Bassett ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Bassett, Arkansas.
1. White's Mercantile
LOCAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
White's Mercantile is a charming local store in Bassett that offers visitors a unique shopping experience. The store has earned a perfect 5.0 rating from visitors who appreciate its selection of goods and friendly atmosphere. It serves as both a shopping destination and a glimpse into the commercial history of this small Arkansas town.
2. Hampson Archeological Museum State Park
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE
Hampson Archeological Museum State Park showcases an internationally renowned collection of Native American artifacts from the Mississippian period. The museum houses archaeological treasures from the Nodena site, a 15-acre village that existed from 1400 to 1650 CE near present-day Wilson. Visitors can view remarkably preserved pottery, tools, and artwork that provide insights into the sophisticated culture that once thrived in the region.
3. Johnny Cash House
MUSIC LEGEND'S CHILDHOOD HOME
The Johnny Cash House is the restored boyhood home of the legendary 'Man in Black' located in the Historic Dyess Colony. Visitors can explore the modest farmhouse where Cash grew up and gain insights into the early influences that shaped his iconic musical career. The carefully preserved home offers an authentic glimpse into rural Depression-era life that informed Cash's distinctive musical perspective.
4. Historic Dyess Colony
NEW DEAL ERA SETTLEMENT
The Historic Dyess Colony was created in 1934 as a federal agricultural resettlement community for impoverished farmers during the Great Depression. As one of the most intact examples of a New Deal community, it provides visitors with a compelling window into this important period of American history. The colony is perhaps best known as the childhood home of country music legend Johnny Cash, whose family moved there when he was three years old.
5. Blanchard Springs Caverns
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Blanchard Springs Caverns is a magnificent living cave system located within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests of northern Arkansas. Visitors can explore these stunning underground chambers through ranger-led tours on the popular 1.2-mile Discovery Trail. The surrounding area also features the picturesque Blanchard Spring, a beautiful Ozark Mountain waterfall that complements the subterranean experience.
6. The Walmart Museum
RETAIL GIANT'S ORIGINS
The Walmart Museum in Bentonville offers visitors a fascinating look at the humble beginnings and meteoric rise of the world's largest retailer. Located in Sam Walton's original Walton's 5&10 store, the museum features preserved office spaces and exhibits chronicling the company's evolution. Visitors can complete their experience with a treat from the adjacent Spark Café, which serves ice cream in Walmart's signature blue and yellow colors.
7. Thorncrown Chapel
ARCHITECTURAL GLASS MASTERPIECE
Thorncrown Chapel is an architectural marvel nestled in the woods near Eureka Springs, featuring 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass. Designed by renowned architect E. Fay Jones, this stunning woodland sanctuary rises 48 feet into the canopy of surrounding trees, creating a breathtaking play of light and shadow. The chapel has received numerous accolades, including being named one of the top designs of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects.
8. Fordyce Bathhouse
HISTORIC SPA EXPERIENCE
The Fordyce Bathhouse stands as the grandest bathhouse on Hot Springs' famous Bathhouse Row and now serves as the visitor center for Hot Springs National Park. Built in 1915, this Renaissance Revival structure showcases the luxury of the early 20th-century spa experience with marble, stained glass, and elaborate tilework. Visitors can explore three floors of exhibits including the original bathing facilities, a gymnasium, and a music room where guests once relaxed.
9. Bathhouse Row
THERMAL SPRINGS DESTINATION
Bathhouse Row is a collection of eight historic bathhouses along Central Avenue in Hot Springs National Park, built between 1892 and 1923. These magnificent structures represent the golden age of bathing when visitors flocked to Hot Springs to experience the healing properties of the thermal waters. Today, while some buildings house museums, others have been repurposed as breweries, restaurants, and modern spa facilities where visitors can still enjoy the therapeutic spring waters.
10. Buffalo National River
AMERICA'S FIRST NATIONAL RIVER
Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles through the heart of the Arkansas Ozarks, offering visitors spectacular views of towering bluffs and pristine wilderness. Designated in 1972 as America's first national river, this protected waterway provides opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming in its clear waters. The surrounding parkland features over 100 miles of hiking trails that lead to waterfalls, historic homesteads, and breathtaking overlooks.
11. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
CIVIL RIGHTS LANDMARK
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site commemorates the 1957 integration crisis when nine African American students, known as the Little Rock Nine, enrolled at the previously all-white school. This National Historic Site preserves the impressive Gothic Revival school building that became a battleground in the struggle for civil rights and equality in American education. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about this pivotal moment in the civil rights movement and its lasting impact on American society.
12. William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum
PRESIDENTIAL LEGACY CENTER
The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum houses the archives and artifacts from the presidency of Arkansas native Bill Clinton. The striking modern building contains full-scale replicas of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, along with interactive exhibits chronicling Clinton's eight years in office. Situated in a 30-acre riverfront park, the facility also includes the Clinton School of Public Service and offers educational programs and special events throughout the year.
13. Hot Springs National Park
AMERICA'S OLDEST PARK
Hot Springs National Park encompasses 47 natural thermal springs that have been drawing visitors for their healing properties since long before it became a protected area in 1832. Considered the oldest park in the National Park System, it combines natural beauty with historic architecture centered around the famous Bathhouse Row. Visitors can hike more than 26 miles of trails, collect spring water from public fountains, or enjoy a traditional thermal bath at one of the operating bathhouses.
14. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art houses a comprehensive collection spanning five centuries of American artwork in a stunning architectural setting designed by Moshe Safdie. Founded by Walmart heiress Alice Walton and opened in 2011, the museum's permanent collection includes masterpieces by Norman Rockwell, Andy Warhol, and Georgia O'Keeffe. The 120-acre grounds feature outdoor sculptures, walking trails, and spring-fed ponds that complement the indoor galleries and create a holistic art experience.
15. Crater of Diamonds State Park
MINE YOUR OWN DIAMONDS
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the world's only diamond-producing site open to the public where visitors can search for and keep any gems they find. Set on a 37.5-acre plowed field that is actually the eroded surface of an ancient volcanic crater, the park has yielded over 33,000 diamonds since it opened in 1972. Amenities include diamond hunting tools for rent, washing stations, an interpretive center with exhibits, and a campground for extended stays.