

Other Notable Stops:

Train enthusiasts will need to check out the Arkansas Railway Museum {Pine Bluff, Arkansas}

Experience the savana from the safety of your car at the Drive-thru Wilderness Safari {Gentry, Arkansas}

Canoe along the Buffalo River {St Joe, Arkansas}

Take in the breath-taking views at Hawksbill Craig, and take a picture at Whittaker Point {Kingston, Arkansas}

Sleep in a treehouse at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge – or check one one of their hobbit houses or castles! {Eureka Springs}

Visit and walk around in a replica Holy Land {Eureka Springs}

There is an Elephant Sanctuary in Greenbriar but the reviews are mixed.

Ozark National Park is a must-do when in Arkansas, and you will be guaranteed gorgeous photos if you make the time for the Glory Hole Falls {Ozone}

Bring your camera if you hike Painter’s Bluff {Izard County}

You won’t regret a day spent at Lake Ouachita, whether you rent a cabin or canoe {Garland/Montgomery}

Magnolia Falls is a rugged and less busy alternative to Hemming Hollow, which is also worth checking out {Deer}

 

Pin this post for your future Arkansas Family Vacation:

Arkansas is an underrated family vacation destination. For more resources on planning your Arkansas family vacation, check out our Arkansas Travel Section here.