Major Tourist Attractions in Arkansas River Valley By: E. Kimble

Arkansas River Valley A few of the Major Attractions… Van Buren Tours and Train Rides Museum of Automobiles Fort Smith Museum of History Lake Dardanelle State Park Van Buren Downtown Historic District Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center

Van Buren Tours and Train Rides Location: Enjoy sightseeing train tours to Van Buren from Winslow and Springdale, Arkansas. Activities There are several different train rides & tours Van Buren to Winslow Arkansas & Missouri Train - Coach Class Arkansas & Missouri Train to Van Buren from Springdale - First Class Stone Castle Inn Resort in Branson Missouri - Theme Room Fort Smith to Winslow Arkansas & Missouri Train - First Class Cosmic Cavern Tour in Berryville Arkansas

Van Buren Tours and Train Rides Highlights The highlights of going on the train rides, and tours is that you get to great amounts of beauty and you will learn more about arkansas. They also have all types of activities going on when you take a tour/train ride. Why to visit I think people should visit because they get the chance to learn about Arkansas and they will have a great time and enjoy themselves. History The history in this is that when you take a train ride or a tour you get to see great amounts of the history in Arkansas. It just depends on what tour or train ride you decide to take. http://arkansas6regionattractions.weebly.com/river-valley.html

Museum of Automobiles Location: 8 Jones Ln, Morrilton, AR 72110 Activities There are many different exhibits that you can visit while here, a few of them are 1904 Oldsmobile French Front 1908 Sears Model J Runabout 1909 Buick Model 10 Highlights gift /shop Features many types of cars .

Museum of Automobiles Why to visit History I think this would be the ideal place to visit for someone who has a high interest in cars. If you want to get to know more about cars, or even if you just like to go to car shows. This would be the perfect place for you. History Arkansas’s chapter in automotive history began early in 1919 with the forming of the Climber Motor Corporation in North Little Rock. Promoters of the Climber Motor Company went to Detroit and hired George Schoeneck as Chief Engineer. He was soon joined by Ernest Taylor, Chief Electrician, who later was promoted to Plant Superintendent. From its beginning, the Climber Motor Corporation was in financial trouble and during its few years of production, 1919-1923, built approximately 275 cars

Fort Smith Museum of History Location: 320 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901 Activities Exhibits Student Exhibit Rock, Rhythm, & Roll Exhibit Past Exhibit On the Air Exhibit Highlights Soda Fountain (Enjoy an old fashioned ice cream soda, float, sundae or ice cream cone in the popular working exhibit.) Gift shop Go here certain times of the year and they have theme nights where you will go on trolley rides, see live performances, and many other things. Why to visit I think you should visit if you want to have a fun day, and while you are having fun learn a little bit more about Arkansas History The museum was established in 1910 as the Old Commissary Museum with the purpose of saving the city’s oldest building from demolition, the Commissary from the second Fort Smith. The building is now restored and a part of the Fort Smith National Historic Site.

Fort Smith Museum of History Highlights One thing that makes the state park so unique is that it has a fishing tournament weigh-in pavilion, a world-class facility and the first of its kind in the nation that serves as a staging area for tournaments, There are park interpreters so while touring the park and exhibits these people can com in handy. Why to visit I think this is the ideal place for anyone who likes to fish to visit. The main attraction of this state park is the fishing tournament weigh in pavilion. History Construction on the Dardanelle Lock and Dam began in 1957. It was completed in 1969, and is one of the largest projects of the Corps of Engineers’ McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The dam, which provided flood control for the notoriously flood prone Arkansas River, created the lake we know today.

Lake Dardanelle State Park Location: 100 State Park Dr, Russellville, AR 72802 Activities Camping Trails Fishing Aquatic Exhibit Highlights One thing that makes the state park so unique is that it has a fishing tournament weigh-in pavilion, a world-class facility and the first of its kind in the nation that serves as a staging area for tournaments, There are park interpreters so while touring the park and exhibits these people can com in handy. Why to visit I think this is the ideal place for anyone who likes to fish to visit. The main attraction of this state park is the fishing tournament weigh in pavilion. History Construction on the Dardanelle Lock and Dam began in 1957. It was completed in 1969, and is one of the largest projects of the Corps of Engineers’ McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The dam, which provided flood control for the notoriously flood prone Arkansas River, created the lake we know today.

Lake Dardanelle State Park Why to visit I think this is the ideal place for anyone who likes to fish to visit. The main attraction of this state park is the fishing tournament weigh in pavilion. History Construction on the Dardanelle Lock and Dam began in 1957. It was completed in 1969, and is one of the largest projects of the Corps of Engineers’ McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. The dam, which provided flood control for the notoriously flood prone Arkansas River, created the lake we know today.

Van Buren Downtown Historic District Location: Van Buren, AR 72956 Activities Antique Shops Art Galleries Restaurants Historic Attractions Highlights All the amazing little pieces of history that are still there today. There is also an endless amount of things, you could never get bored. Why to visit I think this is a great place to visit because there are amazing places to go, there are museums, art galleries, shopping, eating, and etc. It can’t get much better than that. There are also a bunch of original structures that have been there for 100s of years. History There are many things here that involve history. Three of the more notable structures are the Crawford County Bank Building, the Crawford County Courthouse and the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company.

Van Buren Downtown Historic District Why to visit I think this is a great place to visit because there are amazing places to go, there are museums, art galleries, shopping, eating, and etc. It can’t get much better than that. There are also a bunch of original structures that have been there for 100s of years. History There are many things here that involve history. Three of the more notable structures are the Crawford County Bank Building, the Crawford County Courthouse and the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company.

Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center Location: 8300 Wells Lake Rd, Fort Smith, AR 72916 Activities Wildlife watching area Arkansas River Aquarium The Oak Forest The Wells Lake Trails/hiking Archery Laser shot Highlights The highlights of this museum are all the different and amazing exhibits that they have and all the activities. Needmore informations….http://www.rivervalleynaturecenter.com/programs/default.aspx Why to visit This is the ideal place for kids who are learning about the Arkansas River Valley. They have many activities and exhibits that show what the Arkansas River Valley is like. History It interprets the natural environment of the Arkansas River Valley,The 14,000-square-foot nature center is located on 170 acres of land typical of the river valley, along with a twelve-acre manmade lake. The facility features exhibits interpreting the natural history of the area, and nature trails around the property give visitors a first-hand view.

Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center Why to visit This is the ideal place for kids who are learning about the Arkansas River Valley. They have many activities and exhibits that show what the Arkansas River Valley is like. History It interprets the natural environment of the Arkansas River Valley, the 14,000-square-foot nature center is located on 170 acres of land typical of the river valley, along with a twelve-acre manmade lake. The facility features exhibits interpreting the natural history of the area, and nature trails around the property give visitors a first-hand view.