It's very relaxing and beautiful there and it just takes you back to bygone era, and it's pretty…read moreneat it was in Gone With the Wind.

The Old Mill is a beautiful spot in North Little Rock, AR amongst a charming neighborhood…read more It's listed as a National Register of Historic Places. Rightly so... the mill is supposedly the "last standing structure" from the movie "Gone With The Wind." The gates opened at 8 AM. Entry was free. By the time we got there, a small group was already taking professional-like photos of their model. The landscaping was nicely manicured. Some of the plants and flowers or trees were labeled with little signs. My girls liked climbing up into the replica "water-powered grist mill." We didn't stay long as dogs were not allowed on the grounds. Our dog stayed in my Jeep while the air-conditioning was on since it was in the upper 80s already. For more info plus an interactive map, go to: https://nlr.ar.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/parks/old-mill/

An amazing piece of Americana that has been rehabilitated for use as a substation for the Sherwood…read morePolice Station. Not only is there nothing else like it in Sherwood, there's nothing else like it in Arkansas! If you haven't been to see the Roundtop, especially if you love vintage gas stations and unique architecture, make a trip to see it!

The restrooms on-site are outhouses (toilet seat is there, on top of a deep hole to catch your…read morewaste). This is a very beautiful historical park if you enjoy nature and/or like reading about its history. If you're not a history enthusiast or don't remember much about the Louisiana Purchase from your 8th grade history class...then you might find this state park to be boring. This park offers informational spots/posts along the way. When I visited, it was mostly dry so I didn't see any aquatic animals, no snakes, however there were plenty of birds in the trees singing. This park is located a couple minutes from a major highway. It offers a few parking spaces and there is no fee to enter/park.

This was a stop along a road trip to Dallas. The stop did add about an hour and a half to our…read morejourney. It's about 30 minutes off the highway. When we arrived there was only one other car in the parking area. This was slightly concerning because we appear to be in the middle of nowhere and you just never know the intent of others. As such, I do NOT suggest visiting this place solo. This landmark is a well maintained boardwalk above a swamp. The boardwalk leads you to the focal point of the swamp which is a monument that indicates the initial point from which all surveys of property acquired through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 originated. If you are like me, it's been a long time since I had a history lesson. With that being said, there are several educational exhibits on the boardwalk to allow you to brush up on the Louisiana purchase. I enjoyed walking the boardwalk. It is a short distance to get to the end. I suggest taking your time to be still and listen to the sounds of the swamp. We saw a few birds and frogs along the way The signage indicates that alligators have been spotted in the swamp, but we did not see any during our visit. If you have an opportunity to visit, go for it!

We did the nature trails and the center. We always enjoy bringing the grandchildren here.read more

I took my 9 year old grandson Oliver from Victoria, Brazil to the Delta River Nature center. He…read moreloved it and enjoy talking to one of the men that worked there. His two favorite things was the live eagles and the rattlesnakes !! He bought some sovereign to take back home with him !!

On our visit to Hot Springs, we were told to check out Garvan Woodland Gardens. It was definitely a…read moregreat decision to come by and have a nice long stroll through the various gardens, forests, streams, and just nature. Its not too hard to find and there's plenty of parking out front. Leaving the parking lot is a little confusing though (signs would be helpful...). But its well worth the trip out! There were a variety of slices of nature and we spent a few hours here and still did not get to see it all. There's a whole nature preserve that's part of it and apparently great in the dawn/dusk to spot and hear various birds. We did see quite a bit of wildlife and fun plants around so even if we missed the preserve it was fun to see everything else. I think this is a great spot to reconnect with nature for a bit. There were well marked paths so it wasn't too strenuous and there were some more kid friendly areas as well for them to explore and run around.

