We’ve discussed cabins and locales where you can get away from it all, but this time we’re looking at entire towns that can give you an experience that makes you feel like you’re a million miles from all your troubles. These small towns offer everything you need for a perfect Natural State getaway: things to do, natural beauty to see, and restful spaces where you can recharge your batteries.
- Eureka Springs
Flickr/Jack Gray From historic hotels to haunted places to one of the most incredible chapels anywhere, the small town of Eureka Springs is a great place to step away from it all and into the charm of a Victorian village. This small town with a population of only a little over 2,000 has a number of shops and spas that will make your getaway a delight.
- Mountain View
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM With a population of 2,862, Mountain View is a little town full of big fun. That fun includes Ozark Folk Center State Park, where you can learn all about traditional Ozarks culture. You’ll find lots of natural beauty alongside all that culture; Mountain View is near Blanchard Springs Caverns, Blanchard Spring Recreation Area, and stunning Mirror Lake. You’ll also have the opportunity to soar through the trees at Loco Ropes, a zipline adventure center. Mountain View is the Folk Music Capital of the World, so it’s also full of music.
- Mena
Flickr/Jonathan Thorne You’ll find that Mena really is one of the jewels of the Ouachitas. Mena is the –mena in the Talimena Scenic Drive, and boy is it ever scenic. With historic places like their train depot and 30 other nationally registered historic places, a history buff is sure to love this little town. Like most towns in Arkansas, though, the real draw in Mena is the natural beauty. You’re not going to find a more charming little Ouachita Mountain town.
- Jasper
Flickr/Arkansas ShutterBug Jasper is a popular town for nature enthusiasts. Your getaway there will consist of living the good life on the Buffalo National River, taking in the exquisite beauty of the Arkansas Grand Canyon, eating at the Ozark Café, which is one of the oldest restaurants in the Natural State, and driving to nearby Hawksbill Crag to experience one of the most incredible views in Arkansas. Your lodging options include tents, hotels, and some of the most scenic cabins anywhere.
- McGehee
Facebook/Delta Resort & Spa With a population of around 4,000, the town of McGehee is a gem of the Arkansas delta. It’s a small town, but it’s a town with a fantastic resort and spa called the Delta Resort & Spa. You’re going to love what they have to offer, including skeet shooting, duck hunting, and relaxation in their amazing spa.
- Mount Ida
Facebook/Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce Next up we have the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World. With a population of a little over a thousand, Mount Ida is great place to spend time mining for quartz crystals with your family. This town is full of natural beauty, and there are several crystal mines that are open to the public where you can find your very own buried treasure.
- Paris
Flickr/Tonya Stinson
Flickr/Anna Paris is the home of its very own Eiffel Tower in its very own charming downtown area, but that’s not the major draw. In Paris you’ll find one of the most impressive state parks in the Natural State: Mount Magazine State Park. With its soaring views and truly stunning lodge, this little town’s state park is a must visit for every Arkansan.
- Pocahontas
Flickr/David Wilson Located in the only Arkansas county to boast five rivers and one lake, Pocahontas is a fisherman’s dream. In addition to the natural recreation opportunities, what you’ll find in Pocahontas is a ton of history. In fact, Pocahontas is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Arkansas, making it a favorite of those who want a getaway that allows them to step back in time.
- Altus
Flickr/Carol Von Canon Wine weekend, anyone? Altus is home to some of Arkansas’s finest wineries, and you won’t find anything like the sprawling vineyards and beautiful old buildings in this tiny town. It’s a charming place where you can step into the old world right here in the Natural State.
- Lake Village
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Flickr/Peter Burka Set on the banks of a truly unique lake called Lake Chicot, the largest oxbow lake in North America, Lake Village is a gorgeous place to sit back and relax. It’s renowned for producing record largemouth bass, but it’s really that down home delta charm that will make you feel a million miles away from your troubles.
- Heber Springs
Flickr/Kmo139 Heber Springs is the largest town on this list, but it still has a population well under 10,000. (7,153, to be exact.) Heber Springs is a necessity for any list of small town getaways because from its very founding it was intended to be a health resort and it still lives up to that designation today. The gateway to Greers Ferry Lake, a stunning lake full of recreation opportunities, you’re never going to run out of things to do in this little town.
