I am planning a trip south this summer with my 2 children (girl 7 and boy 9) and would appreciate any and all advice re visiting Arkansas as well as other states in the south.
We are interested in historic spots: battlefields, historic homes and plantations, art museums as well as natural delights, hiking trails, etc.
Thank you in advance.
NH Mom
Advice needed on a trip south this summer
Well, in downtown little rock you have the old state house museum, Set in the oldest surviving state capitol west of the Mississippi River, the Old State House Museum has been designated a National Historic Landmark, though it is probably best known throughout the country as the scene of President Bill Clinton%26#39;s 1992 and 1996 election-night celebrations.
The magnificent Greek Revival structure overlooking the Arkansas River houses a multimedia museum of Arkansas state history, with a special emphasis on women%26#39;s history, political history, and educational programming for school children. The Little Rock museum also boasts nationally-recognized collections of Civil War battle flags, the inaugural gowns of governors%26#39; wives, Arkansas art pottery featuring pieces from Camark and Niloak, African-American quilts, and artifacts from Arkansas%26#39;s musical heritage. Popular exhibits include ';On the Stump: Arkansas Political History from 1819-1919';; Try Us: Arkansas %26amp; the US-Mexican War; and ';Period Rooms';, created to show a typical setting from decades ago. It%26#39;s open daily , except christmas , thanksgiving, new years, and the best part that it%26#39;s free...
And there%26#39;s the old mill, The Old Mill, located at Fairway Ave. %26amp; Lakeshore Drive in North Little Rock, is a historic re-creation of an 1880%26#39;s water-powered grist mill. The mill was seen in the opening scenes of David Selznick%26#39;s 1937 movie classic ';Gone With The Wind';, and is believed to be the only remaining structure from the film. Admission to The Old Mill is free, and the hours of operation are from sunrise to sunset.
The Old Mill, also known as Pugh%26#39;s Mill, was built in 1933 by Justin Matthews as a replica of an old-water-powered grist mill. The mill was designed to appear as if it belonged in Arkansas and had been here since the 1800s. It is made largely from tinted concrete work over steel and copper rods made to represent wood, iron or stone, and features sculptures by Mexican artist Senor Dionicio Rodriguez.
The Old Mill was nationally recognized in 1986 by being placed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was also presented with the Greater Little Rock Historic Preservation Award by the Quapaw Quarter Association.
The grist mill on the first floor dates back to 1828, and some mill rocks on the second floor came from the plantation of Tom Knoble, the grandfather of Tom Pugh, in whose honor the Mill is dedicated. There are also two original milestones from a road laid out more than 150 years ago by Jefferson Davis. Along this road, the Cherokee and Choctaw Indians traveled from the present town of Dardanelle into the Indian territory, now Oklahoma. In addition three sections of a wrought iron shaft were cut from the stern wheel of a passenger steamboat, which traveled the Arkansas River in the 1800%26#39;s, are used in the mill.
The park is decorated with sculptures of toadstools, tree stumps, and several ornate bridges. Senor Dionico Rodriguez, a sculptor and artist from Mexico City, was responsible for all the details of each piece of concrete work made to represent wood, iron or stone, as well as the designing of the foot bridges and rustic seats. During the summer of 1991, Rodriguez%26#39;s work at the Old Mill was renovated by the grandson of the original artist, Carlos Cortes
The Old Mill is often used for many outdoor activities including picnicking, relaxing, and even weddings or photo shoots. It is not unheard of for people to choose the Old Mill as a place to say their nuptials and many schools around North Little Rock have their school photos taken there.
Then there%26#39;s the river market in little rock on president clinton avenue, It houses many resturaunts, a childrens museum, art galleries, and the presidential museum, And we have a peabody hotel as well. And within a short walk from the river market there is the historic arkansas museum, Historic Arkansas Museum invites you to come in and step back into frontier history. Tour the museum%26#39;s historic grounds and visit a pre-civil war neighborhood, including the oldest home still standing in Little Rock and the site where William Woodruff once printed the Arkansas Gazette. Interact with a living history character and see first-hand how early residents lived. Inside the Museum Center, explore Arkansas-made art and artifacts in four exhibit galleries, see contemporary Arkansas art in the Trinity Gallery, and watch kids having fun in the interactive children%26#39;s gallery. Shop for quilts and other contemporary crafts in the Museum Store, and see the award-winning introductory video in the theater.
The museum celebrates Arkansas history and heritage year round with annual heritage events and festivities, and living history reenactments. Do you know the history of the Bowie Knife in Arkansas? Come see one of our most popular exhibits. Free teacher lesson plans on slavery in Arkansas as well as our series Chapters in Arkansas History are accessible from our education resources section.
Formerly Arkansas%26#39;s Territorial Restoration - at Historic Arkansas Museum we%26#39;re still doing great things with Arkansas%26#39;s past. Make your place in Arkansas history and join the fun today.
It%26#39;s open monday thru saturday 9.am thru 5 P.m
sunday 1.pm to 5pm
And we have pinacle mountain,
Pinnacle Mountain is a day-use park dedicated to environmental education, recreation, and preservation. Located just west of Little Rock, this natural environment was set aside in 1977 as Arkansas%26#39;s first state park adjoining a major metropolitan area. Operating as a day-use only park, Pinnacle Mountain is dedicated to preservation, recreation, and environmental education. Park interpreters and volunteers help visitors and students understand man%26#39;s relationship to the environment in the 2,000-acre park that offers a rich diversity of natural habitat.
Special interpretive programs that are conducted by the park interpreters may be scheduled by contacting the park.
