Jennette ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Jennette, Arkansas.
1. Hot Springs National Park
NATURAL THERMAL WATERS
Hot Springs National Park is a historic site where visitors can experience the natural thermal waters that have been drawing people for centuries. The park features historic bathhouses, scenic mountain trails, and opportunities to soak in the therapeutic waters. Visitors can explore the Grand Promenade, hike to Hot Springs Mountain Tower for panoramic views, or enjoy the cultural exhibits at the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center.
2. Ouachita National Forest
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PARADISE
Ouachita National Forest offers over 1.8 million acres of diverse landscapes including mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities ranging from hiking and mountain biking to fishing and camping throughout the vast wilderness area. The forest is home to numerous scenic drives, including the Talimena Scenic Drive, which is particularly spectacular during fall foliage season.
3. Arkansas State Capitol
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Arkansas State Capitol is an impressive neoclassical building housing numerous monuments and memorials significant to state history. Visitors can explore landmarks including The Little Rock Nine Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Medal of Honor Memorial, and various other commemorative installations. The capitol grounds feature beautiful landscaping and provide an educational experience about Arkansas' political and cultural heritage.
4. Trail of Tears Park
POIGNANT HISTORICAL MEMORIAL
Trail of Tears Park and Historic Site encompasses 4.5 landscaped acres commemorating the forced relocation of Native American tribes in the 1830s. The park features a stone sculpture and informative plaque that memorializes this tragic chapter in American history. Native Arkansas trees, grasses, and other indigenous plant species populate the grounds, representing flora that travelers along the original trail might have encountered.
5. Gravette Historical Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
Gravette Historical Museum preserves and showcases the rich cultural heritage of the local community. The museum houses artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of Gravette's development and the people who shaped its history. Visitors can gain insights into the town's past while exploring the carefully curated exhibits that highlight significant historical events and everyday life from bygone eras.
6. Kindley House
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL GEM
The Kindley House, built in 1893, stands as a beautiful example of late 19th-century architecture in Gravette. This historic home offers visitors a glimpse into Victorian-era living with its period furnishings and authentic design elements. The well-preserved structure serves as both a cultural landmark and a testament to the craftsmanship of earlier generations.
7. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art houses a stunning collection of American masterpieces spanning five centuries in a spectacular natural setting. The museum complex includes gallery spaces, an auditorium, classrooms, a library, a restaurant, and a museum store providing visitors with a comprehensive cultural experience. Outdoor trails feature an extensive collection of sculptures by renowned artists such as Mark di Suvero, Dale Chihuly, and Robert Indiana, seamlessly blending art with the natural environment.
8. Parkin Archeological State Park
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN SITE
Parkin Archeological State Park preserves the remains of a 17-acre Mississippian period Native American village that existed from approximately AD 1000 to 1550. The site features a preserved mound complex, including the 15-foot tall Mound A that covers the remains of a ceremonial structure. Excavations have yielded numerous artifacts including pottery, tools, and jewelry that provide insights into the daily life and cultural practices of the ancient inhabitants.
9. Buffalo National River
PRISTINE WATERWAY ADVENTURE
Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles through the Ozark Mountains, offering pristine waters for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing adventures. The surrounding landscape features towering bluffs, lush forests, and diverse wildlife habitats that can be explored via numerous hiking trails. Visitors can enjoy camping at designated sites along the river or simply take in the spectacular scenery at overlooks like Steel Creek and Big Bluff.
10. Crater of Diamonds State Park
DIAMOND HUNTING EXPERIENCE
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public, where visitors can search for and keep any diamonds they find. The 37.5-acre plowed field sits atop an ancient volcanic crater that has yielded thousands of diamonds since its discovery in 1906. Beyond diamond hunting, the park offers additional amenities including walking trails, picnic sites, and a water park for cooling off after a day of prospecting.
11. Thorncrown Chapel
ARCHITECTURAL GLASS MASTERPIECE
Thorncrown Chapel is an architectural marvel constructed with 425 windows using over 6,000 square feet of glass, creating a stunning sanctuary in the Ozark woods. The soaring structure, designed by E. Fay Jones, rises 48 feet into the forest canopy and has won numerous architectural awards since its completion in 1980. Visitors from around the world come to experience the serene beauty of this glass chapel as sunlight filters through the surrounding trees to create ever-changing patterns of light and shadow inside.
12. Bathhouse Row
HISTORIC SPA DISTRICT
Bathhouse Row consists of eight historic bathhouse buildings dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, showcasing various architectural styles along Central Avenue in Hot Springs National Park. These grand structures once provided luxury bathing experiences utilizing the natural thermal waters for which the area became famous. Today, several bathhouses have been repurposed into modern attractions including the Fordyce Bathhouse Visitor Center, a brewery, art galleries, and the Quapaw Baths & Spa where visitors can still enjoy thermal water treatments.
13. McClard's Bar-B-Q
LEGENDARY BARBECUE INSTITUTION
McClard's Bar-B-Q has been serving authentic Southern barbecue since 1928, earning a reputation as one of Arkansas's most iconic dining establishments. The restaurant is famous for its hickory-smoked meats, particularly the ribs and signature tamale spread topped with beef, beans, cheese, and onions. The family-owned establishment has welcomed generations of locals and visitors, including former President Bill Clinton, who has cited McClard's as one of his favorite restaurants.
14. Garvan Woodland Gardens
BOTANICAL PARADISE
Garvan Woodland Gardens spans 210 acres of stunningly landscaped botanical gardens situated on a peninsula extending into Lake Hamilton. The gardens feature specialized collections including Japanese maples, camellias, Asian gardens, and the spectacular Anthony Chapel, a wood and glass structure nestled among the trees. Seasonal displays transform the gardens throughout the year, from spring tulips and summer blooms to the Holiday Lights extravaganza with millions of twinkling lights during winter.
15. The Walmart Museum
RETAIL GIANT'S ORIGIN
The Walmart Museum is housed in the original Walton's 5&10 store where Sam Walton began building his retail empire in 1950. Exhibits chronicle the company's growth from a single small-town variety store to the world's largest retailer through historical artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays. Visitors can explore Sam Walton's office recreated just as he left it, view his famous truck, and finish their tour with a treat from the functioning vintage soda fountain.