These 15 Winter Attractions Capture The True Magic Of The Holidays In Arkansas
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
From reindeer trails to Christmas caves, Arkansas has no shortage of festive activities. Don’t settle for mall Santas and crowded shopping, instead try one of these attractions that capture the true magic of the holidays. Let’s see how many activities we can do this month as we scroll down the list.
Whether it's for a week or just overnight, a cabin retreat is the perfect winter activity. Sip coffee in front of the fireplace or watch the snow fall while enjoying the deck's hot tub. One of our favorite places to stay is along the Buffalo National River. If you’d like to book a cabin, visit the Buffalo Outdoor Center’s website.
Many of our state parks have started their winter wildlife cruises. Among the critters to spot will be the majestic bald eagles that stay between late October to about February. Lake Dardanelle, Lake Ouachita, and DeGray Lake Resort are just some of the state parks offering cruises. If you'd like to know about some more places to spot eagles in particular, read our full article right here.
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Most all of the town squares in Arkansas will be lit up this holiday season, but Fayetteville's is one of our favorites. Enjoy the dazzle of half a million lights while sipping hot cocoa or riding in the horse-drawn carriage. In addition to the horses, you may also a spot reindeer or a surprisingly friendly camel, too! Head to South Block Avenue and West Center Street to experience the magic.
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If you'd rather see some of Santa's helpers in the wild, take a drive along Newton County's Reindeer Trail. The "reindeer" (otherwise known as "elk" during the rest of the year) can be seen at a number of stops along the trail. For the full list of stops, read our full article right here.
Feel fancy without breaking the bank at this estate's Holidayfest. The three-day event includes cocktails, cookies, and a holiday market. Tickets start at $25/person. For a bigger peek inside the Edgemont House, read our full article right here.
There's nothing more magical than riding through the beautiful winter outdoors on horseback. One of our favorite places, Rimrock Cove Ranch, offers horseback tours around the gorgeous Upper Buffalo River area for up to three hours. For more details about the Rimrock Cove Ranch, read our full article right here.
One of the most unique ways to celebrate the holidays in Arkansas is by attending the Annual Caroling in the Caverns at Blanchard Springs. The concert features groups of local Mountain View musicians that will sing and play strings in the cave's Cathedral Room. The acoustics in the cave make the performances downright mesmerizing. For more information, including where to get tickets, read our full article right here.
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One of the best towns to enjoy the festive season is Eureka Springs. The town has a plethora of holiday-themed events all throughout the month of December. Have a classic Christmas at the Crescent Hotel or splurge at one of the quirkier lodging options, like the Eureka Springs Treehouses. For an overview of the events happening this month, read our full article right here.
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The weather will stay mild for another few weeks but then the chill will settle into the Natural State. Take advantage of the freezing temps by heading out to your favorite waterfall. The ice sculptures are quite the change from your typical summer excursion. For more inspiration on what falls to visit, read our full article right here.
Arkansas does have a handful of ice skating rinks. The year-round indoor rink at the Jones Center in Springdale or Arkansas Skatium in Little Rock are certainly fun but be sure to take advantage of the outdoor rinks this season. Lawrence Plaza in Bentonville and the Crescent Hotel's rink in Eureka Springs have just opened for the holidays.
If the stop in Fayetteville didn't satisfy your Christmas spirit, travel around the whole state to see mesmerizing light displays. For the complete collection of towns along the trail, head over to this site.
Enjoy the full experience of picking out the perfect Christmas tree with your family at Motley's Tree Farm just outside of Little Rock. In addition to a variety of trees, the farm also has a fudge kitchen, gift shop, and Santa. To see more of the magic happening at Motley’s, read our full article right here.
This good cause and great experience is the perfect way to start the celebrations in December. The train has three cars filled with holiday displays and Santa will be in the caboose for pictures. The event is free and will be at Ashdown on Dec. 4th and DeQueen on Dec. 5th. Each stop will be at 4 p.m. For more information, read our full article right here.
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Whether it's in the snow or just the fallen leaves, taking a winter hike is a lovely way to recharge.For a list of ideal winter trails, read our full article right here.
The state has numerous winter festivals and the Annual Lanterns Festival in Little Rock is the most spellbinding. The festival will be February 15th to 17th, 2019, which makes it the perfect way to wrap up the winter season. For more information about this illuminating festival, read our article from last year’s fest right here.
Whether it’s a specific holiday event or just a fun winter activity, we’d love to hear about your favorite Arkansas to-dos in the comments below! How many of these attractions have you done this season?
If you’re already totally over the holiday season, head to this secluded spring to feel like the only person in the world.
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