Planning Your Trip

GROUP TOUR: "TWO DAYS OF FUN AT THE FORT"

Here are just some of the things your group can see and do when you plan a relaxing, but fun-filled two-day, two-night visit to Fort Smith, Arkansas, the only place in history where the "Wild West" met the "Old South."

(Note: sample schedule is based on a 2 p.m. arrival in Fort Smith. Earlier or later arrival times would affect some of the tour schedule. Visitation times are only approximate.)

FIRST DAY

2:00 p.m.
Arrival at "Miss Laura's" Visitor Center. Plan time for a good look around the only one-time riverfront brothel on the National Register of Historic Places. A costumed "Miss Laura" will greet your group, and give you a tour of this historic old "hotel," but don't expect any literal "old-fashioned" hospitality. She'll also answer any questions about your Fort Smith visit. Pick up brochures on area attractions while here.

2:45 p.m.
Fort Smith National Historic Site. Take a step back in time on the very spot overlooking the Arkansas River where the first military outpost was built in 1817. On the grounds nearby is a replica of famed gallows where 80 men were ordered hanged by "Hangin' Judge" Isaac Parker. His fully-restored courtroom and early frontier jail known as "Hell on the Border" are housed in the renovated barracks building, also containing the Site's Information Center. Also enjoy an interpretation of Native American history in the area, and displays highlighting the U.S. Marshals that rode for Parker to protect the West.

3:45 p.m.
Fort Smith Museum of History. Here's the place to trace 150 years of Fort Smith history - from a tiny community around the first fort - to a modern border city. Along the way you'll learn Fort Smith's role in the early frontier, the Civil War, the late 19th century lawlessness, and even World War II with hometown hero William O. Darby, founder of "Darby's Rangers." Also enjoy a delicious old-fashioned soda at a working frontier drug store exhibit.

4:30 p.m.
Electric Trolley. This restored old trolley will take you on a nostalgic trolley trip from the Fort Smith Museum "down the road apiece" to our National Cemetery, containing the graves of General Darby and Judge Isaac Parker. If you visit Fort Smith on a patriotic holiday, look for the cemetery's "Avenue of Flags" display.

5:15 p.m.
Check-in time at your scheduled hotel or motel.

6:15 p.m.
Dinner. Whether it's a delightful Italian dinner at "The Hall at Taliano's" or a seafood dinner at "Lighthouse Inn on the Arkansas River," Fort Smith has quality restaurants that specialize in everything from barbecue to steaks to Mexican.

7:15 p.m.
Miss Laura's Players. If you contact our "Miss Laura's" Visitor Center in advance of your visit, your group can enjoy a special performance of "The Medicine Show on Hangin' Day," a delightful, original musical comedy that spoofs life in frontier Fort Smith more than 100 years ago when "Miss Laura" and Judge Parker crossed swords, so to speak.

8:30 p.m.
Return to hotel. (Free time)

SECOND DAY

9:45 a.m.
Darby House. It's your first stop at several of the restored homes in Fort Smith's 22-square block Belle Grove Historic District. The boyhood home of the founder of famed World War II group "Darby's Rangers" has been carefully restored to the early 1940's, and contains lots of World War II memorabilia to browse through.

10:30 a.m.
Clayton House. Originally built in the 1850's, the home was enlarged in 1882 by William Henry Harrison Clayton, the district attorney during Judge Parker's days. The home is now fully restored and contains authentic Clayton family and period pieces.

11:15 a.m.
Weidman's Brewery. Built more than 150 years ago to quench the thirsts of frontier beer-drinkers, this three-story stone building is now a micro-brewery, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We can arrange for tour and lunch.

12 NOON
Lunch, at one of many fine restaurants in Fort Smith.

1:30 p.m.
Tour one of our oldest churches... First Lutheran Church is almost a century old, and contains unusual stained glass windows. Learn the church's past from a guide in period costume.

-OR-

Immaculate Conception Church. Visible from Oklahoma, this historic old Catholic church sits at the head of wide Garrison Avenue. Built in 1900 -- it too, has beautiful stained glass windows and a fascinating history.

2:30 p.m.
Return to hotel. (Limited free time.)

4:00 p.m.
"Wine Country Tour." Board buses for a short trip east on I-40 and a visit to several Arkansas wineries, for tours, and tasting.

7:00 p.m.
Enjoy dinner at Wiederkehr's Weinkeller Restaurant, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

9:00 p.m. (approximate)
Return to Hotel. (Free time)

THIRD DAY

8:00 a.m.
Breakfast at Hotel. Depart as scheduled.

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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

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