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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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 .

6. 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, , built approximately 275 cars

7. 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.

8. 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 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.

9. 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 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.

10. 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 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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….
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.

14. 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.