The Vibe: Arkansas Is A Diamond In The Not-So-Rough
A lot of people assume that
Arkansas is just another half-Southern, half-Midwestern fly-over state. But anyone who has ever experienced the Ozarks knows better.
Arkansas goes by the name The Natural State for good reason. No matter where you go in Arkansas, from corner to corner, the raw beauty always reveals itself, on land and below. And just like a diamond, each spot offers something new and unique, shaping Arkansas into the gem that it is.
Whether you’re getting your toes wet in the crystal clear lakes, hiking through the dense forests, exploring the caves underground, or riding a motorcycle along the winding Pig trail, Arkansas consistently shines as the gem as it is, filled with endless surprises.
Local Flavor: All The Best Things Happen On Water
Life in Arkansas is just like life anywhere else. You wake up and go to work every day and count down to the weekend and vacations. But in Arkansas, there is only one end goal and that is the water.
For generations, fathers have taken their kids fishing to create lifelong memories, teens have jumped in the lakes, adults have escaped to the unbelievable and vast number of natural hot springs, and everyone in Arkansas has thrown at least one amazing float party in their lifetime, all proving that even though times may change, but some things always stay the same. And life on the water in Arkansas is one of them.
Cuisine: Feasts Are For Barbeque And Tamales
The Southern vibe of Arkansas has given The Natural State some of its best attributes. That classic Southern hospitality and friendly disposition of the locals is one and blow-your-hair-back awesome barbeque is another. Find some of the best in the state at The Whole Hog Cafe in North Little Rock. And then check out another one of Arkansas’ surprises: tamales. You read that right. Arkansas’ tamale scene are the best you’ll find this side of the border.
Arkansas also has a variety of unusual dining spots including restaurants where you can dine inside a cave, a giant orange, or a Boeing 727.
Nightlife: Arkansas Keeps The Fun Coming
You won’t uncover the Vegas Strip in Arkansas anytime soon, that’s for sure. But you can still find plenty to do keep you entertained when the sun goes down, especially in the larger cities.
Stick to
Little Rock,
Fayetteville,
Bentonville, Hot Springs,
Eureka Springs,
Fort Smith,
Rogers, and
Springdale for the best nightlife scene where you can jam out to live bands, find the best dance clubs, or catch a variety of theatrical performances on stage.
And don’t pass up on a trip to Afterthought Bistro and Bar in Little Rock where you and your friends can join together for a night of drinks and band karaoke.
Weather: Arkansas Has The Best Of Every Season
Having all four seasons makes exploring The Natural State even more enjoyable, as there’s something awesome to highlight each one.
Summers are for float trips, parties, and boating down the lakes and rivers to cool off from the humid, 90 degree July temperatures. Fall is for harvesting fresh food from many of the state’s local farms while enjoying Halloween festivities. And winter is enjoyably mild with highs hovering around the mid- to high-50s but also has lows that dip below freezing.
In fact, depending on where you live in the state, you could even see up to four inches of snow annually which makes for just enough to have some fun but not so much that you feel buried alive.
Safety & Crime: Never Worry When You Know Where To Go
Like most places, Arkansas has places that are more desirable than others. And as long as you know the difference, you’ll never have anything but a pleasant experience in The Natural State.
Cities like
Cammack Village, Hot Springs Village,
Tontitown, Bentonville,
Maumelle,
Greenbrier, Johnson,
White Hall,
Centerton, and
Conway all rank among Arkansas’ top 10 most livable and desirable cities according to AreaVibes.com. Some even boast crime rates so low, they come in 65 percent lower than the national average.
Commute: Hang Onto Your Car
You’re going to need four wheels if you want to get around Arkansas, even in the biggest cities across the state. Little Rock has an abysmal Walk Score of 31 and an even worse Transit Score of 18 while Fort Smith has a Walk Score of 33 and Fayetteville’s Walk Score is 27.
If you’re living in the downtown districts of the bigger cities, you can get away walking or cycling a little easier. Downtown Little Rock jumps mildly to a Walk Score of 67 and a Bike Score of 43.
Unless you live right near work, still not great numbers. So, your best bet is to hang onto your car. But the good news is that Arkansas boasts some of the lowest commute times in the country, averaging a super easy 18 minutes to work each way.
Cost Of Living: Arkansas Is Naturally Affordable
Enjoying everything The Natural State has to offer is easy for locals thanks to the affordable price tag that comes with living here. Against a national index of 100, Arkansas ranks 16 points cheaper than the national average with a cost of living index of 84.
Everything is cheaper here, from your bag of groceries to your electric bill. But the housing is the cheapest of all, with an astoundingly low index of 64. With an average house price of just $109,000, living within your means is much more feasible in Arkansas, giving you extra cash to have a little fun with.
Arkansas Gets Hog Wild
Another Southern staple in Arkansas is college football love. It’s not so much a choice as it is bred into you. But don’t worry, you don’t have to be a native to go hog wild here. Razorbacks loyalty is infectious. Before you know it, you’ll have more red in your wardrobe than Santa Claus, you’ll be planning your schedule around game day, and you’ll have that “woo pig sooie” call down better than anyone.
In Arkansas, Hops Have Replaced Diamonds
The craft beer scene in Arkansas has become a surprisingly huge and exciting industry across The Natural State. Whether you’re drinking a Fossil Cove pale ale to wash down the ribs you scared down at the Bikes, Blues & BBQ Fest or you’re hopping your way down the Fayetteville Ale Trail, there’s everything from IPAs to lagers and everything in between for locals to proudy enjoy as they find their new favorite brew and help support the local community.
