Fort Smith is a vibrant city, on the Arkansas River and lying near the borders of Oklahoma. The city boasts a glorious history from 1817 when it was initially established as a military post.
Today, as you visit the city, you can check out these exotic historical sites and things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Fort Smith procures a perfect balance between the old and the new. Even for the more outdoorsy tourists, there are many exciting things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas!
Check out these top ten best things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on your next trip to the city:
Travel back in time to the Fort Smith National Historic Site.
Learning about the historical heritage of a city and its past glorious days can always be exciting, and a visit to the Fort Smith National Historic Site will offer you the same!
For history geeks and enthusiasts, this can be one of the best things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas!
The historical site traces the illustrious history of the long-lost days of the city. It preserves and upholds a long history, dating back to the time of its establishment in 1817!
You can learn about the two forts built on the land and can uncover the Native American culture reflected in the region.
The Fort Smith National Historic Site existed through the ravenous times of the Trail of Tears, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. Thus, as you roam about the place, you can learn much about these poignant historical events that marked the regions.
You can further check out the Visitor's Center. The center is located in what used to be the barracks and later became a jail. There is also the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas, where Judge Isaac C. Parker presided over for over 20 years.
Additionally, the site offers many ranger-led programs and events. If interested, you can check out further details on their official website and participate in the programs!
Enrich yourself as you travel down the lanes of history at Fort Smith National Historic Site!
Timings: Sunday - Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Cost: Starts from $10
Contact: +1 479-783-3961
Location: 301 Parker Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Website: National Historic Site
Specialty: A historical site preserving and showcasing the history of Fort Smith, mainly focusing on its pivotal role as a frontier military post and as a center of law and order during the 19th century.
Best Nearby: Bella Grove Historic District.
Must-Try: Time Ranger Scavenger Hunt.
Race against time at the escape rooms in Fort Smith.
Fort Smith offers visitors and locals the fun of the escape room games packed in its live-action and immersive escape room adventures.
From fantasy and suspense to horror and mystery, you can find a wide range of uniquely-themed escape rooms opening in the city!
Each escape room has intricately-built puzzles, clues, and riddles to make your gaming experience exciting.
All the escape games feature realistic set designs, life-like props, cohesive plots, and stunning effects to captivate the players with the gameplay.
Furthermore, the escape rooms in the city are a great choice to host your forthcoming private parties or events, like birthday parties, family reunions, night outs, and bachelor/bachelorette parties.
Additionally, corporate teams can also book the venue for their team-building events.
Book your escape room now at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and experience the thrill and enigma of the games!
Website: List of Escape Rooms in Fort Smith
Must try: The Missing by Fort Smith Escape Room
Enjoy a fun-filled day at the Parrot Island Waterpark!
Especially if you are traveling with kids, you must keep a few kid-friendly things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas, down your sleeves!
Parrot Island Waterpark can offer you and your family the perfect taste of family fun in the city. It is a popular outdoor attraction in the area, grabbing the attention of locals and tourists alike.
At the waterpark, you can find various exciting and thrilling water-based things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas! There is something for every age and taste at the park.
Parrot Island Waterpark features various water slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a sizeable aquatic play area for children to enjoy. There is also a surfing machine in the park churning up all the fun for you and your family!
The waterpark also has specially curated party pavilions, cabana rentals, and food and beverages.
You can even plop down on the comfortable lounge chairs or grab something to munch on when you feel tired after enjoying all the thrill!
Let the fun and excitement begin at the Parrot Island Waterpark as you go to this top-notch amusement center with your family!
Timings: Monday - Thursday: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm; Friday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Cost: Children (3 years and under) - Free; Youth (Under 48'' tall) - Starts from $14.99; Adults (Over 48'' tall) - Starts from $19.99; Seniors (65 years and above) - Starts from $9.99
Contact: +1 479-788-6550
Location: 7300 S Zero Street, Fort Smith, AR 72903
Website: Parrot Island Waterpark
Specialty: A family-friendly water park with numerous water-based rides and activities, including twisting and turning water slides, a wave pool, and a water-based children's play area.
Best Nearby: Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley.
Must-Try: Wave Pool and Tangerine Twist.
Explore your way through the natural landscapes of Creekmore Park.
Creekmore Park is another tourist destination offering exciting and thrilling things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas!
The park lies in the downtown area of the city, directly across the main branch of the Fort Smith Public Library. The facility offers numerous immersive seasonal activities, like rides on the miniature trains: Creekmore Express Train and the Creekmore Holiday Express!