The park%26#39;s dominant natural feature, Pinnacle Mountain, rises more than a thousand feet above the Arkansas River Valley. The mountain%26#39;s cone-shaped peak has long been a central Arkansas landmark. Two of the park%26#39;s hiking trails lead hikers to the mountain%26#39;s summit. To see the panoramic view from atop Pinnacle Mountain, visit the virtual tour featured online in the hiking section of the website featuring Arkansas%26#39;s adventure state parks at: http://www.adventurestateparks.com/hiking/
I know this was long, But maybe it will help... we have a beautiful state, with many fun things to see. The north part of the state is the most beautiful, the southern area is mostly farm country... Yall come back ya hear??
Advice needed on a trip south this summer
oops, I just thought of another place, The toltec mounds archeological park, Arkansas%26#39;s tallest remaining, prehistoric Native American mounds are preserved at this National Historic Landmark site near Little Rock. The mounds and an earthen embankment are the remains of a large ceremonial and governmental complex that was inhabited here from A.D. 600 to 1050. Managed by Arkansas State Parks in conjunction with the Arkansas Archeological Survey, the Toltec site serves as both a state park and an archeological research station. The park visitor center features exhibits, an audiovisual theater, sales area and an educational pavilion that overlooks the mounds. The Toltec Research Station of the Arkansas Archeological Survey, a unit of the University of Arkansas system, and its laboratory are also housed in the visitor center. Self-guided tours are offered along both the 3/4-mile, barrier-free trail and 1.6-mile turf trail. Park interpreters lead guided tours and programs throughout the week by group reservation and at scheduled times on Saturdays.
From Little Rock, take Exit #7 off I-440 and go 10 miles southeast on U.S. 165, then travel 1/4-mile south on Ark. 386.
Gallery Pass and/or Archeological Site Walking Tour
Adult: $2.50 each
Child (6-12): $1.50 each
Family Pass (parents and children through age 18): $8 each
Gallery Pass and/or Archeological Site Tour By Tram (available by advance reservation only)
Adult: $3.75 each
Child (6-12): $2.75 each
Family Pass: $13 each
It%26#39;s a little different, so it might be fun, went there a few years back...
The ';outdoor'; part of your trip can be satisfied in the Ozarks for N. Arkansas. I recommend the drive on Highway 5 from Mountain View through Calico Rock to Mountain Home. Things to do there:
Blanchard Springs Caverns - best and most beautiful cavern system in US (no debate).
Ozark Folk Center
Folk Music on the Town Square in Mountain View.
Hiking and Bike Trial in Ozark National Forest near Calico Rock.
Scenic and fishing trip on White River at Calico Rock.
You could also head over to the Buffalo National River for a float trip - just check water level before heading out.
A couple of thing left out of the poster about Little Rock - The Clinton Presidential Library (a must) and touring the homes in the Quapaw Quarter of Little Rock (near Gov. Mansion). There are some incredible Victorians in that area.
ANd don%26#39;t forget hot springs, With it%26#39;s bath house row, beautiful lakes, and a theme park/ water park called magic springs... And hot springs is a national park...With some historic hotels...ANd we have a horse track as well, where you can see live racing during feb - april.. and simulcast racing year round...
Thank you so much! You are very helpful.
We also have a service in Little Rock. Little Rock Tours. www.littlerocktours.com They do a great job. They have a Murder Mystery Theater at the Old Arsenal at MacArthur Park. It is a lot of fun and can be included with bus tour of historic sites of Little Rock.
I am a meeting planner and have worked extensively with this company. They are very reputable.
You might want to check out Branson Mo. It%26#39;s just over the border into mo. It has lots of great shows, and silver dollar city is a theme park set back in the olden times of our country. There are craftsmen like silver smiths, glass blowers, ect... ANd it is simply beautiful with two lakes, table rock, and taneycomo, which has trout fishing. And there is a historic park with a beautiful mansion, historic landmark, and tourist site to the museum of the Kewpie Doll creator, Rose O%26#39;Neill, Bonniebrook Park has a full day%26#39;s activities in store for every visitor. Rose O%26#39;Neill not only created the infamous Kewpie Doll, but also was a famous author, poet, and artist. Her works are now on display in the home to which she was so fond and proud, Bonniebrook. The building has been completely restored and a renewed sense of life has been instilled to provide a wonderful setting for all of her creations.
In the museum, actual molds used on the original Kewpie Dolls are on display, as well as the dolls themselves and some of O%26#39;Neill%26#39;s writings and artwork. A visit to this luxurious home will also include the gardens and walking trails outside. When they are in full bloom, the lawns come to life with row upon row of budding flowers and greenery. Waterfalls trickle down the paths, summing up the heavenly scene with their gurgles. A meal at the Rose Garden restaurant will finish the day with style. Bonniebrook Park is a relaxing way to enjoy culture, history, and nature.
The address in branson is
Bonniebrook Park in Branson, MO
485 Rose O%26#39;Neill Road
Branson, MO 65616
well, just another idea anyway, I really love the Branson area...It is a clean safe place to take your family.
Thanks again. I really appreciate all these ideas as I begin to plan the trip.
If you make it to Oklahoma City I can offer some advice. Our dowtown area has had a complete revival since the Oklahoma City Bombing. There is of course, the OKC Bombing Memorial, pretty somber though, quite moving. The Western Heritage Museum (formerly Cowboy hall of Fame). Our bricktown area is a great place to spend a day as you are passing through. We have a riverwalk with water taxis and numerous restaurants.
In regards to traveling South, I am assuming you will be starting out from New Hampshire.
Depending on your route such as through Virginia, Tennessee, then to Arkansas and then perhaphs Louisiana or Mississipi then I can certainly give you my opinions.
aaP
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