The Heart And Soul Of Arkansas Is The Small Towns And These 7 Have The Best Downtown Areas

There’s a lot to love about the small towns that fill the Natural State. From friendly people to great restaurants, small town Arkansas is the best! To really get a taste of what our state's smallest locales have to offer, though, you’ve got to pay a visit to one (or all!) of the following small towns, which have some of the best downtowns in Arkansas.

1. Ozark

There’s much more to the small town of Ozark than mountains, rivers, forests, and lakes. It’s also got a great downtown filled with historic buildings – several of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. Shops, restaurants, and a "pocket park" are all within walking distance.

2. Blytheville

Blytheville is a Main Street Arkansas community, which means great care is taken to preserve and promote its downtown. The effort has definitely paid off. Blytheville’s downtown area is picture-perfect, boasting a combination of historic buildings and great stores and eateries.

3. Magnolia

Magnolia is a quintessential small town – complete with a quaint courthouse square. Proud of its roots, the buildings around the square are adorned with colorful murals that tell the story of the town’s heritage. For an extra special treat, visit in May, when the town hosts its namesake fest, the Magnolia Blossom Festival.

4. Arkadelphia

It’s no coincidence that Arkadelphia has a thriving downtown. The town has worked really hard to transform it into a vibrant area, where residents and visitors can dine, shop, and enjoy fun-filled events, like Arktoberfest, Rock the Delph, and several 5K races. And it’s only going to get better, as community leaders continue to work on revitalizing the downtown area.

5. Paris

Experience a bit of France and lots of small town charm in downtown Paris, Arkansas. The centerpiece of downtown is a historic square surrounded by lots of great shops. On the west side of the town square, you’ll find a scaled-down version of the Eiffel Tower. Make sure to have a camera handy – it’s a popular photo-op.

6. Siloam Springs

Since 1985, Main Street Siloam Springs, a non-profit organization, has worked with the community to revitalize its downtown, and the progress is impressive! Not only is downtown Siloam Springs brimming with restaurants and shops, which sell everything from antiques and boutique clothing to amazing artwork, but it plays host to a variety of events.

7. Eureka Springs

No list of must-visit small town downtowns would be complete without Eureka Springs! Boasting shopping, dining, nightlife, and lively characters, Eureka Springs’ downtown is touted as its top attraction.

So, what do you think? Are these some of the best downtowns in Arkansas? Ever visited any of the downtowns mentioned above? Did we miss your favorite? Tell us!

These aren’t the only must-visit small towns in Arkansas. Arkansas is full of them, including some of the safest and most peaceful places to live in the country!