Local Secrets, Big Finds - ArkansasLocal Secrets, Big Finds - Arkansas

Local Secrets, Big Finds - Arkansas

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King Biscuit Blues Festival
Helena

870.338.8758
If hearing the blues makes you happy, then this free October festival will make you just plain giddy. Supported solely through donations and sales of food, beverages, and merchandise, the festival consists of three days filled with everything blues-related, be it music, culture, or food. Simply put, "for blues lovers, this is THE place to be." Even better, the grounds boast "an incredible view of the Mississippi River." People come from near and far to attend, and "the mix of people is fantastic." The festival takes place in Helena, home to one of the country's first radio stations to air the blues. Read more.

Lake Ouachita
Mountain Pine

501.767.9366
At the state's largest lake, "you can boat, fish, or just literally drink in the atmosphere." Known for its "clean waters" and welcoming shores, Lake Ouachita is a water sports haven surrounded by forests that are filled with hiking trails, campsites, and picnic areas. Many come to fish for catfish and bass, and the lake is well stocked with trout and pike--and "you can even take scuba lessons." There's also a well-marked swimming area, a marina, a visitor's center, and loads of "houseboats." During winter, "be on the lookout for eagles." Read more.

Garvan Woodland Gardens
Hot Springs

800.366.4664
Garvan Woodland Gardens
These forested gardens occupy an entire peninsula set in a body of water and are accessible by boat and car. Featuring a large collection of flowers, streams, and waterfalls, the gardens are also home to 65 different varieties of Asian maple, over 50 species of native bird, and rare trees from as far away as Burma. The landscaping is highlighted by "outstanding stonework," with over two million pounds of boulders used in the designs. To fully appreciate the "rolling woodland setting," you should "allow several hours to stroll the gardens, and bring your camera." Read more.

National Championship Chuckwagon Races
Clinton

501.745.5250
Indulge your inner cowboy or girl with a Labor Day weekend spent at the races in Clinton, a town set in the Ozarks. In addition to "events that are rarely seen anymore," you'll be able to see about 150 teams compete for division title. Among the festivities are arts, crafts, bronco fanning, a western trade show, horse and mule clinics, and barn dances. Bring your own lawn chair and settle in to relax, or hit the general store filled with cowboy-style furniture. You'll also find plenty of "great food, good music and entertainment, and wonderful people to meet while enjoying the race." Read more.

Wings Over the Prairie Festival
Stuttgart

870.673.1602
It is only appropriate that the "duck and rice capital of the world" is home to this festival, which centers on the "World Championship Duck Calling Contest." Be sure to check out the hunting and craft tents. As part of the fun, there's also a "carnival, a sportsman's dinner and dance, and the infamous Duck Gumbo Cookoff." Despite its small size and grand prairie location, the friendly agricultural town of Stuttgart becomes what some describe as "one of the top 10 parties in the United States" during the time of the festival (usually mid to late November). Read more.

Neumeier's Rib Room and Beer Garden
Fort Smith

479.494.7427
For "some of the greatest tunes around," head over to Neumeier's Rib Room and Beer Garden in Fort Smith. Although "rock n' roll is what people come to hear," blue grass, honky tonk, and blue are also the specialties at this locally-owned hang-out located in the heart of downtown Fort Smith. Warm nights are "excellent times to hang out in the beer garden to catch up with friends and listen to the music," and the "ribs are the perfect compliment to good friends, good music, and great beer!"

McClard's Bar-B-Q
Hot Springs

501.624.9586
McClard's Bar-B-Q
The restaurant may be small, but the experience is no less intense. What some call "the best barbecue in Arkansas" is a goldmine for those in search of "something spicy." It's a great place for both locals and out-of-towners, and the walls of the restaurant are decorated with "horse racing pictures and pictures of celebrities that enjoy coming to McClards." The fact that the "building is old, rustic, and functional" and that the decor is "nothing fancy," means the focus is on nothing more than "just great barbecue." If you don't want to wait in line, the best time to come is from 2pm-3pm. Read more.

Ballroom Dance Exhibitions
Little Rock

501.376.4781
Wanna dance? Come mid-September, the country celebrates National Ballroom Dance Week. Little Rock decides to extend the festivities to the entire month, with "dance exhibitions, parties, and other shows" put on by local dance clubs and featured on Friday nights. Whether you watch a waltz or feel your way through a foxtrot, it's all about fancy footwork. Many of the performances feature "talented dancers," and the price of admission is, in most cases, only a "nominal fee."

Hot Springs Documentary Festival
Hot Springs

501.321.4747
Hollywood's not the only location with a corner on the film industry. For real movie aficionados, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival "is not to be missed." For one week straight, festival attendees get the opportunity to "view fascinating real-life stories and meet the people who make them." Since 1992, the festival has been screening films, and today it is one of four national Academy Award qualifying sites, but you'll be sure to find everything "from the obscure to the famous." In addition to screenings, there are several social events so that you come away from the experience "amazed and delighted." Read more.

Dinner Bell Ranch
Eureka Springs

800.684.3324
For pure wilderness adventure in a "beautiful" setting, the Dinner Bell Ranch is located on 140 acres in the Ozark Mountain's Winona Valley. You can spend your days horseback riding and canoeing, or take an old-fashioned hayride through the countryside with a campfire happily waiting for you when it's over. At the ranch, they have cabins for overnight trips, and when it's time for grub, "they've got plenty of it." Cabins are all nestled in the woods and feature different themes ranging from the "Cowboy Cabin" to the "Safari Cabin." Come during fall to catch the changing leaves. Read more.