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Arkansas is full of surprises, and one of the most lively is how Hispanic culture has become an active part of life in Western Arkansas, with Hernando de Soto leading the first Hispanic Immigration journey into what is now the Southeastern United States.
From Sevier County, which has the state’s highest Hispanic population, to Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas, Hispanic families have introduced traditions, art and businesses that shape communities in meaningful ways. This 5-6 day road trip offers travelers a unique chance to celebrate Hispanic heritage while exploring scenic landscapes, small towns, and cultural treasures of Western Arkansas.
Day One: Sevier County — Where Culture and Nature Meet
Begin your trip in Sevier County, where Hispanic traditions are part of daily life. With three lakes nearby, the “Tri-Lakes” area serves as a natural playground. It has quietly developed a strong tourism infrastructure, having experienced the longest duration of totality during the 2024 eclipse. Cabins and vacation rentals are plentiful, from Horse Hill Cottage to the Painted Bird House or Morning Retreat near the lakes and streams.
Start your day with a relaxing morning, enjoying coffee on the porch or a walk by the lake, then visit the Sevier County History Museum in town. The exhibits demonstrate how the area has evolved and highlight the influence of Hispanic families on its culture through sports, poultry farming, and agriculture.
For lunch, visit one of the downtown food trucks. (If you need help ordering, we recommend this taco truck guide!) I suggest starting at Taqueria El Paisano, located near the post office and downtown square. Or find out where The Walking Dog is set up for the day!
In the afternoon, explore the three lakes in the area: De Queen Lake, Gillham Lake, or Dierks Lake. Whether you paddle, fish, or simply relax on the shore, you’ll enjoy a peaceful experience surrounded by Arkansas’s natural beauty.
Dinner is another adventure all on its own. Visit Handi Mart for elote cups or chamoy fruit cups, or try Tortas Chomas for hearty sandwiches. Street food and family recipes are part of the rhythm of life here, and tasting them is a celebration of culture. Stop by Herman Dierks Park for a pickup game with local kids.
Stay: Sevier County
Day Two: Adventure Along the Cossatot
On your second day, pack a picnic and visit Cossatot River State Park–Natural Area. Known for its rapids, trails and rugged scenery, it’s also a great spot to relax and enjoy nature. Join a ranger-led program on birding, safe wildlife practices or local history, or simply set up a folding chair by the river with a good book.
If you’re looking to get more stamps in your Arkansas State Parks Passport, consider taking a side trip to Daisy State Park before heading back to De Queen.
For dinner, try a sit-down meal at La Media Luna or Tres Agaves, where family recipes take center stage. At your cabin, think about a movie night that celebrates Hispanic heritage. Films like Coco, Encanto, McFarland USA or Selena are perfect ways to end a day that honors both Arkansas scenery and Hispanic culture.
Stay: Sevier County
Day Three: The Ouachitas and Queen Wilhelmina
Leaving Sevier County, head north toward Mena. Stop for coffee and a pastry at The Ouachitas, a local favorite downtown, then begin the scenic drive up to Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Nicknamed “the Castle in the Sky,” this mountaintop lodge offers sweeping views of the Ouachita Mountains, which are especially stunning as fall colors spread across the ridges.
You can pick up supplies from a local tienda mart for a picnic with a view, or enjoy lunch at the park lodge. Trails, overlooks, and crisp mountain air will fill your day with natural beauty.
For an overnight stay, head to Fort Smith. Unique rentals at Heritage Village or Chaffee Crossing offer a comfortable base for the next leg of your trip.
For dinner, head to Las Americas Too, a family-owned favorite known for its authentic, generous meals. Whether you pick pupusas, enchiladas or steak dishes, the food makes a perfect ending to a day immersed in Hispanic culture.
Stay: Fort Smith
Day Four: Hispanic Culture in Fort Smith
Fort Smith is a crossroads of history, culture and modern life, and its Hispanic community is a vital part of that identity.
