8 Whimsical Towns to Visit in Arkansas

When most people think of the Deep South states, they typically envision the beaches of Florida or the unique French quarters of New Orleans, Louisiana. Arkansas often gets overlooked, which is a shame considering its picturesque landscapes and quirky attractions. Within its small towns, you will find the first national park, recreations of famous European structures, hidden churches in the woods, an underground waterfall, and much more. These whimsical towns in the Natural State are great places to visit, kick back, and relax.

Eureka Springs

Speaking of whimsy, nothing can put you in a whimsical mood quite like making an astonishing discovery. Eureka Springs is a fine example of such a discovery, as it was founded in 1879 when Dr. Alvah Jackson discovered medicinal springs water in the area. You will have a lot to discover in Eureka Springs as well, both inside the town and in the Ozark Mountains around it. You can be right at home in nature in the downtown area by taking the Harmon Loop or Spring Garden Trails, which will take you by several natural springs.

At Lake Leatherwood City Park, you can enjoy more than 25 miles of hiking trails. And if you are willing to go off the beaten track, you can discover the breathtaking Thorncrown Chapel, a church in the middle of the woods made in the shape of a diamond, with 425 windows letting in natural light.

Magnolia

Magnolia was first founded in the 1850s and was modeled after Oxford, Mississippi. This fits, as it is the home of Southern Arkansas University. Despite this, the town maintains a small-town feel with a population of just over 10,700 people. The university itself has a 658-acre Agricultural and Horticultural Farm that offers tours to visitors and residents alike. It’s also close to Lake Columbia, which offers three boat ramps, campsites, and plenty of fish to catch.

There are many shops in town that stock sporting goods for your day of fun on the lake, including Steve’s Outdoor Sports and Shooters Sporting Goods. There are several relaxing attractions you can see within the town limits, such as the historic Columbia County Courthouse, built in 1905 in the Renaissance Revival style, and the Cecil Traylor Wilson Garden.

Mountain Home

This picturesque Arkansas town nestled in the Ozark Mountains was first incorporated in 1888. Mountain Home is a treasure trove of picturesque natural landscapes, due to its position by the Norfolk and Bull Shoals Lakes. Norfork Lake has 22,000 acres and offers docks for boating, water skiing, swimming, and more. Bull Shoals Lake is most famous for its largemouth bass population and was named among the top 100 bass lakes.

You can also visit Bull Shoals Cavern, a 350-million-year-old cave with streams, trails, gemstone panning, and a waterfall. If you want to get a feel for what it was like in the early days of Mountain Home, then make sure to visit Mountain Village 1890 (in Bull Shoals), a recreation of an 1890 Ozark settlement.

El Dorado

This town gets its name from the Spanish word for place of great riches. Spanish explorers first explored the area in 1541, but a settlement wouldn’t be set up until 1843. The town truly did hit it rich in 1921 when oil was discovered nearby, which caused the population to explode. If you are coming to El Dorado, you will find a lot of hidden treasures, such as the intriguing South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society, which operates the Newton House and houses a lot of relics of the town from its founding to the modern-day, and the multiple historic districts in town.

For outdoor activities, visit the South Arkansas Arboretum or Moro Bay State Park in nearby Jersey, Arkansas.

Paris

This fun town gets its name from the “City of Lights” in France. Paris offers a little taste of France while still keeping that Southern U.S. charm. For one, you can see a 25-foot model of the Eiffel Tower downtown at the Eiffel Tower Park. If you bring a partner along, you can seal your love with a padlock at the Love Lock Fence. Also in town, you can visit the Logan County Museum, which is inside a historic jail where the last hanging took place in Arkansas in 1914.

Paris is close to the Mount Magazine State Park, which has 14 miles of hiking trails and hang gliding, and the Cove Lake Recreation Area for swimming, fishing, hiking, and more.

Jasper

Jasper is an ideal place to visit if you want to see the Ozark Mountains. It sits right in the middle of the Ozark National Forest and, as a result, is a great central location for your larger adventure in the Ozark Mountains. There are several scenic hiking trails you can reach nearby, including the Round Top Mountain Trail, Triple Falls Trail, Hawksbill Crag, and Pedestal Rocks Loop.

If fishing is more your cup of tea, the Buffalo National River is a must-visit. In Jasper’s downtown area, you can see the 1902 Newton County Jail, the 1933 Arkansas House, and many cute boutique shops like Crystal Cottage Rocks and Beads. While you are in the area, take the time to see the Arkansas Grand Canyon or explore the Boxley Valley Historic District outside of town.

Lake Village

Located on the Great River Road National Scenic Byway, this town gets its name from Lake Chicot, the largest natural lake in Arkansas. Lake Village is a fisherman’s paradise, as crappie, bluegill, and catfish can be found at Lake Chicot State Park. The park also provides cabins, marinas, and more for a day of relaxing by the shore.

The downtown area runs right along the lake, and at Jack R. Rhodes Lakefront Park, you can enjoy a stroll by its waters. In Lake Village, you can explore the Lakeport Plantation, a Greek revival antebellum house, the last of its kind in the region. There is also a unique museum in Lake Village: Our Lady of the Lake Church Museum. Here you will find photos and artifacts from Italian immigrants who settled in the area in the late 1800s.

Hot Springs

Hot Springs has a long history of being a resort town that would bring in people from far and wide to soak in its thermal spring waters, which have an average temperature of 143 degrees Fahrenheit. The Native Americans called the area the Valley of the Vapors. President Andrew Jackson was so impressed by it that he named it a federal reservation, making Hot Springs the first national park in America. Within the Hot Springs National Park, you can take a dip in the hot springs or explore the 26 miles of hiking trails. Exploring the town itself, you will find the Gangster Museum of America, which gives information on infamous vacationers in the area, such as Al Capone and Lucky Luciano. You can also check out the historic Bathhouse Row, which was built between 1912 and 1923. Patrons of the arts should consider visiting the Riley Art Glass Studio or Gallery Central.

Arkansas’s nickname is The Natural State, which fits it quite well considering its many lakes, rivers, and mountains. Just in these eight small towns alone, you will find hot springs, caves, Ozark Mountain towns, and other picturesque destinations. But more than that, you will also leave with a whimsical feeling in your chest as you explore the many hidden gems here, from a hidden church to a gangster museum. These whimsical towns in Arkansas are perfect for adventurers and casual travelers alike.