The Natural State is home to some of the most picturesque waterfalls, mountain ranges, and river valleys in the country. But Arkansas also has a wealth of roadside oddities. These quirky roadside attractions are what gives Arkansas her delightful charm, and many of them are worth seeing. So, gas up the car, and take this epic road trip to these incredible roadside attractions.
Driving northeast from the historic city of Fort Smith to the spectacular town of Mammoth Springs, prepare to be amazed by what you will see.
Google Maps Click the interactive map if you wanna add more attractions along the way.
This road trip is 404 miles long and about 9 hours of driving time. So, it will be a two-day trip filled with lots to see, and it will reveal a different side of the Natural State.
Arkansas Welcome Center at Corning/Facebook
- Mr. Peanut Statue (Fort Smith)
Hayden Wampler/Google Mr. Peanut is our favorite legume, and this giant statue of him is sitting on the lawn outside of the Planters factory in Fort Smith. There are other smaller Mr. Peanuts on the premises that you can also take pictures of.
- Popeye’s Garden (Alma)
Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons Located in this adorable garden in downtown Alma is this bronze Popeye statue. Our favorite sailor man loves eating his spinach to remain big and strong. Bring your own can for a photo op with him.
- Old School Phone Booth (Prairie Grove)
cbs saint/Google When was the last time you stepped inside a working phone booth? Exactly. Many of you have not seen or even used a phone booth in your life. So, visit Prairie Grove to make a free local call on this outdated invention.
- “Deer, Half Deer” sculpture (Fayetteville)
Experience Fayetteville/Facebook One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And this spectacular treasure was made out of trash. This incredible structure sits on the lawn of the Walker Stone House in historic downtown Fayetteville.
- Humpty Dumpty (Eureka Springs)
Arkansas State Page Humpty Dumpty is perched on this wall in Eureka Springs. And thankfully, this 500-pound Humpty will never fall. So, get close and snap a picture of him.
- Old Flippin Jail Cell (Flippin)
stephanie johnson/Google Public drunkenness and fighting were punishable by being locked inside tiny 12 x 9 foot jail cells. Can you imagine the flippin’ yelling and screaming that came from these walls? This 1928 historic jail cell that is frozen in time makes for some good conversation.
- Gaston’s White River Resort (Lakeview)
Management/TripAdvisor Folks, after seeing all those attractions, it’s time to grab something to eat and get some rest. The Gaston’s White River Resort is the perfect waterfront retreat to do just that. The food at the restaurant is delicious, and the vintage bikes hanging from the ceiling makes it a perfect stop on your trip.
- Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery (Batesville)
David Jones/Google Understandably, this might be a bit eerie for some of you, but how many times do you get to see a statue of Jesus “walking” on water? Stop by the Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery to glimpse this phenomenon.
- Beatles Park (Walnut Ridge)
Jesse N/Google In 1964, the Beatles were in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Well, just to switch planes, but that’s beside the point. This 10-foot replica of the Abbey Road album cover was created to remember the occasion.
- Dear Crossing Antiques and Collectibles (Mammoth Spring)
Susan Murphy/Google The last stop on the trip is Dear Crossing Antiques and Collectibles in Mammoth Spring. You can go wild hunting for all kinds of treasures here. But be sure to check out the Flintstone movie props, they are perfect for a fun photo op.
Well folks, that’s all we can cover on this trip, but there are tons of other roadside attractions in Arkansas for you to explore.
Google Maps
Click the interactive map if you wanna add more attractions along the way.
Arkansas Welcome Center at Corning/Facebook
Hayden Wampler/Google
Mr. Peanut is our favorite legume, and this giant statue of him is sitting on the lawn outside of the Planters factory in Fort Smith. There are other smaller Mr. Peanuts on the premises that you can also take pictures of.
Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Located in this adorable garden in downtown Alma is this bronze Popeye statue. Our favorite sailor man loves eating his spinach to remain big and strong. Bring your own can for a photo op with him.
cbs saint/Google
When was the last time you stepped inside a working phone booth? Exactly. Many of you have not seen or even used a phone booth in your life. So, visit Prairie Grove to make a free local call on this outdated invention.
Experience Fayetteville/Facebook
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And this spectacular treasure was made out of trash. This incredible structure sits on the lawn of the Walker Stone House in historic downtown Fayetteville.
Arkansas State Page
Humpty Dumpty is perched on this wall in Eureka Springs. And thankfully, this 500-pound Humpty will never fall. So, get close and snap a picture of him.
stephanie johnson/Google
Public drunkenness and fighting were punishable by being locked inside tiny 12 x 9 foot jail cells. Can you imagine the flippin’ yelling and screaming that came from these walls? This 1928 historic jail cell that is frozen in time makes for some good conversation.
Management/TripAdvisor
Folks, after seeing all those attractions, it’s time to grab something to eat and get some rest. The Gaston’s White River Resort is the perfect waterfront retreat to do just that. The food at the restaurant is delicious, and the vintage bikes hanging from the ceiling makes it a perfect stop on your trip.
David Jones/Google
Understandably, this might be a bit eerie for some of you, but how many times do you get to see a statue of Jesus “walking” on water? Stop by the Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery to glimpse this phenomenon.
Jesse N/Google
In 1964, the Beatles were in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Well, just to switch planes, but that’s beside the point. This 10-foot replica of the Abbey Road album cover was created to remember the occasion.
Susan Murphy/Google
The last stop on the trip is Dear Crossing Antiques and Collectibles in Mammoth Spring. You can go wild hunting for all kinds of treasures here. But be sure to check out the Flintstone movie props, they are perfect for a fun photo op.
How many of these quirky attractions have you been to? Tell us in the comment section below.
And for more road trip adventures, check out this iconic trip through Arkansas.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Planters Co, 4020 Planters Rd, Fort Smith, AR 72908, USAAddress: Popeye Garden, Alma, AR 72921, USAAddress: 505 E Douglas St, Prairie Grove, AR 72753, USAAddress: Stone House, 346 Arkansas Ave, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USAAddress: South Main Street & Spring Street, S Main St & Spring St, Eureka Springs, AR 72632, USAAddress: Old Flippin City Jail, Flippin, AR 72634, USAAddress: Gaston’s White River Resort, 1777 River Rd, Lakeview, AR 72642Address: Roselawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 2389-2431 N St Louis, Batesville, AR 72501, USAAddress: Beatles Park, 110 Abbey Road, Walnut Ridge, AR 72476, USAAddress: Dear Crossing Antiques And Collectibles, S,, 7379 US Hwy 63, Mammoth Spring, AR 72554, USA
