Marie ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Marie, Arkansas.
1. Tennessee Welcome Center
GATEWAY TO TENNESSEE
The Tennessee Welcome Center serves as a gateway for travelers crossing from Arkansas into Tennessee. Visitors can gather tourist information, maps, and brochures about Tennessee attractions while enjoying clean facilities. The center offers a convenient rest stop with pleasant grounds for stretching legs after a long drive.
2. Sultana Disaster Museum
HISTORIC MARITIME TRAGEDY
The Sultana Disaster Museum commemorates the worst maritime disaster in American history, which occurred near Marion in 1865. The museum houses artifacts, displays, and historical information about the steamboat explosion that killed over 1,800 people, mostly Union soldiers returning home from Confederate prison camps. Visitors can learn about this often-overlooked tragedy through interactive exhibits and educational presentations.
3. Mississippi River Museum at Mud Island
RIVER HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Mississippi River Museum at Mud Island provides guests with an in-depth overview of the river and its historical significance. The museum features interesting historical plaques and an impressive model of the Mississippi River. Beyond the museum, visitors can enjoy shops and walking paths around Mud Island for a complete experience.
4. Sun Studio
BIRTHPLACE OF ROCK
Sun Studio is known as the birthplace of rock 'n' roll where legends like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded their early hits. Visitors can take guided tours to see the original recording equipment and stand in the same spot where music history was made. The studio continues to operate as a recording facility while welcoming music enthusiasts from around the world.
5. National Civil Rights Museum
CIVIL RIGHTS HISTORY
The National Civil Rights Museum is located at the Lorraine Motel, the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968. The museum chronicles key episodes of the American civil rights movement with powerful interactive exhibits and historical displays. Visitors can experience a moving journey through the struggle for equality and justice in America.
6. St. Francis National Forest
NATURAL WILDERNESS AREA
St. Francis National Forest offers outdoor enthusiasts over 20,000 acres of diverse landscapes including hardwood forests, lakes, and wetlands. Visitors can enjoy activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing throughout the year. The forest provides a tranquil escape with scenic views of the Mississippi River and St. Francis River.
7. Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area
LAKESIDE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Bear Creek Lake Recreation Area provides a peaceful setting for water-based recreation in eastern Arkansas. The area offers boating, fishing, swimming, and picnicking facilities around the scenic 625-acre lake. Campsites with modern amenities make this an ideal destination for weekend getaways or extended outdoor vacations.
8. Storm Creek Lake Recreation Area
SERENE FOREST LAKE
Storm Creek Lake Recreation Area features a picturesque 425-acre lake surrounded by the beauty of St. Francis National Forest. The area provides excellent fishing opportunities with populations of largemouth bass, crappie, and bream. Visitors can enjoy primitive camping, hiking trails, and boat ramps for a complete outdoor experience.
9. Marianna Country Club
GOLF AND RECREATION
Marianna Country Club offers a well-maintained golf course with challenging holes for players of all skill levels. The club provides a relaxing atmosphere with dining facilities where members and guests can socialize after a round of golf. Beautiful landscaping and southern hospitality make this a favorite local recreational destination.
10. Crystal Bridges Museum
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art houses a world-class collection of American art spanning five centuries. The stunning museum building, designed by architect Moshe Safdie, integrates seamlessly with the surrounding Ozark landscape and water features. Visitors can explore both indoor galleries and outdoor sculpture trails on the 120-acre grounds free of charge.
11. Thorncrown Chapel
ARCHITECTURAL GLASS MARVEL
Thorncrown Chapel is an architectural masterpiece designed by E. Fay Jones with 425 windows and over 6,000 square feet of glass. The woodland sanctuary rises 48 feet into the Ozark canopy, creating a breathtaking space where nature and architecture blend harmoniously. Visitors from around the world come to experience the serene beauty of this award-winning structure nestled in the woods.
12. Fordyce Bathhouse
HISTORIC SPA BUILDING
Fordyce Bathhouse now serves as the visitor center for Hot Springs National Park, showcasing the golden age of bathing culture. The beautifully restored 1915 building features marble floors, stained glass ceilings, and original bathing equipment spread across three floors. Visitors can take free guided tours to learn about the history of thermal bathing and the development of Hot Springs as America's first resort.
13. Wm. Carl Garner Visitor Center
DAM HISTORY EXHIBIT
The Wm. Carl Garner Visitor Center is a 6,000-square-foot stone and redwood structure located at the western end of Greers Ferry Lake Dam. The center features an exhibit hall and a 96-seat theater presenting "The Saga of the Little Red River: A Tale of Two Centuries," which relates the history of the region. Visitors can learn about President Kennedy's dedication of the $46.5 million project on October 3, 1963.
14. Greers Ferry Lake
PRISTINE MOUNTAIN LAKE
Greers Ferry Lake offers 40,000 acres of crystal-clear water surrounded by the picturesque Ozark Mountains. The lake is renowned for its excellent fishing, particularly for walleye, hybrid striped bass, and trout in the Little Red River below the dam. Visitors can enjoy swimming, boating, scuba diving, and camping at numerous recreation areas around the shoreline.
15. Arkansas River Trail
SCENIC RIVERSIDE PATH
The Arkansas River Trail is a 17-mile loop connecting Little Rock and North Little Rock with scenic paths along both sides of the Arkansas River. The trail features several pedestrian bridges, including the iconic Big Dam Bridge, the longest pedestrian and bicycle bridge in North America built specifically for that purpose. Visitors can walk, jog, or cycle while enjoying riverfront views, public art installations, and access to parks and attractions along the route.