Landlocked between Texas and Mississippi, the state of Arkansas is a tucked-away treasure of the central region of the Southern States. Rich in history, and agriculture, the state is also home to many famous Americans, not least of which is former President Bill Clinton. There are many other things the Land of Opportunity state is known for. In this article, we will explore 20 unique things for which the state of Arkansas is known.
To compile a list of 20 things that Arkansas is known for, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of lifestyle and tourism publications including TourismTeacher, US News & World Report, and LivingOutLau. Next, we selected a range of things that highlight the diversity of the state and its cultural impact. After that, we confirmed specific details using sites like The Archery Hall of Fame and The National Museum of African American History & Culture. (For the foodies, discover iconic drinks from every state everyone should try.)
Hot Springs National Park
One of the things Arkansas is known for is its delightful Hot Springs National Park. Situated in the Ouachita Mountains, the park features a gaggle of natural hot springs as well as a place called Bathhouse Row. There, visitors can touch the springs or get a relaxing massage. What’s more, some say that Arkansas’ hot springs have natural healing powers.
World Championship Duck Calling Contest
Another thing Arkansas is known for is the World Championship of Duck Calling. A true backwoods sport, the competition takes place in Stuttgart, around 50 miles from the capital of Little Rock. It features the requisite duck-calling competitions, as well as an arts and crafts fair, running competitions, and the Duck Gumbo cook-off.
Quartz Crystals
Arkansas is also known for its impressive, high-quality quartz crystals. Mount Ida, alone, is considered to be the quartz capital of the world. While there are numerous mines around the state, the best is the Twin Creek Crystal Mine. There, visitors can get expert advice on the best methods for mining their very own shiny quartz crystals.
Rice
Surprisingly, the Natural State is known for its gargantuan level of rice production. Indeed, the state is the number-one producer of rice in the United States. This is partly due to the unique levees used on farmland that allow rice roots to stay fully submerged in water. If you’re a true fan of the little grain, there’s also the Rice Festival in the city of Weiner every October.
Mountain View
The town of Mountain View is a free-spirited, music-loving delight and one of the things Arkansas is best known for. Besides the verdant beauty surrounding the enclave, Mountain View seems to have an instinctual feel for music. Whether it’s just a couple of people jamming on a front porch or the annual Folk Music Festival, the town emits a vibrational harmony.
World Cheese Dip Championship
Cheese Dip hits differently in the state of Arkansas. Compared to popular dairy dips like queso, the Arkansas-style cheese dip is in a world of its own. It’s a point of pride for residents, too, with many claiming that the mere notion of cheese dip was invented in the state. For the serious connoisseur, every October Little Rock hosts the World Cheese Dip Championship.
Ozark Mountains
The Ozark Mountains are considered the crown jewel of the state of Arkansas. Spread across the state, the mountains have a unique low-slung beauty that attracts many visitors. Plus, the geological wonder features hundreds of miles of hiking trails, nearly a dozen different rivers, and a host of quaint mountain towns nestled in between.
Mount Magazine
Another thing Arkansas is known for is Mount Magazine. Though it sounds like some horse publication, it’s the highest point in the state. Located in Paris, Arkansas, Mount Magazine is the perfect place for a romantic getaway. What’s more, its hang-gliding opportunities attract adrenaline junkies the world over.
Watermelons
Arkansas is also famous for its high level of watermelon production. This is especially true in the town of Hope, found northeast of the Texarkana region. Some of the largest watermelons ever produced were grown there. Indeed, one resident won the Guinness World Record for the largest watermelon ever, clocking in at a hefty 260 pounds. Hope also hosts the annual Watermelon Festival in late August.
Magnolia Blossom Festival
Every year thousands of people flock to the Magnolia Blossom Festival. Though it sounds like a celebration of flowers, the event is rather a testament to Arkansas’ beef industry. Besides live entertainment, car shows, and art shows, every ticketholder receives a delicious 16-ounce ribeye steak with all the barbeque fixings.
Walmart
One thing Arkansas is undoubtedly known for is being the home to the now-gigantic Walmart corporation. Created by Sam Walton and his wife in the 1960s as an affordable grocery market, Walmart has since grown into one of the largest grocers on earth. What’s more, there is even a Walmart Museum in the town of Bentonville.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
One of the most iconic landmarks in Arkansas is the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. With an organic design inspired by the work of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the museum features a unique fusion of art, architecture, and nature. Its seamless infusion with the surrounding environment attracts visitors from all over.
Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine is the name given to the first group of African American students allowed into white schools. Due to the Brown vs. Board of Education ruling that desegregated schools, a group of students were allowed to attend Little Rock High School. Though the event was an ugly chapter in American history, the brave step taken by the young African American students is one of the things Arkansas is known for.
(For a darker side of Arkansas history, discover the most infamous crime committed in every state.)
Petit Jean State Park
Another example of Arkansas’ unique beauty is Petit Jean State Park. Centered around Lake Bailey, the area was the region’s first state park as well as a Trail of Tears historic site. Besides a hiking trail culminating in a glorious waterfall, Petit Jean also features trails for hiking, mountain biking, and ATV riding.
Johnny Cash
One thing, or rather, person the state of Arkansas is known for is legendary country outlaw musician Johnny Cash. Best known for his songs like “Ring of Fire” and “Folsom Prison Blues,” the Man in Black was raised in the state’s upper delta. Though he has since passed, the area features his boyhood home called the Historic Dyess Colony. There, the house is staged for visitors to see what it was like when Cash was growing up there.
University of Arkansas Razorbacks
Another thing Arkansas is known for is the University of Arkansas Razorback football team. Since the state does not have an NFL team, residents instead rally around the Razorbacks to a wild degree. Originally called the Cardinals, the team earned its current name after their coach said they played like a “wild band of razorback hogs” in a historic victory against LSU in 1910.
Fishing
Arkansas has earned praise for its bountiful fishing opportunities. This is due to it being one of the largest warm-water fishing hatchery systems in the world. Beyond that, however, there are also nearly 100,000 streams and rivers in the state. Though trout is the most common catch, Arkansas also has ample populations of catfish, bass, and crappie.
Fried Delights
Deep-fried pickle slices.
One of the tasty things Arkansas is known for is its litany of fried food styles. A veritable haven of all things fried, Arkansas has gained a reputation for its fried Okra, fried pickles, and fried pies, to name a few. Plus, there is a host of restaurants specializing in this delicacy including Morrison’s, The Ohio Club, and Jojo’s Catfish Wharf.
Ben Pearson
Another person the state of Arkansas is known for is Ben Pearson. A bowyer, fletcher, and archer, Pearson is known for starting the first company that mass-produced archery equipment. He made his first bow using old Boy Scout manuals, and the rest is history. Besides his innovations, Pearson was one of the first people inducted into the Archery Hall of Fame.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
A final thing that Arkansas is known for is the sparkling Crater of Diamonds State Park. Located in the town of Murfreesboro, it is the only active diamond mine in the United States. It’s not just reserved for mining companies, however, as anyone can visit and try their luck at finding a sparkling stone and keeping it. Luck is in visitors’ favor, too, as over 33,000 diamonds have been found by guests at Crater of Diamonds State Park. (If you’re looking for facts about a more northern state, discover 20 things Michigan is known for.)
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