In Fort Smith the history of the Old West mixes effortlessly with the antebellum charm of the Old South. Visit historic landmarks and walk in the footsteps of famous outlaws. Enjoy scenic train journeys through rugged mountains and explore Arkansas Wine Country. Fort Smith sits on the southern banks of the Arkansas River, on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border.
Downtown Fort Smith overlooks the river and is home to museums, boutiques, theaters and live music venues. Take a tour of Miss Laura’s Social Club, a former bordello housed in a Victorian mansion. Enjoy sweeping views on the vintage Ferris wheel at The Park at West End. Learn about the city’s past at the Fort Smith Museum of History. See streetcar displays and enjoy a free streetcar ride at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum.
Visit the Fort Smith National Historic Site to hear stories of soldiers and notorious outlaws such as Wyatt Earp. Step inside a restored courthouse and check out the hangman’s gallows. Afterward, stroll around the solemn Fort Smith National Cemetery, the resting place of war veterans and unknown soldiers. Look for the tomb of Isaac C. Parker, more commonly known as the Hanging Judge.
A short walk north of downtown Fort Smith brings you to the Belle Grove Historic District, home to some of the city’s oldest and most architecturally impressive landmarks. One example is the 19th-century Bonneville House. Get in touch with nature at the River Valley Nature Center, located about a 20-minute drive from downtown. Go canoeing on the manmade lake and follow walking trails to spot over 140 bird species.
Don’t miss out on a visit to the Chaffee Crossing Historic District. See the barbershop where Elvis Presley received his first military haircut. Find museums dedicated to Vietnam veterans and a collection of 5,000 antique dolls.
Getting around Fort Smith is easiest by car, which allows the opportunity to visit areas outside the city. Drive amid rolling countryside to Altus, which is at the heart of Arkansas’ picturesque wine lands. Alternatively, enjoy a train ride through the magnificent Boston Mountains.