Options for autumn when Canada was "closed" (1 of 2)…read more - - - - - Covid may seemingly be a thing of the past, but, for some, it will never be forgotten because it affected them or their loved ones in far more serious ways. It changed how we interacted, shopped, circulated, and even limited our options as to where we could travel. For a while, Canada was closed and it always comes to the top of my list when it comes to fall colors. That said, other options became New England, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the Ozarks. Garvan Woodland Gardens is located just outside of Hot Springs, Arkansas, thus in the general Ozarks area. Hot Springs itself was already on the map as place of touristic import. Along a major avenue there is "Bathhouse Row," a string of private spas in ornate mansion-sized facilities that rose to fame during the 20th Century. Its most famous visitor may have been Al Capone. I came to learn that Capone died a natural death. One might have thought otherwise. I vaguely knew about these gardens - the Garvan Woodland Gardens. However, if in town and you ask questions about things to do, their existence, and their details, become front and center. It's an easy drive from the small city of Hot Springs. The gardens began as a private garden that then flourished when they were donated and "privatized," or realistically operated by the University of Arkansas. As such, there is an admission fee. As can be expected, the gardens are segmented and themed. The most notable might be the Japanese Garden and the manicured plantings that go with that. There are also other themed areas, including some areas which are a little natural, or scruffier, if you prefer that word. There are other areas such as a toy railroad sort of old town, walkways abutting the lake, and odd contraptions that serve as stairs, bridges, and tree houses. Then, there are some areas with art installations of sort that look sort of granola. I didn't have time to read every placard explaining the logic, if any, of some of these things. There is also a non-denominational chapel on the grounds and it closely resembles the state's Thorncrown Chapel designed by the University of Arkansas's famed alum E. Fay Jones. I had already seen that chapel in Eureka Springs, but, if you can't make it to its remote corner of the state (actually just south of and somewhat close to Branson, Missouri), this one will almost enable you to check Thorncrown Chapel off your list. Seasonal blooms will affect what you see. Note that, if seeking fall color in the state, it will come later than other parts of America owing to the more southerly latitude. In the fall, it won't be as "flowery." The forested lands in which Garvan Wooodlands Gardens sits appear to be studded in Southern pine, and reminded me of the vegetation surrounding the Atlanta area. The employees on hand were very helpful. Note that, in this state, your bucket list ,at the very minimum, would be about 3 state parks, 2 more rugged natural areas, the historic areas of Little Rock, Eureka Springs, and Hot Springs, which would include these gardens. The beauty of everything you see may exceed your expectations. Just about everyone is giving Garvan Woodlands Gardens 5 stars. For its context and area, it should fetch 5 stars. However, compared to other places with a similar admission fee, I felt it was closer to 4 stars. It is nonetheless impressive and recommended and you should also consider the month in which you plan to visit. However, it could also be that the few hippie-dippy things there made for an eye roll. They always do.

The bridge is very well lit at night and easy to find, it is also a pretty unique bridge compared…read moreto others I've seen. The bridge offers an elevator for those with physical disabilities, but I'm not sure if it works ir not.

The bridge was constructed in 1970 & converted to pedestrian use in 2008, this bridge is lit every…read morenight with thousands of LED lights as a part of the River Lights in the Rock art installation.

This gorgeous pedestrian path spans the Arkansas River. Many were kayaking under r biking over the…read moreArkansas River. Information here about the history of the bridge, which started out in the 1800s as a rail bridge.

We parked near the Clinton Library and decided to take a stroll, not really sure what to…read moreexpect--but the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge ended up being one of those quiet gems that sneaks up on you. What used to be an old railroad bridge has been given a second life, now standing proudly as a pedestrian walkway stretching over the Arkansas River. As we walked across, the breeze picked up just enough to keep the July heat from being unbearable. The view of the Little Rock skyline on one side and the riverbanks stretching out on the other made it worth the steps. It was calm, wide open, and gave us time to slow down and just enjoy where we were. The kids ran ahead, pretending they were on some kind of adventure, and we just soaked in the peace. It's not flashy or loud, but it has that thoughtful kind of presence--like it knows it's not the main event, but it still wants to make the moment better. If you're visiting the library, make the time to walk it. Bridges don't usually make memories--but this one just might.