Visitors can also find an 18-hole miniature golf course, a fitness trail, tennis courts, playground equipment, and one of the region's most extensive outdoor swimming and diving facilities in the park!
Further, Creekmore Park hosts various exciting indoor and outdoor activities and programs during the summer days, like screening movies in the park, baking boot camps, and pop-up play days.
Other the other hand, the park serves as the western terminus of Arkansas's statewide Trail of Lights during winter. Whether a local or a tourist, you cannot afford to miss this beautiful sight!
It also welcomes visitors to rent the park and community center to host private events and parties like gatherings, celebrations, receptions, and meetings!
Drop in at Creekmore Park in Fort Smith during your visit to the city and engage in the immersive outdoor recreational opportunities offered in the area!
Timings: Sunday - Saturday: 6:00 am - 11:00 pm
Contact: +1 479-784-2368
Location: 3301 S M Street, Fort Smith, AR 72903
Website: Fort Smith Parks
Specialty: A family-friendly public park offering a variety of amenities and outdoor recreational opportunities for both kids and adults.
Best Nearby: Fort Smith National Historic Site.
Must-Try: Creekmore Express Train and Creekmore Holiday Express.
Check out Miss Laura's Visitor Center to learn more about the city's history!
Miss Laura's Social Club functions as Fort Smith's official visitor center. It is a historical building featuring Victorian architectural designs.
Miss Laura'a Visitor Center was constructed in 1896 and preserved since then. Visiting it is one of the must-try things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas!
The historical building was earlier known for its function as the brothel of Laura Zeigler, a prominent figurine in late 19th-century society. Almost every detail of the place has been intricately restored and maintained to offer visitors a flashback of its past days.
Over the many years of its foundation, the building was passed down to different owners and was abandoned for some time. It was finally restored in 1992 when it opened as a visitor center.
The building is enlisted on the National Register of Historic Places and provides free guided tours to visitors, allowing them to learn about the historical days the place has seen!
The exhibits displayed inside the center facilitate visitors to delve deep into the history of the brothel and learn about the lives of the women who worked there.
Besides its historical significance, the site is an extensive information hub. You can find various informative tourist brochures at the site, and the staff can recommend the best things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Experience and learn about the past days of the city at Miss Laura's Visitor Center!
Timings: Monday - Friday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm; Saturday: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Contact: +1 800-637-1477
Location: 2 N B Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Website: Fort Smith
Specialty: A historically significant location offering deep insight into the past days of Fort Smith.
Best Nearby: Fort Smith Museum of History.
Excavate the historical artifacts and exhibits at the Fort Smith Museum of History.
The Fort Smith Museum of History is well-known for its role in preserving and portraying the historical and cultural heritage of the city. It was established in 1910 to preserve the ancient buildings in the town.
Today, the Fort Smith Museum of History forms an integral part of the Fort Smith Historic Site.
The museum dedicatedly works towards maintaining and showcasing historical artifacts, old photographs, documents, and antique relics, narrating the area's glorious past.
Visiting this place must top your list of things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas if you are a history lover!
The artifacts and exhibits on the site cover a range of topics, including the frontier era, the military history of Fort Smith, Native American history, and the city's overall development.
Some of the top highlights in the museum include a 1920s soda fountain, a hands-on telephone, a 1,500-piece doll exhibit, and a Niloak poetry collection. Ensure you check these intricately maintained displays before you head out!
You cannot miss the chance to savor handmade ice cream sundaes, floats, or ice cream sodas served by one of the working exhibits in the museum.
Make your way to the Fort Smith Museum of History and learn about the area's history!
Timings: Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost: Kids (under six years), Museum members, and UAFS students: Free; Children (6 - 15 years) - Starts from $2; Veterans and Military - Starts from $5; Adults (16 years and above) - Starts from $7
Contact: +1 479-783-7841
Location: 320 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Website: Fort Smith Museum
Specialty: A museum showcasing historical and cultural artifacts and relics, narrating the tales of history.
Best Nearby: Clayton House Museum.
Must-try: Ice cream sundaes from the ancient exhibit.
Roam around the picturesque scenes of the Belle Grove Historic District!
Spanning over a large area, the Belle Grove Historic District is an intricately preserved residential area. North 5th Street, North H Street, North 8th Street, and North C Street bound the place from all four sides.
The Belle Grove Historic District reflects various unique historical architectural styles and designs through the buildings lining the street.
