Arkansas comes by its slogan“The Natural State,” well,naturally. With more than

60 percent of its land wooded, andblessed with abundant lakes, streamsand rivers, Arkansas is proud of its out-door beauty. From hunting and hikingto fishing and boating, both residentsand visitors take full advantage of thestate’s recreational offerings.

Never to be overlooked, however,are Arkansas’ significant historical andcultural contributions to the regionand the nation. Covering many topics,the museums of Arkansas paint a widebrushstroke, offering educational andentertaining stories. Here’s a dozenthat might interest your groups:

Jacksonville Museum of MilitaryHistory, Jacksonville. This militarymuseum fosters an appreciation for

on location: south � dave bodle

Travelers go back in time at the Arkansas Museum of

Natural Resources and Bill Clinton’s birthplace (right).

Museum

Top-notch museums add a cultural slant to

Arkansas itineraries

The Delta Cultural Center in Helena spotlights the region’s blues music.

18 August 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com

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the men and women who haveserved our country. Its missionensures that the freedoms weenjoy are not taken for granted. Anew exhibit is the “C-130/360Virtual Tour,” which provides a360-degree interior view of theC-130 Hercules plane. Observeevery part of these workhorses,including instrument panels andthe cargo compartments thattransport our troops in Iraq,Afghanistan and throughout theworld. (jaxmilitarymuseum.org)

Arkansas State Capitol, LittleRock. A tour of the almost-cen-tury-old capitol and surroundinggrounds is a must for every visitorto Arkansas. A permanent display,“Call of Duty: Arkansans at War,”is located on the fourth floor.(sos.arkansas.gov)

William J. Clinton Presiden-tial Library & Museum, LittleRock. An on-going goal is tobring exciting temporary exhibitsto the museum. Here are three toround out 2011: Elvis at 21(through Aug. 21) is an exhibitfrom the Smithsonian Institutionof photographs by AlfredWertheimer of Elvis Presley at the

very beginning of his fame. Elvis(through Sept. 11) highlightsitems from the collections of theClinton Presidential Library, President Clinton and Graceland.Nathan Sawaya: Art of the Brick(Oct. 1, 2011-Feb. 12, 2012) re-veals the Lego® artwork of NathanSawaya. (clintonlibrary.gov)

President William JeffersonClinton Birthplace Home Na-tional Historic Site, Hope. Thetwo-story, white-frame house thatbelonged to Clinton’s grandpar-ents was our 42nd president’shome until age 4. Growing up, heregularly returned for summer va-cation and weekends. A NationalHistoric Landmark, it was pre-sented into the national park sys-tem on Jan. 2, 2011. Park rangersprovide tours of the house andconduct interpretative programs.(nps.gov/wicl)

Gangster Museum of Amer-ica, Hot Springs. This recentlyopened museum investigates HotSprings’ infamous past and itsmore notorious visitors. Gallerieshost photographic displays andartifacts related to the era (1920s-1940s) when the city’s hot min-eral baths and gamblingentertained Al Capone, LuckyLuciano, Bugs Moran, FrankCostello and a host of the richand famous. (tgmoa.com)

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Exhibits at the State Capitol bring Arkansas history alive.

ll types of groups includingprofessional tour companies

and travel agencies, senior groups,bank travel clubs, church groups,military, school and family reunions,wedding parties and more havediscovered Eureka Springs as apopular destination.

An extraordinary experience awaitsyour group in Eureka Springs.Cradled within the beautiful OzarkMountains of Northwest Arkansas,our picturesque Victorian Villagetruly is a “one of a kind” place. It’srefreshingly different from any othergroup travel destination. Groupsfrom all over the United States aswell as many other countries arediscovering a new way to beentertained. We have broken themold, getting away from “cookiecutter” itineraries.

A

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L a k e C h i c o t S t a t e P a r k

888-AT-PARKS • ArkansasStateParks.com

unique visitsunique visitsWith 52 diverse Arkansas state parks to With 52 diverse Arkansas state parks to

choose from, there is always something new

for your group to discover.

