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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.
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!
Image used with permission from Justin Young.
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?
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
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
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!
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
Image provided by Brooke Condolora.
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!
Keisha (Pittman) McKinney lives in Northwest Arkansas with her chicken man and break-dancing son. Keisha is passionate about connecting people and building community, seeking solutions to the everyday big and small things, and encouraging others through the mundane, hard, and typical that life often brings. She put her communications background to work as a former Non-profit Executive Director, college recruiter and fundraiser, small business trainer, and Digital Media Director at a large church in Northwest Arkansas. Now, she is using those experiences through McKinney Media Solutions and her blog @bigpittstop, which includes daily adventures, cooking escapades, #bigsisterchats, the social justice cases on her heart, and all that she is learning as a #boymom! Keisha loves to feed birds, read the stack on her nightstand, do dollar store crafts, cook recipes from her Pinterest boards, and chase everyday adventures on her Arkansas bucket list.
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