Highest-rated free things to do in Arkansas, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Arkansas, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Arkansas.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Arkansas using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel
- Rating: 5/5 (318 reviews)
- Address: 504 Memorial Drive Bella Vista, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Big Dam Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (823 reviews)
- Address: 7700 Rebsamen Park Road Little Rock, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Bentonville Town Square
- Rating: 4.5/5 (278 reviews)
- Address: 103 South Main St. Bentonville, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Devil's Den State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (362 reviews)
- Address: 11333 West Arkansas Hwy. 74 West Fork, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Buffalo National River Park
- Rating: 5/5 (297 reviews)
- Address: Harrison, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. The Old Mill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (566 reviews)
- Address: 3800 Lakeshore Drive T.R. Pugh Memorial Park North Little Rock, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church
- Rating: 4.5/5 (685 reviews)
- Address: 30 Crescent Drive Historic Loop Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Blanchard Springs Recreation Area
- Rating: 5/5 (331 reviews)
- Address: Forest Service Road 1110 Mountain View, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Grand Promenade
- Rating: 4.5/5 (472 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. River Market District
- Rating: 4/5 (664 reviews)
- Address: 400 President Clinton Ave. Little Rock, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Riverfront Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (628 reviews)
- Address: 400 President Clinton Ave. Little Rock, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Museum of Native American History
- Rating: 5/5 (1,009 reviews)
- Address: 202 Southwest O St. Bentonville, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Mount Magazine State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (405 reviews)
- Address: 16878 Highway 309 South Paris, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Eureka Springs Historical Downtown
- Rating: 4.5/5 (840 reviews)
- Address: 3 Spring St. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. The Walmart Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,832 reviews)
- Address: 240 S. Main St. Bentonville, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
- Rating: 4/5 (1,061 reviews)
- Address: 2705 Central Ave. Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Lake Ouachita
- Rating: 5/5 (532 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Beaver Lake
- Rating: 4.5/5 (710 reviews)
- Address: 4022 Mundell Road Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Pinnacle Mountain State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (501 reviews)
- Address: 9600 Highway 300 Little Rock, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Lake Catherine State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (503 reviews)
- Address: 1200 Catherine Park Road Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Petit Jean State Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (749 reviews)
- Address: 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road Morrilton, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Christ of the Ozarks
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,653 reviews)
- Address: 935 Passion Play Road Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Southland Casino Hotel
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,071 reviews)
- Address: 1550 Ingram Blvd. West Memphis, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,255 reviews)
- Address: 2120 West Daisy L Gatson Bates Drive Little Rock, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Anthony Chapel
- Rating: 5/5 (608 reviews)
- Address: 550 Arkridge Road Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Bathhouse Row
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,378 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Hot Springs National Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,062 reviews)
- Address: 101 Reserve St. Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Thorncrown Chapel
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3,676 reviews)
- Address: 12968 Highway 62 West Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Fordyce Bathhouse
- Rating: 4.5/5 (2,190 reviews)
- Address: 101 Reserve St. Hot Springs, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- Rating: 5/5 (4,606 reviews)
- Address: 600 Museum Way Bentonville, Arkansas
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