Start your day at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, which highlights the history of borderlands and diverse peoples. Then, go to Rolando’s Restaurante for lunch. With Latin-inspired dishes served in a lively setting, it’s popular among both locals and visitors. But other food trucks around the area would be great stops for more authentic bites.
Spend time exploring downtown murals by Hispanic artists or visit the U.S. Marshals Museum, where stories of multicultural law enforcement in Indian Territory connect past and present. In the afternoon, cool off with paletas or handmade ice cream at Delicias Michoacanas or Vargas Fruiteria. From tamarind to mango, the flavors are vibrant reminders of Latin heritage.
Art of note in downtown Fort Smith, where the artist is Hispanic:
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- Silos at the Bakery District by Hilda Palafox (Poni)
- Ana Maria Ortiz, also known as Ana Marietta, is a Puerto Rican artist with multiple murals around Garrison Avenue
- Empty by Francisco Díaz Scotto (Pastel), a floral installation off Garrison by this global muralist from Argentina. Part of the Unexpected Project.
- Owl at Moonlight by Alex Diaz, a Puerto Rican-born artist from the Bronx.
- Rainbow Embassy by Okuda San Miguel, a Spanish artist who studied in Madrid
- Empty by Pastel, an Argentine-born artist, a floral installation off Garrison
For dinner, plan to be on the patio at La Huerta Grill for the sunset. Hopefully, it will be a live music night where Latin beats and Arkansas air blend to evoke the town squares of Old Town Mexico. Known for their Mexican American menu, three locations around town make it easy to find a spot wherever you settle in.
Stay: Fort Smith
Day Five: Art and Flavor in Northwest Arkansas
Grab a pastry at Diaz Bakery and extend your road trip north to Springdale and Rogers, two towns with vibrant Hispanic roots and lively creative energy.
Downtown Springdale boasts vibrant murals and a diverse mix of Hispanic-owned businesses along Emma Avenue. For dinner, you can choose between Casa Alejo, known for traditional flavors or Toca, a vibrant take on Mexican street tacos. End your evening with a treat from Onyx Coffee Lab’s Springdale shop, where coffee and chocolate pairings create a sweet finish.
Nearby, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville offers another perspective on culture, often highlighting Latino and multicultural artists who reflect the diverse fabric of America. And, if your plans end in Benton County, don’t miss Yeyo’s on 8th Street, award-winning cuisine with a chef-driven farm-to-table flair to family recipes.
Traditional Mercado shopping experiences, along with handmade tortillas and clothing, make this a perfect spot to end your road trip and pick up some souvenirs.
Stay: Downtown Springdale
Art of note in downtown Springdale, where the artists are Hispanic:
- “Natural State” by Hilda Palafox (Poni), west side of Emma Avenue
- Lourdes Valverde, Lupita Albarran and Briseida Ochoa – These Latina artists collaborated on a community mural at Holcomb Plaza that celebrates generational community.
- Octavio Logo, a Mexican artist from Fayetteville, will paint murals in multiple cities, but locally in Isong from the Seas in Downtown Springdale, around the Walton Arts Center and Spring Shop Studios.
- Untitled by El Varon, adorning the walls of locally popular Taqueria Don Guero.
Celebrating Heritage Along the Road
This Arkansas Hispanic Heritage Trail road trip offers more than just scenic drives and tasty food. It honors Hispanic families who have brought traditions, art, and community life to towns across the region. From street food in Sevier County to paleterías in Fort Smith and hand-painted murals in Springdale, each stop shares part of the story of Arkansas today.
Traveling this trail reminds us that heritage is best experienced not only in museums or festivals but also in everyday life, among the people who shape a culture, through a sandwich at a food truck, admiring a mural on a brick wall, or gathering as a family at a neighborhood restaurant. Western Arkansas invites you to celebrate Hispanic culture by living it, tasting it, and exploring it one town at a time.
Cover Image captures Hilda Palafox (Poni) artwork on the Bakery District Silos, used with permission from Discover Fort Smith.
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