For more incredible place where you can get away from it all, click here. For rural Arkansas towns that are totally delightful, check out these.
Flickr/Jack Gray
From historic hotels to haunted places to one of the most incredible chapels anywhere, the small town of Eureka Springs is a great place to step away from it all and into the charm of a Victorian village. This small town with a population of only a little over 2,000 has a number of shops and spas that will make your getaway a delight.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson DVM
With a population of 2,862, Mountain View is a little town full of big fun. That fun includes Ozark Folk Center State Park, where you can learn all about traditional Ozarks culture. You’ll find lots of natural beauty alongside all that culture; Mountain View is near Blanchard Springs Caverns, Blanchard Spring Recreation Area, and stunning Mirror Lake. You’ll also have the opportunity to soar through the trees at Loco Ropes, a zipline adventure center. Mountain View is the Folk Music Capital of the World, so it’s also full of music.
Flickr/Jonathan Thorne
You’ll find that Mena really is one of the jewels of the Ouachitas. Mena is the –mena in the Talimena Scenic Drive, and boy is it ever scenic. With historic places like their train depot and 30 other nationally registered historic places, a history buff is sure to love this little town. Like most towns in Arkansas, though, the real draw in Mena is the natural beauty. You’re not going to find a more charming little Ouachita Mountain town.
Flickr/Arkansas ShutterBug
Jasper is a popular town for nature enthusiasts. Your getaway there will consist of living the good life on the Buffalo National River, taking in the exquisite beauty of the Arkansas Grand Canyon, eating at the Ozark Café, which is one of the oldest restaurants in the Natural State, and driving to nearby Hawksbill Crag to experience one of the most incredible views in Arkansas. Your lodging options include tents, hotels, and some of the most scenic cabins anywhere.
Facebook/Delta Resort & Spa
With a population of around 4,000, the town of McGehee is a gem of the Arkansas delta. It’s a small town, but it’s a town with a fantastic resort and spa called the Delta Resort & Spa. You’re going to love what they have to offer, including skeet shooting, duck hunting, and relaxation in their amazing spa.
Facebook/Mount Ida Area Chamber of Commerce
Next up we have the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World. With a population of a little over a thousand, Mount Ida is great place to spend time mining for quartz crystals with your family. This town is full of natural beauty, and there are several crystal mines that are open to the public where you can find your very own buried treasure.
Flickr/Tonya Stinson
Flickr/Anna
Paris is the home of its very own Eiffel Tower in its very own charming downtown area, but that’s not the major draw. In Paris you’ll find one of the most impressive state parks in the Natural State: Mount Magazine State Park. With its soaring views and truly stunning lodge, this little town’s state park is a must visit for every Arkansan.
Flickr/David Wilson
Located in the only Arkansas county to boast five rivers and one lake, Pocahontas is a fisherman’s dream. In addition to the natural recreation opportunities, what you’ll find in Pocahontas is a ton of history. In fact, Pocahontas is one of the oldest and most historic towns in Arkansas, making it a favorite of those who want a getaway that allows them to step back in time.
Flickr/Carol Von Canon
Wine weekend, anyone? Altus is home to some of Arkansas’s finest wineries, and you won’t find anything like the sprawling vineyards and beautiful old buildings in this tiny town. It’s a charming place where you can step into the old world right here in the Natural State.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Flickr/Peter Burka
Set on the banks of a truly unique lake called Lake Chicot, the largest oxbow lake in North America, Lake Village is a gorgeous place to sit back and relax. It’s renowned for producing record largemouth bass, but it’s really that down home delta charm that will make you feel a million miles away from your troubles.
Flickr/Kmo139
Heber Springs is the largest town on this list, but it still has a population well under 10,000. (7,153, to be exact.) Heber Springs is a necessity for any list of small town getaways because from its very founding it was intended to be a health resort and it still lives up to that designation today. The gateway to Greers Ferry Lake, a stunning lake full of recreation opportunities, you’re never going to run out of things to do in this little town.
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