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Building our Arkansas summer bucket list is a hot topic, but what does that process look like? How about we actually sit down and create an Arkansas bucket list we can accomplish? It seems tempting to complicate the process and create a system for notation. But it can be as easy as a note tab on your phone, a sticky note on your desk, or writing on the back of a junk mail envelope.
As a self-proclaimed possibilities hoarder, having a list of places I want to go next is not far-fetched. I have a Google doc where I collect ideas, and then I transfer that list to notes on my phone, so ideas are readily available when I’m at a dinner party looking for discussion topics or sitting at a park planning with another mom.
We’ve already checked off several things on our summer plan and have a couple more on the radar this week. I’ve learned you never take the adventure if you’ve not claimed that you want to share it. Talking about our Arkansas bucket list is a topic my husband and I often drift to when we are on a winding road without phone service.
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But I’m not the only one who keeps this kind of list. We recently checked in with some of our favorite Arkansans and asked them what’s next on their Arkansas Summer Bucket lists, hoping to tackle something fun this summer!
Top Must-Do Summer Bucket List Outings in Arkansas
The survey says you must stop at the places in our list below. We looked at all the responses we received and found ten things in common among most people’s lists, no matter where they are in the state. Do you think they got it right?
- Visit the Buffalo River
- Hike/bike an Arkansas Trail
- Visit Mount Magazine State Park
- Tour Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, The Momentary, and Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts
- Tip Toe through the tulips at Garvan Woodland Gardens
- Digging for Diamonds
- Watching Elk in the Boxley Valley
- Visiting Johnny Cash’s childhood home
- Experiencing Blanchard Springs Cavern
- Thorncrown Chapel by E. Fay Jones
What some Arkansas “Celebrities” think should be on an Arkansas Bucket List!
Chris Sauder
Little Rock | Little Rock Zoo, Large Hoofstock Keeper 2
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Float the Caddo River
- Scuba dive in Bull Shoals
- Run the Half Marathon during the Little Rock Marathon
- Search for diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds
- Spend a night in the Crescent Hotel
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Attend a Travelers baseball game with fireworks
- See the elk in Ponca, preferably fall when bulls are bugling
- Hike the Goat Trial to Big Bluff
- Float the Buffalo River
- Catch a sunset on Forked Mountain and stay late to see the Milky Way
Anna Beth Gorman
North Little Rock | Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, CEO
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Mount Magazine State Park
- Weekend at The Momentary, live music, visual arts
- US Marshal Museum | Fort Smith
- National Cold War Center | Blytheville
- King Biscuit Blue’s Festival | Helena-West Helena
- Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge | Eureka Springs
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Eat at Pizzeria Ruby in Johnson/Springdale, the best pizza in the state
- Visit Crystal Bridges and take in American Art
- Meet the Little Rock Nine, tour Central High National Park, and Daisy Bates Home in Little Rock
- A tale of two cities, stand astride the State Line in Texarkana and then eat at Zapata’s Mexican Grill
- Go check out the Railroad Museum in Pine Bluff, an incredible collection of locomotives
- As one of only two purse museums worldwide, ESSE Purse Museum is more than you think. It is a tribute to women and a history museum about their lives through the decades.
Stephanie Buckley
Petit Jean Mountain | Petit Jean Coffeehouse Owner & Editor/Content Curator of OnlyinArk.com aka @TheParkWife
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- University of Arkansas campus (Arkansas Mom so I will be on campus more) | Fulbright Peace Fountain, Old Main, Reynolds Razorback Stadium, Chi Omega Greek Theater, Inn at Carnall Hall | Fayetteville
- US Marshal Museum | Fort Smith
- Barbecue Stops Throughout Arkansas
- Kaspers, Prestonrose Farm and Brewing Co, Diamond Drip Coffee | Clarksville
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Petit Jean State Park, obviously | Morrilton
- Ozark Folk Center | Mountain View
- Historic Washington State Park | Washington
- Fishing on the White River | Lakeview
- Blanchard Cavern | Fifty-Six
- Oark General Store | Oark
- Scenic Drive, stop at a locally owned restaurant and grab a picnic lunch.
Haley Hays
Jonesboro | First Security Bank, Business Development/Marketing AVP
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Biking the Razorback Greenway Trail | NWA
- Ermilio’s Italian restaurant | Eureka Springs
- In the Trees Treehouse | Hot Springs
- Tulips season at Gavan Gardens | Hot Springs
- War Eagle Fair | Hindsville
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Staying & disconnecting with friends at Shepherd of the Ozarks | Harriet
- Aqua Park & Papa Dick’s Pizza at Crown Lake Resort | Horseshoe Bend
- Biking along the St. Francis National Forest | Helena-West Helena
- Running/Biking/Kayaking at Craighead Forest Park | Jonesboro
- Hiking at Pinnacle Mountain State Park | Little Rock
- Saturday morning at the Farmer’s Market | Fayetteville
- Brunch at Arsaga’s | Fayetteville
Cori Keller
Stuttgart | Miss Arkansas 2023
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Float the Buffalo River
- Eat at Taylor’s Steakhouse | Dumas
- Bike an Arkansas trail
- Go turkey hunting
- Go trout fishing
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Hunt in Arkansas County during duck season!
- Hike Pinnacle Mountain (or any trail in Arkansas)
- Visit Hot Springs, AR, for a lake day or to watch horse racing at Oaklawn!
- Attend an Arkansas travelers game and watch the post-game fireworks over the Arkansas River!
- Attend the Miss Arkansas competition!
