Southeast

When we picture the Wild West, our minds fill with dusty trails and bustling frontier towns. Our visit to Fort Smith included loads of western heritage and history. To keep ourselves from overloading on historical facts, we made sure to toss in some lighthearted looks back into the past. For a fun look back, we hopped on the Fort Smith Trolley for a ride through downtown. Little did we know that we would end up face-to-face with a notorious gang of robbers bent on outlaw activity. We want to thank Experience Fort Smith for hosting our visit. Rest assured all opinions are our own. Fort [...]

The Louisiana Purchase signaled many changes in the United States. The addition of 828,000 square miles of new territory nearly doubled the size of the young nation. Early explorers viewed the new lands as stark in comparison to the settled land to the east. It would be branded with the nickname "Great American Dessert" and considered uninhabitable. With a steady flow of Native Indian tribes moving westward, the government saw a need for military presence. On Christmas Day of 1817, a group of soldiers arrived on the western edge of the Arkansas River in a location that would become Fort Smith. We want [...]

Art has been an expression of emotions for as long as humans have existed. While the basic design can be simple or complex, it is what we see beyond the obvious that touches our souls. More and more cities are seeing how urban art projects can help residents and visitors connect with the essence of a destination. Fort Smith, Arkansas is in the midst of a downtown revitalization plan that includes adding plenty of urban art. As we explored their historic downtown, we kept our eyes peeled for some of these images. With over 30 murals, by various artists, we see how this [...]

We feel that being a foodie moves you beyond the standard pleasure found in dining. For us, there is anticipation for the upcoming meals. There is an air of mystery that surrounds each new visit and the prospect of new flavor discovery. When we landed in downtown Fort Smith, Arkansas, we were already aware of its vibrant food scene. One of the preselected destinations had us jumping south of the border. Dinner at Rolando's Restaurante would give us a chance to experience dining Ecuadorian style. We want to thank Experience Fort Smith and Rolando's Restaurante for hosting our visit. rest assured all opinions [...]

Real life is often more sensational than make believe. Being a fan of westerns, I was excited to finally visit Fort Smith, Arkansas. It was in this city that a real life legend held court during the Wild West days. While many are unaware of Judge Parker's court, it left an indelible mark on the history of the American West. Our visit to Fort Smith included a wide range of experiences, but learning more about facing "the Hanging Judge" was high on our list of must-dos. We want to thank Experience Fort Smith and the Fort Smith National Historic Site for hosting our visit. Rest [...]

It seems to me that I'm always hungry when we arrive at a new destination. While this could be tied to the length of time spent in the car, often it is more about getting to know the culinary vibe of the city. We always hear about the importance of first impressions, but what about first tastes? Our visit to Fort Smith was focused on the downtown region, which is filled with enticing eateries. The compact nature of the area makes it easy to navigate by foot, so we ditched the car and headed off toward Bricktown Brewery for our first meal. We [...]

The story of Fort Smith begins with the Louisiana Purchase. Before this, the lands along the Arkansas River were used by nomadic Native Indians. A military post, erected in 1817, signaled the beginning of the town, which sprung up along the eastern shores of the river. The fort, and subsequent city, were named after Thomas Adams Smith, a brigadier general in the War of 1812. Since we were about to embark on the exploration of the city, we felt it was wise to get some historical context. A stop at the Fort Smith Museum of History would help. While the city is filled [...]

Like many frequent travelers, we have a list of destinations that we hope to visit in our lifetimes. Every once in a while, we will discover one that has flown below our radar. This was the case for Fort Smith, Arkansas. The city's slogan is "Where the New South meets the Old West". It is one of the largest cities in Arkansas, with around 90,000 residents. Its position along the Oklahoma border meant that it was on the edge of the Western Frontier. While the days of the wild west are long gone, the city has worked hard at preserving the past. We [...]