LOCATION: The state shares its southern border with Louisiana, its northern border with Missouri, its eastern border with Tennessee and Mississippi, and its western border with Texas and Oklahoma. Arkansas was the scene of numerous battles during the American Civil War. The capital of Arkansas is Little Rock.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN ARKANSAS

A beautiful land of mountains and valleys, thick forests and fertile plains, the state is home to numerous caverns, hot springs and national parks. The state is divided into five regions ??? Ozarks, River Valley, Central, Delta, Ouachitas and Timberlands.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN DELTA REGION:

Arkansas Post National Memorial: The memorial commemorates the first permanent European settlement (1686) in the Mississippi River's lower valley.

Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center: Take a tour of the restored home and barn-studio where Ernest Hemingway penned Farewell to Arms and other works.

Arkansas Post Museum: This park site has numerous exhibits, including Native American pottery.

Forrest Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center: Hi-tech displays create a "rainstorm," and a movie about the massive 1811 New Madrid earthquake.

Delta Cultural Center: The center's exhibits include the region's blues and gospel music, natural history and the Civil War battle at Helena, Missouri and Natchez Sts.

Lake Chicot State Park: Lake Chicot is the state's largest natural lake and North America's largest oxbow lake.

Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie: The museum tells the story of the people who pioneered Arkansas's emergence as the nation's leading rice state.

Other places of interest: Parkin Archeological State Park, White River National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center, Crowley's Ridge Parkway National Scenic Byway, Great River Road National Scenic Byway and Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN OZARKS:

ARKANSAS AIR MUSEUM: Home to vintage aircraft, including pre-World War II racing planes, aeronautical memorabilia, and a gift shop.

Blanchard Springs Caverns: This limestone cavern is located deep in the Ozark National Forest.

EUREKA SPRINGS HISTORIC DISTRICT: Winding mountain streets and natural springs provide the scenic setting for this quaint town that has been influenced by its artist community.

GREERS FERRY LAKE - Nestled in the hardwood forests and foothills between Clinton and Heber Springs, Greers Ferry is the third largest lake in Arkansas's Ozark Mountains (31,500 surface acres).

MAMMOTH SPRING STATE PARK: Mammoth Spring flows at an average hourly rate of some nine million gallons of 58-degree water.

PEA RIDGE NATIONAL MILITARY PARK: The site of one of the largest Civil War battles west of the Mississippi River.

Other places of interest: Ozark Folk Center State Park, Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Thorncrown Chapel, Wal-Mart Visitors Center and War Eagle Crafts Fairs.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN RIVER VALLEY:

Arkansas and Missouri Railroad: Travel in the beautifully restored turn-of-the-century cars.
Van Buren Downtown Historic District: The district is dotted with art galleries, antique shops, restaurants and historical attractions.

Arkansas's Wine Country: In and around the town of Altus, four wineries offer free tours, wine tastings and special events.

Lake Dardanelle State Park: The Lake is a 34,000-acre reservoir and is known as one of the state's hottest bass fishing destinations, hosting over 50 tournaments annually.

Other must-visits include Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway, Mount Magazine State Park, Mount Nebo State Park and Petit Jean State Park and Fort Smith National Historic Site.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN CENTRAL:

ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER: Houses drawings dating from the Renaissance to the present.

ARKANSAS STATE CAPITOL: A neo-classical building in Little Rock, the capitol was modeled after the US Capitol.

CLINTON PRESIDENTIAL CENTER AND PARK: America's 12th Presidential Library is situated on the banks of the Arkansas River.

RIVER MARKET DISTRICT: This area is filled with restaurants, shops, art galleries, a museum, library, bars and seasonal farmers market.

THE OLD MILL: This striking structure appears in the opening scene in Gone with the Wind and is believed to be the only building remaining from the film.
USS RAZORBACK: The 311-foot submarine was present in Tokyo Bay at the signing of the Peace Treaty ending World War II.

Other attractions: Historic Arkansas Museum, Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, Little Rock Zoo and Old State House Museum.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN OUACHITAS:

Crater of Diamonds State Park: The Park is the world's only site where, for a small fee, anyone can dig for diamonds and keep what they find.

DeGray Lake Resort State Park: The state's only resort state park was formed when the Caddo River was dammed in 1972.

Other attractions: Garvan Woodland Gardens, Hot Springs National Park, Magic Springs/Crystal Falls and Queen Wilhelmina State Park/Talimena Scenic Byway.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN CENTRAL TIMBERLANDS:

Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources: Exhibits relate the history of Arkansas's oil and brine industries.

OLD WASHINGTON HISTORIC STATE PARK: This 19th-century restoration village contains the state's largest collection of pre-Civil War homes.

Other attractions: Camden Visitors Center & McCollum-Chidester House, Delta Rivers Nature Center, El Dorado Downtown Historic District and Hope/Clinton Center.

THINGS TO DO IN ARKANSAS: Though the state annually attracts visitors from across the nation and abroad for its abundant opportunities for outdoor adventures and to its natural beauty, other amenities like art galleries and live professional theater, professional sporting events, irresistible restaurants, microbreweries and a variety of lodging options can be found in the state's larger cities also favour with guests. Meanwhile, Arkansas boasts charming small towns that lure travelers seeking a restful reprieve from the hurried pace of modern life.