Fort Smith, AR Road Trips

In 1817 Fort Smith was established as a military fort next to Indian territory in Oklahoma to keep the peace between the native Osage tribes and the recently relocated Cherokee groups. It is at the junction of the Arkansas river and the Poteau river at a place that early French explorers called Belle Point. The military fort was named after General Thomas A. Smith, the military's district commander. The military later relocated to nearby Fort Chaffee but the civilian settlers remained keeping the name of the fort and establishing a western frontier town that was often the last genteel layover for people from all walks of life before excursions into Indian Oklahoma including soldiers en route to the Mexican War in the Southwest. Later Fort Smith became a popular stop for westward expansionists, gold rush diggers, and those seeking better opportunities due to the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 20th century. Today as the second largest city in the state, the municipality and surrounding area is a major economic hub for the state of Arkansas with many major corporations with roots in the city still in operation and employing thousands. The downtown area and commercial zones are usually busy with voluminous traffic most days but beyond that you will find quiet residential zones and woods. Due to economic trends in the U.S. economy, some major factories and plants have closed and/or moved resulting in a swelling of the unemployed population and an uptick in local taxes.

Miss Laura's Social Club and Visitor Center, 2 N "B" St., +1 479 783-8888, A house of ill-repute from Fort Smith's past, now a visitor center. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a good starting point for any visit to Fort Smith. Fort Smith National Historic Site, South of Garrison Ave., near the Arkansas river. Parking and Park entrance near 3rd St. and Garland Ave. [2] This site includes the original Fort sites and the reconstructed gallows of Hanging Judge Issac Parker. Trolley Museum, 100 S. 4th, ☏ +1 479 783-0205. Take a ride on the trolley past the Judge Parker court and the National Historic Site. Belle Grove Historic District, 22 square block area north of downtown, On the National Register of Historic Places and has 25 restored historical homes. Fort Chaffee and Chaffee Crossing, Hwy 22 (east of Fort Smith) Former military fort with a rich history. Was built in 1941 and includes 22,000 acres. Elvis Presley was inducted into the military and started basic training there. The movies Biloxi Blues, and A Soldier's Story were filmed there.

Bowling World, 6100 South 36th Street, ☏ +1 479 646-5050. Arkansas' largest bowling facility, with a whopping 72 lanes. Jack's Skateland, 1413 Phoenix Avenue, ☏ +1 479 646-2538. An ordinary roller skating rink, but with a unique distinction: it has the only artistic roller skating club in Arkansas. The Steel Horse Rally. Experience one of the fastest-growing motorcycle rallies in the country and enjoy scenic rides, LIVE entertainment, vendors and motorcycle racing. 1st Weekend in May. Spring Levitt Amp Music Series. Presented by 64.6 Downtown, the Spring Levitt Amp Fort Smith Music Series brings 5 weeks of FREE concerts to Riverfront Park every Thursday night. Mid-May - Early June. Old Fort Days Rodeo. See some of the rankest bulls and broncos in rodeo, and watch cowboys from all over the world compete for one of the largest prize purses in Arkansas. Memorial Day - 1st Week in June. Fort Smith Comic Con. Collectibles, Cosplay, Celebrities, Games, Prizes, and more can always be expected at Fort Smith's Largest pop culture convention held each June. Early June. True Grit Ride. A 105-mile mountain bike ride through beautiful, rural scenery and rolling hills. Other options include a 30, 45, and 62-mile ride as well as a certified 5K. Mid June. River Valley Rumble. Are you ready to RUMBLE? One of the best short-track, cross-country mountain bike races in Arkansas is held each June. Late June. 4th of July Celebration. Held at Riverfront Park, the celebration brings live entertainment, food trucks, and the largest fireworks show in the region. July 4th.

