Banks ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Banks, Arkansas.
1. Dallas County Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Dallas County Museum showcases the rich cultural heritage and history of Banks and surrounding areas. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia that tell the story of this Arkansas region. The museum provides an educational experience for history enthusiasts of all ages.
2. Moro Bay State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Moro Bay State Park offers beautiful natural landscapes where the Ouachita and Moro Bay rivers meet. The park features camping facilities, boat rentals, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails through scenic woodland areas. Visitors can also enjoy the interpretive programs that highlight the area's unique ecosystem.
3. Thorncrown Chapel
ARCHITECTURAL FOREST GEM
Thorncrown Chapel is a stunning glass and wood structure located in a beautiful natural woodland setting in Eureka Springs. The chapel stands 48 feet tall with more than 6,000 square feet of glass across 425 windows, creating the feeling of being immersed in the surrounding forest. This architectural marvel has become a popular location for weddings and spiritual reflection.
4. Crater of Diamonds State Park
HUNT FOR REAL DIAMONDS
Crater of Diamonds State Park is the only public diamond mine in the United States where visitors can search for and keep any diamonds they find. Since 1906, more than 75,000 diamonds have been discovered at this unique attraction, including white, brown, and yellow varieties. The park also features a museum, water playground, and a tree-shaded campground with numerous serviced sites.
5. Arkansas State Capitol
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT CENTER
The Arkansas State Capitol is an impressive neoclassical building that houses numerous monuments and memorials honoring the state's history. Visitors can explore landmarks including The Little Rock Nine Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Medal of Honor Memorial, and many others. The Capitol grounds provide an educational experience about Arkansas' rich heritage and governmental history.
6. Trail of Tears Park
CULTURAL MEMORIAL SITE
The Trail of Tears Park and Historic Site consists of 4.5 landscaped acres commemorating the forced relocation of Native American tribes. A stone sculpture and plaque memorialize this tragic historical event, while native Arkansas trees, grasses, and other indigenous plant species create an authentic setting. The park offers visitors a chance for reflection and education about this important chapter in American history.
7. Hot Springs National Park
THERMAL WATERS WONDER
Hot Springs National Park is centered around the natural thermal springs that have attracted visitors for centuries. The historic Bathhouse Row features eight architecturally significant buildings where visitors can experience the therapeutic waters firsthand. Surrounding hiking trails offer beautiful vistas and opportunities to explore the unique geology that creates these natural hot springs.
8. Little Rock Central High School
CIVIL RIGHTS LANDMARK
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site commemorates the 1957 desegregation crisis that became a pivotal moment in the American Civil Rights Movement. The still-functioning high school stands as a testament to the courage of the Little Rock Nine, the first African American students to attend the previously all-white school. Visitors can tour the visitor center and learn about this watershed moment in American history through exhibits and ranger-led programs.
9. William J. Clinton Presidential Library
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY CENTER
The William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum houses the largest collection of presidential papers and artifacts from the Clinton administration. The modern facility includes full-scale replicas of the Oval Office and Cabinet Room, along with interactive exhibits chronicling Clinton's presidency. The surrounding grounds feature a park with walking paths along the Arkansas River.
10. Buffalo National River
PRISTINE WATERWAY ADVENTURE
Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles through the Ozark Mountains, offering stunning scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities. Visitors can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming in its clear waters, while hiking trails lead to scenic overlooks and hidden waterfalls. The area is also known for its wildlife viewing opportunities, including the chance to spot elk in the Boxley Valley.
11. Fordyce Bathhouse
HISTORIC SPA EXPERIENCE
The Fordyce Bathhouse serves as the visitor center for Hot Springs National Park and showcases the luxury spa experience of the early 20th century. Visitors can tour the beautifully preserved rooms featuring marble, stained glass, and ornate fixtures that exemplify the grandeur of America's Spa during its heyday. The museum displays include original bathing equipment, treatment rooms, and the elegant music room where guests once relaxed.
12. Old US Arsenal
MILITARY HISTORY SITE
The Old US Arsenal is a National Historic Landmark that once served as a federal military storage facility. The distinctive tower building, constructed in the 1840s, now houses exhibits detailing Arkansas's military history. Visitors can explore the grounds and learn about the arsenal's role in the Civil War and other significant military events in the state's past.
13. Confederate State Capitol
CIVIL WAR ERA HERITAGE
The Confederate State Capitol at Old Washington Historic State Park preserves the site where Arkansas's Confederate government operated during the Civil War. The restored buildings include the courthouse where the vote for secession took place and other significant structures from this turbulent period. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about Arkansas's unique position during the Civil War and the everyday life of the era.
14. Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources
OIL BOOM HISTORY
The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources tells the story of the 1920s oil boom that transformed southern Arkansas. Interactive exhibits recreate boom towns, oil fields, and the technology that drove this economic revolution in the region. Outside, visitors can explore actual drilling equipment and an operating replica of a 1920s oil field.
15. Elkins Ferry Battlefield
CIVIL WAR HERITAGE SITE
Elkins Ferry Battlefield preserves the site of an important Civil War skirmish that took place in April 1864 during the Red River Campaign. The natural landscape remains largely unchanged since the battle, allowing visitors to experience the terrain as soldiers did more than 150 years ago. Interpretive signage throughout the battlefield helps visitors understand the strategic importance of this crossing on the Little Missouri River.