16 Reasons Why Arkansas Is The BEST State

Arkansas is a state full of natural wonders, great food and folks with enough Southern charm to offer you sweet tea and ask how your mama is doing. These are just a few of the reasons Arkansas is the best state:

1. Local color

Want to talk to some nice people with great stories? Drive to the nearest diner and sit a while.

2. Restaurants

We’ve got Vietnamese and Indian food prepared in remodeled gas stations. We’ve got high end Nuevo Latino cuisine and small barbecue joints. Great food is everywhere in the Natural State. Just drive a minute and you’ll find some.

3. Southern hospitality and our laid-back attitudes (There's always a seat for you, too.)

You’re likely to get good directions wherever you stop in Arkansas, and would you like some sweet tea with that? Come up on the porch and stay a minute.

4. The Mountains

Seriously. Just look at this view from White Rock Overlook.

5. Lions and Tigers and Bears

The Ozark Mountains are also home to a wildlife refuge called Turpentine Creek.

6. Rivers

Arkansas’s rivers offer places for lazy kayaking and thrilling whitewater currents alike, all with breathtaking views.

7. Lakes

Explore, relax, ski. Arkansas’s numerous lakes offer something for everyone.

8. Hiking. Check out this trail at Devil’s Den:

9. Caves

Offering opportunities for both the casual observer who wants a guided tour and the spunky, independent spelunker alike, Arkansas has numerous caves.

10. Crater of Diamonds State Park

You can dig for diamonds here. No, really. You can. And you get to keep them, too.

11. Tons of craft fairs

Arkansas offers a number of craft fairs, especially in the spring and fall. Walk the stalls and see what local artists and artisans have to offer.

12. Tomatoes (OK, more like vegetables. )

In the summer you can find roadside stands with the freshest, most juicy vegetables, grown by friendly locals. You can also try the farmer’s market.

13. Quaint downtowns with great little shops

Seriously, look how cute downtown Van Buren is.

14. History

Try Western Arkansas’s favorite border city, Fort Smith, the setting for True Grit, home to the gallows of a hanging judge and a history museum with a working trolley.

15. Nightlife

We’ve got saloons, clubs and bars. Usually all lined up on the same avenue.

16. Art

We have museums, galleries and street art galore.

We’re the Natural State and we’re naturally big-hearted. We’ve got a lot of kindness down here, served up with scenic vistas and sweet tea.