Make the most of a long weekend by spending time with your family exploring something new.
1. Petit Jean State Park Driving Tour
Located 50 miles North of Little Rock, Arkansas, this State Park offers an array of breathtaking beauty and outdoor opportunities. Plan your weekend with a glamping stay right in the park featuring your choice of a yurt or cabin.
Take the Jean Petit State Park driving tour, which can be a half-day (or full-day) event, depending on how much time you spend exploring the various stops and scenic points of interest.
Then, rent some kayaks and take a float on Lake Bailey. Next, strap on your hiking shoes and grab your GPS for some family-friendly geocaching on one of the hiking trails in the Ozarks. Finish off your weekend away with some good, old-fashioned home cooking at the Morrilton Drive Inn Restaurant.
Find More: Visit Little Rock, Arkansas
2. Shopping and Art Tour in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Located in Northwest Arkansas, Eureka Springs is a unique mountain-top town featuring a little bit of everything. You'll find antiquing and art galleries, live performances, endless nature trails and outfitters on the Buffalo River, quaint wedding chapels and honeymoon suites, as well as about 100 other places to stay.
While not everything you'll find in this little town is geared toward families with kids (you'll want to check the rules at campgrounds and vacation rentals first), here are a few ways to make this trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas interesting and unique.
First, book a stay in a treehouse at the Turpentine Wildlife Rescue for big cats! It will be like staying on a safari! Then, make sure that you buy tickets for the Eureka Springs trolley so that you can get around town with ease!
Have breakfast at the Mud Street Cafe (historic downtown) and make a note to make it up to the top of the mountain by lunch for gourmet pizza at the Skybar and a self-guided tour of the famous haunted Crescent Hotel. In the gift shop, you can pick up a stuffed ghost plushie and a few other kid-friendly mementos that make the ghosts a whole lot less scary!
Stop in at aMUSEd, a gift shop filled with children's books and illustration art. This shop is located in the historic downtown shopping district where the roads twist and turn and curve around like you're walking around inside a Dr. Suess story. Here, you can read stories, meet the author, and buy some art from her talented illustrators.
Next, find all the spots to snap selfies with perspective art for a fun, kid-friendly adventure.
If you have more time, set a day aside to try stand-up paddleboarding with the local SUP outfitter on the lower Buffalo River. Spending time outdoors encourages adventure, creativity, and helps kids be more attentive (which can lead to better academic performance). Plus, trying something new together is a great way to bond as a family.
Find More: Experience Haunted Eureka Springs
3. Route 66 Road Trip Through Missouri
Take a step back in time with a trip down the Mother Road, a weekend experience that can start and go in either direction. For the Missouri leg of the Route 66 road trip, you'll travel between St Louis, Missouri and Joplin.
Starting in St Louis, you'll want to visit the Gateway Arch Memorial Park, followed by lunch and live music at Blueberry Hill Cafe. Then do some historic sightseeing at Taylor's Gas Station and Nelson's Garage on the North side of the city.
By mid-afternoon, you can quench your thirst and satisfy the rumble in your tummy at Crown Candy Kitchen. Then, finish the afternoon off at the Automobile Museum and make your way to the Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri.
In Cuba, you can take a walking tour of the Route 66 Mural City. Then, head to Meramec Caverns for a few hours of unique fun in the afternoon and loop back to the Drive-In for some old-fashioned entertainment at sunset.
First thing in the morning, you'll travel on to Springfield, Missouri. You can spend a half day making the historic Route 66 stops and another half day visiting a kid-friendly attraction like the Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium.
As you finish the last leg of your trip through Missouri, don't forget to make a stop at the Uranus Fudge Factory.
4. Scenic Drive & Cabin Stay in Mena, Arkansas
Located in Western Arkansas, this small town on the edge of the Ouachita National Forest is the perfect rural getaway for anyone who wants to unwind and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
First, book your vacation getaway from one of dozens of unique cabin stays through VRBO. Choose from historic downtown apartments, convenient spaces on the Talimena Scenic Byway, and remote cabins with mountain views.
During your trip, you'll want to make time to dig for crystals at the Board Camp Crystal Mine, explore the trails at Wolf Pen Gap Trail and Queen Wilhelmina State Park, and climb the scenic mountain tower at Fourche Trails.
If your kids are old enough, set a day aside for a thrilling adventure on ATVs at Wolf Pen. Or, shop at the Mercantile, learn a bit about the area at the River Valley Visitor's Center, and catch a show at The Silver Screen Theater, a cute local cinema.
Don't forget to take a ride on the Glory Train before you leave town!
Find More: Scenic Ozarks Drives You Can't Miss
5. Silver Dollar City Theme Park in Branson, Missouri
For the most variety, visit Southern Missouri's number one tourist destination. In Branson, Missouri, you'll find no shortage of fun things to do. And if you're traveling with kids, this stop absolutely must include a day (or two or three) at Silver Dollar City.
At SDC, you'll find a variety of rides and attractions for all ages. Plus, there's a real cave with lantern tours, lots of shopping, and plenty of food. Our favorite thrill ride is the Time Traveler. But we also have younger kids, so we spend a lot of time in The Grand Exposition and Fireman's Landing as well.
Book your stay in a pioneer cabin at the Silver Dollar City Campground. Then, stop in at Eva & Delilahs bakery for ginormous cinnamon rolls to start your day. Download the theme park app and plan your day to include rides, shows, tours, and more. Then, come back and do it all again the next day.
Find More: Grand Country Resort & Water Park
Start Planning
This long weekend, let the bonds between family and the spirit of exploration lead you to a new adventure. Consider one of these five quick trips to celebrate the upcoming Labor Day weekend and make new, lasting memories together.
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