Turrell ArkansasATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Turrell, Arkansas.
1. Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge
NATURAL WILDLIFE PRESERVE
Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge is a protected natural wildlife preserve in Turrell. The refuge offers visitors the opportunity to observe diverse wildlife species in their natural habitat. Visitors should note there are limited amenities, so planning ahead is recommended.
2. Southern Tenant Farmers Museum
HISTORICAL AGRICULTURAL LANDMARK
Southern Tenant Farmers Museum preserves the history of the tenant farming system and the labor movement that emerged from it. The museum features exhibits on agricultural labor history and social justice in the region. Visitors can explore artifacts and displays that tell the story of this important part of Arkansas's past.
3. Sultana Disaster Museum
CIVIL WAR MARITIME HISTORY
The Sultana Disaster Museum commemorates America's greatest maritime disaster, which claimed more lives than the Titanic. The museum documents the tragic 1865 explosion of the steamboat Sultana that killed an estimated 1,200 people, many of whom were Union soldiers returning home after the Civil War. Exhibits include artifacts recovered from the disaster site and detailed historical accounts of this overlooked historical event.
4. Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park spans over 13,000 acres of diverse forest located just north of Memphis near Turrell. The park features more than 20 miles of hiking trails, boating opportunities on Poplar Tree Lake, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors can enjoy camping, fishing, and exploring the hardwood bottomland forest that provides habitat for deer, turkey, and various bird species.
5. Arkansas Welcome Center
GATEWAY TO ARKANSAS
The Arkansas Welcome Center at West Memphis serves as an informational hub for travelers entering Arkansas from Tennessee. The center provides maps, brochures, travel tips, and exhibits showcasing Arkansas attractions and history. Visitors can take advantage of the clean facilities, friendly staff, and opportunities to learn about local attractions in the region.
6. James G. Tarver Memorial
THE TEXAS GIANT
The James G. Tarver Memorial honors Turrell's most famous citizen who performed as the 'Texas Giant' with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1909 to 1935. Standing at a reported 8'6" tall and weighing 435 pounds, Tarver retired in Turrell after his circus career. The memorial commemorates this unique piece of local history that connects Turrell to the golden age of American circus entertainment.
7. Turrell City Park
COMMUNITY RECREATION SPACE
Turrell City Park offers locals and visitors alike a relaxing outdoor space for family activities and community gatherings. The park features open green spaces, picnic areas, and recreational facilities for residents to enjoy. Seasonal festivals and outdoor concerts are often held here, making it a center of community life in Turrell.
8. Big River Crossing
MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI BRIDGE
Big River Crossing is the longest public pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi River, connecting Arkansas and Tennessee. The mile-long bridge offers spectacular views of the Mississippi River and the Memphis skyline, particularly at sunset. Visitors can walk or bike across this impressive structure while enjoying interpretive displays about the river's history and ecology.
9. Turrell Historical Quonset Hut
UNIQUE ARCHITECTURAL LANDMARK
The Turrell Historical Quonset Hut is a distinctive curved metal structure that once served as city hall for the Wapanocca community. This unique building represents an interesting piece of local architectural history dating back to the mid-20th century. The structure stands as a reminder of the area's development and municipal history.
10. Craighead Forest Park
OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTER
Craighead Forest Park is a 692-acre recreational area centered around a 60-acre lake just a short drive from Turrell. The park offers numerous amenities including fishing, boating, camping, hiking trails, disc golf, and picnic areas. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of northeast Arkansas while participating in a variety of outdoor activities throughout the year.
11. Turrell Farmers Market
LOCAL FRESH PRODUCE
The Turrell Farmers Market showcases the agricultural bounty of the fertile Mississippi Delta region. Local farmers offer seasonal fruits, vegetables, and handcrafted goods in this community gathering space. Visitors can interact with local producers while sampling some of the freshest produce the region has to offer.
12. Hampson Archeological Museum State Park
NATIVE AMERICAN ARTIFACTS
Hampson Archeological Museum State Park houses an internationally renowned collection of Native American artifacts from the Nodena site, a 15-acre village that once thrived along the Mississippi River. The museum's collection includes incredibly preserved pottery, tools, and artwork created by the people of the Nodena civilization between 1400 and 1650 CE. Visitors can explore the sophisticated culture that existed in the region long before European contact through interactive exhibits and detailed displays.
13. Delta Cultural Center
BLUES HERITAGE SITE
The Delta Cultural Center celebrates the rich blues music tradition and cultural heritage of the Arkansas Delta region near Turrell. Interactive exhibits trace the development of blues music and its relationship to the agricultural history and social conditions of the Mississippi Delta. Visitors can listen to recordings of legendary blues artists, view historical artifacts, and learn about the profound impact Delta blues has had on American music.
14. Jones Bar-B-Q Diner
HISTORIC BBQ INSTITUTION
Jones Bar-B-Q Diner is one of the oldest African American-owned restaurants in the South and a James Beard Award-winning culinary landmark not far from Turrell. The tiny establishment has been operated by the same family since at least the 1910s, serving their legendary slow-smoked pork on white bread with a secret sauce. Visitors often line up early for a taste of this historic barbecue, which typically sells out before noon each day.
15. Turrell-Lily Lumber Company Site
TOWN'S INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN
The Turrell-Lily Lumber Company Site marks the location of the timber operation that gave birth to the town of Turrell in the 1880s. Founded by Fletcher E. Turrell, the company established the community around the Springfield and Memphis Railroad line that ran through the area. This historical site connects visitors to the industrial origins of Turrell and the importance of the timber industry in eastern Arkansas's development.