From toy trains to vintage cars, Arkansas is filled with interesting history. Whether they’re off the beaten path or out-shined by larger attractions, these museums all deserve a visit. Let’s see what these one-of-a-kind museums have to offer.
- Jacksonville Museum of Military History - Jacksonville
Facebook/Jacksonville Museum of Military History, Jacksonville Arkansas This museum honors local Arkansas veterans from the Civil War to Afghanistan. Besides the Huey helicopter and an F-15 fighter jet outside, you’ll instantly be captivated by the 600 dog tags hanging in the foyer. The museum is located at N Hospital Cir., Jacksonville, AR 72076.
- Calico Rock Heritage Museum and Visitors Center - Calico Rock
Facebook/Calico Rock Heritage Museum and Visitors Center If visiting the nation’s only ghost town within a town intrigues you, then you must stop by the Calico Rock Heritage Museum and Visitors Center to learn more about the town’s interesting history. It’s located at 104 Main St., Calico Rock, AR 72519.
- Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources - Smackover
Google/Tim Beaman One of the lesser known state parks, the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources is a historical treasure trove. Learn about the history and importance of the state’s oil industry or walk along the trail in Oil Field Park to see a replica 1920s standard rig and a 112-foot wooden derrick. The museum is located at 3853 Smackover Hwy, Smackover, AR 71762.
- Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum - North Little Rock
Google/Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum Situated along the North Shore Riverwalk Park, the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum is the only place in the world that features two floating Naval vessels from beginning and end of World War II. The museum is located at 120 Riverfront Park Dr., North Little Rock, AR 72114.
- Museum of Native American History - Bentonville
TripAdvisor/klperi It’s easy to just associate Bentonville with Crystal Bridges but the city does have some other museums that deserve a visit. The Museum of Native American History covers 14,000 years of Arkansas’ first people and has over 10,000 artifacts. You can find the museum at 202 SW O St., Bentonville, AR 72712.
- Four States Auto Museum - Texarkana
TripAdvisor/sweerek The Four State Auto Museum features 20-25 vintage cars (the display rotates about every three months) from five decades. The museum also hosts routine car shows throughout the year. It’s located at 217 Laurel St., Texarkana, AR 71854.
- Fort Chaffee Barbershop Museum - Fort Smith
TripAdvisor/nowincolorado It’s easy to think that Garrison Avenue holds all of Fort Smith’s historic sites but there’s another place that deserves a visit. The Fort Chaffee Barbershop Museum is a quick stop that showcases Elvis’ “hair cut heard ‘round the world.” It’s located at 7313 Terry St., Fort Smith, AR 72923.
- Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum - Heber Springs
Facebook/Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum Train enthusiasts of every age will be delighted with the two-story museum that features 90 years of collecting. They have ten operating train layouts including some seasonal features. The museum is located at 401 South 12th St., Heber Springs, AR 72543.
How many of these have you visited? Is there another lesser known museum that deserves a shout out? Share with us in the comments below!
Facebook/Jacksonville Museum of Military History, Jacksonville Arkansas
This museum honors local Arkansas veterans from the Civil War to Afghanistan. Besides the Huey helicopter and an F-15 fighter jet outside, you’ll instantly be captivated by the 600 dog tags hanging in the foyer. The museum is located at N Hospital Cir., Jacksonville, AR 72076.
Facebook/Calico Rock Heritage Museum and Visitors Center
If visiting the nation’s only ghost town within a town intrigues you, then you must stop by the Calico Rock Heritage Museum and Visitors Center to learn more about the town’s interesting history. It’s located at 104 Main St., Calico Rock, AR 72519.
Google/Tim Beaman
One of the lesser known state parks, the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources is a historical treasure trove. Learn about the history and importance of the state’s oil industry or walk along the trail in Oil Field Park to see a replica 1920s standard rig and a 112-foot wooden derrick. The museum is located at 3853 Smackover Hwy, Smackover, AR 71762.
Google/Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum
Situated along the North Shore Riverwalk Park, the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum is the only place in the world that features two floating Naval vessels from beginning and end of World War II. The museum is located at 120 Riverfront Park Dr., North Little Rock, AR 72114.
TripAdvisor/klperi
It’s easy to just associate Bentonville with Crystal Bridges but the city does have some other museums that deserve a visit. The Museum of Native American History covers 14,000 years of Arkansas’ first people and has over 10,000 artifacts. You can find the museum at 202 SW O St., Bentonville, AR 72712.
TripAdvisor/sweerek
The Four State Auto Museum features 20-25 vintage cars (the display rotates about every three months) from five decades. The museum also hosts routine car shows throughout the year. It’s located at 217 Laurel St., Texarkana, AR 71854.
TripAdvisor/nowincolorado
It’s easy to think that Garrison Avenue holds all of Fort Smith’s historic sites but there’s another place that deserves a visit. The Fort Chaffee Barbershop Museum is a quick stop that showcases Elvis’ “hair cut heard ‘round the world.” It’s located at 7313 Terry St., Fort Smith, AR 72923.
Facebook/Ruland Junction Toy Train Museum
Train enthusiasts of every age will be delighted with the two-story museum that features 90 years of collecting. They have ten operating train layouts including some seasonal features. The museum is located at 401 South 12th St., Heber Springs, AR 72543.
You should also check out these peculiar, unusual, and oddly specific museums as well.
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