Arkansas Deeper than the Deep South: The Great River Road in Arkansas 7 Days/6 Nights
The Great River Road is considered by some to be America’s best undiscovered scenic drive, ranked within the top three in the country. As you’re following the green and white pilot wheel markers along the waterway, Ole’ Man River meanders lazily. Twisting and turning, it skirts the edge of Arkansas for over 250 miles from top to bottom. The Mississippi takes the same route formed over 18,000 years ago when melting glaciers sent high water loaded with sediment into the area. In this land shaped by the River, the culture and heritage is as rich as the abundantly producing soil it left behind. The Delta brought Arkansas its first significant wealth from early crops of cotton, giving it a rightful claim to being a “Southern State.” The land continues to support lush crops and a laid-back free flowing lifestyle where life sometimes moves as slowly as the river. That makes it the perfect place to take a vacation to escape the fast lane. The food is wonderful Delta southern style, the music authentic and earthy, the sunshine bright and the people friendly. What more could you ask.
Itinerary Day One: Memphis Day Two: Memphis to Blytheville to Jonesboro Day Three: Crowley’s River Byway to West Memphis to Helena/Great River Road Day Four: Helena to Dumas Day Five: Dumas to Arkansas Border Day Six: Border to Memphis Day Seven: Leave Memphis
Trip Highlights The Great River Road Scenic Byway: Scenic Road that shadows the Mississippi River from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. Crowley Ridge Parkway: National Scenic Byway running along the highlands ridge of the Delta region that divides the Arkansas Delta. Arkansas Post Museum State Park: Commemorates the first permanent European settlement in the Mississippi River’s lower valley, established in 1686. Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge: More than 11,000 acres of Delta habitat with multiple wildlife watching opportunities. An eagle sanctuary is located in the refuge. Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center: illustrates the origins and history of the ridge. Helena/Delta Cultural Center: Exhibits interpret the natural and human history of Arkansas’s Delta region. Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum: Step back into the 1930s and tour the home where Ernest Hemingway wrote “A Farewell to Arms” and other works. Lake Chicot: The former main channel of the Mississippi River, now Arkansas’s largest natural lake and the largest oxbow lake in North America. Louisiana Purchase Historic State Park: National Historic Landmark that preserves a rare headwater swamp and the starting point of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. St. Francis National Forest: 21,000 acres located mostly atop Crowley’s Ridge. White River National Wildlife Refuge: 160,000 acre refuge in eastern Arkansas that includes the nation’s largest contiguous block of bottomland-hardwood forest under single ownership. Lephiew Cotton Gin: The 1886 operating cotton gin is open for tours during harvest season. Desha County Museum: 5 restored buildings re-create life in a typical south Arkansas farming community. Arkansas Post Museum: Authentic structures from the Delta, including farm equipment. Delta Farm Tours: See cotton, soybeans and catfish being raised on east Arkansas farms. Parkin Archeological State Park: Interprets a 17-acre Mississippi Period American Indian Village located on the St. Francis River from AD 1000 to AD 1550. Many scholars believe that explorer de Soto visited in 1541. Fort Esperanza Trail: Following much the same route as the Trail of Tears and the Old Military Trail. Leads to a Spanish Fort built on the existing mounds left by the Native Americans. Wapanooca National Wildlife Refuge: Huge wetlands that surround 600-acre Wapanocca Lake. Great for bird watching. Hampson Museum State Park: Exhibits a remarkable collection of artifacts from the Nodena site, a late Mississippi Period culture. Pillow-Thompson House: One of Arkansas’ outstanding examples of Queen Anne architecture. Wells Bayou/Walnut Lake: Scenic spots with stands of beautiful cypress trees. Wallace Trust: 2,000 acre wildlife farm called Arkansas’ “wildlife showplace.” Prices starting at: $329. Per person, double occupancy, including all hotel taxes and breakfast using Best Western accommodations. Package rates may vary by season and day of the week. No attractions or activities included. Other accommodations choices and customization available. Call toll-free 877-485-8747 to book.