You will find the standard chain restaurants spread out for 2 miles on Rogers Ave. to the east of Interstate 540. They include Friday's, Applebees, Chili's, Outback Steak House, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Arby's, Chick-fil-A, KFC, Wendy's, Schlotzsky's Deli, IHOP and Village Inn. Calico Country, 2401 South 56th, ☏ +1 479 452-3299. Family style restaurant with great cinnamon rolls. Doe's Steak House, 422 N. 3rd Street, ☏ +1 479 784-9111. Great steaks and tamales. Diamond Head 2, 1901 Midland Blvd, ☏ +1 479-782-2093. A great Chinese dine-in restaurant. Jerry Neel's BBQ, 1823 S Phoenix Av, ☏ +1 479 646-8085. Very good BBQ. Art's BBQ, 8203 Rogers Ave. +1 479-452-2550. Even better BBQ. Gusano's Pizzeria, 5505 Phoenix Ave, ☏ +1 479 434 6444, [email protected]. 11AM-11PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 11AM-10PM every other day. Chicago-style pizzeria and sports bar with the self-proclaimed "best Chicago-style pizza in the world". Part of a tiny chain of 8 restaurants in and around Arkansas. (updated Sep 2020)

Kinkead's, 1004 1/2 Garrison Ave. (In downtown next to the main post office.), ☏ +1 479 494-7477. Tu-Su 7PM to 2AM. Fort Smith's only gay bar. Good renovations but the uninitiated may be surprised at its scant floor space, especially on a busy weekend. Smoking allowed. Drag shows on Friday and Saturday. "Cougar Cabaret" drag show (no songs performed after the year 1989) once a month. Rooster's Blues Bar, 801 Garrison Ave, ☏ +1 479 783-2625. Sweet Bay Coffee Co., 3400 Rogers Ave, ☏ +1 479 452-6050, fax: +1 479 424-1711. Tassanee's Thai Cuisine, 1611 Dodson Avenue, ☏ +1 479 7852-7750. 11AM-9PM. Good Thai food.

Best Western Aspen Hotel, 2900 S. 68th St, ☏ +1 479 452-9000, fax: +1 479 484-0551. Beland Manor Bed and Breakfast, 1320 S. Albert Pike, ☏ +1 479 782-3300, toll-free: +1-800-334-5052. Wyndham Fort Smith City Center, 700 Rogers Ave, ☏ +1 479 783-1000. Holiday Inn Express, 7111 Phoenix Ave, ☏ +1 479 452-7500. Residence Inn Fort Smith, 3005 South 74th Street, ☏ +1 479 478-8300, fax: +1 479 478-8302. Hampton Inn, 6201-C Rogers Ave, ☏ +1 479 452-2000, fax: +1 479 452-6668, [email protected]. Baymont Inn & Suites, 2123 Burnham Rd, ☏ +1 479 484-5770, fax: +1 479 484-0579.

1 Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM IATA). Service by American Eagle from Dallas/Fort Worth, and Delta Connection from Atlanta. (updated Apr 2020) Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA IATA) near Bentonville, is about an hour and a half from Fort Smith. Tulsa International Airport (TUL IATA) (in Oklahoma) and Little Rock International Airport (LIT IATA) [1] are both about a two-hour drive away. Fort Smith does not have passenger rail service. The nearest cities with Amtrak stations are Oklahoma City, which is the northern terminus of the Heartland Flyer to Fort Worth; and Little Rock, which is served by the Texas Eagle San Antonio - Chicago route. Fort Smith is at the intersection of Interstate 40, Interstate 540, and US Route 71. Approximate driving times are: 2 hours and 30 minutes west of Little Rock, 1 hour south of Fayetteville, and 3 hours east of Oklahoma City. The Jefferson Lines provides bus service to the east, west and north.

The best way to get around and see Fort Smith is by car. Also, public transport is provided by Fort Smith Transit. Although Fort Smith is Arkansas' second largest city, it is relatively compact and getting around shouldn't be much of a problem.

Check the Tornado safety page if you are visiting Fort Smith. A tornado ripped through downtown Fort Smith on April 21, 1996 killing two people. Fort Smith is the 6th-most hit city by tornados in the US