Arkansas Last Minute Holiday Ideas

El Dorado for the holidays

Looking for some last minute holiday travel ideas? El Dorado is the place to be during the holidays. The square at the 1928 Union County Courthouse transforms into a postcard worthy vision of Christmas each year. The downtown stores and city’s historic building are beautifully decorated for those strolling the streets. There are many special light displays to see downtown including in the Murphy Arts District. Nearby in Smackover, the holiday spirit continues with the annual Holiday Light Extravaganza at the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources. The lights are turned on every Friday and Saturday night during the season and while there you can walk through the museum’s oil field park to enjoy the outside light displays and an interesting holiday experience.
Bentonville is ideal for the holidays

Art, food, music, cycling and history abound in this Northwest Arkansas town. Located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Bentonville is easily accessible from most major cities by air and just a short drive from Kansas City, Dallas, Oklahoma City, St Louis and Little Rock.

It’s the perfect place for a last minute holiday vacation with indoor and outdoor fun to take advantage of. While in town be sure to check out Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Crystal Bridges’ permanent collection spans five centuries of American masterworks ranging from the Colonial era to the current day. 21c Museum and Hotel adds another artful element to the Bentonville scene, with over 12,000 square feet of gallery space that adjoins this 104-room boutique hotel and world class restaurant The Hive.

Play at the Scott Family Amazeum children’s museum, take a walk down memory lane at the Walmart Museum and explore what life was like as far back as 14,000 years ago at the Museum of Native American History.

Bentonville is also known as one of the top cycling destinations in North America. The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) has ranked Bentonville a Silver-Level Ride Center.

Media Contact
Leah DiPietro, Deputy Director, Division of Tourism, [email protected]
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