Reed ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Reed, Arkansas.
1. Reed's Bridge Battlefield Heritage Park
CIVIL WAR HISTORY SITE
Reed's Bridge Battlefield Heritage Park preserves the site of the 1863 Little Rock Campaign Civil War Battle. The park features an 1860-era replica homestead and a walking trail with narrative historical markers detailing the battle between Union and Confederate forces. This National Register of Historic Places site is also an official Trail of Tears location, offering educational experiences through special events held throughout the year.
2. Reed Mountain Park
NATURAL OZARK BEAUTY
Reed Mountain Park offers stunning trails and breathtaking views for outdoor enthusiasts in the Ozark Mountains. Visitors can explore the natural beauty of Arkansas through well-maintained hiking paths that showcase the region's diverse flora and fauna. The park provides a peaceful retreat for nature lovers looking to experience the serene landscape of the Ozarks.
3. Thorncrown Chapel
ARCHITECTURAL GLASS MARVEL
Thorncrown Chapel is a masterpiece designed by E. Fay Jones, an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, located in Eureka Springs. The non-denominational sacred space was commissioned by retired schoolteacher Jim Reed as a place for meditation. This architectural wonder has earned its place on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to awe visitors with its stunning glass design that harmonizes with the surrounding woodland.
4. Christ of the Ozarks
MONUMENTAL SACRED STATUE
Christ of the Ozarks stands over 65 feet tall as an iconic religious monument in the hills near Eureka Springs. Erected in the 1960s by political organizer Gerald L. K. Smith, the statue creates a striking silhouette against the Arkansas sky and rolling green hills. While viewing the sculpture is free, it's part of the larger Great Passion Play outdoor drama experience that attracts visitors from across the country.
5. Fordyce Bathhouse
HISTORIC HOT SPRINGS LANDMARK
Fordyce Bathhouse represents the grandeur of Hot Springs' golden age as a health tourism destination. The meticulously restored facility now serves as the visitor center for Hot Springs National Park, showcasing the opulent bathing culture of the early 20th century. Visitors can tour the historic bathhouse's marble halls, stained glass ceilings, and period furnishings while learning about the therapeutic traditions that made Hot Springs famous.
6. Bathhouse Row
HISTORIC SPA DISTRICT
Bathhouse Row features a collection of eight historic bathhouse buildings along Central Avenue in Hot Springs National Park. These architectural treasures, built between 1892 and 1923, showcase various styles from Renaissance Revival to Spanish Colonial and represent the peak of America's spa culture. Today, visitors can explore several repurposed bathhouses offering modern spa services, a brewery, and cultural experiences while strolling this National Historic Landmark district.
7. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
WORLD-CLASS ART COLLECTION
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art houses a stunning collection of American masterpieces spanning five centuries in a spectacular natural setting. The museum's innovative design by architect Moshe Safdie incorporates natural elements with bridges spanning crystal-clear ponds, creating a harmonious blend of art, architecture, and nature. Beyond the impressive permanent collection and rotating exhibitions, visitors can explore outdoor trails featuring sculpture installations throughout the 120-acre woodland setting.
8. Crater of Diamonds State Park
DIAMOND HUNTING ADVENTURE
Crater of Diamonds State Park offers visitors the unique opportunity to search for real diamonds in their original volcanic source. As the only diamond-producing site in the world open to the public, guests can dig for diamonds and keep whatever gems they find regardless of value. The park provides equipment rentals, diamond washing stations, and expert advice to help diamond hunters maximize their chances of discovering their own precious stones.
9. Arkansas State Capitol
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
The Arkansas State Capitol is a neoclassical building that houses the state's government and features numerous historical monuments on its grounds. These landmarks include memorials for The Little Rock Nine, Vietnam Veterans, Medal of Honor recipients, and the War of 1812 Memorial Fountain among others. The building itself, modeled after the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., showcases stunning architecture with its distinctive dome, grand marble staircases, and ornate rotunda.
10. Trail of Tears Park and Historic Site
NATIVE AMERICAN MEMORIAL
Trail of Tears Park and Historic Site commemorates the forced relocation of Native American tribes in the 1830s with 4.5 landscaped acres featuring a stone sculpture and memorial plaque. The thoughtfully designed park incorporates native Arkansas trees, grasses, and plant species that would have been familiar to those who traveled the tragic route. This educational site offers visitors a place for reflection and learning about this somber chapter in American history.
11. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
BIG CAT SANCTUARY
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge provides lifelong sanctuary for abandoned, abused, and neglected big cats and other wildlife. The refuge houses numerous tigers, lions, leopards, and bears on its 459-acre property, rescuing them from private ownership, roadside zoos, and other unsuitable environments. Visitors can take guided habitat tours to learn about the animals' stories while supporting the refuge's mission of providing ethical care for these magnificent creatures.
12. Onyx Cave
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Onyx Cave offers visitors the chance to explore ancient limestone formations that have developed over millions of years. The cave maintains a constant 57-degree temperature year-round, making it a perfect destination regardless of outside weather conditions. Guided tours with audio headsets explain the fascinating geological processes that created the cave's striking stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstone formations.
13. Lake Leatherwood City Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Lake Leatherwood City Park encompasses 1,600 acres of Ozark Mountain beauty centered around an 85-acre spring-fed lake. The park offers camping facilities alongside numerous recreational opportunities including fishing, boating, swimming, and over 25 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Its historic limestone dam, constructed by the WPA in the 1940s, adds historical significance to this natural retreat just minutes from downtown Eureka Springs.
14. Eureka Springs Historical Museum
VICTORIAN TOWN HERITAGE
Eureka Springs Historical Museum preserves and displays the rich history of this unique Victorian resort town known for its healing springs. Housed in an 1889 building that once served as the Calif House hotel, the museum features exhibits on the town's founding, architectural heritage, and the medicinal springs that first attracted visitors. Artifacts, photographs, and interactive displays tell the story of how Eureka Springs transformed from a remote healing destination to a vibrant arts community and tourist attraction.
15. Ozark Mountain Zipline Tours
THRILLING CANOPY ADVENTURE
Ozark Mountain Zipline Tours offers adventurers the opportunity to soar through the treetops of the Arkansas Ozarks on a series of exhilarating ziplines. Guests traverse up to 10 ziplines ranging from 120 to 1,800 feet long while experiencing breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and forests. Professional guides ensure both safety and entertainment throughout the 2-hour tour, making it suitable for thrill-seekers of various ages and experience levels.