Dyess ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Dyess, Arkansas.
1. Johnny Cash House
THE MAN IN BLACK
The Johnny Cash House is the fully restored childhood home of the legendary musician known as 'The Man in Black.' Visitors can explore the house that has been furnished exactly as it appeared when the Cash family lived there, based on memories from Johnny's two youngest siblings who assisted in the restoration. The tour provides profound insight into Cash's humble beginnings and how his early life in rural Arkansas influenced his iconic music career.
2. Historic Dyess Colony
NEW DEAL RESETTLEMENT COMMUNITY
The Historic Dyess Colony was established in 1934 as part of President Roosevelt's New Deal program, originally called 'Colonization Project No. 1.' The colony provided impoverished farmers an opportunity to work and eventually own their land during the Great Depression. Today, visitors can tour the Administration Building which houses exhibits detailing the colony's history and its significant impact on the region and its residents.
3. Dyess Colony Visitors Center
GATEWAY TO CASH HISTORY
The Dyess Colony Visitors Center is located in the former site of the theatre and pop shop that served the original colony residents. The center features a gift shop, orientation video, and informative exhibits about Johnny Cash and the Dyess Colony. It serves as the starting point for guided tours of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home and the wider historic colony.
4. Southern Tenant Farmers Museum
AGRICULTURAL LABOR HISTORY
The Southern Tenant Farmers Museum preserves the history of the Southern Tenant Farmers Union, which was formed in 1934 to improve conditions for sharecroppers and tenant farmers. The museum is housed in the historic Mitchell-East Building, where the union's founders first met. Exhibits feature original artifacts, photographs, and oral histories that document this important chapter in American agricultural labor history.
5. Hampson Archeological Museum State Park
ANCIENT MISSISSIPPI CULTURES
Hampson Archeological Museum State Park houses a nationally renowned collection of artifacts from the Nodena site, a 15-acre Native American village that thrived from 1400 to 1650 AD. The museum showcases exquisitely crafted pottery, tools, and artwork that provide insight into the sophisticated Mississippi Period culture. Interactive exhibits and detailed dioramas help visitors understand the daily lives of these ancient Delta inhabitants.
6. White's Mercantile
MODERN GENERAL STORE
White's Mercantile is a contemporary take on the classic Southern general store, founded by Holly Williams, granddaughter of country music legend Hank Williams. The shop offers carefully curated home goods, gourmet foods, unique gifts, and stylish apparel that blend modern tastes with Southern charm. Visitors will find high-quality items ranging from artisanal foods to handcrafted home décor that celebrate the region's cultural heritage.
7. Herman Davis Memorial State Park
HONORING A HERO
Herman Davis Memorial State Park pays tribute to Herman Davis, one of Arkansas's most decorated WWI heroes who was named by General Pershing as one of the 100 greatest heroes of the war. The centerpiece of this small but significant park is a 25-foot monument dedicated to Davis's courage and service to his country. The peaceful setting includes benches where visitors can reflect on the sacrifices made by servicemen and women throughout history.
8. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
MISSISSIPPI RIVER WILDERNESS
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park encompasses over 12,000 acres of hardwood bottomland adjacent to the Mississippi River, just a short drive from Dyess. The park features dramatic bluff views, diverse wildlife, and extensive recreational opportunities including fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. Visitors can explore more than 20 miles of trails through mature forests or enjoy the 100-acre Poplar Tree Lake, home to numerous bird species and excellent fishing.
9. Fort Pillow State Park
CIVIL WAR HERITAGE
Fort Pillow State Park preserves the site of one of the most controversial battles of the Civil War, where Union soldiers, many of them former slaves, were killed after surrendering in April 1864. The 1,642-acre park includes well-preserved earthworks, a reconstructed inner fort, and a museum with interpretive exhibits about the fort's history. Visitors can walk interpretive trails with historical markers that detail the fort's strategic importance and the events of the battle.
10. Mirimichi Golf Course
ECO-FRIENDLY GOLF EXPERIENCE
Mirimichi Golf Course is a premier eco-friendly golf destination originally developed by Justin Timberlake, offering a challenging and scenic 18-hole championship layout. The course is renowned for its environmental stewardship as the first in the Americas to receive Golf Environment Organization certification and the first in the United States to be designated as a Certified Audubon International Classic Sanctuary. Golfers enjoy the pristine natural setting featuring native grasses, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife alongside meticulously maintained fairways and greens.
11. Old Millington Vineyard and Winery
SOUTHERN WINE EXPERIENCE
Old Millington Vineyard and Winery offers visitors a taste of Southern winemaking in a charming pastoral setting near the Memphis area. The family-owned establishment produces a variety of wines from muscadine grapes native to the South, as well as other traditional varieties. Guests can enjoy tastings in the rustic tasting room, tour the production facilities, and attend seasonal events including live music performances on the picturesque grounds.
12. Wilson Cafe
FARM-TO-TABLE SOUTHERN CUISINE
Wilson Cafe serves exceptional farm-to-table Southern cuisine in a beautifully renovated historic building on the Wilson town square. The restaurant sources ingredients from local farms, including the Wilson Gardens just blocks away, ensuring fresh seasonal offerings throughout the year. Diners enjoy reimagined Southern classics and innovative dishes crafted by talented chefs in an atmosphere that blends small-town charm with sophisticated design.
13. The Grange at Wilson Gardens
WORKING FARM EXPERIENCE
The Grange at Wilson Gardens is a working farm and event venue that offers visitors a chance to connect with sustainable agriculture in the Arkansas Delta. The farm produces fresh vegetables, fruits, and flowers that supply the nearby Wilson Cafe and local farmers markets. Visitors can tour the gardens, participate in seasonal workshops, or shop for farm-fresh produce and handcrafted goods at their market.
14. Sultana Disaster Museum
CIVIL WAR MARITIME TRAGEDY
The Sultana Disaster Museum commemorates the worst maritime disaster in American history, which occurred in April 1865 when the steamboat Sultana exploded on the Mississippi River, claiming more lives than the Titanic. The museum houses artifacts, interactive displays, and compelling narratives about the overcrowded vessel carrying Union soldiers recently released from Confederate prison camps. Visitors learn about the technical failures, political corruption, and human stories behind this tragic but often overlooked historical event.
15. Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge
MIGRATORY BIRD SANCTUARY
Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 11,000 acres of wetlands, cypress swamps, and bottomland hardwood forests that provide critical habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife. Established in 1915, it is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System and offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, fishing, and hunting in season. Visitors can explore the refuge via boat, canoe, or on foot to observe waterfowl, wading birds, and other native species in their natural environment.