Of the Ozarks
Set amid the ruggedly beautiful Ozark Mountains, the 86-acre Botanical Garden in northwest Fayetteville features nine 2,000-square-foot themed gardens, among them the Carl A. Totemeier Horticulture Center; a children's garden; an herb and vegetable garden; a Japanese garden; a rock and water garden; native Ozark garden; a rose and perennial garden; and a sensory garden. An idyllic setting for celebrating Earth Day, the Botanical Garden hosts the 2nd Annual Plant and Garden Book Sale and Earth Day event on April 26, 2008.
Garvin Woodland Gardens
With its lush canopy of pines, gentle lapping waves along miles of wooded shoreline, and rocky inclines that reflect the surrounding Ouachita Mountains, this 210-acre botanical garden on the edge of Lake Hamilton offers spectacular places to revel in the outdoors. Exquisite sites include the exotic Garden of Pine Wind, a Japanese-inspired oasis that artfully incorporates elements of the Arkansas landscape—cascades and falls are built with native Ozark and Ouachita Mountain sandstone.
Lakeport Plantation
Lakeport Plantation is one of the last remaining antebellum houses along the Mississippi River, a relic from the era when cotton was king. Though the house is now a museum, the plantation has been in continuous cotton production since the 1830s, when slaves carved it from the heavily forested Arkansas frontier. The education center explores the pivotal role African-Americans played in shaping local culture, which changed dramatically as the region evolved from plantations to large-scale corporate farms.
Fort Smith National Historic Site
Located on the Arkansas-Oklahoma border, Fort Smith is one of the state's most significant landmarks from frontier days. The park showcases the remains of two forts and the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas, where Judge Isaac C. Parker—known as the "hanging judge"—presided for 21 years. The museum offers insight into the court's impact on Oklahoma's Indian Territory and presents an engaging look at Wild West outlaws.
From its natural wonders to its storied landmarks, Arkansas invites travelers to indulge their passion for adventure.
arkansas.com
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