Things to see and do in Arkansas

Attractions in Arkansas

Crater of Diamonds State Park

Other state attractions include the Crater of Diamonds State Park, where visitors can dig for diamonds (www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com), Fort Smith National Historic Site and prehistoric American Indian mounds at Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park (www.arkansasstateparks.com/toltecmounds).

Eureka Springs

Head to Eureka Springs (www.eurekasprings.org), which draws millions of tourists to its Great Passion Play outdoor drama. The Christ of the Ozarks statue stands 1.8m (6ft) high and was completed in 1966. The Victorian village of Eureka Springs was a spa resort in the late 1800s, and today is an arts and cultural destination.

Get active

Go fishing in the White River, canoeing on the Buffalo National River or take a trip to the Blanchard Springs Caverns on the south border of the Ozark National Forest, which is also home to Mount Magazine.

Hot Springs National Park

Soothe away your worries at Hot Springs National Park (www.hotsprings.org), where visitors can relax in a choice of bathhouses, cheer on thoroughbreds or fish and swim at three great lakes.

Little Rock

Visit Little Rock (www.littlerock.com), a thriving place filled with museums, art exhibitions and parks. Attractions include the Decorative Arts Museum; River Market District; the Governor's Mansion; Historic Arkansas Museum; Arkansas Arts Center; the Museum of Discovery and the William J Clinton Presidential Centre.

Mountain folk

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Ozark Mountains, which stretch from southern Missouri through northern Arkansas. The village of Mountain View is a musical mecca, home to the Ozark Folk Center and events such as the Arkansas Folk Festival in April and the Arkansas State Old-Time Fiddle Championships in September.

Museum of Regional History in Texarkana

Explore the Museum of Regional History in Texarkana, which lies on the border with Texas (www.texarkanamuseum.org). There is an exhibition devoted to Scott Joplin (the African-American ragtime pianist and composer), a famous former resident of the town.

Tourist offices

Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism

Daily 0800-1700.