Many towns in Arkansas are valued for their tourism quality (such as Hot Springs or Eureka Springs) and many cities are valued for their status (Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Little Rock come to mind), but these towns across the Natural State are still just as quality as any major town you’ll find in Arkansas.
10. Arkadelphia
Two universities, Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University, are located in this Clark County, Arkansas town situated at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains.
9. Magnolia
Magnolia, the county seat of Columbia County, Arkansas, is home to the World's Largest Charcoal Grill and the World Championship Steak Cookoff, part of the Magnolia Blossom Festival.
8. West Memphis
The gateway city from Arkansas to Tennessee features the ever-popular Southland Park Gaming & Racing and lively downtown entertainment. The downtown area of West Memphis has more than 84 stores and restaurants lining the street and is still growing. Broadway is the host of the city's "Blues on Broadway", showcasing famous blues singers.
7. Searcy
Searcy is the home of Harding University and is the largest city and county seat of White County, Arkansas.
6. Russellville
Russellville is the county seat and largest city in Pope County, Arkansas. It is home to Arkansas Tech University and Arkansas Nuclear One, Arkansas' only nuclear power plant. Russellville borders Lake Dardanelle as well as the Arkansas River.
5. Monticello
Founded in 1849 in the Arkansas Timberlands very near the Arkansas delta, Monticello has long been a commercial, cultural, and educational hub for southeast Arkansas. The University of Arkansas at Monticello is also located here.
4. Mountain View
Mountain View hosts the Ozark Folk Festival in April, various folk artists at Ozark Folk Center State Park throughout the year, and weekly music gatherings on the courthouse steps that are free and open to the public. The city is also known for outdoors recreation opportunities, including: Blanchard Springs Caverns, trout fishing on the White River, and the Ozark National Forest.
3. Jasper
One of northwest Arkansas's best kept secrets, Jasper is one small town that never got too big-headed despite boasting one of the country's best and longest-running restaurants, the Ozark Cafe. Jasper is also a scenic drive away from Harrison, Arkansas, a town growing in popularity for artists and folk musicians.
2. Bryant
This city in Saline County, Arkansas is a comfortable suburb of Little Rock with a strong sense of small-town community and is conveniently located to what will be the capital city's newest and biggest outlet mall coming in Fall 2015.
1. Heber Springs
Greers Ferry Lake and the Little Red River are located just north of this city, the county seat of Cleburne County, Arkansas. Heber Springs is one of many scenic spots where Natural State locals go when tourism is high elsewhere, and it's an excellent place to live.
Where else in Arkansas is underrated as opposed to the bigger towns or tourist towns? Leave a comment below with your thoughts on towns in the Natural State which deserve more attention!
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