Gilmore ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Gilmore, Arkansas.
1. Southern Tenant Farmers Museum
AGRICULTURAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Southern Tenant Farmers Museum showcases the history of agricultural workers' rights and tenant farming in the region. Visitors can explore exhibits detailing the struggles and triumphs of tenant farmers during the Great Depression era. The museum offers a unique glimpse into an important chapter of American labor and civil rights history.
2. Johnny Cash House
MUSIC LEGEND'S ROOTS
The Johnny Cash House offers visitors a glimpse into the humble beginnings of the legendary musician. This restored home is where Cash spent his formative years and developed the influences that would shape his iconic musical style. Exhibits within the house showcase personal items and stories from Cash's early life in rural Arkansas.
3. Historic Dyess Colony
DEPRESSION ERA COMMUNITY
Historic Dyess Colony preserves the New Deal resettlement community where Johnny Cash's family lived during the Great Depression. The site includes restored buildings and exhibits explaining how the colony provided opportunities for struggling farmers. Visitors can experience the unique planned community that shaped the lives of hundreds of families during a pivotal time in American history.
4. Sultana Disaster Museum
CIVIL WAR TRAGEDY
The Sultana Disaster Museum commemorates America's greatest maritime disaster, which occurred near the end of the Civil War. The museum tells the story of the Sultana steamboat explosion in April 1865 that killed an estimated 1,800 people, many of whom were Union soldiers returning home. Exhibits feature artifacts, personal stories, and information about the often-overlooked tragedy that claimed more lives than the Titanic disaster.
5. Gilmore Park
URBAN OASIS RETREAT
Gilmore Park offers a serene natural escape in the heart of Downtown Bentonville. The park features beautiful landscaping, walking paths, and areas for community gatherings and recreation. Visitors can enjoy the vibrant community atmosphere while taking a break from exploring the surrounding attractions of the area.
6. The Walmart Museum
RETAIL GIANT'S ORIGINS
The Walmart Museum chronicles the journey of Sam Walton and the rise of the world's largest retailer. Located in Walton's original 5&10 store, the museum features exhibits on Walmart's history, corporate culture, and global impact. Visitors can view Sam Walton's office, vintage merchandise, and learn about the company's evolution from a single store to an international empire.
7. Bentonville City Square
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN CENTER
Bentonville City Square serves as the cultural and social hub of this charming Arkansas town. The square is anchored by a historic courthouse and surrounded by boutique shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Visitors can enjoy community events, farmers markets, and the small-town atmosphere that has been preserved despite the area's rapid growth.
8. Dave Peel Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY RECREATION SPACE
Dave Peel Park provides a welcoming recreational space for visitors of all ages in downtown Bentonville. The park features playgrounds, picnic areas, and open green spaces perfect for relaxation or family activities. Its convenient location makes it an ideal spot to take a break while exploring the other attractions in the area.
9. The Peel Museum & Botanical Garden
HISTORY AMID NATURE
The Peel Museum & Botanical Garden combines historical exhibits with beautiful landscaped gardens in a unique cultural experience. Visitors can explore the historic Peel Mansion, which dates back to the 1870s and showcases period furnishings and architecture. The surrounding botanical gardens feature native plants, walking paths, and seasonal displays that change throughout the year.
10. Crowley's Ridge Visitors Center
REGIONAL NATURAL WONDER
Crowley's Ridge Visitors Center serves as the gateway to exploring this unique geological formation that rises from the flat Delta plains. Located in the restored, historic Rush-Gates home, the center features exhibits on local history, geology, fossils, and the African American experience in the region. The center also acts as the central information hub for the Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Byway, offering maps and guidance for travelers.
11. Low's Bridal
DESTINATION WEDDING BOUTIQUE
Low's Bridal attracts brides from across the country to its impressive 25,000-square-foot showroom housed in a beautifully restored historic hotel. The boutique features more than 3,000 wedding dresses, including designs from many world-renowned designers. The building itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, adding architectural interest to the shopping experience.
12. Petit Jean State Park
ARKANSAS' FIRST STATE PARK
Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas' first state park, offers stunning natural beauty on a mountain named for a French girl who disguised herself as a cabin boy to follow her love to the New World. The park features Mather Lodge, Cedar Creek Canyon, fascinating rock formations, and the spectacular Cedar Falls. Visitors can explore miles of hiking trails that showcase the diverse ecosystems and breathtaking vistas throughout the park.
13. Potts Inn Museum
HISTORIC STAGECOACH STATION
Potts Inn Museum preserves one of the best-maintained stagecoach stations from the Butterfield Overland Mail Route, dating back to the 1850s. This antebellum home has been carefully restored to showcase life during the mid-19th century in Arkansas. The museum grounds include several original log buildings and displays of antique farm equipment that demonstrate rural life in the region's past.
14. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art houses an extraordinary collection of American masterpieces spanning five centuries, from the Colonial era to contemporary works. The museum's stunning architecture, designed by Moshe Safdie, integrates seamlessly with the surrounding Ozark landscape, with buildings that span spring-fed ponds. Visitors can explore both the impressive art collection inside and miles of sculpture-lined walking trails throughout the 120-acre grounds.
15. Parkin Archeological State Park
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN SITE
Parkin Archeological State Park preserves and interprets an important Native American village that existed from approximately AD 1000 to 1550. The site is believed to be the Native American village of Casqui, visited by Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1541. Visitors can explore exhibits in the visitor center, walk the grounds where excavations have revealed the ancient community, and learn about the Mississippi Period culture that once thrived here.