Jordan Smith
Springdale | First Security Bank, NW AR Marketing Coordinator
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Digging for diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park
- Hike Hawksbill Crag
- Go to a horse race at Oaklawn
- Go to a traditional spa in Hot Springs
- Tour the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Attend an Arkansas Softball game at Bogle Park | Fayetteville
- Crystal Bridges | Bentonville,
- Eat a Chicken Philly at Herman’s Ribhouse | Fayetteville
- Walk around the Fayetteville Square at Christmastime
- Bike on the Razorback Greenway
Julie Kohl
Bald Knob | Owner at Seek Adventures Media, LLC & OnlyinArk.com Contributor
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Central Arkansas Karting Complex | Vilonia
- Devil’s Den State Park | Mountainburg
- Steinhouse Keller | Hot Springs
- Lakeport Plantation | Lake Village
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Mammoth Spring State Park
- Camping at Greer’s Ferry Lake
- Janssen’s Restaurant Greer’s Ferry (Hint: Get the chocolate cake!)
- Ponca/Jasper to see the elk
- Mountain View
- Batesville White River Wonderland
- Arkansas Hot Air Ballon Championship Races | Harrison
Keisha McKinney
Springdale | OnlyinArk.com Contributor and Digital Media Consultant
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Eat a Hooshburger | Elkins
- Batesville/Mountain View weekend
- Exquisite Creatures Exhibit and The Portal: Jewel’s Art Experience | Bentonville
- Rodeo of the Ozarks | Springdale
- Drake Field Air Museum | Fayetteville
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Rural Doctor Museum | Lincoln
- De Gray Lake | Arkadelphia
- Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge | Eureka Springs
- Turner Bend Buffalo River Area | St. Joe
- Fort Smith National Historic Site | Fort Smith
- Eat at Louise at Thaden Field | Bentonville
- Petit Jean State Park | Morrilton
Heather Busch
Hot Springs | FSB Business Development and Marketing, Vice President
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Elk Watching
- Blanchard Springs Caverns
- Dig for Diamonds at Crater of Diamonds State Park | Murfreesboro
- Crystal Bridges | Bentonville
- Take an ATV Ride around Mulberry Mountain
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Lake Ouachita – the clear water and beautiful views are second to none. Stop in at Shangri-La Resort on the lake (Mount Ida) and get a homemade pie if you have time!
- Garvan Woodland Gardens- Hot Springs: the lights at Christmastime are spectacular, and the tulips in the Spring are incredible.
- Stay in a Yurt at Petit Jean State Park in Morrilton
- Visit “The Square” in Downtown El Dorado and catch a concert at The Murphy Arts District
- Float the Buffalo River
Image used with permission from Justin Young.
Justin Young
Family Farm in Conway |Vice President of Marketing, Splash Car Wash
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Dinner at Ryan’s | Leslie
- Watch the Elk near Ponca
- Overnight Cave Stay: Stay the night at Beckham Creek Cave Lodge, a secluded living cave in the Ozarks
- Johnny Cash Boyhood Home | Dyess
- Folk Music in Mountain View
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Glory Hole
- Blanchard Springs Caverns
- Old Washington State Park: Pro-tip: go around the same time of year as the Hope Watermelon Festival and indulge in a gigantic Arkansas watermelon!
- Gaston’s White Water Fishing Resort
- Farm Outside the City: Regardless of where you live, there’s likely a place within an hour of you to escape and find a spot far enough from the city to enjoy summer sounds and beautiful stars!
Kevin Kresse
Little Rock | Sculpture artist
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Mount Magazine
- More parks in South Arkansas
- Piggot
- Walnut Ridge / Hoxie
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Thorncrown Chapel | Eureka Springs
- Blanchard Cavern & Folk Center | Mountain View
- Johnny Cash Home | Dyess
- Levon Helm Home | Marvell
- Historic Washington State Park
Amber Walker
Searcy | First Security Bank, Marketing Coordinator
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Blue Zoo Aquarium in Rogers and the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville.
- Arkansas Post Museum State Park & AGFC’s Arkansas Post Water Trail
- Wattensaw Bayou Water Trail
- The Cliff House Inn | Jasper
- Johnny Morris’s take on Dog Patch USA, I mean Marble Falls Nature Park.
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Mountain View/Blanchard Springs/Calico Rock
- The Louisiana Purchase State Park in April. It’s like stepping out of the typical Arkansas-delta scenery and into something enchanted from the Lord of the Rings.
- Hot Springs National Park for any reason- history, touring the Arlington, spas, shopping, outdoor recreation, restaurants, downtown strolls, festivals—you name it!
- Buffalo River Float Trip
- You must do something highfalutin like visiting the Crystal Bridges Art Museum (yes, I know it is free admission to Crystal Bridges, but the experience is *culture*)
- A fine dining experience like the Red Apple Inn in Heber Springs or the Capital Hotel’s One Eleven in Little Rock
Brooke Condolora
Rogers | Game Developer at Brain&Brain
My current Arkansas Bucket list:
- Gurdon Ghost Light: I love anything mysterious, and I’ve wanted to see this phenomenon since I was a kid.
- Ozark Highlands Trail: I’ve backpacked other long walks worldwide but have yet to do it at home!
- Fouke: I haven’t yet explored south Arkansas, but when I do, there will be a Boggy Creek monster stop.
- Goat Trail to Big Bluff: I wanted to do this for a while, but I can’t take our dog on this one!
- Trails at Mena (Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Must visit places in Arkansas:
- Buffalo River
- Hobbs State Park, especially the Monument Trails
- Ponca, especially in the fall
- Eureka Springs
- Mount Nebo
- White Rock Mountain
Other must-visit places in Arkansas you may find interesting.
- Arkansas Bucket List of a Recent College Graduate
- Summer Bucket List | Arkansas Museums
- 25 Ideas for Your Arkansas Bucket List
- Arkansas Bucket List, an Alternative to Resolutions
- Fayetteville Bucket List Book
Cover image provided by Heather Busch and her children on a fun summer family adventure!
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