Hope, AR Tourist Attractions
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Hope is best known for being the birthplace of former United States president Bill Clinton. Hope is also home to the world's largest watermelons.
Surroundings
There are several towns and attractions in the Hope surrounding area.
Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, Smackover
In 1925, a 40-square-mile field in Smackover was the focal point of one of the wildest mineral booms in North America. The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, sometimes referred to as the "Oil and Brine Museum", focuses on this industry and its effects on the local area.The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources has working equipment displays, and exhibits with special emphasis on petroleum and brine recovered for bromine extraction.Visitors to the Museum of Natural Resources can visit a 1920s boomtown, explore a core shaft, view an undersea diorama to learn the origin of oil or try their hand at drilling for oil.
Washington - Historic Washington State Park
Historic Washington State Park consists of a variety of restored and replicated buildings from the mid to late 1800s. The park was created to preserve and interpret Washington during its heyday when the town was an important stop for travelers on the Southwest Trail leading to Texas. It began to decline when the Cairo and Fulton Railroad bypassed the town a fire later destroyed a large section of the business district.The site includes James Black's blacksmith shop, creator of the Bowie Knife. There is also an 1836 Courthouse, the 1832 Williams Tavern Restaurant, as well as the Southwest Arkansas Regional Archives.
Arkadelphia
A former river port, Arkadelphia was established in 1839 and today is known as an agricultural center for the area. Nearby DeGray Lake provides a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Tha activities include guided nature hikes, tours of the lake, sunset cruises and kayaking.
Arkadelphia Aquatic Park
The Aquatic Park in Arkadelphia has several slides, a diving area and swimming lanes, water fountain, and arching sprays. There is a section geared to small children, a sunbathing area on the grass and shaded picnic areas.
Camden
Camden, population 13,154, is on the site of an old American Indian trail crossing. The town, originally named Fabre's Hill, was settled in the 1820s. Sandy Beach Park and nearby White Oak Lake State Park offer water based recreational activities.
McCollum - Chidester House
McCollum - Chidester House was built in 1847 for Peter McCollum. The house was later purchased by John Chidester, a stagecoach business owner, who added an east and west wing in 1862. Some of the original furnishing, which McCollum bought in New Orleans are on display in the home.
Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro is the main agricultural center in the area, with cattle, poultry, and egg production as the main industries. Popular activities in and around Murfreesboro include skiing, boating and fishing on Lake Greeson and the Little Missouri river.
Crater of Diamonds State Park
In south-western Arkansas, a short drive from Murfreesboro, is the Crater of Diamonds State Park, the only source of natural diamonds in the United States that is open to the public.Since 1906, more than 70,000 diamonds have been uncovered including the Wagner Diamond. The site became an Arkansas state park in 1972. Crater of Diamonds State Park also features a museum and water playground.
Ka-Do Ha Indian Village
Ka-Do-Ha Indian Village is the site of a 1,000 year old mound builder village. Tools, pottery, weapons, and jewelry are on display at the museum.Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the mounds and search for arrowheads in the field.
Sevier County Historical Museum, DeQueen
The Sevier County Historical Museum provides displays on the history of De Queen and Sevier County. The museum is also in the process of constructing a frontier village with recreated buildings from the early 1900s.
El Dorado
El Dorado became a boomtown in the early 1920s with the discovery of oil. Today timber, poultry and chemical manufacturing, as well as oil, comprise the town's economy.
Rainey-Newton House
The Rainey-Newton House was built in 1850, making it one of the oldest buildings in El Dorado. Matthew Rainey deeded 160 acres of land to the county and kept four acres for himself. The simple design and decor is representative of the lifestyle prevalent in frontier Arkansas. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
South Arkansas Arboretum
South Arkansas Arboretum is a 13 acre garden featuring native plants of the Gulf Coastal Plain as well as exotic species such as azaleas and camellias. The Arboretum is operated by the South Arkansas Community College.
Surroundings
There are several towns and attractions in the surrounding area, which can be easily visited from El Dorado.
Felsenthat National Wildlife Refuge, Crossett
Felsenthat National Wildlife Refuge covers 65,000 acres and offers trails, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, and camping. Felsenthal is the world's largest green-tree reservoir.
Crossland Zoo
The Crossland Zoo is home to more than 50 different types of animals and reptiles. The zoo also offers educational programs and walking or biking trails. A section of the Crossland Zoo is set up for visitors to pet hand-tamed animals.
Monticello
Monticello is located on the banks of the Saline River near Seven Devils Swamp and offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.
