SUMMER GUIDE PLANNING

from At Home in Arkansas | March 2023

Wyatt Waters

Whether you crave outdoor adventures, culture in the Capital City, or opportunities to explore a neighboring state, it’s never too early to start mapping those summer vacations

Get Outdoors

M ountains, rivers, lakes, and parks—no matter your landscape of choice, you’ll find a place to spend long summer days in The Natural State

Take a trip to Arkansas’s largest lake, Lake Ouachita, with a stay at Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa (mountainharborresort.com). Founded and family-owned since 1955, Mountain Harbor has served as the backdrop for generations of gatherings. For a parents retreat, make a reservation at The Lodge Restaurant and book a relaxing couples massage at the resort’s Turtle Cove Spa. Gaston’s White River Resort (gastons.com) in Lakeview is a fisherman’s favorite for location, convenience, and amenities on the White River. Here you’ll find a range of accommodations from smaller cabins to those fit for a family reunion. New to the sport? Gaston’s one-day, one-on-two fly-fishing school is perfect for aspiring anglers.

If you’ve been itching to try your hand at a bow and arrow, The Quiver Archery Range (thequiverarchery.com) in Bentonville’s Osage Park is a must-visit. A program of the Peel Compton Foundation, this range offers 20 archery lanes along with certified instructors available to work with all experience levels (ages 8 and up). Also of interest to outdoorsmen is the foundation’s Coler Mountain Bike Preserve (peelcompton.org/spaces/ visit-coler), a system of 17-plus miles of mountain biking trails near downtown Bentonville.

Follow Your Art

The much-anticipated grand opening of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts (arkmfa.org) in Little Rock is finally only a few weeks away, creating a destination for those interested in the visual arts and so much more. The permanent collection, several temporary exhibits, and installations—including the specially commissioned “Spring Song” by Natasha Bowdoin—will be on view when the museum opens its doors April 22. Be on the lookout for additional programming at the museum, including concerts, workshops, and collaborations with their Partner Companies-in-Residence, Ballet Arkansas and the Arkansas Cinema Society.

Take a Road Trip

A little stream of water known as the Mississippi River is all that separates us from our neighbors to the east— and there’s so much to see and do in the Magnolia State! In Greenwood, book a class at the Viking Cooking School (thealluvian.com) and learn how to cook like the pros, then experience a calming treatment at the Alluvian Spa . If you have tots in tow, the Mississippi Children’s Museum (mschildrensmuseum.org) in Jackson and Mississippi Aquarium (msaquarium.org) in Gulfport offer hands-on learning opportunities that are fun for all ages. And for a history fix, visit Natchez (visitnatchez.org), the oldest city on the Mississippi and one ripe with opportunities to learn about the region throughout various contexts. Find more ideas at visitmississippi.org.

Get The Gear

Sherwood’s Fort Thompson Sporting Goods (ftthompson.com) is your go-to for all things outdoor and camping. Plan to spend your summer days relaxing in your own backyard? Head to Congo Fireplace & Patio (congofp.com) in Benton to outfit your space with a grill or firepit, ensuring this season is the best one yet.