There are 7 bathhouses still standing in Hot Springs National Park. The thermal springs gave it…read morethe name Spa City. Many from all walks of life came here for wellness & healing. Superior boathouse from 1829 is now a brewery restaurant. The fourth, is now the National Parks Visitor Center. We walked through the old bath house exhibits. We wandered into dressing rooms, hot tubs, medical rooms, and even a room with very old fitness equipment.

Hot Springs National Park is the second smallest national park in the country. It's an urban park…read morethat was built around the city center. Bathhouse Row -- eight buildings constructed between 1892 and 1923 -- are located in the center of Hot Springs National Park. The star of the show on Bathhouse Row is the thermal water, of course. The mineral-rich water has been bubbling from the land for more than 4,000 years. On Bathhouse Row, you can experience the water in many ways. Note that there are no public outdoor bathhouses, but you can still get all up in the water. One of the most relaxing ways is to soak in the healing waters at one of the bathhouses on the Row. There used to be several bathhouses open, but now only two bathhouses exist in the area. I only visited the Buckstaff Bathhouse, which offers a traditional bathhouse experience, using original bathtubs and equipment from when the bathhouse opened in 1912. More info about this place in a separate review. There's also the Quapaw Baths & Spa, which is more modern, like a typical spa. As you walk along Bathhouse Row, you'll notice many public fountains, some with people at them filling up jugs. The water that comes from the fountains on Bathhouse Row is free. Just bring your own cup or fill a jug to take home. I was surprised by how hot the water was when I tried it -- it's around 143 degrees Fahrenheit. There are also three public places where you can touch the thermal water with your hands. These include the Display Spring, located behind the Maurice Bathhouse; Hot Water Cascade, located at Arlington Lawn; and the Fordyce Fountains, located near the visitor's center. All of these are located at various places along Bathhouse Row. Bathhouse Row (and Hot Springs National Park) is completely free to explore. It's a must when visiting the area!

This two-floor mansion which it seems will soon be adjacent to a much larger art gallery offers…read moreboth a general history of the state of Arkansas and its contribution to military history as well as a specific exhibition dedicated to its namesake. Douglas MacArthur is an interesting historical figure; while the place unsurprisingly paints a favorable picture of him, the museum presents some controversy for the viewer to think about. Much of the other exhibitions were primary source photographs or paintings from the time of various wars. It isn't fancy, but it does allow the viewer to make up his or her own mind, and there's plenty to ponder. Given that the museum is free to enter, I expect that visitorship will only grow as the next door building opens, and I certainly think it's worth a look.

This museum is awesome. It gives you a good look at the State's military history. It is in an old…read moreArsenal building and has two floors of exhibits. It has artifacts, displays, videos, pictures, and placards detailing Arkansas and some of the state's famous residents' contributions to wars including the Civil War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. There is parking right out front of the museum and in the lot that belongs to the neighboring park as well. One of the best parts of the museum, and there are many, is that it is free. The museum has a meeting/conference area on the 2nd floor, where chairs are situated in a square around the room's perimeter. The museum is small but packed. It is also well organized. There are no guides and there was only one guy sitting at the front desk at the entrance and he never left his post. Some of the more notable exhibits in the museum include the General MacArthur exhibit on 2nd floor. General MacArthur was actually born in Little Rock.....who knew? There is also a large exhibit on Asian Americans that fought in WWII, women suffrage posters/cartoons and a Jeep display. If you do visit this Museum, I encourage you to venture outside and take a look a the nearby memorials, markers, and placards. They added to my museum experience. I highly recommend checking this museum out. I really enjoyed my time here and learned a lot. Between the adjoining park, the fine arts, memorials, and other attractions, you can actually make a day of it.