The oldest house you can find here dates as far back as 1840. Thus, you cannot doubt why visiting this site is one of the must-try things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas, for all history geeks!
The best way to explore the area is by taking a pleasant stroll through the district. You can check out some of the most prominent houses here, like the John Rogers House, Casper Reutzel House, the Clayton House, the Belle Grove School, and the Darby House.
In addition to these historical buildings, you can spot churches and public structures in the area, contributing to its historical essence.
Make your way to the Belle Grove Historic District on your trip to Fort Smith and check out the area's historical buildings and public structures!
Contact: +1 479-783-3000
Location: 804 N C Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Website: Fort Smith
Specialty: A historical district known for preserving the neighborhood's vintage houses, churches, and public structures.
Best Nearby: Downtown Fort Smith.
Spend a laid-back time at Lake Fort Smith State Park.
If you love basking in the outdoors, you cannot miss putting this place on your things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas, bucket list!
The Lake Fort Smith State Park spreads over a vast area of about 260 acres on the banks of Lake Fort Smith. It offers scenic views and provides a limitless expanse of lush greenery.
You can indulge in numerous immersive and outdoor recreational activities here, like fishing, kayaking, hiking, and biking.
The park provides a marina with boat rentals and pavilions to escalate your fun further!
People traveling with their families can enjoy a cozy family picnic or pitch their tents in the campsites in the park! So, if you plan to spend a long time here, you can use the cabins, the pool and the large kitchenette available on the premises.
The park provides a dining hall and two group lodges with full-size kitchens for people traveling in large groups!
Head to the Lake Fort Smith State Park while on your trip to Fort Smith and make the most of your stay!
Timings: Sunday - Saturday: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Contact: +1 479-369-2469
Location: 15458 Shepherd Spring Road, Mountainburg, AR 72946
Website: Lake Fort Smith State Park
Specialty: A state park spreading over a large area of lush greenery and offering immersive outdoor activities for visitors to have fun.
Best Nearby: Ozark National Forest.
Must-try: Fishing, Kayaking, and Camping.
Experience the exquisite relics and displays at Fort Smith Trolley Museum!
The Fort Smith Trolley Museum is a unique tourist destination in the city where you can learn about the history of electric-powered streetcars!
You can also enjoy a ride on the 1926 railcar at the facility, making it one of the best things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas!
The functional Birney railcar travels three-fourths of a mile between Garrison Avenue and the Fort Smith National Cemetery, offering visitors a unique experience!
The museum authorities are dedicated to preserving electric-driven streetcars, railroad equipment, and transportation that thrived in different historical periods.
Through its intricately maintained artifacts and vintage streetcars, it aims to offer visitors an educational experience like never before!
You can roam around the museum and explore its ancient artifacts and relics to learn more about the area's transportation history.
Drop in at the Fort Smith Trolley Museum and explore the region's transportation history!
Timings: Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm; Sunday: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Children - Starts from $2; Adults - Starts from $4
Contact: +1 479-783-0205
Location: 100 S 4th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Website: FSTM
Specialty: A museum preserving and showcasing the glorious history of electric-powered streetcars in the area.
Best Nearby: Fort Smith National Historic Site.
Must-try: Trolley rides.
Immerse yourself in the artistic masterpieces displayed at Fort Smith Regional Art Museum.
For all artists and art lovers, the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum is one of the top things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas. It functions as a regional hub for visual arts and offers artists a platform to showcase their masterpieces.
You can find various traveling art exhibitions by locals and international artists at the museum.
In addition to the masterful artworks exhibited in the museum, you can also find various workshops, events, and lectures hosted inside the museum. So, you can check out their official website to see if any events are hosted during your visit!
After roaming your way through the art exhibitions in the museum, you can support the local artists by shopping at the gift shop in the museum.
Explore the magnificent artworks displayed at Fort Smith Regional Art Museum on your next trip to Fort Smith!
Timings: Tuesday - Saturday: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm; Sunday: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cost: Free of charges
Contact: +1 479-784-2787
Location: 1601 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72901
Website: FSRAM
Specialty: An art museum proudly showcasing the masterful artworks of different artists.
Best Nearby: Belle Grove Historic District.
Must-try: Shopping at the museum's gift shop.
Fort Smith procures a perfect balance between the old and the new. Even for the more outdoorsy tourists, there are many exciting things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas!Things to do in Fort Smith Fort Smith procures a perfect balance between the old and the new. Even for the more outdoorsy tourists, there are many exciting things to do in Fort Smith, Arkansas!