on location: south O dave bodle Museum Medley Top-notch museums add a cultural slant to itineraries

Travelers go back in time at the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources and Bill Clinton’s birthplace (right).

rkansas comes by its slogan “The Natural State,” well, Anaturally. With more than 60 percent of its land wooded, and blessed with abundant lakes, streams and rivers, Arkansas is proud of its out- door beauty. From hunting and hiking to fishing and boating, both residents and visitors take full advantage of the state’s recreational offerings. Never to be overlooked, however, are Arkansas’ significant historical and cultural contributions to the region and the nation. Covering many topics, the museums of Arkansas paint a wide brushstroke, offering educational and entertaining stories. Here’s a dozen that might interest your groups: Jacksonville Museum of Military

History, Jacksonville. This military Tourism & Department of Parks courtesyPhotos of Arkansas museum fosters an appreciation for The Delta Cultural Center in Helena spotlights the region’s blues music.

18 August 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com Exhibits at the State Capitol bring Arkansas history alive.

the men and women who have very beginning of his fame. Elvis served our country. Its mission (through Sept. 11) highlights ensures that the freedoms we items from the collections of the enjoy are not taken for granted. A Clinton Presidential Library, new exhibit is the “C-130/360 President Clinton and Graceland. Virtual Tour,” which provides a Nathan Sawaya: Art of the Brick 360-degree interior view of the (Oct. 1, 2011-Feb. 12, 2012) re- C-130 Hercules plane. Observe veals the Lego® artwork of Nathan every part of these workhorses, Sawaya. (clintonlibrary.gov) including instrument panels and President William Jefferson the cargo compartments that Clinton Birthplace Home Na- ll types of groups including A professional tour companies transport our troops in Iraq, tional Historic Site, Hope. The and travel agencies, senior groups, Afghanistan and throughout the two-story, white-frame house that bank travel clubs, church groups, world. (jaxmilitarymuseum.org) belonged to Clinton’s grandpar- military, school and family reunions, , Little ents was our 42nd president’s wedding parties and more have Rock. A tour of the almost-cen- home until age 4. Growing up, he discovered Eureka Springs as a tury-old capitol and surrounding regularly returned for summer va- popular destination. grounds is a must for every visitor cation and weekends. A National An extraordinary experience awaits to Arkansas. A permanent display, Historic Landmark, it was pre- your group in Eureka Springs. “Call of Duty: Arkansans at War,” sented into the national park sys- Cradled within the beautiful Ozark is located on the fourth floor. tem on Jan. 2, 2011. Park rangers Mountains of , (sos.arkansas.gov) provide tours of the house and our picturesque Victorian Village William J. Clinton Presiden- conduct interpretative programs. truly is a “one of a kind” place. It’s refreshingly different from any other tial Library & Museum, Little (nps.gov/wicl) group travel destination. Groups Rock. An on-going goal is to Gangster Museum of Amer- from all over the United States as bring exciting temporary exhibits ica, Hot Springs. This recently well as many other countries are to the museum. Here are three to opened museum investigates Hot discovering a new way to be round out 2011: Elvis at 21 Springs’ infamous past and its entertained. We have broken the (through Aug. 21) is an exhibit more notorious visitors. Galleries mold, getting away from “cookie cutter” itineraries. from the Smithsonian Institution host photographic displays and of photographs by Alfred artifacts related to the era (1920s- Wertheimer of Elvis Presley at the 1940s) when the city’s hot min- eral baths and gambling Obtain Arkansas entertained Al Capone, Lucky visitor guides and itineraries – Luciano, Bugs Moran, Frank and contact group- Costello and a host of the rich friendly suppliers directly – at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info and famous. (tgmoa.com)

LeisureGroupTravel.com unique visits With 52 diverse Arkansas state parks to choose from, there is always something new for your group to discover.

Lake Chicot State Park

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Hot Springs is famous for natural thermal spas and Spa City. historic Bathhouse Row. But with the South’s newest gaming center, stunning woodland gardens, delicious dining and more – you can call us whatever you like.

Visit hotsprings.org or call 1-800-922-6478 for your Group Tour Planner now. Bloom City. Play City.

LGT/11 on location: south O

Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, Fort Smith. With a planned move after the first of the year, the small art center will become a state-of-the-art museum meeting national standards. The new location in downtown Fort Smith will be equipped to facilitate national and international traveling exhibits. (fsram.org) Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, Prairie Grove. The 1862 Battle of Prairie Grove was the last time Confederate Clinton Library exhibits remember Elvis Presley. and Union forces faced off in Northwest Arkansas. The on-site Hindman Hall Museum reopens later this summer following cluding American masteworks, lesser-known pieces from the renovations and will feature new exhibits and interpretation Colonial era and contemporary works. Several works from the of the critically important battle that kept Missouri in Federal Crystal Bridges permanent collection have been or are currently hands and eventually aided in cutting off Texas from the on loan at various museums throughout the United States. Confederacy. (arkansasstateparks.com/prairiegrovebattlefield) (crystalbridges.org) Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville. Walmart Visitor Center, Bentonville. The fully restored Opening to the public on Nov. 11, the new museum, Walmart Visitor Center has re-opened in the historic Terry founded by Wal- Block building. There are several additions to the newly ren- ONLINE EXCLUSIVE mart heiress Alice ovated center dedicated to Walmart and its founder, Sam For a look at five great attrac- Walton, will present Walton. The center will introduce an expanded gallery where tions in Northwest Arkansas, log on an overview of visitors can view a variety of new and restored items signifi- to http://leisuregrouptravel.com/?p=24405. American art, in- cant to Walmart’s history. (walmartstores.com) Delta Cultural Center, Helena. Every exhibit tells a story that defines the economic importance and social impact of the Mississippi River. Native Americans, European explorers and early pioneers are all portrayed. The growth of Delta towns, the Civil War and the region’s rich music history are on display. (deltaculturalcenter.com) Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie, Stuttgart. Germans traveling from Ohio settled in Arkansas’ Grand Prairie and planned for a new colony and Lutheran synod. Although the land was unsuitable for cotton, newcomers in the late 1800s harvested rice and soon Arkansas was on its way to leading the U.S. in rice production. The museum focuses on the settlers and the area’s nat- ural environment. (grandprairiemuseum.org) Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, Smackover. Dedicated to the early 1920s pioneers of South Arkansas’ oil industry, the museum por- trays a story of wealth, rowdiness, danger and waste. Focusing primarily on the oil boom, the exhibition center features vintage photographs, period gas pumps, roughnecks working a site and modern drilling techniques. An elevator ride allows the vis- itor to see a large diorama that depicts underground seas and scenes from the Industrial Revolution. A video and walk down a re-created Smackover street with storefronts and vintage automobiles are part of the experience. (amnr.org) LGT Where time is not measured by a clock.

Where you bring luggage but lose baggage. Where every visit creates lasting memories

Motorcoach travelers know that Pigeon Forge is the perfect place to make memories. Could be because there’s so much to see and do here … shopping, shows, Dollywood® or the majestic beauty of our Smoky Mountains. Or it could be that warm welcome they receive, kind of like visiting an old friend. Whatever the reason, they know that every visit creates memories that will last a lifetime. PigeonForgeTours.com

1-800-285-7557

Where the GPS is always set to fun.