Planning Your Trip: Frontier Adventure
FAMILY TOUR:
TWO FULL DAYS OF "FUN AT THE FORT"
DAY ONE
9:00 a.m. Begin your adventure at Miss Laura's Visitor Center, the only former bordello listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The "Starrs" volunteer staff will give your family a tour of the restored building, answer all your questions, and provide you with brochures or maps to assist with your Fort Smith adventure. The electronic kiosk at Miss Laura's will assist with room reservations as well as providing discount coupons to use during your visit.
9:30 a.m. Hop on the red-and-yellow tour bus just outside the door, and enjoy a 30-minute interpretive trip around historic Fort Smith to show you places you might want to visit later.
10:15 a.m. Don't miss the Fort Smith National Historic Site, on the grounds of the first military fort built on the banks of the Arkansas River in 1817. The old courthouse, originally part of the second fort, houses the courtroom of the famed "Hangin' Judge" Isaac Parker. Look for a U.S. Marshall's display and an interpretation of early Native American culture. On the grounds, tour a replica of Parker's infamous gallows where 79 men died, and visit Belle Point, where Fort Smith was first established.
12:00 Noon Enjoy lunch in one of the several interesting downtown restaurants offering great food in a historical atmosphere. A good example is an Italian meal at Taliano's located in a restored Victorian home, or The Varsity Grill located in a restored hotel. The Hamburger Barn, Bolins and Rolando's are all great choices to suit a wide variety of tastes.
1:30 p.m. Begin your tour (approximately two hours) of Fort Smith's 22-square block Belle Grove Historic District, and go inside many beautifully restored homes, many built more than 100 years ago when the frontier was not so tame.
Among them the Fort Smith Art Center in the Vaughn Schapp home built in 1882; the Clayton House, a restored Victorian former home of William Henry Harrison Clayton, the prosecuting attorney for Judge Parker. Don't miss a stop at the Darby House, boyhood home of General William O. Darby, who founded the Darby's Rangers in World War II.
3:30 p.m. Tour the Fort Smith Museum of History, where you can trace Fort Smith's important role in the history of the Southwest through a series of displays and exhibits. You'll learn about area trappers, traders, gold-seekers, Civil War soldiers, cowboys, Indians and outlaws. You can even visit an old-fashioned Drug Store where you can enjoy a soda, just like in the old days.
4:30 p.m. Right outside you can board a restored old electric trolley on a short trip to the Fort Smith National Cemetery, and a stop at our Trolley Museum, where you'll see other transportation memorabilia.
5:20 p.m. Check-in Time. Choose from a wide range of Fort Smith hotel accommodations by selecting the Lodging feature of this web site.
DAY TWO
9:00 a.m. Start your day with a stroll down Main Street across the Arkansas River in Van Buren. Unique craft and antique shops abound.
10:30 a.m. Board the A and M Railroad for a train ride through the scenic Ozark Mountains. Take a sack lunch aboard to enjoy as you travel over high trestles and through a tunnel. (Runs Wed. and Sat.) Reservations required.
1:30 p.m. Visit the Fort Smith Air Museum located in the Phoenix Village Mall, which tells the story of air travel to the area.
2:30 p.m. Check out your family genealogy at our new Fort Smith Public Library, then cross the street and visit Creekmore Park where the kids can ride our "mini train," take a swim in the pool, play tennis, or just stroll through the park and enjoy nature.
Other afternoon options:
**Play a round of golf at one of our beautiful courses, including the 27 holes available on the three course at Ben Geren Regional Park.
**Enjoy a variety of activities at the Grand Slam Fun Center, including miniature golf, go cart racing, driving range and batting cages.
**Shop Downtown Fort Smith on Garrison Avenue and enjoy browsing in several antique and craft shops.
Other Evening Entertainment Options:
**See a performance at Fort Smith Little Theater
**Enjoy a concert in the Fort Smith River Park Amphitheater
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FORT SMITH CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
2 North B, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901
1-800-637-1477 | (479) 783-8888
Fax (479) 784-2421
E-Mail:tourism@fortsmith.org
©2003 Fort Smith Convention and Visitors Bureau
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