Play City.LGT/11

Spa City. Hot Springs is famous for natural thermal spas and historic Bathhouse Row. But with the South’s newest gaming center, stunning woodland gardens, delicious dining and more – you can call us whatever you like.

Visit hotsprings.org or call 1-800-922-6478 for your Group Tour Planner now.

Bloom City.

Make the highpoint of Arkansas Make the highpoint of Arkansas

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, Fort Smith. With aplanned move after the first of the year, the small art centerwill become a state-of-the-art museum meeting nationalstandards. The new location in downtown Fort Smith willbe equipped to facilitate national and international travelingexhibits. (fsram.org)

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, Prairie Grove. The1862 Battle of Prairie Grove was the last time Confederateand Union forces faced off in Northwest Arkansas. The on-siteHindman Hall Museum reopens later this summer followingrenovations and will feature new exhibits and interpretationof the critically important battle that kept Missouri in Federalhands and eventually aided in cutting off Texas from the Confederacy. (arkansasstateparks.com/prairiegrovebattlefield)

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville.Opening to the public on Nov. 11, the new museum,

founded by Wal-mart heiress AliceWalton, will presentan overview ofAmerican art, in-

cluding American masteworks, lesser-known pieces from theColonial era and contemporary works. Several works from theCrystal Bridges permanent collection have been or are currentlyon loan at various museums throughout the United States.(crystalbridges.org)

Walmart Visitor Center, Bentonville. The fully restoredWalmart Visitor Center has re-opened in the historic TerryBlock building. There are several additions to the newly ren-ovated center dedicated to Walmart and its founder, SamWalton. The center will introduce an expanded gallery wherevisitors can view a variety of new and restored items signifi-cant to Walmart’s history. (walmartstores.com)

Delta Cultural Center, Helena. Every exhibittells a story that defines the economic importanceand social impact of the Mississippi River. NativeAmericans, European explorers and early pioneersare all portrayed. The growth of Delta towns, the Civil War and the region’s rich music historyare on display. (deltaculturalcenter.com)

Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie,Stuttgart. Germans traveling from Ohio settledin Arkansas’ Grand Prairie and planned for a newcolony and Lutheran synod. Although the landwas unsuitable for cotton, newcomers in the late1800s harvested rice and soon Arkansas was onits way to leading the U.S. in rice production. Themuseum focuses on the settlers and the area’s nat-ural environment. (grandprairiemuseum.org)

Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources,Smackover. Dedicated to the early 1920s pioneersof South Arkansas’ oil industry, the museum por-trays a story of wealth, rowdiness, danger and waste.Focusing primarily on the oil boom, the exhibitioncenter features vintage photographs, period gaspumps, roughnecks working a site and moderndrilling techniques. An elevator ride allows the vis-itor to see a large diorama that depicts undergroundseas and scenes from the Industrial Revolution. Avideo and walk down a re-created Smackover streetwith storefronts and vintage automobiles are part ofthe experience. (amnr.org) LGT

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Clinton Library exhibits remember Elvis Presley.

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For a look at five great attrac-

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Where time is not Where time is not Wmeasured by a clock.

Where every visit creates lasting memories

Motorcoach travelers know that Pigeon Forge is the perfect place to make memories. Could be because there’s so much to see and do here … shopping, shows, Dollywood® or the majestic beauty of our Smoky Mountains. Or it could be that warm welcome they receive, kind of like visiting an old friend. Whatever the reason, they know that every visit creates memories that will last a lifetime.

Motorcoach travelers know that Pigeon Forge is the perfect place to make memories. Could be because there’s so much

or the majestic beauty of our Smoky Mountains. Or it could be that warm welcome they receive, kind of like visiting an old friend. Whatever the reason, they know that every visit

PigeonForgeTours.com

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Where you bring luggage Where you bring luggage W but lose baggage. but lose baggage.

here you bring luggage but lose baggage.